Tom Long – Golf Professional
If you struggle with low bullets, slices, or inconsistent drives, your set-up is likely sabotaging you. An open stance and steep downswing frequently produces a weak contact coupled with an open clubface.
Try This Simple Adjustment …
At address/set-up, position your driver 3-4 inches behind the ball (pic 1). Visualise a couple of golf balls between your clubface and your teed up golf ball (pic 2). This tiny adjustment can transform your swing-path, angle of attack, and face control.
Why It Works
• It squares your shoulders up
Placing the Driver ‘square’ to the target but slightly further behind the ball will ensure that your shoulder alignment isn’t in an ‘open’ position to start your backswing.
• PROMOTES AN UPWARD STRIKE
With the club set further back, your spine tilts slightly away from the target. This encourages a ‘sweeping upswing’ through impact—maximising launch angle and distance instead of chopping down on the ball.
Rehearsal
(When simulating/rehearsing the following movement – Do not hit the ball)
• Start your Backswing from the position shown in pics 1 and 2 and pause at completion of your backswing.
• Now, practise/rehearse making slow and purposeful downswings at a speed that enables you to observe/watch the clubface leading into the impact zone. Make sure that you stop just before impact. Your downswing movement should be dominated by an unwinding of your hips – This rotational movement serves to square up the clubface of the Driver to your target line before impact – if you have insufficient rotational movement of your hips then your clubface will still be in an open position at impact (aiming to the right of your target) This would produce unwanted clockwise/ slice spin.
• Rehearse, repeat and ingrain this unwinding/rotational movement of your hips until you are able to consistently return the clubface of your Driver to a ‘square position’ at impact (pic 3)
Putting It Into Practice
• On the driving range, place a golf tee low into the ground 3 inches behind your teed-up golf ball (or put a coin down if you are hitting from a mat)
• Position your driver behind that tee (pic 4) You are to start your backswing from here.
• Take your normal stance. Feel your shoulders square up and weight settle into your trail side.
• Make smooth swings, focusing on the sole of your Driver brushing the top of the low tee before it hits the teed up ball.
Adjustment: Experiment with driver placement:
• 1 inch behind the ball: For minor slice correction.
• – 2-3 inches behind the ball: For higher launch + significant slice correction.
If you over-correct and hook, move the club ½ inch closer to the ball.
