Get More Distance With The Driver

Sun, 05/26/2013 - 12:00 -- Don Trahan

I've got two different testimonials today that praise the Peak Performance Golf Swing. Two men (both named Chuck) say they're hitting the ball straighter and with more accuracy than ever before. But, they're also both struggling to find distance with their drivers. 

This is a common occurrence I see at our golf schools and private lessons. Because the driver is longer and flatter, it's harder to swing it vertically. It takes more effort to swing the driver with acceleration through impact and therein lies the problem.

Here's what Chuck Chouinard had to say:

I have been using the PPGS concept using a 3/4 backswing and find that I consistently hit a straight ball but no matter what I do I cannot get acceptable distance. While I am 80 years young and play golf 3 or 4 times a week, I just can't get more than 170 yards with my driver using the PPGS. If I go back to the hip and shoulder turn swing I get at least 20 to 30 yards more but not always in the middle of the fairway.

I know you have addressed this issue before but I really need some help in increasing my distance with my driver and 3 wood using the PPGS.

Thanks,

Chuck Chouinard
Sturgeon Bay, WI

Chuck Rankin is facing a similar dilemma:

Surge,

The upright swing has given me super control. I am staighter and closer to the pin on most shots than ever before. Unfortunately, my driver distance has gone from 250-260 (even more) when I was younger to 225-230 using the Surge Swing.

Can you give me some pointers on how I can recoup some of my distance? I notice all my shots are going lower with out the usual carry I am accustomed to. I used to generate a lot of power with my low swooping swing/big turn. Maybe some mental keys to get a bit more turn or something.

Thanks,
Chuck Rankin

The driver is the longest club in the bag and it's also the flattest. When you have a flatter club to swing, you have to make a concerted effort to swing up vertically. Naturally, a longer club that's farther away from your body takes more energy to lift up. 

It also requires more effort on your forward upswing. When you swing through to impact, you have to increase your energy to do this. At golf schools, when the clubs get longer, students start to slow down and stop accelerating the club the way in which they did with their shorter clubs.

The longer and heavier the club, the more you will have to work to swing it vertical. I think some of you forget about speed and acceleration. I don't want you to start turning more to increase anything. We get our power from our arms, so just swing them faster towards the target to increase your distance, while also holding your legs firmer.

At the end of the day, you have to engage your muscles, especially in the arms, hands, and legs. You must be able to hold your legs firm if you're going to speed up the swing with your arms. If your legs break down, your swing will break down. 

Finally, make sure your driver isn't too long for you and that you have the right type of shaft for your swing.

Keep it vertical,

The Surge

If you can't view the YouTube video above try CLICKING HERE. You must allow popups from this site for the link to work.

Comments

Kevin McGarrahan's picture

Submitted by Kevin McGarrahan on

Don, I think that, for older players like me, the connection between the arms and hands - THE WRISTS - are the key to lost distance. Most of us spent so long doing the rotational wrist cock that we lose the wrist angle during the BUS and FUS. After analyzing my five rounds of golf two weeks ago, I found that the biggest cause of my swing problems was failing to maintain the firmness of my left (forward) wrist during the BUS and my right wrist during the FUS. On the 17 best and longest drives, I maintained consistent pressure - almost 3 - and good acceleration. I do feel that, as I improve that aspect, my distance average will continue to improve. My best drive, with almost perfect grip pressure and firmness throughout, was 243 yards. My average was only 182 yards. It's a work in progress with a ways to go.

Thanks for all the daily reminders. I have most of your video lessons and plan to get the rest. Thanks to your PPGS system, I have played pain-free golf for over five years now.

TinaB's picture

Submitted by TinaB on

Just catching up on the blog! Regarding tempo, there are two fascinating (at least for me) books by John Novosel, aptly entitled "Tour Tempo" and "Tour Tempo II: the short game and beyond". He has timed many pro swings and found that nearly all swings WITH A GOOD RESULT had a 3:1 tempo BUS to FUS. The "bad" swings rarely had this ratio. The original book includes a CD that you can use to help you find and train to your appropriate tempo, and he also has a website with downloads. I find the training tones help keep away the twenty swing thoughts I am otherwise fiddling with.
Happy reading :)
Tina B

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade on

Tina,

Thanks for those book recommendations. I considered getting those a while back when we had discussed timing and tempo previously. Always good to hear a personal recommendation by one of our own. I may reconsider getting them.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_10?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=tour+tempo&sprefix=tour+tempo%2...
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_5_10?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=tour+tempo+player+training+aid&sprefix...

Of course it looks like the best price is on Amazon. I agree that a repeating tempo that works best for us is very helpful in repeating a good swing and solid contact. I some times get too quick and that's when the occasional chunk or thin happens:(

Thanks for sharing,
Robert M.

Kevin McGarrahan's picture

Submitted by Kevin McGarrahan on

Thanks, Robert, for sharing this. It is most appropriate and something everyone should hear and see.

Lynn42's picture

Submitted by Lynn42 on

Thanks, Robert. Dick Lee Jr came immediately to mind while I watched it. We all spend time complaining about all things golf and tend to forget we would not have the freedom to do so if not for the veterans who gave all for us to be able to play a game.

On this Memorial Day may we NEVER FORGET.

Terry Medley's picture

Submitted by Terry Medley on

Thanks for the post Robert. I recommend every one take the time to watch it.

Happy Memorial Day to all