How can I find 20 extra yards?

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29/04/2009 at 23:51
In an earlier thread I posted that I can get around the course shooting on or near my handicap whilst being a fairly short hitter.  But, I need to find 20 extra yards to improve my driving distance for another reason.  Any tips? 
Edited: 29/04/2009 at 23:54
29/04/2009 at 23:53
learn to draw the ball. if you dont already that will add a few yards. i hit 2 drives on a hole today one was a high cut the other a draw there was 43 yards between the 2 !!!!!!
29/04/2009 at 23:55
I already have a slight draw to my normal shot shape.
30/04/2009 at 00:06

well im all out of ideas hehe

somthing ive been doing latley is getting a deep shoulder turn and really cocking my wrists

30/04/2009 at 00:37
Using one of these every day for a couple of weeks got me an extra 10 yards without changing anything

http://www.nsdpowerballs.com

(I don't work for them btw)
Edited: 30/04/2009 at 00:38
30/04/2009 at 00:40

3 wood?

I can hit my three a lot lower than my driver and add a little bit of draw to that and it ain't kicking the a=*e off being longer than my cobra. 20 yards longer will be hard to come by though.

30/04/2009 at 01:03

You must have solid technique and consistency to shoot the scores that you do. You prolly also have good "smash factor". The extra yards you seek will come from increased swing speed or from maximising overall distance from the same swing speed. 

I've recently been through this with my wife, who has a low swing speed (prolly much lower than yours). We went through everything and in the final analysis getting a driver that gave a better trajectory and more bounce and roll seemed the best route forwards. So I picked one for her And for once something actually worked, she's gained 25 or more yds in the last 3 weeks. In her case it was a change from a Ladies 14* TM driver to a Men's Cobra 10.5* driver. I suspect you already use a Men's driver, but it may be possible to fine-tune to produce a ball-flight which will maximise overall distance.

Otherwise, its a question of increasing swing speed which is not easily achieved, by doing strength building stuff in a gym (yuck!), or working on technique to produce more lag (takes forever to change and not easy to achieve).  So I think maxing your potential distance with what you already have is the way to go, and that means getting the best possible driver fit.

30/04/2009 at 08:01

Don't ladies already get an extra 20 yards plus on every hole with their tees being way ahead of the mens, bit of a cheek asking us to help you get even further down the fairway.

You know I don't mean that Kate.

I'm afraid you'll just need to bulk up and get fitted for the optimum driver for you.

30/04/2009 at 08:03
I'm guessing that you're pretty accurate with your driver, Kate? Have you considered trying a longer than standard shaft? Maybe going to something a couple of inches longer.
30/04/2009 at 08:11
I've not got my "Golf Quotations" book to hand but one of the older superstars of golf was asked this and he replied, "Hit it harder son", or something like that.
30/04/2009 at 08:56

LGL,

Have you considered changing your ball ?

Do you, like most people, play with a ProV1 ? I find they hit my distance in comparison to a mid range 2 piece ball like the AD333 or NXT.

30/04/2009 at 09:02

Thanks guys - all good suggestions I think.  I'm stupidly looking for a magic answer when I really know there isn't one.

It's probably the driver that I'm using but I've tried a few and to be honest I don't really know where to go to get an "honest" opinion of what suits me best. 

I am currently using a 13.5 degree G10 head on a ladies shaft!  But I hit it well and I rarely miss a fairway, it's just short!!!! (About 210 yards).   I don't hit a high ball so the loft on this driver really suits me. I know I should swing faster but I don't don't seem to be able to do it, I instinctively control the shot.The stupid thing is that I used to hit it further with the same club? 

I know in the next few weeks when the fairways start rolling I will get more yardage but that's temporary so it's  not the answer. 

30/04/2009 at 09:08
do you know your swing speed? What's your 150 club?
30/04/2009 at 09:14

LGL (5) wrote (see)
I am currently using a 13.5 degree G10 head on a ladies shaft!  But I hit it well and I rarely miss a fairway, it's just short!!!! (About 210 yards).   I don't hit a high ball so the loft on this driver really suits me. I know I should swing faster but I don't don't seem to be able to do it, I instinctively control the shot.The stupid thing is that I used to hit it further with the same club?

Contorl vs distance....

for a low handicapper the magic in adding 20 yards

1 - Spending a lot of money on golf gear... balls..lastest shaft, lastes heads

2- Go to the gym...

30/04/2009 at 09:34

LGL (5) wrote (see)

  But I hit it well and I rarely miss a fairway, it's just short!!!! (About 210 yards).  


Well, that's 10 yards more than me - and I also hit with a draw!! 

