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6 Driving Mistakes That Are Killing Your Distance (And How to Fix Them)

Let’s be honest—nothing feels better than crushing a drive right down the middle. But for many golfers, the driver can be the most frustrating club in the bag. Whether you’re struggling with slices, pop-ups, or just a lack of distance, chances are you’re making one of these six common driving mistakes.

The good news? Every mistake has a fix. Let’s dive into what’s ruining your drives—and how to fix them for good.

1. Aiming Too Far Right (or Left!)

You set up to the ball, thinking you’re aimed straight, but in reality, your alignment is off. Aiming too far right (for right-handers) often leads to a compensatory over-the-top swing, which causes slices. Conversely, aiming too far left can lead to a quick hook or a weak fade.

Fix:

Check your target line properly. Many pros use a club or an alignment stick in practice to ensure their feet, hips, and shoulders are aimed parallel to the target.

• A quick trick: Set up, then drop your club on the ground along your toe line. Step back and check where it’s pointing—chances are, it’s not where you thought.

2. Ball Position Too Far Forward (Or Too Far Back)

Ball position is hugely important in driving. If it’s too far forward, your shoulders will tilt excessively, making it harder to square the clubface. If it’s too far back, you’ll de-loft the club and struggle to launch the ball properly.

Fix:

• For drivers, the ball should be positioned just inside your lead heel.

• A simple way to check: Take your stance, then drop the club straight down from your left armpit—it should land near the ball.

3. Stance Too Wide (Or Too Narrow)

A stance that’s too wide makes it harder to rotate properly, leading to swaying. A too-narrow stance creates instability and a lack of power.

Fix:

• For drivers, your stance should be slightly wider than shoulder-width to provide stability while still allowing rotation.

• If you struggle with weight shift, try this: Place a ball under the outside of your trail foot in practice. This keeps you from swaying and encourages a better turn.

4. Not Enough Spine Tilt (Leading to Weak Drives)

A common mistake is setting up too level with the ground, rather than tilting slightly away from the target. This causes steep, downward strikes—bad for distance and consistency.

Fix:

• At setup, feel like your lead shoulder is slightly higher than your trail shoulder (without exaggerating).

Drill: Set up, then step your trail foot back a few inches (like a mini step-back drill). This naturally helps you feel the correct tilt.

5. Quick, Rushed Tempo (Destroying Power and Consistency)

You see long hitters on TV, and you think faster = farther. Wrong. Many amateur golfers rush their backswing, which throws off sequencing and timing.

Fix:

Count it out: Try a smooth “1-2” backswing, then “3-4” downswing.

• Watch Rory McIlroy—he swings fast, but never rushed. His backswing is deliberate, allowing his downswing to explode naturally.

6. Too Much Upper Body Involvement (Leading to Slices)

Ever wonder why your driver keeps slicing, even when you feel like you’re swinging well? Many golfers start the downswing with their shoulders, which throws the club over the top.

Fix:

• Instead of starting your downswing with your shoulders, initiate with your lower body.

• Feel like your hips bump slightly forward before your hands drop—this keeps the club on plane and eliminates that nasty over-the-top move.

Bonus Tip: The Tee Height Trick

A simple tee height adjustment can dramatically affect your drives:

Tee it higher if you struggle with low, spinny shots.

Tee it lower if you pop the ball up too much.

A good rule of thumb: Half the ball should sit above the clubface when teed up.

Final Thoughts

Driving is all about good fundamentals, sequencing, and balance. If you’re struggling off the tee, start by checking these six common mistakes—chances are, one (or more) is killing your consistency.

The Golf Bandit
The Golf Bandit

Hi, I'm Jan. I'm passionate about golf and have been playing for years. I love testing out new clubs and equipment, and I share my reviews right here on my blog. With access to the latest gear, I provide honest insights on how they perform on the course. I also enjoy sharing tips and tricks to help you improve your game. Thanks for visiting—hope you find something useful!

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