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.
And fixing them is way easier than trying to buy a new swing with a $600 driver. (Trust me, I’ve tried.)
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.
• 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.
📝 Bonus Drill:
Set up normally, then close your eyes for a second. Open them and see where your body is actually aimed. It’ll be eye-opening (and sometimes humbling).
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.
If you find yourself adjusting your ball position mid-round after a bad drive, you’re probably guessing. Consistency at setup leads to consistency at impact.
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.
📝 Bonus Drill:
Hit a few drivers standing only on your lead foot (with your trail toe just for balance). You’ll instantly feel if your stance was doing you any favors.
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.
A proper spine tilt is what separates “pop-up city” from “high-launch bombs.”
If you want to dive deeper into getting your setup right, this breakdown on driver impact position and why it matters is a great place to start.
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, throwing off sequencing and timing.
Ironically, this kills distance and consistency.
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.
If your tempo is all over the place, these simple power-boosting tips can make a bigger difference than you think.
📝 Bonus Drill:
Swing back as slow as you can without stopping. It’ll feel weird—but your timing and strike will improve immediately.
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.
Slices are brutal, but they’re fixable.
If you’re fighting that banana ball, you might want to also check out how to fix your slice fast.
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.
Teeing it properly is such an overlooked part of bombing drives consistently.
Final Thoughts
Driving is all about good fundamentals, smooth sequencing, and balance.
If you’re struggling off the tee, start by checking these six common mistakes—chances are, one (or more) is quietly wrecking your consistency.
Fix your setup. Fix your rhythm. Trust your lower body to start the swing.
And remember: Bombing it past your buddies never gets old.
(Just maybe don’t start dancing on the tee box. Save that for the 19th hole.)
Before You Go…
If you’re serious about upgrading your distance and forgiveness off the tee, it might be time to look at the latest tech.
Check out the best golf drivers on the market — you might be one club away from your best driving season yet.
