The loss of distance in any golf shot usually stems from improper form during the swing. Many golf products are on the market that claim to improve the distance of your shots, but few will benefit you as much as learning the theory behind a golf swing and then executing that theory consistently on the golf course.
Expert Insight
According to a study produced by Columbia University titled "Assessing Golfer Performance Using Golfmetrics," "Not only are PGA tour players much longer, but they are about twice as straight as the amateurs." The study concludes that the professional players hit the ball straighter and farther as a result of their superior and more consistent contact with the ball. After studying more than 40,000 shots from more than 130 amateur and professional golfers, the researchers found that reduced distance in a player's long game is the single highest contributing factor to high scores.
Features
A correct golf swing is composed of many fine movements and alignments in the body. The ball should be addressed with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms should hang loosely as you grip the club. As you begin your backswing, your hips need to move laterally parallel with the ball and your weight transfers onto your back foot. Your leading arm is relatively straight while your back arm bends to bring the club back toward your head. For the forward swing, your weight is transferred to your front foot and the club is brought down along its backswing arc toward the ball. The front foot remains planted through the moment of impact as you rotate your shoulders and hips toward your target and bring the club around to your leading shoulder.
Significance
According to the Columbia University study, if a professional golfer did all of the putting for a low-handicap golfer in a single round, the average gain for the low-handicap player would be about 2.2 strokes per 18 holes. However, if the same professional golfer hit every shot that was more than 100 yards for the amateur, he would see an improvement of 9.3 shots per round. This number is even larger when comparing professional golfers to those with high handicaps, thus proving that loss of distance should be a major concern for all amateur golfers.
Misconceptions
Professional golfer Robert Allenby states in his GolfDigest.com article "10 More Yards" that golfers must learn to stop focusing on hitting the ball hard, and start focusing on getting the rhythm and the form of their swings correct. By trying to swing hard through the ball, you become tenser and are more likely to move the club off of the correct trajectory. Allenby says to stay relaxed during your swing. He also advises against bringing the club deep into your backswing because it then becomes more difficult to control on the downswing.
Prevention/Solution
A number of drills can help you improve the form of your swing. Golf.com suggests you stand your golf bag behind you as you address the ball so your butt is touching it. Keep your butt in contact with the bag throughout the swing and you will know that you are rotating your hips properly. You should also note the feel of your weight transferring from your back foot to your front foot during the swing. This is the leading cause of a slice for many players, which can rob you of a great deal of distance. If you continue to have trouble with your swing after taking corrective measures, consider recording your swing or taking lessons with a professional.
Member Comments