3 Secrets to 30 Extra Yards off the Tee

Wednesday, 02 September 2009 01:06

Written by The Golf Drill Guru

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Inside Attack

On your downswing, as your swing into impact, the path your club takes into the ball is paramount. There are three swing paths the club can travel on, out-to-in which is your classic pull / over-the-top swing, in-to-out which is your classic push swing, and in-to-in which is your ideal draw-producing swing path. If you can attack the ball from the inside, it will give you the best chance at creating lag on the downswing, which is a huge factor in distance.

On the other hand, an over-the-top swing forces your wrists to un-cock prematurely on the downswing – this will reduce your swing speed and your distance.

There’s plenty of drills on the site for more distance, but this drill will specifically help you swing on an in-to-in swing path.

Extension

On the backswing, your arms should be swinging the club as far back away from you as possible before you’re wrists are forced to cock and swing the club up to complete your swing. As shown in the image to right, your arms should be pointing to about 8:00 o’clock before your wrists should begin to cock. By doing this, you’re ensuring you create a wide swing arc. This move will help increase your swing speed by giving your swing more time to speed up on the downswing. A narrow swing arc is usually characterized by a wristy, flippy golf swing.

A recent post on extension helps to explain this concept better – don’t miss this great drill to improve your extension .

Weight Shift

A solid weight shift can work wonders for your swing; a poor one can drastically reduce your distance. At address, with a driver, you should setup with your weight 60% on your back leg and 40% on your front. As you start your backswing, your weight should slowly shift to your back leg finishing with an 80% on the back leg and 20% on the front at the top of the backswing. From the top, your downswing should begin with a shift in your body weight from your left leg to your right as your arms begin to drop and swing down to the ball. At impact, your weight should be shifting to your front foot, until your swing through to finish with 90% of your weight on the front foot, and 10% on your back foot.

At the top of your backswing, your really want to get your body weight onto your back foot – the move from this position into the ball is really what helps get those extra yards. If you find yourself off balance after you hit the ball, or if your weight rests on your back foot at impact, your weight shift needs some work. To feel a proper weight shift, try this drill .