How To Hit Driver More Consistently

Written by Todd in Online Golf Instruction

  1. Be Consistent in your Setup
  2. Develop A Stock Shot
  3. Swing to the Target
  4. Pick Quality Targets
  5. Develop Quality Swing Speed

I think if most golfers could pick one club to always hit consistently, they would pick their driver.

It is a vital club in the bag and the more consistent with quality distance we can hit our driver, the better many golfers will score.

We would define hitting a driver more consistent as hitting 11 to 12 quality drives out of 14 attempts each round of golf.  This includes a shot that is in play with a clear shot to the green with the distance you would expect from your swing speed.

Here are our top tips to hitting the driver more consistently.

How To Hit Driver More Consistently

Update: After years of playing golf, this past season, I started to hit what I call my “bunt” swing with the driver. This is a shot that is less than my typical driver swing speed, but keeps the ball in play and between the trees. While I only use this swing maybe 2-4 times per round, it keeps the round moving, gives me a great feel for my driver and allows me to play golf instead of “golf swing.” I now hit three different types of swings: 1) my standard stock driver shot, 2) my “bunt” swing and 3) my “blast” swing which is used on wide open holes where extra distance is a bonus. I have taken my standard driver swing from 98mph to 108mph over the past 3 years. I can thank SuperSpeed Golf for this increase! (see #5 below for help with this!)

On this par 5, the golfer that can avoid the out of bounds down the left side will have an advantage. Learn how to hit a stock shot with your driver on tip #2 below.

Tip #1: Be Consistent in your Setup

Much of the game of golf is about being able to repeat certain motions and the proper setup prior to the shot.  If your ball position varies from shot to shot with your driver, or your alignment is not aimed how you want, you will struggle to find consistency.  

The best recommendation is to take videos of yourself during practice sessions attempting to replicate a certain setup time and time again.  

Keep in mind there is no perfect ball positions for every golfer or alignment for every golfer, instead find what works for your swing and take detailed notes and videos on what setups and alignments help you produce the best shots.  Once you have established this, then work to be repetitive in your setup from shot to shot.

Tip #2: Develop A Stock Shot

While some golfers might believe they need to work the ball both ways (draws and fades) in reality if a golfer can hit their stock shot 90% of the time, they will reach a rather acceptable level of consistency with the driver.  The stock shot is all about being able to control the face angle and the swing path.

To hit a push draw you will want a slightly open clubface at impact with a swing path that is slightly more to the right than the club face.  For example, a 2 degree open club face with a 4 degree out to in swing path.  This will produce a perfect draw.

High Recommended Post: Ball Flight Laws (Complete Overview)

The golfer that is able to produce the slight draw or slight fade time and time again will be the most consistent with the driver.  The good news is that we have an excellent drill to help you develop a stock shot in golf.

Kyle Morris is the expert at teaching the stock shot.

Stock Shot Drill

  • At the driving range, set up an alignment stick about 6-8 yards in front of you, straight down your target line.
  • If you have a second alignment stick, set the stick 3-4 feet right of the first stick (for a draw) or left of the first stick (for a fade).
  • Complete your initial assessment see how many times out of 10 you can start the ball to the right or left of your target.  Pick one side and measure your game at this point.
  • The goal is to eventually get 7 out of 10 shots to start to the correct side and draw back towards the target.

If you start to struggle with curving the ball too much or being inconsistent with your shot shape, return to this drill and train your clubface and swing path to develop the shot that best fits your game.

Find your target out in the distances and swing towards the target. For example, as someone that draws the ball, I would pick a specific tree way out down the right side of the hole.

Tip #3: Swing to the Target

Too many golfers get stuck swinging at the ball and end up casting or letting go of all the angles in the swing way too early.  Not only does this zap any potential swing speed, but it also becomes difficult to match up the club face and swing face appropriately.  

One of the best visualizations is to pick a target way out in the distance and feel like you are throwing your club towards that target.  This helps you stay patient in transitions, leading to an increase in lag and quality shots. Don’t get golf ball bound and throw all the angles out.  Be patient and think about getting down the fairway to your target way off in a distance.

If you need additional help with this, I would highly recommend Shawn Clement!

Tip #4: Pick Quality Targets

Raise your hand if you always just aim down the middle of the fairway.  The key to keeping the ball in play and giving yourself a full swing on the 2nd shot is to pick the right targets when playing each hole.  There are some factors that will impact your selected target:

  • Is there out of bounds on a hole or an area you must avoid?
  • What is your stock shot shape?
  • What is your typical miss?

Let’s provide an example.

Situation #1:

  • Out of bounds is down the right side of the a par 4
  • There is bail room to the left of the fairway
  • Normal stock shot shape is a draw
  • Miss is usually an overdraw

If there is no out of bounds, I would have the golfer aim down the right side of the fairway and draw it into the middle, but on this hole, we need to avoid the out of bounds.

So the golfer should aim down the middle of the fairway and if they hit a straight shot, great!  If they hit their normal draw shot they will find the left side of the fairway.  Once again, great!  If they hit an overdraw, they will end up in the left rough, but will be in play and have a full shot.  Once again, great!

Situation #2:

  • There is a hazard on the left side of a par 4
  • There are trees on the right side
  • Fairway and rough total width is close to 50 yards wide between trees and hazard
  • Nmoral stock shot is a draw
  • Miss is usually an overdraw

In this situation, the golfer should aim down the right edge of the hole, just inside the trees.  If he or she hits it straight, great!  If they hit a slight draw they are in the right side of the fairway, great.  If they overdraw they would end up in the left rough, great.  All 3 scenarios keep the golfer in play and have a clear and full shot on the approach shot.

