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Question by Brad M: How to get more distance?
I want to add more distance in my golf game. I have almost none, I pull out a 4 iron for 150 yards and even then can come up short. I have good control but cannot seem to get more distance, even when I try to speed up my swing or swing with more force. What are some drills that I can do to up my distance?
Best answer:
Answer by Harajuku Barbie
First of all, I’ll say that distance isn’t everything. I think that it’s great that you have control, and if anything, any experienced golfer would trade distance in for control.
Nextly I’ll say that there are several things you can do to get more distance:
1. Get some more technologically advanced clubs. Lots of research is being put in to adding distance, more forgiveness and to help the ball go straighter. When your game gets to a certain level, you should think about investing in a good set of clubs if you haven’t already.
2. Follow through. Make sure your arms are extended on your way to the finish. This will help it go straighter as well as add distance.
3. Make a longer backswing. The club speeds up gradually during the swing as it travels towards the finish. Just be sure you’re not going out of your rotation and your swing pattern does not change. Think twisting more rather than bringing your arms up more. A lateral shaft at the top of your backswing is the basic textbook standard.
This may sound silly but I like to stand in front of the sun in the afternoon so I can see my shadow. This makes it easier to practice a longer backswing, because at the same time you can observe yourself to see if you are shifting your body or making mistakes.
Good luck and hope my answer helped you!
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When you turn in your back swing pivot at your waist. In doing so your coiling your body like a spring. Turn till you are looking at the ball over your left shoulder. Then unwind, swinging through the ball. This should add yards to your ball flight.
There are basically two ways to add distance. The first, and most overlooked, is improved ball-striking. That is to say make sure you are contacting the ball on the sweet spot. I will guess that since you have good control, you have decent skills and are making reasonable contact. If that is the case, then you must increase your swing speed.
Remember, any changes to your swing to increase speed must also include continuing to strike the ball well. There are two keys to increasing clubhead speed. The first is to make sure you have a full shoulder turn and are pivoting your weight onto your back foot in the backswing. A camcorder or even good cellphone can be used to look at your swing and compare it to a good golfer’s swing on Youtube.
The other key is “lagging” the wrists. If you watch a good swing on Youtube or pga.com, you will notice that good golfers do NOT release their wrists until the very last part of the golf swing. This is referred to as delayed wrist release, cracking the whip, wrist lag, and a number of other golf terms. The following is a decent article that explains this in more detail, and while I do not suggest that you subscribe to the site that is advertised at the end of the article, it is a reasonably well-written discussion of the issues you are dealing with.