If you’re struggling with striking the ball too high on the clubface with your driver, you’re not alone. Many golfers experience this issue, which leads to a loss of distance, reduced ball speed, and inconsistent shot performance. Fortunately, there are ways to correct this and start hitting the sweet spot more consistently.
In this guide, we’ll cover the causes of hitting the driver too high on the face, how it affects your shots, and actionable steps to fix it.
Why Hitting Too High on the Face is a Problem
Striking the ball too high on the driver face can result in:
- Loss of Distance – Shots struck too high on the face tend to have lower ball speed and reduced energy transfer.
- Low Spin Rate – While low spin can be beneficial, excessive loss of spin leads to shots that “float” and fall out of the air prematurely.
- Inconsistent Ball Flight – Higher-face contact often leads to unpredictable launch angles and weak trajectories.
- Mis-Hits in Windy Conditions – A ball that launches too high without enough spin can be highly affected by wind.
Common Causes of Hitting Too High on the Driver Face
- Teeing the Ball Too High – A ball teed too high will naturally lead to high-face contact.
- Incorrect Ball Position – Placing the ball too far forward or back in your stance can lead to poor contact.
- Dipping in the Downswing – Excessive lower-body movement can cause your clubhead to drop too low at impact.
- Swing Path Issues – Swinging too steeply or excessively on an upward angle can lead to improper face contact.
- Driver Loft & Equipment Issues – A driver with excessive loft or an improper shaft for your swing speed can lead to high-face contact.
How to Fix High-Face Driver Contact
1. Adjust Your Tee Height
One of the simplest ways to lower impact on the clubface is by adjusting your tee height. Here’s how:
- Try teeing the ball so that only half of it sits above the top line of your driver.
- Experiment with small adjustments—going too low can also cause issues with launch angle.
2. Optimize Ball Position
Proper ball position is crucial for consistent center-face contact.
- Position the ball just inside your lead foot to encourage solid impact.
- Avoid placing it too far forward, which can cause the club to bottom out too soon, resulting in high-face strikes.
3. Maintain Proper Spine Angle
A key contributor to poor contact is excessive head or upper body movement. To correct this:
- Keep your spine angle consistent throughout your swing.
- Avoid dipping or collapsing your trail knee, which can cause the club to drop too low before impact.
- Film your swing to check for unnecessary movement.
4. Improve Your Attack Angle
An excessively steep or shallow attack angle can cause improper contact. Here’s how to fine-tune your angle:
- Feel like you’re sweeping the ball off the tee rather than chopping at it.
- Focus on staying balanced and allowing the club to naturally bottom out at the correct point.
- Use an alignment stick in front of your stance to encourage proper attack angle.
5. Check Your Equipment
Using the wrong driver setup can contribute to high-face contact. Consider:
- Driver Loft – Too much loft can promote high launch with lower spin.
- Shaft Flex – A shaft that is too flexible may lead to inconsistent impact positions.
- Club Length – A longer driver can make it harder to control the strike location.
A professional club fitting can help determine if your driver is suited to your swing.
6. Practice with Impact Tape or Spray
To develop awareness of where you’re striking the ball, use impact tape or foot spray on your clubface. This provides instant feedback and helps you make necessary swing adjustments.
Fine-Tune Your Swing with Gears Golf
If you’re struggling to pinpoint exactly why you’re striking the ball too high on the driver face, Gears Golf’s Swing Motion Capture System can provide the clarity you need. Using cutting-edge 3D motion capture technology, Gears Golf analyzes every aspect of your swing, including:
- Club Path & Impact Position – Identify whether your club is too steep or shallow at impact.
- Body Alignment & Movement – Detect any excessive dips, tilts, or early extensions causing high-face strikes.
- Swing Consistency vs. Tour Pros – Compare your swing mechanics to professional golfers for targeted improvement.
By using data-driven insights, Gears Golf helps you refine your setup, optimize your attack angle, and find the ideal impact position for maximum distance and accuracy. Stop guessing and start improving—let Gears Golf help you strike the center of the face with precision.
Final Thoughts
Hitting the driver too high on the face can rob you of distance and consistency, but with a few adjustments, you can strike the ball more efficiently and maximize your performance off the tee.
- Adjust your tee height and ball position for optimal launch conditions.
- Maintain a steady spine angle and proper attack angle through impact.
- Check your equipment setup to ensure it matches your swing dynamics.
- Use Gears Golf’s motion capture technology to get the most detailed insights into your swing mechanics.
With practice and the right adjustments, you’ll find yourself consistently hitting the sweet spot and getting the most out of your driver shots!
