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Ernie Els shares tip for amateur golfers looking to straighten out their tee shots

Originally posted on HITC | By Lee Connor | Last updated Oct 13, 2025 9:08 AM ET

There haven’t been many golfers over the years with a more technically sound swing than Ernie Els.

Since the late 1980s, ‘The Big Easy’ has played a major role in putting South African golf on the map.

Now playing on the Champions Tour, where he has seven wins, Els also claimed four majors during his PGA Tour days. While he was always known for his size and relaxed approach, what stood out most was how effortless his swing looked.

It’s no surprise that when he shares advice on hitting straighter drives, people pay attention. Fortunately, there are several clips out there of Els breaking down how to improve with the driver.

How to improve your drive by copying Ernie Els’ swing

One thing that stands out about Els is how smooth and deliberate his backswing is. Rather than rushing into it, he takes his time going back before accelerating through impact.

This slower start helps keep things under control and allows him to generate power without sacrificing accuracy. It’s not just something unique to Els either – Rory McIlroy also prefers a slow takeaway compared to most other players on tour.

Ernie Els’ advice for improving your driving accuracy

Ernie Els is known for having one of the most reliable and fluid swings in golf, a reputation that hasn’t faded over time.

Similar to Adam Scott, Els’s swing appears natural and easy, which may explain why he remains competitive even at 55.

Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images

In a previous video with XXIOUSA, Els shared some simple advice for beginners looking to improve their driving accuracy.

“So try and get your normal set up, a good ball position on the driver, just inside your heel, and a nice wide stance almost the width of your shoulders,” Els explains.

“And then you want to bend from the front in the middle area. Don’t get too straight because you’ll get stiff.”

Els finishes by sending an easy drive straight down the fairway in this segment of the video, showing how effective his technique can be.

Breaking down the numbers behind Ernie Els’ PGA Tour career

There are only a few players in history who have won four major championships, and by the time it’s all said and done, Ernie Els will be remembered as one of the best to ever play the game.

Across a long career on the PGA Tour, Els made nearly 500 appearances, winning 19 times and collecting another 47 victories on other tours around the world.

He finished in the top ten 126 times and earned just under $50 million in prize money. Add to that 125 events played on the Champions Tour with seven wins and another 67 top tens, and there’s no doubt that Els has put together an extraordinary career.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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