How to Hit a Long Drive in Golf

By hitting long drives, golfers can considerably shorten the longer holes on a course and increase their chances of posting a good score.

Most professionals can consistently hit their tee shots about 300 yards, and many can hit it even farther. You need patience and concentration to hit it far down the fairway. To get that extra yardage, learn to tee the ball properly and get as much club head speed as possible.

1. Use a driver. The driver is designed to hit the ball as far as possible.

2. If you're not comfortable with the driver, head to the practice range and get comfortable. The longest hitters use drivers, not 3-woods or 5-woods.

1. Tee the ball so that at address, the top edge of the driver face meets the ball at its midpoint. Make sure you have a long enough tee to do the job as drivers get bigger and better.

1. Try a glove. Golf gloves give most players a better grip, but not all players use gloves. Experiment with it both ways to get a feel of which way you want to go.

1. Make your backswing with your left arm stiff (for right-handers) as you transfer your weight to your right leg.

2. Move your weight back to the left as you begin your downswing. Keep your eye on the ball the entire time.

1. Play for a straight shot by making sure your stance is completely balanced and square.

2. If you are not balanced, try widening your stance. A little hook or draw can actually add distance to your drives, but most players are better off hitting it straight.