it takes most people a long time to get decent at golf. if you are only playing one year, and making decent contact you are ahead of most!! The golf swing is very hard to master, and the driver is the hardest of all clubs to hit! (some would say the putter!!). You would be better off leaving the driver in the bag and hitting the 3 wood off the tee anyway. Most people would say they barely get 20 yds more from the driver (plus some roll). work on hitting a 7 iron consistently, the rest will follow...the longer the club, the longer the arc you swing it through, and the more magnified is any swing imperfection....for most people, when they hit the ground behind the ball, its because their weight is on their right foot (for a right hander)., so the swing bottoms out behind the ball. Try taking a few practic swings with your weight on your left foot and your right foot up on your toes. This will give you the feeling of where your weight should be when you finish . Remember that these adjustments though, are typically subtle, not a huge swaying way out to your left.

Don't worry about distance, work on a good swing...check grip stance...tempo back and through the ball, get a good shoulder turn... focus on releasing the club and making good contact...the ball wants to fly down the fairway