A lesson from Nick Price on hitting fairways

Throughout his career, Nick Price, who reached No. 1 in the world during the mid-1990s, was known for his exceptional ball-striking. This consistency helped the three-time major winner become not only one of the longer hitters of his generation but also among its most accurate.

During the 1994 PGA Tour season, his best year as a professional, Price hit 618 of the 840 fairways he faced. Which equates to 73.8 percent of fairways hit—very impressive for a player who could move the ball out there, too.

That year, Price’s driving performance led him to capture two majors, the Open Championship and the PGA, and six total tour wins. To top off his career year, Price was named the 1994 PGA Player of the Year, for the second season in a row.

So, how exactly did Price bomb it off the tee without sacrificing control? According to a July 1995 article in Golf Digest, it came down to a few simple keys.

“In terms of technique,” Price said in the article, “concentrate on three things: shoulder turn, weight shift and balance.”

Price explained that a big turn on the backswing should be the primary focus.

“Shoulder turn should be your No. 1 concern. Nothing sets the stage for a powerful downswing (and, in turn, a big drive) like a good upper-body coil initiated by a full shoulder turn.”

One way Price increased his shoulder rotation was by rehearsing a simple shoulder-turn exercise. You can try it on your own. Just grab your driver and find some space to swing.

HOW TO STRETCH YOUR SHOULDER TURN

To do Price’s shoulder-turn drill, hold a driver behind your shoulders, get into your address posture and rehearse making a full rotation to the top.

“As you turn back, feel the twisting of your torso and the shaft pulling your left shoulder behind the ball,” Price said.

He explained that when done properly, this drill will help you feel the proper way to coil your upper body and better understand how to shift your weight as you go back.

“At the top of my backswing, I’ve moved my weight over onto my right side and my left shoulder turns behind the ball—the same as it does in the drill,” Price said. “My body is now fully coiled and ready to make a powerful move down to the ball.”

In addition to Price’s rotation drill, he said there are a few keys to remember when you’re on the course that will help you hit more fairways.

“There are two parts to hitting it miles down the middle, and let me tell you, ‘middle’ is always as important as ‘miles.’ Therefore, always play the percentages to get yourself in the middle of the fairway,” Price said.

To get both distance and accuracy, Price said to ask yourself: Driver, 3-wood or iron? Fade or draw? Where don’t I want to hit it?

The answers to these questions will help you adjust your shot shape and club selection to fit the hole. However, Price explained that a safe club choice shouldn’t mean a safe swing.

“Sometimes choosing a 3-wood or long iron instead of a driver is the smarter and, therefore, better play. But whatever club you choose, don’t make anything less than an aggressive swing.”

Price’s final words of wisdom when developing your fairway finder are to select a small target.

“When you start to focus on your target, get specific,” Price said. “Don’t simply aim for the fairway. Aim for a particular spot in the fairway.

“Your reference point should be as small as you can see, maybe a rake in that bunker or a shingle on the roof of a building [in the distance]. The more specific your aim, the greater your likelihood of hitting your target.”

Simply put: Aim small, miss small.

Now that you know Nick Price’s driving keys, you should be finding the fairway more often this summer.

For more tips from golf's greatest players and instructors, check out the Golf Digest Archives.