Swing Time!

How To Hit Long And Straight Drives

Grip, stance, balance, posture, swing plane, backswing, downswing - so much to think about just to hit a hard little ball straight ahead! Let’s take all this one step at a time.

There are many different aspects that contribute to good swing. To get everything working in concert, relax and take a good deep breath - anxious tension in the arms usually leads to poor swing.

Place your heels about shoulder width apart and take a firm grip. Make sure that you don’t squeeze the life out of the club - this produces that evil tension. Think first about three components of swing: backswing, downswing, and swing plane.

Backswing

Backswing is the part of the motion when you take the club back in a smooth arc with your thumb knuckle above your right ear. When you draw the club back its head traces out a circle - think of this circle as the rim of a round table tipped on edge. Point your chest away from the target.

Downswing

Downswing is the part of the motion when you swing the club down and through the ball. When swung in a circle a heavy club head gains a large angular momentum.

You need to take advantage of this and let your natural body motion carry the club head through the ball’s position toward the target. Swing down in the same plane as your back swing.

Although all of the above may sound simple, in fact it’s somewhat hard to do. Here are some tips on how to achieve smooth forceful swing.

• Take the club straight back and up while keeping your left elbow straight - this is the backswing plane. At the start of your backswing let your left arm roll slightly clockwise. Ensure that by the time your left arm is parallel to the ground your wrists are cocked at a 90 degree angle.
• Keep your feet on the ground to anchor the backswing. Remember to start the downswing with your lower body, not with your shoulders. Turn your belt buckle toward the target as you bring the club down. While retaining control turn your hips as fast and as powerfully as you can.
• At the bottom of the arc, your wrists “snap” and you follow through, as if the ball weren’t there. By now the ball is in the air and your arm has swung across your body near the opposite armpit.
• Your shoulders will turn from being parallel to the target line to being perpendicular to it. While you keep your eyes on the ball your weight should end on your supporting foot.

Of course when you swing this way your shoulders will still turn, but you will create much more torque through engaging your body. Instead of creating torque by turning your shoulders, turn your lower chest away from the target.

Your finishing position should be as follows

• Weight balanced on your front hip;
• Back toe on the ground;
• Hands up above your front shoulder and your chest;
• Back knee acing the hole;
• Ball much further down the course in the direction you want.

This is still a lot of things to remember and to control. The more you practice the motion, the sooner it will start feeling natural. Keep in mind though, that it is very important to control your entire range of motion in the beginning, so you learn how to do everything properly right from the start.