Nosevi
Head Pro
Was actually looking for a launch monitor thread but stumbled across a bunch of threads about driving distances for some reason. I'm new to the forum but on all of those threads it seemed like people were falling over themselves to say how short they were off the tee (ok, slightly overstating it, perhaps to prompt discussion....) whereas just about every other golf forum I've seen, guys lie blatantly about their driving distance. What gives?
I've worked hard over the last year on picking up a few yards off the tee. IMO it's a fundamental requirement for playing golf at a higher level these days. In fact that's not just my opinion, my coach who teaches guys up to and including national and tour level tells me it is. Faced with a 450 yard par 4, what's your plan if you drive the ball 220? Even my home course has a par 4 that long off the whites and a few others close to it, championship courses it's fairly standard to have numerous holes that long these days. Even on a shorter, slightly more reasonable hole, could a short hitter routinely put his 5 iron closer than a long hitter's PW? I'm guessing not. Whether guys like it or not golf has changed and distance IS important. I'd go as far as to say it's vital in order to play the game at a higher level than the monthly medal at a shortish track.
Getting distance is largely about balance and rhythm, anyone driving the ball short (with modern equipment) could, and maybe should, be getting a lot more distance. Anyone who's met me will vouch that it clearly isn't about physique! I honestly and truthfully could not hit the ball 200-210 yards with my driver if you paid me, physically couldn't do it. The laziest swing I could possibly put on it, it would go further. Hitting a drive a long way is about spin, launch angle and ball speed, probably in that order. If you're a short hitter I guarantee it's the first one where you're getting it wrong.
Being long off the tee isn't about willy-waving or macho-man stuff. It's about having a technique that allows you to maximise the distance you get given the physical attributes you have. Accuracy (or loss of it) has nothing to do with it - last time out with my old man I hit all but one fairway and out drove him by about 50 yards every time....... and one of these days I may even consider telling him how
The point is it's about technique not muscle. I have an indoor launch monitor and I guarantee if someone who is properly short off the tee came and used it I could add 20 yards if not more to their drive with no loss of accuracy. I'm not a pro, I just know how these things work. In fact, that's an open offer if any member wants to take me up on it - I live near Lincoln.
So, driving distance - only not important if you happen to be a short hitter or actually not important in the modern game of golf?
I've worked hard over the last year on picking up a few yards off the tee. IMO it's a fundamental requirement for playing golf at a higher level these days. In fact that's not just my opinion, my coach who teaches guys up to and including national and tour level tells me it is. Faced with a 450 yard par 4, what's your plan if you drive the ball 220? Even my home course has a par 4 that long off the whites and a few others close to it, championship courses it's fairly standard to have numerous holes that long these days. Even on a shorter, slightly more reasonable hole, could a short hitter routinely put his 5 iron closer than a long hitter's PW? I'm guessing not. Whether guys like it or not golf has changed and distance IS important. I'd go as far as to say it's vital in order to play the game at a higher level than the monthly medal at a shortish track.
Getting distance is largely about balance and rhythm, anyone driving the ball short (with modern equipment) could, and maybe should, be getting a lot more distance. Anyone who's met me will vouch that it clearly isn't about physique! I honestly and truthfully could not hit the ball 200-210 yards with my driver if you paid me, physically couldn't do it. The laziest swing I could possibly put on it, it would go further. Hitting a drive a long way is about spin, launch angle and ball speed, probably in that order. If you're a short hitter I guarantee it's the first one where you're getting it wrong.
Being long off the tee isn't about willy-waving or macho-man stuff. It's about having a technique that allows you to maximise the distance you get given the physical attributes you have. Accuracy (or loss of it) has nothing to do with it - last time out with my old man I hit all but one fairway and out drove him by about 50 yards every time....... and one of these days I may even consider telling him how
The point is it's about technique not muscle. I have an indoor launch monitor and I guarantee if someone who is properly short off the tee came and used it I could add 20 yards if not more to their drive with no loss of accuracy. I'm not a pro, I just know how these things work. In fact, that's an open offer if any member wants to take me up on it - I live near Lincoln.
So, driving distance - only not important if you happen to be a short hitter or actually not important in the modern game of golf?