I need more distance on my drives

[Richmatt]

I need more distance off the tee.

I am ok with my irons but im struggling to get over 220 yards with my driver.

Im 30, 6ft 1 and athletic build but i must be losing power somewhere in my swing.

Anyone any thoughts?

 

[Doh]

Well you know most people will reccomend having a lesson and or get fitted for a driver. The biggest mistake people make when they lack distance IMHO is that they are only using their arms and not the Body. There is a good artical by one of the biggest hitters in the game with this months GM. the other thing that stops distance is tension.

 

[USER1999]

Poor technique robs distance. But, it isn't as simple as getting a lesson, as essentially the swing with the driver is the same as all the other clubs. Once you open the can, the worms escape.

Buying another driver is not the answer either.

I would suggest hitting it harder will get it out there.

 

[Matty]

I lose distance when I try to hit the ball too hard because I lose control and sync in my swing.

If I swing smooth and with control the ball goes straighter and loses less distances to side spin (usually a cut leading to a slice).

It's difficult to get it into your head that trying to smash the ball does not necessarily mean that it will go further, certainly not further in terms of where you'd like it to go anyway! but it's worth trying.

 

[Rooter]

what club and shaft do you use?

What is your 3wood and what is the distance on that?

 

[golfsaint]

Dont worry about the first drive ! as long as it is up there , 220 yrds is enough, just make the second fairway shot count to the green and your laughing!:thup:

 

[pendodave]

A bit more info required I think.

If you've just started playing and are off >20, then 'only' hitting your driver 220 is the least of your problems.

If you're sub 10, then it could be an issue. But if you're that good, why are you asking us ??!!

220 straight will get most mid-cappers round easily enough.

The best way to get a useful response might be to post up a vid of your driver swing.

 

[oakey22]

I'd be happy with every drive 220 yards if it was straight and at the target. My current problem is I can hit it around 260 but it don't always go straight. Lol

 

[CMAC]

I need more distance off the tee.

I am ok with my irons but im struggling to get over 220 yards with my driver.

Im 30, 6ft 1 and athletic build but i must be losing power somewhere in my swing.

Anyone any thoughts?

Do you have this months GM mag? if not go out now and get it, theres a small supplement with Alvar Quiros giving excellent advice on more distance AND the reasons why you are losing distance even though you are young and fit. It's simple swingthoughts and not what you might think. I've tried it and the results actually make me smile on the range:mmm:

 

[JustOne]

Do you have the swingspeed?

Forget the ball for a minute.. can you swing the club in a practice swing like greased lightening with a huge "Whooooooosh" though the impact area?

 

[Richmatt]

Thanks guys, I currently use a Dunlop Driver but dont have a 3 wood. I use a mizuno 5 wood and i can hit that about 200 yards.
Ill have a go at using a little more power.
I currently play of 24 but that is because i stopped playing 8 years ago due to work.
I played off 18 then but was improving a lot without entering any cards to change my handicap.
Last round before i finished was 12 over par.
I have got a smooth swing but i will try post a video on here and see what people think.

 

[ArnoldArmChewer]

I need more distance off the tee.

I am ok with my irons but im struggling to get over 220 yards with my driver.

Im 30, 6ft 1 and athletic build but i must be losing power somewhere in my swing.

Anyone any thoughts?

Maybe your just being too honest.

 

[Rooter]

i hit the new dunlop yesterday and couldnt hit i further than 220yrds. the more "premium" clubs were all 250+. you get what you pay for in this world. suggest you go to a decent shop with a range and try some sticks out.

Although as the guys have said, 220yrds straight is way better than 250 yrds into the rough/trees/lakes/OOB etc!

 

[balaclava]

I need more distance off the tee.

Me too! I want 250+ yards right down the middle and I want it everytime. If anyone has got the answer to how I do that I'll pay them big money.

 

[balaclava]

Thanks guys, I currently use a Dunlop Driver .

I try to stick to kit made by people who make golf stuff as their main line of business. Dunlop make excellent tyres and Wilson make wonderful tennis rackets. I wonder whether they can put the resources into the R&D of golf clubs / balls when they're busy doing other stuff?

 

[seochris]

How far do you think you should hit it and how far do you hit a 7 iron?

 

[mikee247]

Shoulder turn which in turn genrates swing speed. Work on that and then look at what type of shaft you are using. In my opinion and from someone who has chased as many drivers as Ken Roach as chased women!! the technique is the key before splashing out on 300 quid drivers. Once you have that upper body movement and torque and less focus on your arms and swaying lower body movement then get properly fitted for coreect size and stiffness of shafts and then club heads. Im moving back to an older driver head with a new shaft based on the fact Ive now got a decent shoulder and backswing to work with. Good luck

 

[BoadieBroadus]

though i'm only guessing, my correction when faced with the same thing was swing smoother. hitting shorter shafted clubs well can get you into the habit of being quite tense and really murdering the ball. with a competent swing you can murder most irons and still get away with it. even with a 3 wood.

to apply the same force to a driver, technique has to be absolutely nailed on, or the strike will be off centre. hold it like a little bird and swing smooth. less tension will give you a longer swing and more shoulder rotation and the ball will go further than it did when you (or I) were trying to kill it...

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Without trying to be brand elitist I don't think the Dunlop driver is going to help. My advice would be get a simple 30 minute driver lesson and make sure your technique isn't at fault and then look at upgrading. You don't need an all singing, all adjustable model and there are some top quality ones pretty cheap (Benross, MD or some of the older models). I average about 235 with my TM Burner but to be honest I'd take that and add another 10% of accuracy than another 10% of distance

 

[Richmatt]

Think I have solved it guys, tried all that was said earlier and they helped. Then i read an article about Tee it high let it fly, so teed the ball up on my highest tees and the results were amazing. Getting a lovely shape on the ball flight and carrying 240-250 now. Thanks for your help guys.