When Tiger Woods gives out golf advice, it’s probably best that we all sit down and take notes!
That’s especially true when Tiger Woods tells us how we can hit a driver further. Who doesn’t want to be longer off the tee?
In his prime, Woods was one of the longest hitters on the PGA Tour. He was one of the few players to carry the ball over 300 yards. The term “Tiger line” was coined due to Woods’ ability to cut corners around the golf course with his driver.
Woods had to adjust his driving style in recent years due to a series of back surgeries. He explained to amateur golfers what he is now feeling in his golf swing, which allows him not only to hit it further but also more accurately.
How Tiger Woods gets more distance off the tee with his driver
Even the greatest golfer of all time needs to address his swing from time to time. Especially after his surgeries, Woods has done extensive work with his driver to compensate for the lost distance off the tee.
He became one of the most accurate drivers of the ball in the late 2010s, which allowed Woods to win the Masters in 2019. And speaking to GolfPass, he explained what he looks for to increase his accuracy with his driver, which can help amateur golfers gain more distance.
Woods said, “One of the things I am working on is trying to get more accurate with my driver and try and get back how I was swinging at the British Open.
“Trying to feel a bit more width at the top of my golf swing. In order for me to swing the driver well I have always played my best when I feel like my hands are as far away from my head as possible which creates a lot of room and width on my way down.
“I start going bad when I get narrow with my hands next to my head, which means I have to throw it out and I lose a lot of power and throw it out to the right. When I get wide I can stay behind it and hit the draw and the ball goes a little further.
“I see a lot of amateurs kiss their hands. They need to be out here a bit further from your head, and I guarantee you will hit the ball a bit further.”
Keeping his hands away from his head allows Woods a better attack angle, as he swings up on the ball. That prevents the left to right movement which occurs when players go over the top and hit down on the ball.
This simple swing thought will help slicers hit straighter and further drives.
The longest Tiger Woods ever drove the golf ball
Woods was consistently one of the longest hitters on tour after turning professional in 1996. Only John Daly had a better driving distance average when Woods arrived on the scene. In his best year off the tee, 2005, Woods hit his driver an average of 316.1 yards, the second-best on tour that season.
He was also able to let loose with the driver from time to time and get a few extra yards. And in 2002, he got more than a few. His longest drive in a tournament was measured at a ridiculous 498 yards.
Playing at Kapalua in the Mercedes Championship of 2002, Woods’ drive caught a downhill slope and rolled out a long way. But he still had to get it to the slope, and he smoked his drive to do so.
Woods changed the game with his driving ability, and then changed his own game through the decades to remain one of the most consistent hitters off the tee in the game.
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