Gain more speed and distance with the woods by driving upwards through the ball with this golf tip.

The woods in a golf set are designed to produce maximum distance from the golf swing motion. The driver, or number 1 wood, has particular design features that are not seen through the rest of the set of clubs. It is the longest, lightest and most aerodynamic club in the bag. All are features that increase the speed that the club travels around the body during the swing to maximize the golf ball's forward momentum. The golfer needs to understand these factors to perform a swing that matches the golf club's characteristics.

When the driver is swung around the body, it is designed to be at it's peak speed at the point when the club head contacts the ball. It is also designed to strike the ball on a slightly ascending blow, sending the ball upwards into the air for maximum efficiency. A correct upward blow gives the ideal relationship between launch angle (the angle that the ball is sent upwards into the air when it leaves the club face), and backspin rate (amount of backspin the golf ball has on it from rolling up the club face at impact). The best relationship between these two factors varies from person to person but most golfers would benefit from a fairly high launch angle with less backspin. This particular relationship would mean that the ball is sent forwards and upwards with optimal backspin that keeps the ball moving forwards rather than ‘ballooning’ up into the air with too much backspin and losing distance. A relationship such as this can be achieved by driving upward through the ball. If the golfer drives downwards into the ball, the ball either flies extremely low with little backspin and runs along the floor or it backspins up too much off the face of the club and begins on a low trajectory but rises rapidly into the air, stalls and drops out of the sky too early losing distance.

To drive the club head upwards through the ball, follow these tips:

1. Set up to the golf ball with the ball positioned in the stance so that it is opposite the inside of the front heel. The bottom of the swing arc is always in the middle of the feet. Teeing the ball forwards in this position allows the club to swing down into the centre of the feet and then upwards into the ball situated opposite the front foot.

2. Tee the golf ball high. The ball should be teed up so that the mid-point of the golf ball is level with the top of the golf club. This ensures that the ball is struck out of the middle of the club face as the club will be rising up into the ball through the impact area.

3. Tilt the shoulders back (front shoulder should be higher than the back shoulder) so that 60% of the body weight is on the back foot making sure that the shot is a rising one.

4. Through the shot, keep the head behind the middle of the feet. Place a golf club so that it is positioned directly in the middle of the feet at 90 degrees to the target line. Focus on the head staying back behind the golf club through the swing while the rest of the body turns through to a good finish position. This ensures that upward momentum is maintained through the golf shot. If the head moves forward then the driver will strike downwards into the ball.

Use these tips to strike upwards into the ball and gain extra distance on your drives.