One of the questions that many golfers can’t answer is, ‘Do you hit up or down with a driver’? The answer is rather straightforward. Always swing your driver with a slightly upward angle for an optimum launch. If you hit it down, you decrease your launch angle and increase spin that is likely to cause a slice, which you never want. Thus, for the best driver results, always hit up to get the ball up in the air.
Let’s discuss this further by explaining the ‘Why’ of this phenomenon. It is important for every golfer to understand why is it important to hit the ball up with a driver and not down.
Do You Hit Up or Down With A Driver?
Most golfers tend to do a job better if they know what they really need to do. If they know how the clubhead has to arrive at impact, it is much more likely that they will recreate the movements necessary for those conditions to occur. In the end, understanding something, whatever it is, always helps to understand reality better. And believe me: there are not so many (regardless of their level of play) who can answer this question well.
To begin with, let’s assume that the ball is on the tee, at the perfect height for driving distance and not on the ground, as this would completely change the intent of the question.
It would be great if a player could put the sweet spot on the clubface just in the right place on the ball at the moment of impact, without grass, dirt or other impediments in between, make perfect contact with the ball and watch it come out strong up. Can this be achieved by hitting the ball straight up (with using a tee and under normal ground conditions)? The truth is that there is little possibility, but no player in history has managed to do it consistently. The reason is that you must first start from a lower point to hit the ball upwards. And that lowest point is the ground.
Every time a player tries to hit the ball upward (under the conditions described above) with the clubhead, they take away an opportunity to make solid contact with the ball.
The head of the club comes from above, touches the ball and then reaches the ground, which we know as “taking the chop,” reaching what is known as “Deep Point,” which is the deepest point of the arch, the one that penetrates the most into the ground. There are players, like the average on the PGA Tour, who do it more deeply (-4º); others, like the LPGA Tour players, who do it a little less (-2º), but in both cases, the head of the club travels downwards and not upwards.
You have to hit in the lower part of the ball to take it upwards, doing something like “releasing the hands.”
At address, have your knees slightly bent for a balanced stance. Your feet should be wider than your shoulders, and you should straighten your arms so that there is a comfortable space between your hands and your upper thighs. Pay attention to the position of your spine as well, as the correct position depends on the angle you give it.
Your grip remains the same as for other clubs using a driver. The change is in the positioning of your driver. Position the club at the height of your left foot (for right-handed people), slightly in front of your left foot to hit it upward.
Variables That Determine The Ball’s Final Trajectory
When the clubface reaches a downward angle at impact and points up through the loft, it causes a backward effect (Backspin) when the face hits the ball that will also help it rise through the air.
In theory, the higher the speed the driver hits the ball, the faster it will roll backward, causing it to reach higher. It will come out more revolutionized.
The speed generated by the player on impact, the flexibility of the shaft, the club loft and the revolutions with which the ball comes out influence its final trajectory. Therefore, a series of variables will have to be adjusted to obtain the desired trajectory and distance instead of just thinking of hitting it up.
What is a Golf Driver?
The golf driver is the club in the bag that sends the ball the furthest. It is also the longest club you will have in your bag, around 115 cm. It is made up like the other three-party clubs but has a bigger clubhead.
It is the most used club to start a course because it is powerful and considered one of the easiest to play because it has a large striking surface. However, keep in mind that the secret to a good drive lies in precision and not in power; you must play the drive at 75% of your maximum power because hitting a ball with less force but a straighter trajectory is a source of regularity and length.
When to Play with the Driver?
The golf driver is played at the start of the holes. It is strongly recommended to use a tall 48mm tee when playing a tee with your driver. Therefore, the driver is only used once to launch the small white ball from the colored balls according to your index finger. It is recommended not to avoid this club even if you find it difficult because it allows you to cover a great distance as long as you drop your ball on the fairway.
Conclusion!
Now you know that it is very important to carry a driver perfectly adjusted to your physical and hitting characteristics in your golf bag, to help you reach your maximum distance with control and consistency. Always start from the basis that you know why things happen and how to move, instead of just thinking about hitting it up. Do not forget to share this information, and let us know if it worked for you!
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