more power

[viscount17]

I almost always have the feeling that I'm only using 60 - 70% of the power that I could put into a drive (in particular). I know that increasing swing speed isn't necessarily the answer as this usually leads to a high slice, trouble is, I don't know what the answer is.

I can get some good ones away but they are rare.

I know some are heavily into pumping iron or are gym beasts but that's not for me. So are there any other solutions?

 

[USER1999]

Nope.

I am also not convinced that more power is the way to reduce scores either.

I think you are plenty long enough off the tee.

Instead of swinging faaster, or more powerfully, you just need to swing better.

Isn't it always the easy swings that go like a rocket?

 

[brendy]

Extra power comes in handy for all areas of the game though.
Getting the ball to the green from the rough, long bunkershots, longer higher lobs as well as longer drives.
Timing is key to this as well though so I wouldnt focus on bulking up.

 

[Region3]

I agree about not bulking up but I can't see how distance is affected by anything other than how well you strike the ball and clubhead speed (assuming your driver suits your swing re launch angle and spin).

I'd say work towards a faster clubhead speed, but not through trying to hit the ball harder.

I stand to be corrected by the more knowledgeable on here, but I'd say becoming more flexible will help more than becoming stronger.

I'm 10st wet through and think I hit the ball an ok distance.

I do agree that extra strength helps out of the heavy stuff though, because I'm rubbish at that!

 

[Leftie]

I think that more than a few of us have bulked up enough already

 

[nulassilb]

More power......more accuracy, accuracy, accuracy.
I would happily sacrifice the 20/30 yards I hit it past my partner today for 6 more fairways in regulation. I am sick of trees. I agree that the silky smooth drives always seem to be the longest.

 

[bobmac]

The trees are full of long hitters

Steve, how far do you hit your 7 iron on a calm day?

 

[viscount17]

bob,

155 - 165.
I have been hitting longer with irons than I used to, and a lot higher - when I get it right. can lead to problems blowing through the back of greens.

definitely have problems with fairway woods but though I can hit some decent drives I often feel there's a lot left in the tank.

 

[RGDave]

I almost always have the feeling that I'm only using 60 - 70% of the power that I could put into a drive (in particular). I know that increasing swing speed isn't necessarily the answer as this usually leads to a high slice, trouble is, I don't know what the answer is.

I can get some good ones away but they are rare.

I know some are heavily into pumping iron or are gym beasts but that's not for me. So are there any other solutions?

What is it you want to achieve?
To play better golf, or play longer golf?

Until you can honestly say that you are making too many bogeys because you can't reach the green(s) then distance is not a factor. I swing the club at 75%, I reckon, any more and accuracy suffers.
Better hit balls travel further anyway. If I hit a perfect drive (out of the middle, dead straight and full distance) then even the longest par 4 (apart from stuff over 475) is going to be in range.

 

[viscount17]

better or longer? better comes first but longer don't hurt.

doesn't getting the power through also mean cleaner strikes?

 

[RGDave]

better or longer? better comes first but longer don't hurt.

doesn't getting the power through also mean cleaner strikes?

Don't necessarily agree and curiously, No.

Longer can actually hurt - it depends whether the player has the sense to manage the course properly.

There is no minimum speed with which to hit the perfect shot. More speed = more spin etc. etc. but watch the girls play golf.....they hit it beautifully.

 

[Region3]

doesn't getting the power through also mean cleaner strikes?

Not necessarily imo, and I'd guess that a ball hit with an 80mph club out of the sweet spot will travel further and straighter than a ball hit off the toe at 90.

I reckon 90% of it is timing, getting all parts of the swing working together most efficiently. The harder you try to hit the ball, the more chance there is of muscles tensing up, and your best swings happen when you're loose and relaxed.


Disclaimer : The above is only my opinion and I reserve the right to instantly delete this post if anyone tells me I'm wrong.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think more power could come down to a better swing (more torque from a better coil) or from refining your equipment and looking for the best shafts for your swing. Neither are easy to achieve or find. My advice is to concentrate on getting better with what you have first and then work at it. I've seen you swing and to be fair there is enough in the good ones to do you for the moment. Don't forget on the long par 4's they are effectively par 5's anyway with your shots so I'd be looking to find more fairways, putting your second shots into the ideal position and then working on your wedges to get closer to the pin and maybe hole a putt for par.

 

[Leftie]

Steve

Sad to say but at our level of golf, strength and power have little bearing on how far and accurately we hit the ball. It's more important imho to get the technique and timing right.

I've seen mere slips of girls weighing 7 or 8 stones hit the ball straighter and further than I could ever dream of. Also, how often have you played an easy "lay up" shot only to hit the ball 20 yds further than you normally would, with the same club, when hitting a "full" shot?

 

[viscount17]

OK guys, I get the message.
next stop, see the pro, fix up some lessons.

down the range today, still feels like there's loads in the tank but hitting reasonably straight and long. the effect was even more marked with the 3-wood.

I think Homer also has part of it, I don't think the driver is the ideal any longer as my swing has changed. So also plan a visit to someone who will sort out what I need rather than what they have to sell. Who that someone is is the problem.

 

[CrapHacker]

I think Homer also has part of it, I don't think the driver is the ideal any longer as my swing has changed. So also plan a visit to someone who will sort out what I need rather than what they have to sell. Who that someone is is the problem.

Johng put me on to this lot. He's based in Wales and the guys seem to have looked after him brilliantly.

See what you think ;

Ivenottriedthembuttheylookprettygoodtome

They're apparantly quite happy to change what you've got rather than try to sell you new stuff you don't necessarily need.