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Pro Golf Tips: Drive For Show

“Drive for show, putt for dough” is a common golf term and it couldn’t be more true. Although spending time working on the short game will directly benefit your score, I most often see players on the range hitting their drivers and wanting lessons on how to hit it farther. Here are a few keys to achieving that longer drive.

First, most of hitting a long drive is done before the club ever starts to move. The longest drivers of the ball are not the strongest players but rather the most flexible. Do some stretching before you play and specifically some spine twists.

Next, if you have a modern large-headed driver, then tee it up high. “Tee it high, let it fly” is another golf term you may have heard. Move the ball position forward in your stance (left foot for a right-handed golfer) allowing impact to be on the upswing. Take a fairly wide stance and make sure your posture is athletic, meaning a flat back, slightly bent knees and a forward bend from the waist. Lastly, tilt your spine (to the right for right-handed players) just a bit so that your head is behind the ball.

Once you have these setup fundamentals in place, make sure you have a solid pre-shot routine which includes visualizing the shot, a deep breath, and a nice controlled pace. During the swing, work on a big shoulder turn in the backswing and high hands at the top. Once you have made this full backswing, allow the lower body to get the forward swing started which will keep your club head on plane. Soft arm tension will then allow the club to release fast on the downswing, giving maximum club head speed. If the upper body starts the down swing you will kill all of your power. Finish the swing with long arms and high hands and watch the ball soar far and straight down the fairway!