Mishitting your driver is a surefire way to have a long, frustrating day on the golf course. Hitting the ball low on the drive face is one of the most common problems for golfers off the tee.
You can feel that you aren’t making proper contact and you can see it in the resulting ball flight. Low mishits lead to lowball flight and can severely impact distance.
Luckily, there are ways to fix the problem. In the article below, we are going to cover all you need to know about why you are hitting your tee shots low off your driver’s face.
We will look at the disadvantages of hitting the ball low on the face and how to fix it. We have a lot to cover so let’s jump in!
What Causes You To Hit The Bottom Of Your Driver’s Face?
Swing mechanics are typically to blame when hitting the bottom of your drive face. The angle and path of the driver during the approach to the ball are what ultimately determine where you will hit the ball.
Equipment, tee placement, and your stance to the ball also play a factor in where your driver impacts the golf ball. With all these factors, it can be difficult to understand what is truly the source of the issue.
Keep reading below for detailed instructions on determining the root cause and fixing the issue.
Is Hitting The Ball Low On The Driver Face Bad?
Today’s driver heads are large and forgiving. This means that you can mishit the golf ball during your swing and still make solid contact. However, hitting the ball low on the driver face is not optimal.
Players who can hit the center, or sweet spot, of the driver will see substantially better results in terms of both distance and accuracy. So, while hitting the ball at the bottom of the driver can still result in good shots, it is less than ideal.
How Do You Know You Are Hitting The Ball Low On The Driver’s Face?
Golfers who have played enough have a certain feel for their clubs. They can feel a mishit and generally can tell what went wrong in their swing.
However, before we even get started fixing this issue, it is a worthy exercise to validate what you have been feeling on the course. Place a piece of impact tape or a thin amount of car wax on your club face so you can confirm exactly where you are making contact with the ball.
Once you have validated that you truly are hitting the ball off the bottom of the driver face, it is time to fix the problem. Let’s take a look at some tips below.
5 Simple Ways To Stop Hitting Your Driver Low Off The Club Face
1.) Check Your Tee Height
Proper tee height is the most important tip on the list. If you tee the ball too high, you will have inconsistent contact with the golf ball. Tee the ball too low and you will be forced to fit the ball low on the drive face.
When teeing up your golf ball, you should be able to see about half of the ball above the driver’s face. This placement will ensure there is enough room to get underneath the ball while not being too high where you miss it completely.
Correctly placing the ball and tee in the ground can make a huge difference for those who struggle off the tee. Be sure to check your golf ball and tee placement during your next round.
2.) Adjust Your Stance
The location of your golf ball in relation to your feet when teeing it up is also a factor. Placing the ball too far up in your stance can lead to the club face hitting up on the ball. Too far back and you can end up hitting the ball during your downswing.
Place your ball slightly behind your left foot. Be sure that you are a comfortable distance away from the ball. You should be able to place the driver head behind the ball without having to stretch and without it being too close where your hands are close to your body.
Try these simple tweaks next time you are out on the course. Small changes can make a big difference.
3.) Try Shifting Your Weight On Your Front Foot
Like the above tip, your weight distribution can also play a role in how you hit the ball. Golfers should be distributing around 65-75% of their weight on their front foot when teeing off.
Moving more weight to your front foot will help put the club face in the correct position at impact. Golfers who put too much weight on their back foot tend to hit up on the ball. This results in lower face impact with the golf ball.
4.) Review Your Driver’s Specifications
While equipment is not typically to blame, it is possible your clubs could be the source of the problem. Upgrading to a new driver or replacing an old shaft can also affect your swing path and ball impact location.
It is important to recognize if this is a long reoccurring issue you have or a new problem you are facing. If you recently changed your driver, consult your local pro to make sure the new driver’s dimensions fit your swing mechanics.
When the club is the underlying issue, you will need to get a fitting done. The golf shaft flex, length, and weight can all have a material impact on your swing mechanics.
5.) Take A Lesson With Your Local PGA Professional
When all else fails, it’s time to get the experts involved. Many golfers are hesitant to go right to their local professional when they need help. However, it’s the smartest thing you can do when struggling off the tee.
Your local golf pro has seen it all. They will be able to quickly assess the issue and provide invaluable insights into fixing your swing. Plus, if it is an equipment issue, they will be able to fix the club or recommend a club more suited to your swing.
Final Thoughts
Mishitting your driver is frustrating. Especially, when you are hitting your driver low off the club face, just missing the sweet spot.
Luckily, sometimes the smallest changes can have the biggest impacts on your game. Next time you are struggling with hitting the ball low off the drive face, use the tips above to help fix your swing!
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