by Andre Sanchez

What would you give to know how to improve your driving distance so that you could decide just how long a drive to use?  A hell of a lot I would guess, but that takes real skill and practice.  It’s not easy to drive 310 yards rather than 340 yards, and it takes a lot of doing but it is possible.

It is also possible to improve your maximum driving distance, but that is another story, and one that we shall start with. Nobody can drive to their maximum capability unless they are as fit for golf as they can be.  Note that term: “Fit For Golf”. You can be really fit but no good at golf because you have the wrong type of fitness.  Fitness for golf is in having the flexibility and rotational strength needed to swing a golf club, not the fitness needed to run 20 miles without puffing, or lifting 400 pounds without falling over.

Golfers need the fitness to carry out the complex and unnatural movement called a golf swing for an average of 40 to 50 times a round (excluding putts). Therefore, the first thing you must do is get fit for golf, and be able to swing your club with maximum strength and power. Length comes largely from the kinetic energy you impart to the golf ball from the clubhead, and that depends on several factors, including your rotational strength and speed.

It also depends on the flex of your club.  Your golf club shaft is flexible, and flexes back when you swing so that the club face hits the ball after your hands have crossed the ball.  You don’t notice this since it is very quick, and is a natural part of your game, but you would notice it if you changed your club’s flex rating, since the clubhead would reach the ball quicker or later than normal, and either hook or slice the ball.  Since flex uses energy, the more flex in your club then the more energy is used for it.  If you can drive fast and hard then use a less flexible shaft on your club and you will likely be able to drive farther, but it won’t work if you are a slower hitter.

It is a law of projectiles that 45 degrees is the optimum angle to launch a projectile for farthest distance.  The javelin throwers and shot putters know that and so should you.  The nearer to 45 degrees you can get your ball, then the farther it will go.  It doesn’t matter if it’s five degrees above or below that – it will miss the optimum by the same amount.  Many people think that the harder they hit the better:  well, perhaps, but if they hit it straight up into the air it will land at their feet after bouncing off the moon!  You must get the angles right.

That has a bearing on the club itself.  Everybody has the false impression that the loft of the club decides the angle that ball will rise by.  Well, err..  no! That’s not what science says.  It’s the angle of the club and the speed of strike that determine the angle of the shot. You should have a driver club face to suit the speed of your swing.  Tiger can drive with a 10 degree loft and get the optimum lift and angle on the ball for maximum distance. Of course,  he can swing a lot faster than your pathetic 85 mph, and you will need a 12 degree loft or even 13 degrees to get the same lift and angle on your ball for maximum distance.

So you see, the maximum distance that you can drive depends on a number of factors.  The speed of your swing is related to your rotational strength, your muscle and joint flexibility and overall general fitness. That is a major difference between top pros like Tiger Woods and you. They spend a good part of their day training and keeping fit for golf, while you sit in the office and work.  You might even build bridges, but you are not keeping fit and flexible for golf with the help of professional trainers and fitness experts.

However, you can carry out some simple rotations and stretches even in your office simply by twisting from side to side with your arms straight out.  Hold a heavy weight (not too heavy) and twist your arms round to each side as far as possible, hold about five seconds and repeat to the other side.  Do about ten repetitions twice a day and you will notice the difference.

Get the flex of your club right, and the loft of the club head to suit your swing speed – the driver in particular – and you are well on your way to maximizing your length.  As for choosing 310 or 340 yards, once you have a standardized swing with maximum power then you can choose the club to use with your standardises swing to provide you with whatever length you want, and then cut back a touch on your speed if you want a bit less length with a particular club.

It is all in the practice, but that is how to improve your driving distance so get out there, get fit and choose your clubhead and flex with a bit more thought in future.

How to Improve Your Driving Distance was originally published at http://www.golfplayernow.com