PRE-SWING DISTANCE TIPS 
1) EQUIPMENT - DRIVER
- Chose a driver and shaft that is correct for your
ability.
- If your swing speed is less than 80 mph then
think in terms of a high flex shaft and at least a
12 degrees of loft for your driver.
- The largest percentage of golfers will have
swing speeds in the 80 to 100 mph range.
Choose a driver with a regular flex and a loft
between 10 to 12 degrees.
- For those gifted enough to generate a swing
speed over 100 mph make sure that your shaft
has a stiff flex. You also you need a lower lofted
club, usually around 8 degrees.
2) EQUIPMENT - GOLF BALLS
- Different golf balls suit different golfers. Most golf ball manufacturers don't tell
you this. They'd like every player to choose their most expensive top of the
line ball, even if it's not designed for their style of play. Chose a ball that is
correct for your ability.
- Novice Golfer - About 25% of recreational golfers fall in this category. Your
score is typically 105 or greater for 18 holes and your handicap is over 20. If
you are just starting to play or are inconsistent this is your category. You can
definitely benefit from a low spinning, 2 piece golf ball.
- The Intermediate Golfer - Your scores range from the high 80's to the mid 90's. If
you can hit it reasonably straight and or have a predictable shot pattern, a
medium spinning 2 or 3 piece ball would be a good choice. If your shot pattern
is erratic, you should choose a lower spinning 2 piece ball.
- The Accomplished Golfer - Your handicap is 12 or below. You score in the 70's
and low 80's. You need a ball that is long off the tee but provides the feel and
finesse you desire for the shots around the green and putting. You would most
benefit from a 3pc or even the newer 4pc performance ball.
3) PHYSICAL CONDITIONING
- As with any sport physical conditioning will help immensely. A golf specific
exercise program will give your body the flexibility and muscular development
necessary to hit the long drive.
- To get the most distance out of any club (not just the driver) you have to be
flexible, and the only way to get flexible is to stretch. ALWAYS - ALWAYS do
some sort of stretching routine before teeing up your first ball.
- The large shoulder turn that is paramount to hitting for distance can best be
developed by stretching and twisting exercises.
- Developing your leg muscles is important to hammering a golf ball. A strong
lower body base will allow the upper body to release through the downswing.
4) BALANCE
- Better balance produces better and longer drives. To achieve good balance,
make sure your weight is shifted to your back foot when you set up to swing.
Once you load up your weight on the back foot, there's nowhere to go but
forward and into the ball.
5) MENTAL AND RELAXATION
- First, you must mentally accept the fact that in order to drive the ball further
you do not try to hit the ball harder. Big hitters on tour all have great tempo
through the ball striking area.
- Clear your mind of all thoughts, relax, take a deep breath, let out half of it,
then, slowly, almost as if in slow motion start your coiling process with the
swing thought "sweet swing". This will keep you calm and prevent "lunging"
into the ball.
- A little pre-swing waggle will help to relax muscles and rehearse hinging of
right wrist.
- First you select a "specific" spot in the fairway that want your ball to land, then
you visualize a smooth swing with your the ball sailing and landing directly on
that spot. This may sound a little "hokie" if you've never done it, but TRY IT! It
works. You will hit a lot more acceptable tee shots because your mind has
"programed" your body with a specific goal.
6) TEE HEIGHT
- Today's larger drivers have a sweet spot that is higher on the club face than
before.
- Tee the ball up high, really high, to take advantage of your new driver's
expanded sweet spot.
- The right tee height allows you to optimize your launch angle, by hitting the
ball slightly on the upswing.
- The ideal tee height will have half the golf ball above the top edge of your
driver. This ensures optimal launch angle with the right kind of spin.
- Why do you think all those new longer tees are being sold in the pro shop?
Equipment manufactures know that today's 460cc drivers perform better when
the ball is teed up higher.
7) STANCE
- Jack Nicklaus says that when he came to a tee shot where he wanted that
extra little bit of distance, he would widen his stance a little.
- Widen your stance so that the insides of your heels are shoulder width apart
to increase stability.
- Flare your forward foot slightly to encourage the needed weight shift and
rotation toward your left side during the swing. However the right foot isn't
flared at all.
8) BALL POSITION
- To accommodate your new high tee, and to make contact on the right part of
your driver, make sure that the ball is teed opposite the left foot at address
(right foot for lefties). For the average golfer this ball position will look very far
forward, but trust it. You will hit the ball farther this way.
- Move your ball forward in your stance between four to six inches. This
encourages you to fully transfer your weight down the target line and
enhances a full extension. The greater the extension, the more swing speed
you generate. Swing speed equals distance.
9) GRIP
- Keep body relaxed with a light grip.
- You need to make a conscious effort to grip the club lightly. You do this by
taking one or two practice swings concentrating on nothing but "light grip".
- Use a strong grip position and light grip pressure.
- To achieve effortless power, try keeping your hands soft throughout the swing.
Soft hands, means keeping loose and supple from your elbows through your
fingers. Doing this helps promote a quicker, smoother release through the
point of impact.
- When driving adjust your hands to a strong grip position. A weak grip position
is fine for finesse with shorter clubs but not for power driving. To have a strong
driving grip position, point both Vs formed by your hands towards the right
shoulder.
- It is very easy, when going for more distance to grip the club too tightly. But
actually this is the exact opposite of what we need to do. Tightening the grip
creates tension throughout your body, slowing muscles and reducing club
head speed. It can also cause you to snatch the club back and snap through
your swing.
- Most amateur players tend to grip the club very tightly. This diminishes your
"feel" for the club head.
- Gripping the club looser allows you to generate more club head speed and
lag. Lag is a term used to refer to angle between the club and your left arm.
The smaller this angle, the more energy you release at impact.
- Throughout the swing, the only pressure point in your grip should be at the
point where the lower pad of your right thumb meets the knuckle of your left
thumb.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One last point on hitting the WOW! drive. If you are serious about generating more length off the tee, I would encourage you to aquire a swing speed trainer. There are several types out there but they all help you to hone in on your primary goal - increased club head speed. This in turn, enables you to fulfill your ultimate goal - more distance. They achieve this by strengthening the swing muscles, improving overall flexibility, maximizing your range of motion, improving balance, and most of all they provide you with a means to measure your progress.
Have fun - Hit'em long!
_Golf University HOME