DrivingTarget FocusRhythm and Tempo Driver Beginner / Intermediate ⏱ 12 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Driver: Build a Fairway on the Range Like Morikawa

Name: Driver: Build a Fairway on the Range Like Morikawa
Uploaded: 2023-02-21T12:00:00+00:00
Duration: 11 min 41 s
Channel: Collin Morikawa
Description: Great on the driving range, but not so great on the course? Collin Morikawa explains how he prepares to hit his driver: an imaginary fairway between two markers, a slow backswing, and, at the last moment, a single image in his mind—that of a good shot.

Great on the driving range, but not so great on the course? Collin Morikawa explains how he prepares to hit his driver: an imaginary fairway between two markers, a slow backswing, and, at the last moment, a single image in his mind—that of a good shot.

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Collin Morikawa · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

Schedule · Step 6 of 7Drive the Ball Better in 7 StepsCounts as a valid shot when: 7 out of 10 balls land on the designated fairway.

Step 7 →

To be continued

10 minSame problemDriver Tempo: Brush the Grass Before and After the BallEdouard Montaz · Beginner / Intermediate 12 minSame problemThe Basics of Rory McIlroy's Driver Swing with Michael BannonRory McIlroy · Beginner / Intermediate 2 minFrom the same proCollin Morikawa: The "Glove Under the Arm" DrillCollin Morikawa · Beginner / Intermediate

What the lesson shows

For Collin Morikawa, the key to the driver is the tempo: Everyone has their own style; mine involves a slow backswing before unleashing the swing. When you want to hit the ball far, you pull the club back sharply at the start of the backswing. All it takes is a good rhythm up to waist height so that the rest of his body follows. At the driving range, he doesn't aim for a straight shot: he creates a fairway between two landmarks—for example, the edge of a bunker and a tree—and hits a fade there. The goal is to replicate on the driving range what you’ll encounter on the course.

He keeps a simple swing concept in mind—often the finish—and a clear intention very external: Hit the ball over a bridge and back toward a tree. At the very end of the pre-shot routine, he no longer thinks about the obstacles but focuses on what a good shot should look like. For a draw, he keeps his face toward the target, narrows his stance slightly, and focuses on swinging more to the right. A draw of 5 to 10 yards is enough.

The Exercise, Step by Step

At the driving range, choose two markers that define a fairway that is narrower than the one on the course.
Choose a starting line and let your natural swing bring the ball back.
Start the backswing slowly, up to waist height.
Focus on just one aspect of your swing—for example, the finish.
Just before you swing, visualize the right shot rather than the bunker or the out-of-bounds area.
For a draw, face the target, take a slightly closed stance, and focus on swinging toward the right.

Key Takeaways

Tempo is the foundation of driving, and everyone has their own tempo.

A slow takeaway up to waist height synchronizes the rest of the swing.

At the driving range, you play on a fairway marked by two markers.

A simple swing concept and an outside target.

Last image before hitting the ball: the good shot, not the obstacle.

Draw: face the target, take a slightly closed stance, and swing to the right.

Mistakes to Avoid

Take the club out of the tee to hit it farther.
Hit balls at the driving range with no target and no limits.
Try to hit the ball perfectly straight instead of playing it as a miss.
End your pre-shot routine by thinking about what to avoid.
For a draw, close your stance without swinging any further to the right.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

Imaginary fairway between two markers—count the balls that land within it
Slowly raise it to waist level, then swing freely
A precise starting line for each ball
A few short draws of 5 to 10 yards, facing the target

Your Questions

Why build a fairway at the driving range?

Because at the driving range, all you think about is distance and contact. Morikawa marks off an area between two markers to recreate the challenges of the course and learn how to replicate his shot on the course.

What tempo should you use with the driver?

Yours: Morikawa emphasizes that everyone has their own rhythm. His advice for everyone: don't pull the club too hard and maintain a good rhythm until it reaches waist height.

What is Morikawa thinking right before he swings?

An external target: a starting point, such as a bridge, and the spot where the ball must land. He’s aware of the obstacles, but his final image is that of a successful shot.

How does he hit a draw when his natural shot is a fade?

He keeps his face toward the target, narrows his stance slightly, and focuses on swinging to the right—which doesn't come naturally to him. He's aiming for a draw of just 5 to 10 yards.

Learn More

All “Driving” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you All “Target Intention” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you All “Rhythm and Tempo” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you Driver Tempo: Brush the Grass Before and After the BallWith the driver, check your stance width by sweeping the grass during the backswing and toward the target, then build up your rhythm by swinging at 30–40% before accelerating. Adam Scott's Swing: Simple Rhythm, Fade, and DrawAdam Scott checks everything before taking his swing, focuses on a single rhythm, and produces a fade or a draw either by intention or simply by shifting his body. Nelly Korda's Golf Warm-Up: From the Chip to a Fluid SwingA few wedge chips to warm up, arriving two hours before tee time, then Jamie Mulligan’s “stone and string” visualization for a fluid swing. Collin MorikawaAll of his lessons

Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Collin Morikawa). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.