Woodland's Subtle Power Move Boosts Driving Distance

PGA Tour winner reveals technique for longer tee shots

Apr. 2, 2026 at 4:45am

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PGA Tour champion Gary Woodland has once again demonstrated his prodigious driving distance, ranking second on Tour with an average of 324.6 yards off the tee. Woodland credits a subtle power move in his swing that allows his wrists to passively create more lag, leading to increased clubhead speed and distance.

Why it matters

Driving distance is a critical factor in professional golf, as it can provide a significant advantage on the course. Woodland's technique offers a potential blueprint for amateur golfers looking to add more yards to their drives and improve their overall game.

The details

Woodland's key technique involves allowing his wrists to passively 'get pulled into more lag' during his swing, which generates additional clubhead speed and distance. This subtle move is in contrast to more aggressive wrist action that can sometimes lead to timing issues and inconsistent ball striking.

  • Woodland won the Houston Open last weekend.

The players

Gary Woodland

A PGA Tour winner who currently ranks second on Tour in average driving distance at 324.6 yards.

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What they’re saying

“The feel should be that our wrists are passively getting pulled into more lag,”

— Gary Woodland, PGA Tour Player

The takeaway

Woodland's technique of allowing his wrists to passively create more lag in his swing provides a valuable lesson for amateur golfers looking to increase their driving distance and power off the tee. By focusing on this subtle move, golfers can generate more clubhead speed without sacrificing consistency.