Why most golfers lose power—and how to fix it quickly.
Gaining distance off the tee is one of the biggest wishes of amateur golfers everywhere. While carrying the ball 300 yards isn’t realistic for most players, adding meaningful yards is absolutely achievable with the right technique and mindset.
Over the past decade, distance has become one of the most important attributes in the modern game. Yet many amateurs unintentionally waste energy before even reaching impact. The goal is simple: store energy efficiently, then release it at exactly the right time. Below are three key areas where golfers commonly go wrong—and how to fix them fast.
1. Big muscles create speed, not the small ones
A major mistake amateurs make when searching for more distance is trying to swing their arms faster. This usually leads to rushing from the top, an incomplete backswing, and a chaotic move down toward the ball.
The best way to build real speed is to allow your shoulders to fully complete their turn, then initiate the downswing by driving your lead knee toward the ground. Avoid “casting” the club early—maintain the angle between your wrists and the shaft, then release it just before impact.
An impact bag is an excellent tool for learning the correct feel at the moment of strike.
2. Hit up on the driver for less spin and more carry
Many amateurs hit down on the ball with a steep, over-the-top motion. This creates excess spin and a weak left-to-right ball flight.
Instead, tee the ball higher, move it forward in your stance, and set your lead shoulder higher than your trail shoulder. This promotes an upward strike and a sweeping motion through impact—exactly how modern drivers are designed to perform.
Tommy Fleetwood suggests a simple drill: place a tee a few inches in front of your ball and try to avoid hitting it during your follow-through. The more you practice, the more you’ll optimize your launch and start hitting longer, straighter drives.
3. Use a relaxed grip and smooth takeaway to load energy
Trying to hit the ball farther often leads amateurs to grip the club way too tightly, which eliminates wrist hinge and saps athleticism from the swing.
Loosen your grip pressure to allow natural wrist movement and a smoother, wider, slower takeaway. A great drill is placing a towel under your lead armpit—hit shots without letting the towel fall. If it drops, your arms have outraced your body, indicating a breakdown in sequencing.
A relaxed grip and connected takeaway help you load onto your trail side and store maximum kinetic energy before releasing it into the ball.
If you’re making any of these mistakes, the simple drills above can transform your driving game. With a bit of practice, you’ll quickly find yourself sending the ball farther and more consistently off the tee.
READ MORE: Bryson DeChambeau explains the two changes he wants to make to his game in 2026
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