Length is good, but strength and speed is key
Golf is a game of contradictions.
We are forever being told that length is the over-riding factor in the game today.
That has prompted the R&A and USGA to propose reducing the maximum length of club shafts from 48 to 46 inches.
The governing bodies’ ‘ Distance Insights’ report got everyone in golf talking, with Rory Mcilroy speaking out against it.
US Open champion Bryson Dechambeau admitted he was ‘flattered’ that the distance he hits the ball – as was evidenced when he batteredwinged Foot into submission – was one of the reasons behind the proposal.
Yet Collin Morikawa, the US PGA champion, provides a counter argument.
He became only the second man – after Tigerwoods – to win a Major and aworld Golf Championship before the age of 25 when he triumphed at The Concession last weekend.
Yet he is currently ranked just 128th for distance from the tee on the PGA Tour.
There’s no doubt one of the key elements in the modern game is strength and conditioning.
Dechambeau undertook a vigorous programme to gain weight last year as he put on more than three stones to increase his power, and his ability to consistently hit drives of more than 340 yards.
It has all made fascinating viewing for Glasgow- based strength- andconditioning coach Kenny Mckenzie, a former European Tour caddie, who is currently working with Tour players such as Scots Marcwarren and Bob Macintyre.
“Bryson is going so hard at it,” Kenny told The Sunday Post. “Will that method work for everyone and is it to the detriment of his body?
“There are elements we can all adopt to improve performance. But time will tell if he has reached his limit.
“But you see him in his studio and he is getting constant feedback, analysing how much force he generates. He is using science and data to improve.
“He’s taken it to another level. He’s really applied his intent to hit the ball. But you need resilience and strength in your body to control that force.
“The stronger we can get someone, the easier it becomes to control club-head speed and apply force.
“What is interesting with top 15 or 16-year-olds now, they’re encouraged to swing as fast as they can, and apply the control later. That is almost the opposite of how it was when I was growing up.
“But this is not necessarily a new principle about trying to hit it as far as possible. Think of Greg Norman and his swing. He went at it hard with the driver.”
While Dechambeau is heading down the scientific route, World No.1 Dustin Johnson can apply his natural gifts.
And Mckenzie admits that the 36-yearold from South Carolina has brought a whole new level of athleticism to golf as he effortlessly pings the ball more than 320 yards off the tee.
“Working with Dustin would be amazing and it would make my life so much easier,” he smiles.
“Dustin generates speed with ease. He’s almost hitting at 80%. At 6ft 4in, he has those long arms as well as the physique.
“We know that hitting the ball a long way makes you lots of money.
“If you are hitting a wedge into the green rather than a four-iron, the chances are you going to hit it closer, have more birdie chances and therefore make more.”