How to get more distance off the tee

The good news? You don’t necessarily need to swing harder to increase driver distance. In many cases, a few simple adjustments and drills can help you generate more speed, improve your strike, and add valuable yards to your game.

 

We’ve caught up with our resident pro Lee Jordan to get his top tips on how to get more distance off the tee and improve your overall driving performance. Lee works with golfers of all abilities here at Little Hay, and he knows exactly what it takes to add those extra yards.

1. The upside-down club drill

This one might look a little unusual on the range, but trust us, it works. Lee recommends turning your club upside down so you're holding it by the shaft, then making eight to ten super-fast swings, focusing on creating the biggest "swish" sound you possibly can.

 

Why does this help? Because it trains your body to swing with real speed and commitment rather than tensing up at the point of impact. The louder the swish, the faster the clubhead speed – and clubhead speed is the key ingredient when it comes to how to get more distance off the tee.

2. The step drill for better acceleration

This is a brilliant drill for golfers who struggle to transfer their weight properly through the swing. Start with your feet together, then as you begin your backswing, step out with your lead foot to hip width. From there, let your arms accelerate through the ball.

 

This movement naturally encourages a strong weight shift and forces you to drive through the shot rather than hanging back. It's a great way to feel what a proper, powerful through-swing should be like.

3. Make a full turn

One of the best ways to increase driver distance is to increase rotation in the backswing. If your hips and shoulders aren't turning fully away from the target, you're leaving serious yards on the table.

 

Lee's advice is simple: focus on making a full turn of both the hips and the shoulders during your backswing. To make this easier, try pulling your trail foot back about two inches at set-up. This small adjustment opens up your hips and makes a fuller, freer rotation feel much more natural. This is particularly useful if you find your body tends to get a bit stiff early in the round.

4. Swing through and close the face

The final tip is all about what happens through impact. Lee encourages his students to focus on swinging the arms and club away from the body through impact whilst closing the clubface at the same time.

 

This combination helps generate that powerful, penetrating ball flight that really increases driver distance. Many amateur golfers either leave the face open or simply don't extend through the shot, both of which can kill your distance before the ball has even left the club.

Small changes can make a big difference

Improving distance off the tee doesn’t always require a complete swing overhaul. Often, simple drills and better movement patterns can quickly help you hit the ball further and more consistently.

 

As always, if you’d like personalised advice, Lee is on hand to help fine-tune your technique and get you driving the ball further than ever.