My quest for extra yards off the tee the past few years goes pretty deep. I don’t really expect recreational golfers to do what I’ve done and go down rabbit holes on the power biomechanics behind the swing to the extent that I have.
But, in my research, I discovered a few key movements that the weekender can work on to reach their distance potential.
One of the best pieces of advice I could give is: Swing it like you mean it! By that I mean come at the ball with intent. It’s more than swinging hard. What you want to do is create as much force as possible on the handle that you can then transfer to the ball.
You can see in the image below how I’m loaded and ready to unleash tons of energy. Check out the tips below.
1. Reach for it
Look how high and around my hands are. The farther I raise them from the ball, the more time and distance I have to apply force leading up to impact.
2. Torque at the top
I like to feel tension in my left shoulder at the top, just as my hips start to unwind. This rotational force is a serious power multiplier.
3. Max out your hip turn
One of my goals is to get my rear end facing the target at the top. This ensures a full turn and stops any kind of sway off the ball.
4. Raise the roof
As I take the club back, I want the sensation of weightlessness. See how my front foot is off the ground. This helps me create force back into the ground coming down.