Temperature can have a huge impact on your carry distance. Getty Images Welcome to Play Smart , a regular GOLF.com game-improvement column that will help you play smarter, better golf.

Here are some tips for maximizing carry. First, check your driver specs. A little more loft—for most players, at least 10.5 degrees—will help you launch the ball higher.

For example, a 10 mph wind -- generally referred to as a one-club wind -- means a 5 percent gain in carry distance as a tailwind and a 7.5 percent decrease in carry distance as a headwind.