Some of the best golf tips on YouTube get buried over the years. Collin Morikawa filmed a short driving lesson about five years ago that almost fell into that category. The message is simple: if you want to control your shots, you need more than a trajectory.
Morikawa demonstrates three driver windows every golfer should learn: low lead, stock driver, high release. Each of them has a specific configuration, a clear purpose and, most importantly, does not require a complete adjustment.
1. Low Lead (Freeway Finder)
This is the shot Morikawa relies on when he needs control more than anything else. If you play a course that has hard fairways or tight landing areas, the fairway finder is a smart choice. It also comes into play with wind conditions.
Configuration keys
- The lowest peak height. Instead of having half to three-quarters of the ball above your face, place it significantly lower. This helps you avoid swinging too high on the ball.
- Ball position slightly back. Only a part. Too far back and you will tilt and cut it.
- Level shoulders. Imagine being hit by an incline. Your shoulders stay more horizontal instead of angled up.
Why it works
A lower tip and a slightly further back ball position reduces upward attack and keeps the launch low. Morikawa describes it as a “bullet”: a shot that starts low, stays in line and quickly fall to the ground. Make sure you stay steady and level and feel like your driver skin reflects an iron swing.
2. Standard driver (your daily launch window)
This is Morikawa’s normal driver. You could call this more of a stock shot. He wants something not too high and not too low.
Configuration keys
- The height of the mausoleum: About half of the ball above the crown.
- Ball position: Just inside the left heel.
- Slightly open face if playing a fade. Morikawa does, but it’s personal to your kicking form.
For this shot, Morikawa focus mainly on tempo and making sure it’s not too fast. He mentions that when the pace is off, launch windows become unpredictable. He emphasizes watching throwing before the swing and not settling for contact and not managing mechanics.
Use this shot whenever you’re on the move for sure and want a basic shot.
3. High Boot (When you need extra carry)
For downwind holes, forced carries, or situations where you just want a few more feet of carry, the Morikawa switches to its high release setup.
Configuration keys
- The highest height of the maut. Push the ball up visibly.
- Forward ball position (almost on your big toe).
- Shoulders tilted up. Not bent back, but angled, so your trail shoulder sits a little lower.
Why it works
This setup encourages an increased stroke, increasing launch and reducing spin. It’s a free way to get distance without swinging harder.
Pay attention to your weight. Do it NO pull back or hang on your side of the track trying to “kick it up”. Morikawa warns that this is how he hits behind the ball and loses all consistency. Use this when the spread is limited or you’re playing a par-5 with the wind at your back.
Final thoughts
Most amateurs have a chauffeured flight. However, trajectory control is one of the fastest ways to improve from the top. Morikawa’s framework is also accessible to people with disabilities: one low, one standard, one high. Practice exaggerating each setup, learn how they feel, and you’ll start picking the right flight for the right hole.
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