Getting behind and staying behind the golf ball with your driver can significantly enhance your distance off the tee. In today’s lesson, JT and Eric from Performance Golf break down the mechanics behind this crucial technique, offering insights that can transform your golf driver game so you can tee up with confidence!
How To Get Behind The Ball With Driver (The Right Way!)
Why Staying Behind the Ball Matters
In golf, “staying behind the ball” refers to the position where your head and upper body remain slightly behind the ball at impact, especially when hitting a drive (see example above).
When examining the swings of excellent drivers who hit the ball high, far, and straight, a common trait is that their heads consistently stay back relative to the ball. This head position is vital because it allows for a more upward strike, which is essential for maximizing distance with the driver.
The Secret: Focus on Your Hips
The key to keeping your head behind the ball isn’t actually focusing on your head at all—it’s all about your hips. The position and movement of your hips directly influence where your head is.
Many players struggle because they move their hips too far off the ball during their backswing, causing their heads to move forward and making it challenging to get back behind the ball during the downswing.
Demonstrating the Head and Hip Problem
When a player’s head moves forward during the downswing, they tend to hit down on the ball too much, which leads to loss of distance. Hitting down on a driver, which is meant to be hit on an upward angle, results in inefficient energy transfer and shorter drives.
Correcting Hip and Head Alignment
To maintain proper head position, focus on the following hip movements:
- Backswing: As you take the club back, aim to rotate your tailbone slightly towards the target. This subtle hip movement naturally shifts your head to the right (behind the ball).
- Downswing: Begin the downswing by pushing your hips forward while keeping your chest behind your belt buckle. This movement keeps your head back and allows for a more upward strike.
Additional Tips and Drills for the Right Ball Alignment
At setup, ensure your shirt buttons are behind your belt buckle (or imagine them, if you’re wearing a tee and no belt). Maintain this alignment throughout the backswing and downswing. This position prevents your upper body from moving too far forward and keeps your head behind the ball, facilitating a more effective upward strike.
By focusing on hip movement rather than head position, you can effectively get and stay behind the ball, resulting in longer, more accurate drives.
Remember, the relationship between your hips and upper body is crucial. Practice these techniques to see significant improvements in your driving distance and overall performance on the course.
If you’re struggling with a slice and are ready to take it to the next level with an easy fix, be sure to check out the SF1 Driver, the world’s first slice fix driver. And don’t forget, Performance Golf is here for all of your golf training aid needs, just check out our professional instructional videos or our Scratch Club training program.
