Golf Tips - Distance

"Distance"
This week we look at the concept of hitting the ball farther. Everyone can benefit from extra distance. It makes courses play shorter, it allows golfers to play more offensively, and if combined with accuracy, can definitely contribute to lower scores.
There are new, high tech golf clubs that allow golfers to hit it farther, but they're expensive. And without good swing fundamentals, you sometimes run the risk of paying a lot of money and still not hitting it any farther. Longer distance can te attained with the clubs you've got, but it requires both understanding and some work. Lets look at some ways to increase your distance.

MAKE SURE YOU HIT THE DRIVE SQUARELY.
The bottom line is, distance equals clubhead speed through the hitting area, times the squareness of contact. If you don't hit it square, you miss half of the equation and you lose distance. Why is it that a slender, petite LPGA pro can often hit it farther than your average, bigger stronger male golfer? Because they consistently swing in a way that achieves square contact. Hit drives squarely, and they will go farther.

DO EXERCISES TO BECOME MORE FLEXIBLE.
Flexibility plays a vital role in allowing the golfer to get maximum use of the muscles in his or her body during the golf swing. Stretching exercises for the shoulders, stomach, hips, legs, arms, and especially the back, do wonders for the golfer's flexibility and allow the golfer to take a fuller, more complete backswing, and to get optimum extension through the hitting area.
Everyone can find moments during the work day where they can stretch and become more flexible. Do it, and you'll be on your way to better golf.

DO EXERCISES TO GAIN MORE STRENGTH.
The object of strengthening exercises is to get stronger, particularly in the muscles that control the golf swing. Then you can swing at a nice smooth pace, but the added strength will translate to more clubhead speed through the hitting area, which should translate into more distance. It's only logical that strength exercises for the finers, hands, arms, shoulders, back, stomach and legs give you a body that will allow you to hit it farther than a body that doesn't exercise. Do Nautilus workouts at a health club, swing a weighted club, squeeze a handball or tennis ball, do sit-ups, or abdominal crunches, but do some exercises to get yourself stronger. It will help.

UNDERSTAND THAT THE BACKSWING IS WHERE YOU LOAD UP THE POTENTIAL POWER TO BE UNLEASHED DURING THE DOWNSWING.
During a good golf swing, there's a certain understanding of the fact that you're not "hitting the ball on the backswing." You are swinging it back as smoothly as possible with the thought that you will reach a completed backswing position with an optimum amount of stored power waiting to be unleashed. (At the end of these tips, I will recommend three books that, in their own way, each explain the feelings of loading up power on the backswing, and indeed, have great, in-depth information on getting greater distance during the golf swing. There are whole chapters explaining the feelings of coiling and transferring weight to the right side during the backswing.) Remember this - the backswing is simply that - a backswing. You are similar to a pitcher in baseball winding up before striding forward and releasing the ball. A pitcher with good mechanics winds up completely, and you as a golfer should be patient until you finish the backswing.

BE PATIENT AND UNDER CONTROL AS YOU TRANSITION FROM BACKSWING TO DOWNSWING, AND BEGIN IT WITH THE LOWER BODY FROM THE GROUND UP.
The one moment during the golf swing where you need to be focusing the most is that moment where you begin your downswing. Once you trigger the downswing, everything will happen so fast you will not be able to catch up. You will not be able to correct anything. You have a fraction of a second until you hit the ball. This is where you need to have a clear head and be under control. and this is the single most visible place where you can tell a good golfer from a bad golfer.
Since you swing your weight onto the right side during the coil of the backswing, you have to uncoil and get your weight onto the left side during the downswing. Simultaneously, you are pushing off the right foof while you are transferring your weight onto the left foot, after which the rest of your body - knees, hips, shoulder, arms, hands - follows as your downswing proceeds to deliver the blow. (Again, this is explained better in whole chapters of the better golf books.)

Remember also the tip from last week. No tip really matters unless you strike the ball squarely. So think of a trigger thought to start the downswing, and concentrate on swinging through the ball.

If you work on the fundamentals and the exercises we have discussed, you can probably add some distance to your game. Remember, though, it doesn't come easy. If it did, everyone would be doing it. And they're not. The rewards of golf usually come to those who grasp the fundamentals and then work most successfully at refining their skills.