The measures you can take to be effective off the tee
A swing that does not look rushed allows you to build the speed and accelerate at the right position during the swing
New Year brings into the market new products launched by various equipment brands. It is a time of the year I look forward to, mainly to see improvements in technology. None have been more path-breaking than in clubs that are constantly trying to hit the ball longer distances.
It is something that all levels of golfers want to achieve, with the added aim to hit it in the fairway as well.
While this will continually happen as time goes by, there are some measures that you can take to be effective off the tee.
Set-up: Start by building a strong, athletic posture. Pic1&2 show the set up from a face-on and down-the-line positions.
You can get a feeling from just looking at a player from a distance if he is a good ball striker, by looking at how he sets up to the ball.
Standing tall and creating the correct angles at address with your upper body, hips and knees will allow you make a technically correct golf swing, one that does not need improvisations.
In the setup, get the ball positioned just inside the left foot and tee the ball a bit higher.
Extend the hands and arms just a bit
more to reach the ball, and give your hands the freedom to swing. Tilt the spine back and away from the target a bit to allow you to get that little bit extra upward action. And remember, we always want to catch the ball after the club head has bottomed out, and is on the upswing.
Takeaway: In the takeaway – a low and slow extended back swing will help create a wide arc needed to generate more clubhead speed.
A swing that does not look rushed allows you to build the speed and accelerate at the right position during the swing. Get to the top of the backswing with the left shoulder turned behind the ball, almost over the right foot. A big shoulder turn builds added power into the swing. Allow for a slight pause before you transition downwards, from the top of the swing (Pic 3). Down and through: It will help if you don’t try to ‘kill’ the ball. Unless you are in great control of your swing, you will end up mistiming the shot, and thus hitting it even shorter. A smooth transition of body weight through the ball will not only allow you to accelerate with control, but also maintain balance at finish (Pic 4).
An aggressive action is not best way to hit it further. Better timing and smooth acceleration will help you hit it further with more consistency.