Zephyr Melton
Getty Pictures
Golf instruction is ever-evolving, however the most effective recommendation stands the take a look at of time. In GOLF.com’s new sequence, Timeless Ideas, we’re highlighting a number of the biggest recommendation academics and gamers have distributed within the pages of GOLF Journal. At this time we’re revisiting 20 suggestions for energy off the tee from our March 1991 concern. For limitless entry to the total GOLF Journal digital archive, be a part of InsideGOLF right now; you’ll get pleasure from $140 of worth for less than $39.99/12 months.
Analytics have modified the way in which golf is performed during the last decade — and it’s taught us one essential reality: hitting the ball farther results in decrease scores. With that reality in thoughts, golfers of all talent ranges have made gaining distance off the tee a central purpose.
However should you assume desirous to hit the ball farther is a brand new phenomenon, assume once more. So long as the sport has been performed, golfers have been trying to find methods to blast the ball previous their enjoying companions.
We’ve run loads of options on gaining distance within the pages of GOLF Journal, and one such occasion got here in March of 1991. In that concern, we polled 20 execs on their easiest suggestions for hitting the ball farther off the tee. You possibly can examine them out beneath.
20 pro-approved energy suggestions
The golfer wielding the large stick is all the time eager about the large hit, and he’ll do nearly something to attain it. This perspective matches proper in with The New Fundamentals, which defined that distance is fascinating, and never just for the psyche: Scientific research present the most effective probability for low scores comply with photographs which can be a couple of yards longer, even when they’re additionally a couple of yards off the golf green.
However don’t simply tee it excessive and leap out of your socks, say the sport’s longest hitters. These gamers all consider a easy swing thought after they wish to hit the lengthy ball. They shared their greatest ideas with us.
1. Greg Norman, two-time main champion
“Tee it so a minimum of half the ball is above the clubface to catch it on the upswing.”
2. Sandy Lyle, two-time main champion
“Grip the membership firmly, not grimly.”
3. Fred {Couples}, 1992 Masters champion
“Maintain your eyes intently targeted on the again of the ball from deal with till affect.”
4. Andy Bean, 11-time PGA Tour winner
“Take the membership again low and straight to advertise a large arc.”
5. JoAnne Carter, 43-time LPGA Tour winner
“Start the backswing with a fast weight shift to the best aspect and the left knee working inward instantly.”
6. Mike Dunaway, Lengthy Drive skilled
“Consider your proper leg as an axis and coil round it on the backswing.”
7. Mark Calcavecchia, 1989 Champion Golfer of the 12 months
“Let the left heel carry to advertise a much bigger flip.”
8. Ken Venturi, 1964 U.S. Open winner
“Shift your weight to your proper aspect then swing your palms as excessive as you may above your head to create the utmost swing arc.”
9. Ben Crenshaw, two-time Masters champion
“Pause on the high to get every thing collectively earlier than beginning down.”
10. Scott DeCandia, long-drive champion
“Energy comes from an arm-hand whip created by shifting the hips laterally at the beginning of the downswing.”
11. Seve Ballesteros, five-time main winner
“Set off the downswing by firing the best aspect, concurrently pushing the best instep inward and downward.”
12. Joey Sindelar, seven-time PGA Tour winner
“Maintain again the discharge of the best hand so long as potential.”
13. Lee Trevino, six-time main champion
“Maintain your clubhead shifting down the goal line longer by extending the left arm away from the physique on the downswing.”
14. Curtis Unusual, two-time U.S. Open champion
“On the downswing, hold the best shoulder from dipping and lengthen the best arm and clubshaft towards the goal within the comply with by.”
15. Dan Pohl, 1981 PGA Tour driving distance chief
“Maintain the higher physique behind the ball at affect.”
16. Chi Chi Rodriguez, eight-time PGA Tour winner
“Hit in opposition to a agency left aspect.”
17. Kathy Whitworth, all-time winningest LPGA Tour participant
“Inform your self to let the membership do the work.”
18. Tom Purtzer, 1990 PGA Tour driving distance chief
“Keep a gentle head place as you coil and uncoil round your backbone.”
19. Arnold Palmer, seven-time main champion
“Keep a gentle head place as you coil and uncoil across the backbone.”
20. Jack Nicklaus, 18-time main champion
“Hit the ball as onerous as potential whereas nonetheless swinging the membership rhythmically.”
Zephyr Melton
Golf.com Editor
Zephyr Melton is an assistant editor for GOLF.com the place he spends his days running a blog, producing and modifying. Previous to becoming a member of the workforce at GOLF, he attended the College of Texas adopted by stops with the Texas Golf Affiliation, Staff USA, the Inexperienced Bay Packers and the PGA Tour. He assists on all issues instruction and covers newbie and ladies’s golf. He will be reached at zephyr_melton@golf.com.