5 Driver Mistakes That Are Costing You Distance

Every golfer wants more distance off the tee, yet most amateur players are unknowingly sabotaging their drives with avoidable technical errors. The driver is the most unforgiving club in the bag, and small mistakes in setup or swing mechanics can translate to significant yardage losses. Understanding what you're doing wrong is the first step toward unlocking the distance you've always had.

One of the most common mistakes is teeing the ball too low. When the ball sits below the equator of the clubhead at address, you're almost guaranteed to hit down on the ball — the exact opposite of what you want with a driver. Modern driver technology is engineered to launch the ball high with low spin, but that only works when you catch it on the upswing. Tee it up so at least half the ball sits above the crown of the driver.

Grip pressure is another silent distance killer. Many golfers squeeze the grip at impact as though they're trying to hold on for dear life. This tenses the forearms and wrists, robbing you of the lag and whip speed that generates power. Think of holding a tube of toothpaste without squeezing any out — that's the pressure you're after throughout the swing.

The final two mistakes involve ball position and shoulder alignment. Playing the ball too far back in your stance promotes a steep attack angle and a slice-inducing open face. The ball should be positioned opposite your lead heel. Equally damaging is setting up with open shoulders, which pulls the swing path outside-in and drains distance while producing that dreaded left-to-right ball flight. Square your shoulders to the target line and watch the ball start flying straighter and farther.