The bottom line is to move your target lines left or right based on your typical shot shape, the miss you normally have and the factors that influence that hole.

The goal is to keep the ball in play with a clear shot on the 2nd shot of the hole.

The same holds true for approach shots. Here you want to aim to the right center if you hit a draw. Stay away from the left side on this approach shot.

Tip #5: Develop Quality Swing Speed

The more swing speed you have, the easier a course typically becomes.  The other good news, the more swing speed doesn’t necessarily mean the more sideways you will hit a ball.  With the right training and swing mechanics an increase in swing speed should not negatively impact your accuracy.  You can have a combination of a stock shot with quality distance.

This past winter, I was able to push my swing speed over 110 with the driver.  I played yesterday and was able to attack par 5s and make 2 birdies as a result of being around the green in two and chipping it close and making the putt.  This was a result of pure drivers that are flying further than ever.

The further you hit the ball, the better chance you have of playing more consistent golf. The analytics are pretty clear on the importance of distance.

My own experience with training for speed has been incredible.  5 years ago my average swing speed was between 98-101.  Over the past month I have started to hit the 111-115 range!  Yes, you too can gain speed and distance!

Having additional distance gives you confidence on a course and leaves short approach shots.  HItting shots from 125-150 yards is easier than hitting approach shots from 175-200 yards all day long!

I would highly recommend checking out SuperSpeed Golf to improve your swing speed!

I spent many years wondering how I can increase my swing speed.  Regardless of your current speed levels, there are always new barriers to break!

Check out the Price of SuperSpeed Golf HERE!

The SuperSpeed Training System is based on three different swing speed sticks all weighing at different weights.  There is a green club that is 10% lighter than the average driver, the blue club which is 5% lighter and the red club which is actually 5% heavier!

Following their prescribed protocols the golfer completes the training every other day.  The total time to complete most of their protocols is between 10-15 minutes.  Most people can find the time to make this happen.  The golfer will also need a swing radar to measure their progress. 

The science behind the SuperSpeed Training System is based on overspeed training.  Overspeed training has been around for several decades now and has been used by olympic athletics in the sport of Track and Field.  

The science behind this overspeed training is based on the premise that your brain will only allow your body to move as fast as it feels it can stop safely!  So, you get to work and swing the clubs as fast as possible, retraining your brain to allow you to swing your driver faster.

For more permanent results, the golfer should continue these training protocols for several months.  The initial 5-8% is great and can become more permanent with the right length of training.  The golfer can expect to continue to break down barriers every several months at a 1-2% increase.

My own experience has been an increase of 13-17 miles per hour on average from between 98-101 all the way up to 111-115.  My goal is to hit the PGA Tour average of 113 mph in the coming months. (Update, I have hit this number in speed training)  I will continue to train every other day and watch in amazement as I am hitting drivers longer now than ever before!

Phil Mickelson (a senior golfer now) has been known to increase his swing speed in the past year or so and is close to 120 miles per hour in his swing speed.  There are potential results for golfers of all ability levels and age!  

Check the current price on SuperSpeed Golf System, here!

Original Swing SpeedAfter 4-6 WeeksNew Carry DistanceTotal Distance
95102245265
100108259279
105113271291
110118283303
I can’t say enough about the SuperSpeed Golf Training System. Improve your swing speed and mechanics!

Final Thoughts: How to hit the driver more consistently

We believe there are three keys to every quality golf swing:

  1. The ability to control the low point of the swing (impacts quality of contact)
  2. The ability to control the start line and the curve of the ball (helps eliminate danger)
  3. The ability to have enough speed to play the course

The drills and tips above will help you with #2 and #3.  Being able to hit a stock shot with enough swing speed frees up a golfer and his or her enjoyment of the game.  The game becomes fun from managing your game around the course vs hitting and hoping that the shots end up in a quality spot.

The stock shot drill above is one of my go to drills to use on a rather regular basis.  It is one of the best ways to develop consistency in your golf swing, especially with the driver.

Other Driver Related Posts:

My Secret To Golf Improvement

Let’s face it, in order to get really good at golf, we must practice frequently.  About four years ago, I made the leap and invested in a golf simulator build for my garage.  I went with a SkyTrak Launch Monitor and the TGC software and can now play over 100,000 courses including Augusta, Pebble Beach, Bethpage Black, Whistling Straits. St. Andrews and many other of the top 100 courses in the world.

This golf simulator setup, which is more affordable that you might imagine, has been a game changer.  I can now play golf everyday of the year regardless of rain, snow, cold weather or time of day.  I can practice or play rounds of golf.  I can stand in the 11th fairway at Augusta and with the auto-rewind feature I am able to practice my approach shots from various differences.

It is worth checking out through Rain or Shine Golf as they offer some incredible packages along with financing offers that are difficult to beat.

Some direct links to Rain or Shine Golf for pricing and financing:

Take Action – What You Can Do Today to Get Better

What does this mean for you?  I believe in the following recipe to get better:

1 – Improve your motion in the golf swing by identifying a golf instructor.  Here are some options:

Here is a list of golf instructors that we have reviewed:

2 – Train to swing faster and improve your swing speed.  Here are some options:

Looking to gain more Speed and Distance in your swing. Two Options:

3 – Understand course strategy and work to break through your next barrier.  Here is a series on breaking through:

We have provided guides on how to break 100, 90, 80 and 70. Check out more below, if interested.

4 – Practice Frequently

Did you know that I build a golf simulator in my garage and have played over 500 rounds of golf on my SkyTrak system?  It has been a game changer and one worth checking out. Here are some of my other posts on golf simulators frequently asked questions:

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