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If you’re like every other golfer and wish you could hit your driver longer, then the driver step drill could help you gain yards.
What I’m doing in the featured image might look like a Happy Gilmore style swing, but it’s a great way to work on gaining distance with your driver.
I don’t want you to do this when you’re on the course, but if you’re on the driving range and looking to improve your swing, try this.
We know through stats from Shot Scope, that on the whole, better players hit the ball a longer distance. A scratch golfer will average a distance of 285 yards from the tee, while that drops to less than 260 yards for a 10 handicap player. While that’s not the only difference, it does help to hit the ball a long distance.
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The more efficient you are in your swing, the more speed you can generate. This drill is going to increase the separation between your lower and upper body, which is crucial for that move. When you watch a tour player swing, you’ll notice that before the club has reached the top of the backswing, the lower body is starting to move towards the target and weight is shifting into the target side. This drill helps you copy them.

Gain yardage through this drill
Take your normal driver stance, then bring your front foot back towards your trail foot, to form a narrow stance behind the ball. Start off with some smooth three-quarter swings, and once your hands are hip-high on the backswing, take a step towards the target (back to your normal stance) and hit the shot.

Gradually, build up your swing speed and length close to your normal on-course swing. Whilst stepping, it is very important you step through whilst the club is still swinging back, when your hands are around hip-high.
Copy this, and you’ll build up separation in your swing, this building speed to hit the ball longer.
Alistair Kyle is the senior PGA Professional at Turnberry and a member of the bunkered Performance Panel. You can find out more about his coaching HERE.
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