Few shots in golf carry as much weight as the drive. A solid tee shot can set the tone for the entire hole, giving you a shorter approach, a better angle to the green, and a huge boost in confidence.
On the other hand, inconsistent drives can force awkward lies, tricky angles, and higher scores, making the game feel frustrating instead of fun. That’s why mastering your driver is one of the fastest ways to improve your overall performance and enjoyment on the course.
But having a great swing alone isn’t enough—using the right driver makes a huge difference. A club that matches your swing speed, launch angle, and forgiveness needs can turn a decent swing into a memorable one.
Our SF1 driver is engineered to combine speed, adjustability, and forgiveness, helping any golf enthusiast hit straighter drives and turn any slice into a straight shot or baby draw. With the right driver and simple, easy to follow drills like this one, you can completely transform your tee shots.
Once you’ve got the right driver, you can dive into powerful drills like the one below to help you master the golf swing.
The Power of a Wide Arc
The key to hitting the driver farther is generating a wide arc in your swing. This means getting the clubhead as far away from your body as possible during both the backswing and follow-through, while keeping your upper body stable.
Pros like Rory McIlroy exemplify this technique, which allows for a shallower angle of attack and better contact with the ball. Narrow swings, on the other hand, often lead to steep angles and inconsistent drives.
Let’s jump into how you can transform your drives into something truly powerful with this drill from the Performance Golf YouTube channel. It’s components are just simple adjustments that make a huge impact.
Step 1: Lead Shoulder Back
The first component of a wide arc is letting your lead shoulder (left shoulder for right-handed golfers) move back and away from the target. This motion creates space for the clubhead to travel on a wide path. Without this shoulder turn, the swing becomes narrow, limiting distance and control.
Step 2: Long Arms
Alongside shoulder movement, keeping your arms extended is critical. Avoid bending the trail arm excessively or over-hinging the wrists. Long, wide arms combined with the lead shoulder moving back help maintain a wide arc from hip height in the backswing all the way through the follow-through.
The Driver Drill
To practice this drill:
- Take a setup just inside the ball. Begin with your lead arm only, moving the lead shoulder back while keeping the arm extended. Focus on feeling the clubhead as far from your body as possible.
- Add your trail arm while maintaining extended arms and relaxed wrists.
- Make half swings, concentrating on the shoulder and arm positions. This builds muscle memory for a wide swing arc without unnecessary head movement.
- Progress to full swings while keeping the same focus: lead shoulder back, arms long on the backswing, right shoulder through, arms long on the follow-through.
Maintaining Width Throughout the Swing
Consistency is key. Both shoulders and arms should create width on either side of the swing without excessive head movement. This ensures solid contact and maximizes leverage, making even shorter golfers more effective off the tee.
A wide arc is a game-changer for any golfer looking to hit longer, straighter drives. Pairing this swing technique with a driver like the Performance Golf SF1 or the Thriver allows you to maximize distance, control, and confidence from the tee. With practice and the right equipment, your drives can become one of the most reliable and enjoyable parts of your game.
