“Find your distance potential”
By Tim Mahoney
One of the keys to playing golf in this era is to hit the ball long. As golf courses continue to be designed longer and more difficult, hitting the ball with power allows players the best chance to score. Although Tiger Woods has possibly the greatest short game in the history of the game, it is also a huge advantage the he has been consistently ranked among the longest hitters during his career. How can you hit it longer?
Quite simply, there are two keys to hitting it long: solid contact and speed. Hitting the ball in the center of the face with maximum speed will allow you to hit it as far as you can. This combined with the latest in club and ball technology can help you find your true distance potential.
The first thing you should determine is if you hit the ball solidly with your current swing. The easiest test is to use face tape that can be found at most golf shops. Place a piece of tape on your club and hit a shot. The ball will make a mark on the tape which will show you your contact point. Hopefully you will find you are consistently finding the center of the clubface. Make sure you test both woods and irons as you want solid contact with all clubs.
If you find that your contact is not as solid as you would like, look at two things to improve your swing. Make sure your posture at set up and throughout your swing is in an athletic position that you maintain during your swing. Good posture will help you swing the club around your body consistently “on plane” which leads to center hits.
Once you are satisfied with your contact point, the next key to distance is trying to increase your swing speed. In the golf swing there are three power sources that will help you swing the club faster. The combination of proper wrist action, an arm swing that puts the club in position throughout the swing and a powerful body pivot that supports the swinging action of the club will allow the club to swing consistently and produce power.
Finally, if you feel you are making solid contact and are using your power sources, make sure your equipment fits your swing. Clubs and balls that are fitted specifically for your swing will probably give you an extra few yards as well.
Learning to hit the ball longer is a very fun part of the improvement process. Examine your current swing and determine your needs. With a little practice, hopefully you will find a few more yards.
Remember if you do hit the ball farther, you will have shorter approach shots to the hole. It is important to work hard on short game distance control so you can take advantage of your distance and hit it closer. This should take pressure off your putting game and allow you to improve your scoring average.
Distance and Direction to better scoring
Direction
All gofers no matter what the handicap level should attempt to control distance and direction. An improvement in consistency is the effect of a compatible golf swing. When golfers attempt swing changes without regard to keeping a balanced or compatible swing, inconsistency is the result. Golf swings can be upright, Jack Nicklaus, flat Ben Hogan, shut face David Duval or an open face Nancy Lopez; as long as all the parts are compatible consistency is the result.
A weak grip should be balanced with a forward ball position, centered pivot, open face, swing path that is out to in and aggressive hand action through impact. A stronger grip should be balanced with a centered ball position, closed face, path from in to out and an aggressive body motion through impact.
There has never been a perfect golf swing, and probably never will. Keep your golf swing balanced and compatible and you will have consistent results.
Distance
Golfers are constantly striving for more distance. Trying out new clubs, improved physical conditioning and the latest secret in a golf publication in an attempt to add an extra 10-20 yards. All of these changes are good, but the number one influence on distance is a combination of club head speed and solid contact. One without the other simply results in short off line tee-shots.
Speed is the effect of wristcock, arm swing and torso turn. Maximize all power sources in a balanced manner will result in an increase in speed. Solid contact is the result of a path that is from the inside to along to inside. Swing the club on the manufactured angle with the arms in front of the trunk will produce the correct path, resulting in a square hit.
All golfers should be striving for balanced controlled distance for improved scoring. Club head speed combined with solid contact is a guaranteed means of increased distance.
Speed and Strength through Structure
All golfers from Rory Milroy to Lydia Ko are in constant attempts to generate more speed and strength throughout their golfing motion. Golfers we see throughout our golf schools are attempting more speed and strength as well. The only way to generate more speed and gain speed is to have stability and structure throughout the entire motion of the golf swing. The old adage, “would you rather shoot a cannon from a canoe or a stable surface.” More speed and strength through a stable surface. Golfers must develop stability first before attempting speed and strength
Structure starts at address with a balanced posture and set-up. Bending from your hips with a neural spine. Weight on the balls of your feet. Arms hanging directly from your shoulders with your feet shoulder width apart. Body must be in a position where the muscles are holding and supporting the movement. Feet hold the ground as your hands hold the club. Bending from your hips with a small amount of knee bend. Body must be tall and balanced. This position will provide structure throughout your golf swing.
As the arms swing, body turns and wristcock golfers must maintain the structure established at address. The feet continue to hold the ground. Maintain the bend in your hips and the neutral spine. Body turns freely as you maintain the structure stability and positions. Maintain angles and positions.
As the arms swing, body unturns and wrist uncock to impact the structure and stability established at address, top must be maintained. Body turns around a fixed point. The fixed point established at address and maintained throughout the motion. Dynamic motion through a static structure position.
As the body unwinds, arms release, wrist uncock and the club released, structure is maintained throughout the entire motion. Bend maintained, angles and lines kept through structure. Speed and strength the effect of stability and structure. Maintain structure for a strong and fast golf swing.