One of the most frustrating challenges for high-handicap golfers is the loss of distance off the tee and with their irons. If you're struggling to hit the ball as far as you'd like, you're not alone. The good news is that there are specific techniques you can focus on to not only gain distance but also improve your accuracy, allowing you to hit the ball longer and straighter.
Understanding the Root Cause of Distance Loss
For many high-handicap golfers, the primary cause of lost distance is the premature release of the club, often referred to as "club throw-away." This happens when the golfer loses the crucial angle between the left arm and the club shaft too early in the downswing, leading to a weaker strike and a significant loss of power. Retaining this angle longer in your swing is essential for generating maximum clubhead speed at impact, which is the key to hitting the ball farther and straighter.
The Drill: Retain the Lag to Gain Distance
To correct the club throw-away and start hitting the ball with more power, you can practice a simple yet highly effective drill that helps you retain the lag in your swing. Here’s how to do it:
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Setup: Start by placing a pool noodle just outside your left heel when you address the ball. This noodle acts as a reminder to maintain the correct body motion throughout your swing.
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Top of Backswing: Take your swing to the top, ensuring your posture is strong and your arms are in the correct position.
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Hip Bump and Lag Retention: As you begin your downswing, make a slight bump of your hips towards the noodle. This motion helps you lead with your hips while keeping your chest back, creating the necessary separation between your upper and lower body. Focus on dragging the butt of the club down as if you’re driving it into an imaginary wall. This helps maintain the lag angle, allowing you to release the club at the right moment for maximum speed and power.
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Practice and Repeat: Go through this motion several times, focusing on the sensation of your hips leading the downswing and your chest staying back. The repetition of this movement will help ingrain the correct mechanics into your muscle memory, making it easier to replicate on the course.
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Focus on Hip and Chest Separation: Ensuring your hips lead the downswing while your chest remains slightly back is critical for maintaining lag and creating the whip-like motion that leads to greater distance.
Key Points to Achieve Longer, Straighter Shots
- Lead with Your Hips: Initiating the downswing with your hips, while keeping your chest back, allows you to maintain the lag angle longer, resulting in a more powerful release.
- Retain the Lag Angle: Holding onto the lag angle until just before impact is essential for generating maximum clubhead speed and distance.
- Consistency Through Practice: Repeating this drill regularly will help you develop a more powerful and consistent swing, which translates to longer and straighter shots on the course.
By incorporating this drill into your practice routine, you'll start to notice a significant improvement in both your distance and accuracy. Not only will you hit the ball farther, but you’ll also find that your shots are more consistent, helping you lower your scores and enjoy the game even more.
Using the Live View Camera during this drill not only enhances your understanding but also ensures you’re executing it correctly. Visualize your progress with the Live View Camera to maximize your practice sessions and accelerate your improvement.
About Patrick Parrish
Patrick Parrish was named the 2016 Northern California PGA Instructor of the Year. Patrick has coached dozens of juniors to Division 1 scholarships. If you are interested in contacting Patrick for questions, he can be reached at www.pparrishgolf.com