Two simple ways to create extra power off the tee
By Kim Jeong-kyoo
(0).jpg?w=728)
If you can add just 15 to 20 yards to your tee shots, your game will become far easier. You can then hit your approach shots with shorter clubs, sending the ball close to the pin. Here are two simple ways to create extra power off the tee.
Keep your swing center steady
You need to swing your clubhead as fast as you can through the shot to hit the ball longer. To this end, you need to feel the clubhead position during the swing. Then you can smash the ball at the right time to get greater distance.
Swing your club back leisurely and complete the backswing. A slow, smooth takeaway promotes tempo and balance, plus timing, eventually allowing you to hit the ball solidly on the sweet spot. Be sure to swing the club back leisurely so your backswing does not become faster than your downswing.
To do this, waggle your club several times, aiming to hit the ball with your clubhead toward the target.
Critically, you need to hit your driver differently from your irons. Contrary to your iron shots that call for a downward blow, you need to hit your tee shots with an upward blow.
To catch the ball on the upswing, you need to set up and stay behind the ball during the entire swing. Position the ball in line with the tip of your left shoulder. That way you will place your swing center behind the ball.
Then, swing the club back as far as possible without leaving your address posture in a mess. Once you’ve finished the backswing, swing the club down and hit the ball.
Incidentally, the supreme goal of your golf swing is not to carry out certain body moves. Forget all those complicated swing keys connected to your body motion. All you have to do is concentrate your mind on hitting the ball upward with the clubhead. Then, all the swing moves needed to yield extra yards will look after themselves.
Of equal importance is avoiding lunging forward toward the target in a faulty effort to hit the ball hard. Don’t lurch forward to use brute strength as you begin your downswing. That causes your body center, or swing center, to go ahead of the ball before you hit. This prevents you from hitting the ball with an upward blow solidly on the sweet spot.
Your swing center is midway between your shoulders, just below the top of your sternum. To swing your club down properly, you need to keep your swing center behind the ball on the downswing. This helps you hit your driver with an upward blow. If you let your swing center slide ahead of the ball before impact, you’ll lower your launch angle and create more backspin.
You cannot speed up your clubhead to the maximum if your swing center wobbles ahead of the ball. Granted, you cannot slot your club into the correct downswing path. You will incur many poor shots.
Set up with your swing center resting behind the ball when you hit your driver. And make sure you hold your swing center where you’ve put it at address.
You will stop lurching forward if you focus on swinging the clubhead or start down by gently unhinging your right wrist. Similarly, keep your left ear behind the ball or just catch the ball on the upswing.
Whisper “one” as you complete your backswing. You need to feel the clubhead position as you complete the backswing. Murmur “two” as you start your downswing, keeping your head and swing center steady. Then, count “three” as you hit the ball at full tilt.
Use a trigger move
You will rarely swing your club gracefully from a static position. Or rather, you cannot enjoy powerful, solid shots without a trigger move. A good trigger move helps you get your body moving properly.
Put differently, a good trigger move puts you in position to hit the ball far to your satisfaction. A trigger move will help you start your swing fluidly and consistently. You will stop snatching the club back on a faulty path. There is no way you can increase your power if your backswing is faster than your downswing.
Start your backswing by cocking your chin slightly to the right so you can see the ball with your left eye.
Or gently kick your right foot and knee toward your target an instant before you take your club back. This will help you shift your weight properly toward your right foot, promoting a smooth takeaway. This move also promotes a full turn, helping you ease tension and get the swing under way.
Similarly, waggle your club several times before you start your swing. This triggers a smooth takeaway. It also helps you avoid tension and lets you set up good rhythm and tempo. A good waggle primes you to swing the club on the proper path and plane. It serves a mini-rehearsal of your full swing. During the waggle, you can see the preview of your takeaway. A good takeaway spawns a great swing.
Waggling your club allows you to keep your body in motion before you start to swing. Starting the backswing from a static position, you will rarely enjoy a fluid, tension-free swing.
Waggle your club dominantly with your left hand. Your right hand does nothing. As you waggle your club back, your left hand moves slightly forward past the ball. Your left elbow comes out just a fraction. Your left forearm rotates a little, your right elbow moving inwards towards your body.
As you waggle your club, you need to let the upper part of your left arm stay pressed against your chest side. This encourages synchronized moves between your upper body and lower body, allowing your arms and legs to move in tandem.
At the top of the back waggle, you need to feel you can hit the ball toward your intended target. More importantly, you need to picture that you are hitting a beautiful high draw to yield extra yards.