How to Hit a Golf Ball Higher With a Driver (with Video)

Your driver may not be the most important golf club in your bag when it comes to the final number on your scorecard, but it does set the tone for your round psychologically.

In most cases, hitting the golf ball with great driving distance down the fairway requires sweet spot clubhead contact with an elevated launch angle- but most beginner golfers and even some amateur golfers struggle to find the right golf swing to achieve this ball flight path on their tee shots.

Let’s go over some tips on how to hit higher golf shots with a driver.

Change the position of the ball in your stance

Play the ball in line with the inside of your left heel (for a right-handed golfer). Just this change in ball position will allow you to hit the ball up on the upswing with the club lofted on its angle of attack.

Transfer your weight to your target side (left for a right-handed golfer) on the downswing

If you don't transfer your weight, your club will rise too soon and the driver swing path will lead you to hit the top part of the ball with the bottom of the club, creating a lower shot. The weight transfer allows you to swing level and catch the ball in the middle of the clubface, just at the beginning of the upswing with the proper clubhead speed.

Resist the temptation to swing harder than you swing your other clubs.

Most golfers – especially on the first tee – want to impress their player partners and try to hit an overwhelmingly long ball by adding velocity to their swing speed. This will have a negative impact on timing, your backswing, reduce accuracy and not result in longer drives.

Takeaways

Taking your driver out of the bag and launching a shot high and deep down the fairway will leave you feeling great about the prospects for your round, and your foursome will think they are playing with a formidable golfer. Hitting a high and majestic shot will give your confidence to play a great round.

A great place to work with your golf driver is the driving range. Hitting driver shots at the range will allow you to instantly work with different tee heights, back foot and front foot placements, left shoulder and right shoulder positioning, and help with your overall confidence when it's time to play your best golf out on the golf course.