30/04/2009 at 09:55
210 yards seems pretty good to me, and swing speed would proberly be around 85mph
30/04/2009 at 10:01

Knowing your game , I would suggest you have  a day out at a decent custom fit facility and mess around with different set ups of lofts and shafts to see if that teaches you anything.

You have a good game - don't mess with it too much! 

30/04/2009 at 10:08
Ian wrote (see)

Knowing your game , I would suggest you have  a day out at a decent custom fit facility and mess around with different set ups of lofts and shafts to see if that teaches you anything.

You have a good game - don't mess with it too much! 

Exactamondo!
30/04/2009 at 10:32
LGL (5) wrote (see)

I am currently using a 13.5 degree G10 head on a ladies shaft!  But I hit it well and I rarely miss a fairway, it's just short!!!! (About 210 yards).   I don't hit a high ball so the loft on this driver really suits me. I know I should swing faster but I don't don't seem to be able to do it, I instinctively control the shot.The stupid thing is that I used to hit it further with the same club? 


Sounds to me like too much loft and too soft a shaft. You are too good a golfer now to be using a club designed for a 65 year old lady that struggles to get the ball in the air. I'd have a wee wager that if you switched to a lower loft men's reg shafted driver within a month you'd have found those extra 20yds.
30/04/2009 at 10:54
Creosote wrote (see)
LGL (5) wrote (see)

I am currently using a 13.5 degree G10 head on a ladies shaft!  But I hit it well and I rarely miss a fairway, it's just short!!!! (About 210 yards).   I don't hit a high ball so the loft on this driver really suits me. I know I should swing faster but I don't don't seem to be able to do it, I instinctively control the shot.The stupid thing is that I used to hit it further with the same club? 


Sounds to me like too much loft and too soft a shaft. You are too good a golfer now to be using a club designed for a 65 year old lady that struggles to get the ball in the air. I'd have a wee wager that if you switched to a lower loft men's reg shafted driver within a month you'd have found those extra 20yds.
Joe - on some days that's just how I feel lol.  Especially when I'm up against a 14 year old in a County match!
30/04/2009 at 11:18

I hope you're not looking for the added distance just to beat this whipper snapper. I would have thought sticking to your strengths would be a better plan.

I hope you don't think this impertinent, I've never seen you play, but you are obviously a good golfer.

30/04/2009 at 11:54

My girlfriend always say that as long as her ball is in the fairway she's happy. Taking 2 more clubs to get to the green is always better than a wedge out of the rough.

30/04/2009 at 12:01
Tom Wilkinson 9 wrote (see)

I hope you're not looking for the added distance just to beat this whipper snapper. I would have thought sticking to your strengths would be a better plan.

I hope you don't think this impertinent, I've never seen you play, but you are obviously a good golfer.

Lol - No Tom, it's nothing to do with beating anyone.  I'm very familiar with the hare and the tortoise fable and I'm definitely a tortoise!
30/04/2009 at 13:47
have you tried a Bullworker?
30/04/2009 at 14:01
Pengwyn 10.7 ^ wrote (see)

LGL,

Have you considered changing your ball ?

Do you, like most people, play with a ProV1 ? I find they hit my distance in comparison to a mid range 2 piece ball like the AD333 or NXT.


This is exactly what I think.

If I have a par 3 or short par 4, with an iron tee shot then it's a Pro V or similar for benefit when I get round the green.

If I have a long par 4 or par 5 that requires a good tonk with a driver then out comes the NXT Tour for length, obviously to the detriment of a bit of control round the green.

Yin and Yang

30/04/2009 at 14:39

Wasn't there a thread somewhere that proved that as a myth where all the leading brands balls were within 1.5 yards of each other. If you remember where it was post a link, sure it was on here.

Personally I think if you can get 210 consistently and down the middle you should probably look elsewhere to shave shots off you game. If you gave me a never miss the fairway ever gaurantee for 210yards I'd take it.

If it's a particular bunker or water hazard you want to carry then just lay up and take more club for your 2nd.

Edited: 30/04/2009 at 14:43
30/04/2009 at 14:57
Bussrott wrote (see)

If I have a par 3 or short par 4, with an iron tee shot then it's a Pro V or similar for benefit when I get round the green.

If I have a long par 4 or par 5 that requires a good tonk with a driver then out comes the NXT Tour for length, obviously to the detriment of a bit of control round the green.

Is that legal?

30/04/2009 at 15:30

Another question is, is there a significant difference between all your clubs? I have noticed that my strong 3 and driver have about 10yds difference so I am wandering why I am carrying this driver.

Anyway the result of this wandering has led me to book in to custom fitter/ club analyser etc... and see if there is some way of changing the present situation.

So before you go off purchasing perhaps you should do the same and get yourself sorted out.

