John Phillips Tuition Series: Playing with the Driver
Setup / Takeaway / Backswing / Downswing / Follow Through / Drills

Takeaway

A lot has been said by golf instructors about the takeaway over the years, but the easiest way to hit good drives is to make a good takeaway by thinking of your shoulders, arms and hands moving in one piece away from the ball. Try to keep the club as low and wide as possible, you only have to look at Tiger Woods to see why he hits the ball so far.

Top of Backswing

When the club has reached the top of the backswing you should feel that there's about 60% of your weight on your right side, with your right knee remaining flexed. The shoulders should have turned 90° or you should feel that you have turned your back to the target. From this position you are able to start the downswing.

The Downswing

The downswing must be started by the correct leg action. This is sometimes called the move away where the left hip moves slightly to the left at the start of the downswing. This in turn brings the club down on a slightly shallower angle of attack than the backswing. Making an inside path back to the ball target line. Therefore at the impact position you should feel you are in a similar position to that of your address.
Follow Through
Here's where you will see all the tour pros finish with all their weight on their left side. You will never see a tour player finish with the weight still on their right foot. The club should be coming from an inside path back to the ball with the club square at impact. It is very important to transfer your weight to your left side through the ball, so that when you finish the follow through, there will be very little weight on your right side. 90% of your weight should be on your left side, your right knee should kick in towards your left knee,
finishing in a balanced position on the toes of your right foot. Your right hip should finish past the point where the ball was at address, and you should finish facing the target, with your arms turning until your hands finish in a position opposite your left ear.

Playing with the Driver: Setup / Takeaway / Backswing /
Downswing / Follow Through / Drills