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Distance is one of the most coveted assets in golf, with PGA Tour players, amateurs and everyone in between seeking more distance – off the tee, from the fairway, out of the rough and on the green.
Whilst there are countless ways you can increase your distance on the course, you first need to optimise your clubhead and ball speed before optimising the spin and launch angle. Focus on making solid strikes consistently, ensuring minimal sidespin and hitting the sweet spot.
Once you’ve mastered that, be sure to give these simple yet effective tips a try.
1. Improve your strength and flexibility
Strengthening the muscles will help you to swing faster, whilst working on your flexibility will allow you to get into the necessary positions to maximise clubhead speed at impact.
The Golf Squat is one of the most effective exercises you can do to strengthen the glutes and increase flexibility in the shoulders and back. You can try it in the gym, at home or in the garden using a 5kg dumbbell or similar object.
The Core Crunch is another exercise that will help to increase power and flexibility – targeting the abdominal muscles, which are essential for stabilising the core during the swing. All you need to do is lie down on the floor, with your knees bent and a medicine ball in between them. Then put your hands behind your head (supporting the neck but not pulling it) and lift your head and shoulder blades off the floor.
2. Correct your grip
If you’re right-handed, place your left hand slightly more inward so your knuckles are facing the target. This position will allow you to drive through the ball at impact, sending it further.
Many golfers make the mistake of over squeezing the grip with their hands. Our best advice is to think of it as a tube of toothpaste and gently squeeze some onto your toothbrush. This will help you to adopt a looser grip and swing better.
3. Keep your lead arm as straight as possible
Though frequently overlooked, keeping your lead arm straight when taking a shot will benefit your game in more ways than one.
When your lead arm is straight, it essentially creates a longer distance for the clubhead to travel to get to the ball. And a longer swing often equates to more distance.
As well as helping you to achieve more distance, keeping your arm straight will allow you to create the correct 90-degree angle with your wrist during the backswing – preventing any unnecessary aches and pains.
4. Make sure you’re using the right golf ball
Ideally, to ensure you achieve maximum ball speed, you want to use a golf ball with a compression rating that suits your swing speed on drives.
For golfers with slower swing speeds (e.g. 85mph or less), a golf ball with a low to mid compression rating will be best – something like the Callaway Supersoft or Chrome Soft.
Mid-swing speed golfers are usually better suited to a mid-compression ball, such as the Bridgestone e6, Titleist Pro V1X or Srixon Soft Feel.
Players with faster ball speeds (over 105mph) should use a tour ball with a high compression rating. The Titleist Pro V1 golf balls are an excellent choice.
5. Upgrade your golf clubs
The chances are, if you’re using golf clubs that are old, too heavy or too light, you’ll struggle to send the ball far on the course.
Thanks to their aerodynamic shape, modern-day clubs allow for reduced drag and faster swing speeds through the ball. They also feature innovative technologies that will increase ball speeds across the clubface.
Something else to bear in mind is, most newer clubs have movable weights which allow you to adjust the CG (centre of gravity) position.
We highly recommend arranging a custom fitting to determine which clubs are best for you, using our launch monitor technology.
Need an expert opinion?
From making tweaks to your swing to changing your clubs and balls, there are lots of things you can do to increase your distance.
If you have any questions about the exercises mentioned or you’re unsure what equipment you need to improve your performance, the team here at Clarkes’ Golf Centre will be more than happy to guide and advise you.
Either give us a call on 01744 419 914 or email admin@clarkesgolf.co.uk, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
