Earl
Svenningsen
Director of Instruction
VIP Golf Academy
HIT LONGER
“Form
good habits. They’re as hard to break as bad
ones.” anonymous
Length
is a function of clubhead speed, weight shift, and body turn
(torque). Those three elements done together will
give you the maximum power. The wider the arc and
the faster the club is swung will result in longer tee
shots.
Lengthen
the arc of your swing by increasing your weight shift to
your right side on the backswing. Move as much weight
shift as your want, as long as you brace your move to the
inside of your right foot. Stretch your arms as you
take the club back from the ball. At the top of the
swing, reach a little higher. Keep the swing’s
length the same, but stretch it by reaching higher.
Now
that you have created this added power, you need to effectively
transfer it to the ball and through. Recreate
the arc of your backswing on the downswing, keeping the
swing as fluid and smooth while increasing the speed
of the swing as it approaches the striking of the ball
and through to the finish.
During
the 100 yard dash you do not see the runners stop at the
finish line, they sprint well past the finish line before
they start slowing down. The same is true in the golf
swing. The swing is accelerating to and through the
ball. Be sure to finish your swing by letting the
club finish over your left shoulder with almost all your
weight on the front foot and your belt buckle facing
the target.
Remember,
even though you have the power, you do not have to use it
every time. Long and straight is the best, but
straight is almost always better then just longer.
Note
the full finish and the total weight shift to the left side.
