How Far Should I Hit My Driver? Key Factors & Tips to Maximize Distance

Britt Olizarowicz

May 29, 2024 . 7 mins read

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Driver distance is a key indicator in how low you can score on the golf course. The closer you get to the hole, the easier it is to get the ball in the hole.

If you are wondering whether you are getting enough distance with your driver, we have you covered.

You can get an approximate number for how far you should hit your driver based on your swing speed. However, there are other factors that will also come into play, like clubface angle, quality of the strike, and even your wrist position.

Here is how far you should be hitting a driver and a few tips to help you gain some extra yardage.

Maximizing Driver Distance (Key Takeaways)

If you are just here for a few quick tips on gaining more distance with your driver (and how far it should be going), here’s what you need to know:

• The more clubhead speed you have the further your drive will go, however quality and centeredness of strike also make a big difference in total yardage.
• Using the ground to increase your driving distance is a great way to add 10 or more yards.
• Proper wrist position allows you to control the clubface and strike the ball in the center; the closer your wrist is to flat at the top of the backswing, the easier it is to hit a long and straight drive.
• The correct body turn is imperative to get long distances on a drive. By setting your wrists in the right position at the top of the swing and then turning the body through, you can add significant distance without making any major swing changes.

How Far Should I Hit My Driver?

These are the average distances you should be hitting your driver based on your swing speed. If you are getting more distance than this, you may have newer technology, and you might strike the ball very close to the center of the face.

However, most golfers find they have less distance than they should be getting, and this is often a result of poor mechanics in the golf swing.

Professional golfers like Bryson Dechambeau have swing speeds of 115 to 120 mph. Because of the way he applies force and efficiency in his swing, he is able to hit drives of 350+ yards. You can learn to do the same.

How to Get More Distance from Your Driver

If you’ve looked at our chart showing how far you should hit your driver and you are not getting the distances you would like, here are a few things you can try.

Getting more distance from your driver means more short irons into the greens and lower scores.

People want to make a statement about the putter being so important, and it is, but the driver is just as important.

Get the Wrist Position Right

The wrist position with the driver is just as important as it is with the irons.

At HackMotion, we have analyzed more than 1,000,000 golf swings of professional and amateur players to find out what works best for them.

We looked at the golfers with the highest distance ratings with the driver and found that their wrist position at the top of the backswing was flat.

The lead wrist is not in an extended position. The common trait among amateurs is to get to this extended position where the clubface is open. When the clubface is open, there is work to do in closing as you get closer to the ball.

This video from Rob Cheney shows you how to make two quick changes to your setup that will allow you to get a shallower path and a flatter wrist position at the top of your backswing.

The changes in the distance you can get from your drive are significant and you’ll see them immediately.

Hit Up On the Ball a Bit

Hitting down on a drive is not correct. To hit a great shot you want to hit up on the ball. Hitting up on the ball requires a little bit of a change of mindset.

Many golfers struggle with how to hit up on a drive without hanging back with too much weight on the trail leg.

This video from Ali Taylor Golf explains a simple setup tweak that will encourage a more upward strike while still hitting the ball from your lead foot. This is a powerful move, and all you really need to do is set up with the driver club head just a few inches behind the golf ball.

Turn the Hips Before You Get to The Ball

Hip turn with the driver is a key way to increase power and total distance. However, you will want your hips to turn at the right time. You’ll find that hips turning at the same time as the shoulders is already too late.

You will miss out on power, and the quality of the strike won’t be nearly as good.

Instead, when you get to the top of the backswing, you’ll feel as though your hips are leading the way. Of course, your club needs to be on plane, and you want that flat lead wrist position.

After that you can fire through. Practice doing this faster and faster it’s something all the great long drivers, like Rory and Bryson do in their swings.

Push Away From the Ground at Impact

Competing in a long drive contest and learning to hit a golf ball far are two different things. However, there are some concepts that cross over between the two.

One of those concepts is using the ground to help you hit the ball further.

In this video, Bryson explains some interesting concepts that show how to gain more power and speed. Obviously, he is a very good athlete, and not all of these concepts will help you keep the ball in the fairway.

The one drill that can really benefit almost any player is the concept of pushing away from the ground at impact. Watch some slow motion swings of Rory, Scottie, or Bryson. You’ll see that they do this with such efficiency and power that it’s no wonder they get the distances they do.

As an amateur player you’ll probably start slow with this concept. You can take some slow motion swings and really feel that pushing off through the ground. Let’s keep in mind that Bryson can do this because his clubface is square.

If your clubface is still not square, move up this list and get your wrist position correct first.

Final Thoughts

Don’t be afraid to want more distance from your drives. It’s natural to like to hit the ball far, but smart golfers know that hitting it far means lower scores.

The closer your tee shot ends up to the green, the better your chance of making a birdie. It’s that simple.

Use the HackMotion to get your wrist position perfect and then use this position to give you the confidence you need to get the driver to fly further. You’ll see after just a few sessions with the HackMotion how restricting it is to try and hit a long drive with an extended lead wrist.