May 2008
Go the distance
Lisa Longball shares tips on how to get more distance
The 2008 golf season is in full swing and many players are looking for ways to add distance to their game.
Distance is my specialty. My nick name is Lisa Longball and I have won five consecutive National Long Drive titles and was the first women to hit it over 350 yards in competition. Here are a few tips I use to gain distance off the tee.
Figure 1: Ensure the ball is teed up off the instep of your front foot.
Figure 2: Make a good shoulder turn.
Figure 3: When you get to impact ensure that your head is behind the ball.
Figure 4: After impact keep swinging through the ball.
Figure 5: Aim for a solid finish. Continue your swing until your club is behind your head.
Ensure the ball is teed up off the instep of your front foot (See figure 1). The next step is to focus on your stance to build a solid foundation.
There are four keys involved:
• Wide base. Wou want your feet to be minimum shoulder width apart if not a bit wider. This creates a strong base and will help with your balance.
• Weight on the middle of your feet. Ensure that your weight is solidly in the centre of your feet. If you are too far forward on your toes you will lack balance and hit a lot of balls on the heel of your club. If your weight is leaning back towards your heels you are also robbing yourself of distance and stability and will tend to hit more shots on the toe of your club.
• Fan your front foot to a 45 degree angle. This allows you to clear your front hip at impact. If both of your feet are pointed straight ahead it restricts the mobility of your hips and puts a lot of added pressure on your lead knee.
• Maintain an athletic position. You should not be stiff or slumped. Your knees should be slightly bent, to allow for freedom of movement. Your back should be straight not hunched with a slight tilt forward of your spine.
• Make a good shoulder turn (See figure 2). To generate more club head speed it is imperative to make a good upper body turn. Try to get your lead shoulder underneath your chin. Another swing thought can be try to turn your back to the target, while keeping your lower body still. This is a turn, not a slide.
• Transfer your weight to your back foot. When you make a good shoulder turn you transfer your weight to your back foot (side). This move will allow you to create coil and torque leading to greater club head speed.
To maximize your power, your first move in your down swing must be with your lower body. You should lead your downswing by firing your front hip towards the target, again this is a turn not a slide. Your swing thought should be “turning your guts” towards the target. Think of dividing your body in two halves; you wind up with the top half (backswing) and unwind with the bottom half (downswing).
If you start your down swing with your arms you will loose all of the power, coil and torque you created with your shoulder turn.
When you start your downswing with your lower body it is imperative that you keep your back elbow tucked into your hip throughout your downswing. If not, you will create a “casting/over the top” move that that will either lead to a hard pull or even an ugly slice.
When you get to impact ensure that your head is behind the ball. If your head sneaks in front of the ball you will de-loft your club and lose power and distance (See figure 3).
After impact keep swinging through the ball. Your club head should be moving fastest four feet after you strike the ball. Your arms should be straight (no “chicken wing” with your lead elbow) and should be extended down the target line (See figure 4).
Aim for a solid finish. Continue your swing until your club is behind your head. All of your weight should be on your front foot with your belt buckle towards the target (See figure 5). If you finish your swing with your weight on your back foot leaning away from the target you have lost a minimum of 20 yards.
Finish in balance. If you can hold your finish without wobbling or taking a step you know you have achieved balance which will lead to accuracy and consistency.
Take time to practice these tips at the range and say hello to reaching par 5’s in 2.