If I’ve written it once, I’ve written it a hundred times — everyone will improve with more distance off the tee. The closer you are to the hole, the fewer strokes it will take to hole out. It’s just a fact.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for adding power with the driver. Every golf swing is different so there’s no guarantee that what works for one person will work for another. It’s all about finding the method that works for you and dedicating yourself to improving in that regard.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t learn from what others are doing. In fact, if you want to add swing speed, you’d be wise to take a look at the swings of some of the longest bombers in the world.
Thanks to OptiMotion technology from our friends at GOLFTEC, we can compare the swings of the best players in the world and look for similarities in their swings that we can learn from. And in the text below, Nick Clearwater, a GOLF Top 100 Teacher and GOLFTEC’s Senior Vice President of Player Development, explains a key swing move that helps the best in the world generate power.
The key power move
I’ve analyzed thousands of swings during my coaching career, and one move that always helps generate more power is lengthening the backswing. Sounds simple enough, right? Well, yes and no.
It’s not just a matter of making your swing longer that helps you hit it farther. It’s about how you use your body to make this lengthening easier. Confused? Let me explain.
The key element for lengthening your swing comes by pulling your shoulder back and opening up your chest. Doing this makes your upper body more rotational, making it easier to turn and consequently make a longer swing.
GOLFTEC Swing Evaluation
If we look at some of the best drivers of the golf ball in the game — think Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau — their upper spine is extended well beyond zero degrees at the top of the swing. When we look at short-hitters, though, they are usually bent forward between 25 and 40 degrees more at the top of the swing than those bombers.
So, how can you teach yourself to be more like Rory and Bryson? Start by learning how it feels to have your shoulders in this position.
Start by standing straight up and pull your shoulders back while aiming your chest to the sky. Not everyone has the same flexibility and mobility, but that’s OK. Just do it as much as you can. The same feeling should exist in the follow through, too. And it helps you move the grip upward at impact which is a huge element of every powerful swing.
It might feel a bit uncomfortable at first, but stick with it. If you can incorporate this move into your swing, you’ll be well on your way to belting longer drives.
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