More distance with the driver. It's almost every golfer's wish. And it's also one of the most misunderstood aspects of the game because most golfers think hitting harder is the answer. It's not. In this article, we explain the four factors that determine how far you hit with your driver, and we provide concrete adjustments you can apply immediately.

Why "hitting harder" doesn't work

The reflex to hit harder is understandable, but counterproductive. A forced, tense swing almost always results in less speed than a relaxed, well-timed motion. The reason is biomechanical: maximum speed in a golf swing is generated at the moment of impact. That speed comes from rotation, timing, and a free arm and wrist movement, not from brute force.

Tour players speak of the 3:1 rule: the backswing takes roughly three times as long as the downswing. A calm, wide backswing loads energy; an explosive but controlled downswing releases that energy freely. Those who shorten the backswing due to haste or tension deprive themselves of the moment to build up energy.

Factor 1: Loft, the most underestimated variable

The loft of your driver is the steepness of the clubface, expressed in degrees. The more loft, the higher the ball goes into the air. The misconception that many amateurs suffer from: lower loft = more distance. This is only true if you have sufficient swing speed.

For golfers with a lower swing speed below 85 mph, which applies to a large portion of recreational golfers and most women, a higher loft is actually better. The optimal launch height for maximum distance is only achieved if the ball goes high enough into the air. A 9-degree driver will hit a shorter ball at 75 mph swing speed than a 12 or even 14-degree driver.

Loft adjustment can be done on most modern drivers with a supplied wrench. Experiment with a higher loft than you currently use and measure the difference at a driving range with distance markers.

Factor 2: Attack angle up or down?

The attack angle is the angle at which your clubhead strikes the ball: downwards (negative) or upwards (positive). With irons, you want a negative attack angle—you hit the ball slightly before the lowest point of your swing. With a driver, it's the opposite: you want to hit the ball on the upswing, so the loft is optimally utilized.

A positive attack angle of 3 to 5 degrees is ideal for most amateurs. This explains why ball position is so crucial with the driver: the ball is ideally positioned left of the left foot (for right-handers), so the swing has already passed its lowest point when it strikes the ball.

Players who hit the driver like an iron—with a downward motion—impart too much spin on the ball, causing it to shoot steeply into the air and lose distance. They notice this by a high, ballooning ball flight that quickly dies out.

Factor 3: Ball position and tee height

Two simple adjustments that make an immediate difference. The ball position should be far enough forward—just in front of the left foot for right-handed golfers. If the ball is too far towards the middle of the stance, you will hit it on the downswing.

Tee height is also crucial. The ball should be high enough so that the top of the driver at address is level with the bottom half of the ball, or even slightly below the center of the clubface. Many golfers tee the ball too low, causing them to hit it on the negative part of the clubface, leading to spin and loss of height.

A practical tip from PGA professionals: "Tee it high and let it fly." It might feel awkward at first to tee the ball so high, but most golfers immediately hit it further once they adopt this habit.

Factor 4: Does shaft flex match your equipment?

A shaft that is too stiff for your swing speed results in less energy transfer. The shaft bends and springs back during the swing; if that spring action is not synchronous with the moment of impact, energy is lost.

The basic classification of shaft flex:

• Ladies (L): under 75 mph swing speed
• Senior / Amateur (A): 75–85 mph
• Regular (R): 85–95 mph
• Stiff (S): 95–104 mph
• Extra Stiff (X): 105 mph and above

Many amateurs play with a stiff shaft because it sounds "more professional," while their swing speed actually requires a regular or senior flex. The wrong shaft can easily cost you 15 to 25 meters of distance, regardless of how good your technique is.

If you're unsure which shaft suits you, a club fitting is the most direct way to find out. A well-adjusted driver—correct loft, correct shaft flex, correctly set up—can yield more distance than any swing tip.

View the range of drivers at Reswing Golfstore for an overview of available models and specifications.

A concrete drill for more clubhead speed

This is one of the most common drills used by PGA professionals to increase swing speed without disrupting technique:

First, swing five times as hard as you can with a heavy Powerfan or a regular iron with an old glove wrapped around it. Feel the resistance. Then, swing as hard as possible with a light club or an aim stick and listen for the swoosh at the bottom of the swing. After that, take two swings with your own driver without a ball, and finally hit three balls. The activation of the muscles by the contrast stimulus temporarily increases your clubhead speed. With regular repetition, this builds speed structurally.

Summary: four questions for more length

Before you pick up a driver next time and want to get more distance, ask yourself four questions. Do I have enough loft on my driver for my swing speed? Am I hitting the ball on the upswing or downswing? Is the ball in the correct position in my stance? And does the shaft flex match my swing speed?

If you can improve any one of these four factors, you'll immediately hit further. If you optimize all four, you'll make a leap that no swing tip could achieve.

Want to know which driver suits your swing? Check out the drivers at Reswing Golfstore and find the right club for more distance.

Author: Reswing Golfstore Team Reswing Golfstore helps golfers find the right equipment for more distance, control, and enjoyment on the course.