Golf Tips

Let's talk about hitting the driver longer. Everyone wants 10 more yards, right? (Maybe 20 or 30 for some of us) Here are some tips to add some extra pop to your tee shots...

First:
Get in the game with your equipment. If you own a 1975 Tony Lema Special Persimmon Driver, I would advise an equipment modification. Experiment with the technology available to you. Some recommendations:
1- Get a driver with enough loft. Most people need at least 9.5 degrees.
2- Play a graphite shaft that is not too stiff. You don't need an incentive to overswing. A more flexible driver shaft will also kick more at the bottom, helping to get the ball up in the air.
3- For most of you, the bigger the better! Try the Taylor Made r7, the Cleveland 460, or the Titleist 983 K.
The larger sweet spots are more forgiving and will help your mis-hits go farther and also find the fairway.

Swing Tips:

1- Tee the ball up high. With a big headed, deep faced driver you want the ball teed up high so it gets up in the air quickly. The old days of the "low-riser" are gone....launch the ball high with low spin and maximize your carry time. A ball like the Pro Vx goes farthest when it stays in the air longer.
2- Finish your backswing. Coil behind the ball and max out your shoulder turn. Get your front shoulder over your back leg and load up!
3- Relax. Don't try and kill the ball. I know that is counter-intuitive to the driver mentality but trust me, swing within yourself. You will find that your rhythm, which is nothing more than the synchronization of your swing, will improve and you'll find more fairways.

Finally:

*Work on your flexibility. Maximizing your shoulder turn with resistance in your legs is the key to building power and clubhead speed. Here are two good stretches:

1- Take your set-up and hold a club across your chest and practice turning your front shoulder over your back knee. Keep your front foot down and rear knee flexed. Feel the lead side stretch and coil.

2- Find a door handle or edge of a wall you can grab by reaching across your chest. Pull, or stretch, your shoulder and arm away from where you are holding to help loosen the shoulder and lat muscles that help you turn.