The latest Shot Scope data tells us that there is a clear correlation between adding distance with driver and lowering your handicap, so this should be a priority for all amateur golfers looking to improve their game.

The average driving distance for a 20-handicapper is 222 yards – which is the closest measure to my index.

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7 Tips To Add Distance Off The Tee With Driver In Golf

ensuring a centred strike with driver.

Hitting the centre of the clubface, or very close to it, will help to optimise ball speed – a significant factor in how far you hit it. Unfortunately, a lot of club golfers have no idea of their strike location.

Sometimes, even if they think they’ve hit a good shot, it has actually come out of the heel or toe and brought the gear effect into play, with the head twisting around its centre of mass, leading to unwanted curvature.

To better understand where you’re striking it, use one of my 10 best golf drills.

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Spray some dry shampoo or foot spray on the clubface. Hit a dry golf ball, then see where the mark has been left. This will help you to understand what good strikes feel like to boost your chances of added distance.

Ged Walters in the finish position with driver, with the clubface of the driver showing a mark in the centre thanks to the dry shampoo drill

The dry shampoo drills gives instant feedback to help you achieve a centred strike

(Image credit: Kevin Murray)

perfect golf grip is key to increasing distance.

A lot of club golfers who have a strong grip struggle to hit a driver effectively, often producing low snap-hooks, as the clubface shuts down and de-lofts the club in the downswing.

A great way to think about your grip is for your hands to be in their natural position – if you let your arms hang down, they tend to turn slightly inwards.

The hands always want to return to their natural position at impact, so if you start with them on the club in the incorrect place at set-up with a square clubface, the chances are you won’t return it square at impact.

Ged Walters demonstrating the correct grip to help you add distance to your driver

Many distance-killing issues stem from a poor grip, so get this crucial part right

(Image credit: Kevin Murray)

launch monitor, or at the driving range if it’s kitted out with the right tech, the data can really help you to track your progress.

The equation is simple; the more clubhead speed you are able to generate, the higher your ball speed is likely to be. And this will equate to more distance, providing your strike location is good.

It’s a simple formula for hitting longer drives irrespective of your handicap index.

If you are struggling to ramp up your clubhead speed, you might need to opt for more loft on your driver. This will allow you to keep the ball in the air for longer, as opposed to a lower launch that might not travel as far before contact with the ground.

As your clubhead speed increases, you can reduce your loft accordingly, but many club golfers would definitely benefit from this little gear hack.

Ged Walters using a distance tracking device to measure clubhead speed, with data visible on his mobile phone screen

Clubhead speed is so important to adding distance – so, if at all possible, try to measure your data and track as you progress

(Image credit: Kevin Murray)

correct ball position.

Spine tilt can be identified easily at address by the relationship between your belt buckle and the buttons on your polo shirt. Ideally, you want the buttons on the shirt to be fractionally behind your belt buckle on the trail side.

Too much spine tilt can cause you to hit the ground behind the ball, so be careful not to overdo it. A great way to get a natural spine tilt is to make sure you have the ball just inside your lead heel.

A slight hip tilt, where the trail hip is just a little lower than the lead, will also help to create the strong, athletic position you need to further your quest for more yards with your driver.

Ged Walters in the correct setup position to hit your driver further, using a driver and alignment stick to reference spine and hip tilt

The correct spine and hip tilt at set-up will make all the difference as you pursue longer tee shots

(Image credit: Kevin Murray)

Super Speed golf training set, which reviewed really well when tested by the experts at Golf Monthly.

Importantly, whichever of the best training aids you decide to use, the light stick should be about 20% lighter than a driver; medium around 10% lighter; and heavy about 5% heavier.

Going from light to medium to heavy, make the fastest, most aggressive swings you can to push your speed to the upper limits of your capabilities.

Try it five times with each, then switch back to your driver from the safety of the range and attempt the same speed. Faster speeds take some getting used to and direction will likely be erratic until you retrain your brain, but it will be worth it in the end.

Three Super Speed weighted sticks used to complete overspeed training, in light, medium and heavy weights

Super Speed swing sticks are a great training aid for adding distance to your tee shots

(Image credit: Kevin Murray)

PGA Professional and Top 50 Coach

Using different styles, teaching aids, technology and games to measure improvements, Ged is keen to make the learning process educational and fun. He’s worked with a number of top local, national and international instructors, including Adrian Fryer and Jeff Ritter, one of the most prominent golf instructors in America. He’s also working hard on his own game with the aim of playing on the Senior Tour in the future.