November 2, 2026 5:28 pm

I have yet to get a student tell me that they hit the golf ball too far and ask if I could reduce the distance they hit!

I’m much more used to people asking, “How can I hit the ball further?”

There are three main things that affect how far you hit the golf ball, and it’s worth looking at each one to see where you can improve.

Three Areas That Make the Difference

The first is centredness of contact. Are you striking the ball crisply from the middle of the clubface? If you’re not sure, try spraying a light layer of foot spray onto the face of the club. After impact, you’ll be able to see exactly where the ball made contact. Finding the centre more consistently will help you get more from each shot.

Next, look at how the club approaches the ball. If the club is travelling too much from the inside or outside, you can end up giving the ball a glancing blow rather than a solid strike. A more efficient club path through impact can help you make cleaner contact and get better distance.

The final area is clubhead speed , the speed the club is travelling when it reaches the ball. Physical strength can play a part, but technique is just as important. Poor wrist hinge, limited torso rotation or failing to transfer your weight onto your front foot can all reduce the speed you create.

 

Practice Builds Confidence

One of the simplest ways to improve is through regular practice. Hitting more golf balls helps develop the movements and muscles used in the golf swing, but it also builds something equally important: confidence.

When golfers are new to the game, they can stand over the ball unsure whether they are even going to make good contact. With practice, that uncertainty starts to disappear. You begin to trust your swing, move more freely and commit properly to the shot.

So, especially through the winter months, keep working on your strike, your technique and your confidence.

Do that consistently, and the extra yards will follow.

Categorised in: Tip of the month, World of Golf London