GOLF.com: 5 Keys to Unlocking More Distance — How to Generate Real Speed for the High Bomb

Swinging Harder Often Means Hitting Shorter

For most amateur golfers, the impulse to swing harder on the tee backfires. GOLF Top 100 Teacher David Armitage argues that maximum distance comes not from brute force, but from building the right conditions and delivering speed at the right moment.

The 5 Keys

1. Set Up for a High Launch

Tee the ball higher — about half the ball above the driver crown — and position it opposite the inside of your lead heel. This encourages an upward angle of attack. Be mindful that a forward ball position can cause the shoulders to open, so actively feel a square or slightly closed setup.

2. Build a Full Coil in the Backswing

Speed is stored in the backswing, not manufactured at impact. Elite players don't rush from the top — they create a powerful coil and release it through the ball.

3. Chase Clubhead Speed, Not Handle Speed

A common amateur fault is dragging the handle through impact. Armitage is clear: "It's clubhead speed, not handle speed." Flip your driver upside down and listen for the "woosh" — it should happen after the impact zone, not before.

4. Keep Your Head Behind the Ball

To maximize launch, maintain your head position behind the ball while the lower body rotates toward the target. This is not about hanging back — it's about centering the upper body while the lower body leads.

5. Use a Driver You Trust

Confidence is part of the equation. A forgiving driver reduces the fear of mishits, freeing you to make your fullest swing rather than steering the ball into the fairway.

Strokeslab's Take

All five keys directly influence SG: Off the Tee (OTT). From a Strokes Gained perspective, even a modest gain in driving distance translates to shorter approach shots — which meaningfully improves SG: Approach and overall scoring potential.