I WANT MORE DISTANCE!

If you’d like more driving distance then you need to carry on reading. I might bust a few myths !



Jonathan Jacobson - Cape Town PGA Professional.

Introduction

Many golfers dream of being extremely long hitters. When they are on the first tee box they might want to impress their playing partners, other golfers, or even the bystanders. I have never really understood why, but many golfers have always gained satisfaction from 'crushing' a drive. Growing up I was nicknamed 'force' by the caddies at the golf club, but with time I learned that adding those extra yards can only be created with sound technique and good swing mechanics. As an experienced professional golfer, having studied and witnessed many styles of swinging the club, I'd like to share a few of golf mysteries.

Most golfers focus solely on speed and force to create distance. Any good golfer will tell you that rushing the swing is the worst mistake a golfer can possibly make. Bear in mind, the club head is small, with a very tiny 'sweet spot'. The ball is also quite small and far away from you. Although it is standing still, and you might think that you are fairly still too, the smallest deviation in your body movement creates disastrous effects. Of course if the club head is traveling with a ferocious velocity, mistakes tend to worsen. A great degree of precision and accuracy is required.

The biggest mistakes golfers make in trying to hit longer

1. Poor set-up. There is NO excuse for a poor set-up. Visit your PGA professional for a lesson or a package of lessons.
2. Swaying. Moving laterally instead of turning the chest, stomach, back and hips.
3. Over-swinging. Trying for too big a swing, thinking it will add more distance.
4. Not finishing the backswing. Trying to attack the ball too quickly with too much tension and force.
5. Rushing the take-away. Shoving the club and arms away from the target, without setting the wrists or turning the body. Normally this mistake is due to having faulty ideas about swing width. This causes a disconnection in the swing and an immediate loss of power and consistency.
6. Rushing the backswing. I’ve never seen the ball being hit in the backswing. Think of a snooker player taking the queue back – they don’t snatch it away.
7. Rushing the downswing. Casting, hitting from the top, hitting early. This is normally caused by the (right-handed) player getting his / her right side in a dominant position early in the backswing and then dominating the shot with his / her right side (right-hander). Learn how to use your left side too.
8. Too much weight transfer in the downswing. This causes a loss of body angles, and the power can never be transferred back to the club-head. Let the club swing.
9. Lifting. A loss of body angles in the backswing or at the start of the downswing. Feel like you are starting the backswing and downswing with your chest down and your spine straight, so that your chest feels like it can be over the ball at impact. That way, your arms will feel like they can swing under your body. As opposed to lifting your chest up and hitting over the top of the ball. Also keep your head still and chin back, and left ear pointing at the target (right-handed golfer) at the start of the downswing and until just through impact.
10. Not finishing the follow through correctly. Finish soft, with your hips over your left foot and your hands behind your lead ear and on balance.

How to hit it long - The 10 Commandments of long hitters

1. Do find a system or routine that works for you. Visit your PGA professional he / she will demonstrate an effective pre-shot routine (every good player has one).
2. Do start in an athletic and powerful setup.
3. Do feel the correct amount of balance, relaxedness and tension in this setup position and in your grip too.
4. Do not rush the take-away.
5. Do start your take-away correctly, slowly and in one-piece.
6. Do not try to create an overly long backswing, sway the body, or shove the arms away from the target.
7. Do finish your backswing by letting your shoulders, back and torso turn around your spine.
8. Do start the downswing slowly, without tightening your body or hands and without rushing.
9. Do feel a sense of weight transfer. This shift must not overwhelm the swing, as it is a small yet vital movement in the downswing.
10. Do finish with your hips over your left foot and your hands behind your lead ear. (Hands should finish behind your left ear if you are right-handed – not target side!)

Picture 1 above: Good athletic, powerful Set-up, with relaxed hands - YES. There is NO excuse for a bad set-up! Visit your PGA professional and take a lesson



Picture 2 above: NO - Swaying. Moving laterally instead of turning the chest, stomach, back and hips.



Picture 3 above: NO - Over-swinging. Trying for too big a swing thinking it will add more distance.



Picture 4 above: NO - Rushing the take-away. Shoving the club and arms away from the target, without setting the wrists or turning the body



Picture 5 above: NO - Rushing the downswing. Casting, hitting from the top, hitting early.



Picture 6 sequences sequences above. Learn how to use your left side - YES!



Picture 7 above: NO to Too much weight transfer and sliding in the downswing



Picture 8 above: Lifting the head and looking up too early. Bad move!



Picture 9 sequences above: Try not to lift, or lose body angles.



Picture 10 above: Keep your body angles and your head still. Chin back, and left ear pointing at the target (right-handed golfer) at the start of the downswing and just until through impact.



Picture 11 above: Finishing the follow through correctly. Finish soft, with your hips over your left foot and your hands behind your lead ear and on balance.

Jonathan Gary Jacobson
AAA PGA professional

Coach of Western Province Senior Ladies Players
Cara Gorlei, Ji Sun Kang, Se Young Chun, Vanessa Smith, Katia Shaff, Ashleigh Mills



Picture: (Top Row, Left to Right) Vanessa Smith (WP Captain and number 1), Jonathan Jacobson (PGA professional Coach), Amy Henning, Ji Sun Kang, Cara Gorlei (Bottom Row, Left to Right) Zaandria Liebenberg, Lucy Lo, Se Young Chun, Nadya Ritschewald

Hopefully these tips will help. If you are unsure, or you really need a lesson in distance, my contact details are below. I am always happy to help.

Jonathan Jacobson
PGA professional
Cape Town, South Africa
+27 72 192 6557

jonathan@bettergolf.co.za
http://www.bettergolf.co.za/