Toe Up! The Secret to Hitting Long Straight Drives (Every Time!)

Are you battling inconsistency off the tee with your driver? You’re not alone—and the solution might be as simple as adjusting where you place the ball on the clubface at address. In this post, we’ll explore a counterintuitive but effective method: setting up with the ball slightly toward the toe of your driver. This small change can help you make more consistent contact, reduce spin, and ultimately gain distance.

Why Setup Matters with the Driver

One of the most common issues amateur golfers face with the driver is striking the ball on the heel of the clubface. This often leads to high-spin shots, poor ball flights, and a significant loss of distance. While it might feel natural to align the ball in the center of the clubface at address, doing so can actually increase the chances of a heel strike—especially if your club path or face angle shifts slightly during the swing.

To combat this, many skilled players, including Tatum in the example discussed, prefer to set up with the ball slightly off the toe of the clubface. At first, it might feel strange, but the results can be game-changing.

Understanding the “Toe Setup” Concept

Here’s why setting the ball slightly off the toe works:

Natural Correction Through Impact: During the swing, especially as the driver rises through impact, many players unintentionally move the clubface closer to the heel. Starting on the toe gives the swing room to “move” back toward center at impact.

Avoiding the Heel: Mishits on the heel are unforgiving. They create spin, rob distance, and can even lead to the dreaded “shank.” In contrast, toe-side strikes are more manageable and often still produce solid results.

Optimizing for Driver Design: The “hot spot” on many modern drivers isn’t dead center—it’s slightly towards the toe. This area tends to produce lower spin and more carry, ideal for long drives.

Hovering for Consistency: Tatum also mentions the benefit of hovering the driver slightly above the ground before swinging. This helps with striking the ball cleanly and reinforces better alignment through the hitting zone.

Try This at the Range: The “Off-the-Toe Setup Drill”

Setup: Tee up your ball normally, but instead of placing it in the center of the driver face at address, set it just slightly toward the toe.

Execution: As you swing, focus on a smooth, natural motion. Don’t try to steer the clubface—just let your swing happen.

Observation: Pay attention to where contact occurs. You’ll likely notice your strike shifts more toward the center or even slightly toe-side, resulting in lower spin and better ball flights.

Bonus Tip: Combine this setup with a slight hover of the clubhead above the ground before takeaway. It helps reinforce solid contact without catching turf or dipping at impact.

Conclusion

If your driver is letting you down, a small tweak at setup could be the fix you need. By aligning the ball slightly toward the toe and understanding how your club moves through impact, you can avoid heel strikes, reduce spin, and hit more consistent, powerful drives. Give the off-the-toe setup a try next time you're at the range—you might be surprised how such a minor adjustment can lead to major improvement.

Want more tips like this? Check out our next post to unlock the secrets of generating effortless power in your golf swing.