Before changing your swing, look at your setup -- it's where most problems begin. In this case, if you want to hit the ball straighter, level out your setup. You'll make a more controlled swing without manipulating the club.
BUCK TRADITION
To assume a level setup, you've got to go against traditional instruction, which says that your address with a driver should be well behind the ball, and your right arm and club should form a straight line. In a level setup, you want to feel more centered over the ball.
Although you should still play the ball opposite the right heel to encourage a slightly upswing hit, distribute your weight evenly between both feet. Instead of dropping your left shoulder well below your right, keep them as level as possible. Your hands, instead of being pressed forward and even with the ball, should be opposite your belt buckle. These adjustments will cause your shoulders to point slightly right of target. That's good, because the shoulders will point that way at impact as well.
AND NOW THE RESULTS...
Starting with level shoulders and hands behind the ball encourages a one-piece takeaway -- in which you maintain the triangle formed by the hands, arms, and shoulders. Less handsiness means fewer moving parts, so less can go wrong during the swing. Because your shoulders are controlling the backswing, you swing on a shallower plane, producing a lower ball flight and more control.
