The longer drivers will always have more advantages. People who hit longer drives have less distance for the next shot and of course, statistically, the less the distance, the more opportunity to hit closer to the hole. There are so many complicated ways that people can gain driver distance. For example, if you have a Trackman which is one of the most expensive but effective equipment that professional players or college golfers use, you can work on getting better at driving by looking at the numbers of your shot analysis and work from it. Let’s look at some reasons that answer why you can’t hit longer drives and some tips you can use!
- Do you have a driver that work well with your swing?
Having a good equipment is the most important thing to play well. Some equipment can be good for other people but not for you. Choosing a driver is not just going to the shop and pick whichever one you like. You have to consider about the club face, length, weight, loft, and shaft that fit you and work well with your swing. Buying a new golf club is not easy. I have had a driver that did not seem to work for me and I could not hit my driver straight the whole time I had it. One of the reasons was my golf swing but the big part was that my driver was too long for me and that could change a lot of things. Clubfitting is the best way to pick up the driver that works for you. However, if you are not a serious player, you can go to the shop that allow you to try the different drivers with different shaft, try your friends’ ones before you buy it, and I am sure that the person in the shop can help you with deciding what is the perfect driver for you.
2. Where do you hit on your club face?
Have you ever had the feeling when you hit right at the center of the club face? I have! In my head said, “Dang! That was a super pure shot!” Hitting at the center of the club face, or slightly higher for drivers, gives you the most powerful contact and the longest distance. Of course, I think everyone can notice or feel something if we hit it on the heel or on the toe of the club face. If your attack angle is too low, meaning that you hit the ball lower than the center of the club face, the low-trajectory ball does not stay long enough in the air that you will have the distance that you should have. You can easily fix this by teeing up a little higher or move the ball position more towards the left side, or just a little bit of tilting you spine to your right.
3. How fast is your ball speed?
Ball speed is created by club speed and impact. The faster the swing at impact, the longer the distance, there is no doubt about that. However, you have to know the right time to accelerate your swing and have a good ball impact. It has to be on the down swing just before you hit the golf ball and it requires a proper body sequencing. This is the combination of what I have said on tips number 2 and club speed. For example, you won’t get the faster speed by fastening your back swing or even though your club speed is fast, if you do not hit at the right impact, it will reduce your distance.
Let’s take a look at these numbers. The most obvious thing is that the more club speed, the longer the distance. When we look closer at each club speed, you can see that the same club speed creates different distances depending on the attack angle.
I hope you enjoy reading this. Lastly, how can you work on your ball speed? Personally, I think working out at the gym is very important so that you have enough power to swing faster. Moreover, I work on the technical stuff and I always try to have a good impact. It needs practice, practice, and practice to get better. I found this video very helpful as well!
Golf With Aom 