How to develop more power and hit the ball farther in a golf swing? Perhaps this is one of the most common questions of many golfers. In general, the key to a longer drive is a combination of three important factors: golf equipment, golf strength, and golf swing mechanics. No matter if you are beginners or seasoned golfers who want to improve your shot, keep reading this guide to learn how to hit a golf ball farther.
1. Golf Swing Mechanics
When it comes to hitting a ball in long distances, every professional golfer understands the importance of swing mechanics. If you make a swing that comes inside too much or over the top, it is likely to create a snap hook or dreaded slice.
The drives would be short, right, left, too high, too low, or any combination of those when you have a bad swing on the ball. Therefore, it is important for a golf player to work on his or her swing mechanics to improve the performance on the course.
For a powerful swing, the first thing you need to do is positioning your head and slightly putting the shaft back behind the ball. Next, shift the weight backwards during a backswing to allow more power. It is important to keep the downswing’s start unhurried and calm because this will enables you to increase the speed so that the club can accelerate when it reaches the golf ball. Always finish your swing with a following through over the left shoulder (if you are right-handed). By following these basic instructions, you will improve the power of your swing, thus hitting the ball farther on the course.
2. Golf strength
Golf strength basically refers to the physical fitness level of a golfer when he or she swings a club. Keep in mind that this isn’t the same as how much you could squat or bench press. To see the difference, just ask yourself: Can a bodybuilder hit better than a professional golfer? The answer is obviously: “No.”
The mechanics of a golf swing typically require particular levels of power, endurance, strength, stability, balance, and flexibility to have an efficient performance. If your body doesn’t have the necessary capacities, your swing will be less efficient and optimal. This eventually reduces the distance that you can hit a ball.
Your body essentially supports a swing by serving as a foundation. That’s why most recreational and amateur players can’t have a powerful hit even when they are great bodybuilders. Many people who practice at the range often find it challenging simply because their body is limiting in what it could perform with a swing. This includes low strength levels, poor balance, or limited flexibility.
There are golf fitness exercises to improve your golf strength, but the simplest one is probably to do proper exercises and drills. The specific training plan will depend on each individual and golf goal. But here are a few basic exercises that you can try: four-move mobility, alternating crossover, elbow rock back, straight-leg raise combined with a band pull, rib roll, twister, and serratus punch. The key is to have a balanced development of the whole body to improve your golf strength.
3. Golf equipment
The last thing that determines the distance that you can hit a ball is the use of golf equipment. Most players are aware of the significant changes in golf gears over the past decades. Today, there is a variety of options for clubs, golf balls, and golf tees. Thus, it is essential that you should consider carefully and choose the right one for your style to ensure a powerful swing. Here are a few tips to choose your golf equipment:
– Choose the right loft for your driver
Ideally, you should go for a driver that features nine or ten degrees of loft instead of an older seven or eight degrees model. This is important to ensure that you can produce a more consistent and powerful hit.
– Choose a proper club
While many people often use a driver for a par 5 or par 4, an iron or wood can also be an option. In fact, some holes are set up to use a 7, 5, or 3 wood, or one of the irons. Thus, make sure to consider the hole design and your situation to choose the right club.
– Know what type of ball you are using
Choosing a proper ball for a game could be challenging because you need to consider feel, distance, hardness, and spin. Thus, there will be no one-size-fits-all option for you. The best way is to consult with a professional to find out the right core’s density or cover’s thickness of a ball.
Practice tip drill.
The goal of this drill is to increase your golf swing speed. At the drive range take 7 golf balls. Line the balls up about 1 foot apart. Then hit each golf ball using your normal swing.Then again line up 7 balls about 1 foot apart. Then swing and hit each ball with maximum effort.
Do not be concerned if your ball goes perfectly straight. Then alternate between hitting 7 balls at normal speed with an increase in speed with each sequence of 7 ball hits. Then alternate to hit 7 balls more at maximum effort. By doing this drill you will determine how much speed increase you can give your normal golf swing and still hit straight.
Summary of tips
Power comes from the upper body rotation. The faster your upper body rotates the harder your club face will hit the golf ball and squash the golf ball resulting in a longer drive. When your club head impacts the ball your hands should be slightly a head of the ball. A key tip is to keep the body rotating thru and after the impact of the ball. The harder the squish (compress) of the ball the farther the ball will go.
The bottom line
After reading this post, I believe you have fully understood how to hit a golf ball farther. Overall, it comes down to 3 simple factors: improve your golf swing, boost your strength, and choose the right equipment. With a perfect combination, you will be surprised at your results. Best of luck with the next game and have fun with these tips!