30/04/2009 at 15:32
Money can buy distance
30/04/2009 at 20:21
Callaway warbird !!!
30/04/2009 at 20:27
Bussrott wrote (see)
Pengwyn 10.7 ^ wrote (see)

LGL,

Have you considered changing your ball ?

Do you, like most people, play with a ProV1 ? I find they hit my distance in comparison to a mid range 2 piece ball like the AD333 or NXT.


This is exactly what I think.

If I have a par 3 or short par 4, with an iron tee shot then it's a Pro V or similar for benefit when I get round the green.

If I have a long par 4 or par 5 that requires a good tonk with a driver then out comes the NXT Tour for length, obviously to the detriment of a bit of control round the green.

Yin and Yang


whats your ball speed ?  relative to clubhead speed - how consistant is the  strike on the face?   what is your club path relative to the face at impact ?

30/04/2009 at 20:29
Wife was having probs with her driver last year so changed from a TM reg to a R7 with a senior shaft which seems to have given her an extra 10-15 yards (bout 225 +).She also changed from tm mb reg irons to R7 ladies irons an seems to be more consitent.As shes a vet (height 5 3 ) she is quite strong and only if she had a better short game .I have no doubt that if you get properly fitted (and you need to trust the fitter) that an extra 15yds are easily achieved but just be careful for what you wish for . I added about 30yds to my game 4 years ago prob was that it wasnt always straight .
30/04/2009 at 22:56
UKLDS wrote (see)

yes, but not for pros.


Cheers Long Drive because I wasn't sure myself
30/04/2009 at 22:58
EXMAX wrote (see)
Bussrott wrote (see)
Pengwyn 10.7 ^ wrote (see)

LGL,

Have you considered changing your ball ?

Do you, like most people, play with a ProV1 ? I find they hit my distance in comparison to a mid range 2 piece ball like the AD333 or NXT.


This is exactly what I think.

If I have a par 3 or short par 4, with an iron tee shot then it's a Pro V or similar for benefit when I get round the green.

If I have a long par 4 or par 5 that requires a good tonk with a driver then out comes the NXT Tour for length, obviously to the detriment of a bit of control round the green.

Yin and Yang


whats your ball speed ?  relative to clubhead speed - how consistant is the  strike on the face?   what is your club path relative to the face at impact ?


Fook nose.......I just hit it and it goes further with less spin if I use a rock!
30/04/2009 at 23:54
EXMAX wrote (see)
 


whats your ball speed ?  relative to clubhead speed - how consistant is the  strike on the face?   what is your club path relative to the face at impact ?

No idea on how fast the ball speed is.  Nor clubhead speed.  Probably really slow.  I've tried swinging faster but I just can't do it.

Strike on the face is fairly consistant I'd say, club path, no idea!

Not very good, am I? lol

Sorry.

01/05/2009 at 19:15
LGL (5) wrote (see)
EXMAX wrote (see)
 


whats your ball speed ?  relative to clubhead speed - how consistant is the  strike on the face?   what is your club path relative to the face at impact ?

No idea on how fast the ball speed is.  Nor clubhead speed.  Probably really slow.  I've tried swinging faster but I just can't do it.

Strike on the face is fairly consistant I'd say, club path, no idea!

Not very good, am I? lol

Sorry.


without this info  you cant see where it is possible to gain ?

you also need to accurately measure your own club , to see what it actually is  , not what it says on the tin

01/05/2009 at 20:33
LGL(5)by the way is 5 our handiacp?
01/05/2009 at 20:37
LGL (5) wrote (see)
 
I already have a slight draw to my normal shot shape.

We already know the swingpath and clubface aim if we know the normal shot is a slight draw.


LGL, if you get on a Launch Monitor with someone who knows what the numbers mean, you can find out if the ball is flying off at the optimum speed, launch angle and spin for your clubspeed.   If one or more of the launch conditions are not at their most effective, then it's those that need changing, e.g. the ball might be starting too high/low, not enough/too much spin. These can either be improved by better technique or a change of equipment, or both.   If the launch conditions are now at their optimum, then it's the clubspeed that needs improving.

And also, its a myth that a draw goes furthest, a straight shot with the correct launch conditions goes the furthest.

01/05/2009 at 20:47
how can you know the exact path and face angle of the club ? 
01/05/2009 at 22:14
EXMAX wrote (see)
how can you know the exact path and face angle of the club ? 

Because it's a basic fundamental of being able to teach golf.

Whatever shape the ball flies, there are impact factors that combine to produce these results.

For a pure draw, i.e. the ball starts to the right and finishes exactly on the target, the path is in to out, and the face is closed to the path and open to the target at impact.

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