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By swinging a weighted club, you'll add distance to your shots in no time.
By swinging a weighted club, you'll add distance to your shots in no time. (Courtesy photo)

Want To hit the ball farther?

Chuck EvansBy Chuck Evans,
Special Contributor

Want to hit the ball longer? Of course you do! No one wants to hit it shorter!

In all of my years of teaching I have never had someone tell me they wanted to hit it shorter. But, virtually everyone has told me they wanted to add distance.

In an article earlier I mentioned that there are keys to power and accuracy and today I'll go into more about adding power.

You see, it doesn't do any good to hit it father if you can't control the direction. If you are hitting your tee shots into the right rough and then you add 30 yards to your tee shot then all you get is farther into the woods!

Power is attained through controlling the golf club through the "Three Stations."

1. Address
2. Top
3. Finish

As players we must control the golf club through these three stations.

A lot of players think that in order to hit it father they have to take it back farther. While this is true, to a certain extent, if the player loses their "alignments" and structure by taking it too far back then that player has defeated the purpose of "loading" the golf club for power.

Power is generated by how fast the arms swing and striking the golf ball on the "sweetspot" of the club. There is no Power generated by turning the hips! As an example, how you ever seen anyone sit in a chair and hit a golf ball? These players routinely hit it over 250 yards! How much "lower" body action is going on there.

The faster you swing your arms - in rhythm - the faster the clubhead speed. You can swing as fast as you'd like as long as you keep in balance.

The body provides balance and support, the hands give the shot direction, and the arms provide the speed.

So while the proponents of using the "big muscles" can be correct in the directional aspect of the golf stroke - they are all short hitters!

To increase your arm speed, swing a weighted club. After a few repetitions using this weighted club then pick up your driver and hit golf balls. You will notice an immediate increase in speed!

If you do this religiously you will build up those speed muscles and add distance to your shots.

Chuck Evans, G.S.E.D., a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher, is one of only 31 golf instructors worldwide designated to hold a doctorate in golf stroke engineering. He is executive director of instruction for the Medicus Golf Institute and has served as director of schools for the PGA Tour Golf Academy, and as director of instruction for the United States Golf Institute. He is also the author of "How To Build Your Golf Swing."

 
Reader Comments / Reviews Leave a comment
  • Distance on Drives

    Denny wrote on: Feb 20, 2012

    Gaining distance is based on delivering a solid blow to the center of the ball with the sweet spot of the club with the face aligned with the target. Seems like a lot to remember but really not. Stay in balance, no matter how hard you swing. Swing along the target line with a square club face and swing through the ball. This will generate good, accurate distance that allows you to play your next shot from the short grass.
    http://hittingthegolfball.com

    Reply

  • Arms making it go farther

    bob wrote on: Jun 18, 2011

    You're arms are the not the ones that make the ball go farther. Its you're core muscles and bigger muscles that generate the power to hit the ball farther. This is coming from my coach who's a pro golfer

    Reply

      • RE: Arms making it go farther

        Shawn wrote on: Jul 26, 2012

        I'm a new golfer looking for some tips. Some of you lose credibilty when your not using the right terminology. Bigger muscles have nothing to do with golf! Stronger muscles do. You can be strong and not have big muscles.

        Reply

  • Increase speed by swing arms faster

    Turbo wrote on: Jun 13, 2011

    I disagree with what you advocate - Swinging further by swinging the arms faster. Power and speed come from the hip. If you want power and speed, you need to turn your hip fast. In other words, big muscles give one distance and power.

    Reply

  • weighted clubs and swing speeds

    Trevor Hyde wrote on: Sep 7, 2008

    Contrary to what you might think it has apparently now been shown that swinging a weighted club does not increase your swing speed when you come to use your normal club; indeed, it slows it down.

    Reply

      • RE: weighted clubs and swing speeds

        mike wrote on: Apr 3, 2012

        chuck is absolutely correct speed comes from the arms and hands not the body and im a long drive pro.

        Reply

          • RE: RE: weighted clubs and swing speeds

            Stallion wrote on: Sep 26, 2013

            As a newbee golfer I would argue that the true speed and distance would come from a total commitment from the whole body. As an ex martial artist I know if I use power from my ankle through my hips and turning speed with a well directed punch in competition most mountains of men have gone down. Now try the same exercise without good foot work and rotation and speed. it will fail, so i think timing, rhythm, speed and practice should do it!

            Reply

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