The
Four Keys to Maximizing Your Distance
Jason Krantz, CSCS
Virtually everyone I talk
to about enhancing golf performance asks me the same question when we start
talking: “How can I gain more distance with my driver, woods and irons?”
There are 4 factors that
you can directly control that determine how far the ball will go when you hit
it. While it is difficult to determine the exact value that each factor plays
in achieving distance, we can say with certainty that some factors are more
important than others. The Fantastic Four, in order of importance, are:
Club Head Speed
Clubhead speed is the single most important factor in maximizing distance. When
you hit a golf ball, energy and momentum from the clubhead are transferred to
the golf ball. Clubhead speed represents the amount of energy/momentum that the
club has. Higher clubhead speed equates into more energy available to be
delivered to the ball.
Quality of Contact
You can swing like a gorilla, but it will not mean anything at all if you don't
make quality contact with the ball. When we talk about quality of contact we
are talking about how close the ball comes to striking the center of gravity of
the club, or as it is typically called, the "Sweet Spot". When you
hit something directly on its CG, you transfer the maximum amount of energy and
cause the object to move straight away from the point where contact occurred.
Launch Angle
Measured in degrees relative to horizontal, launch angle refers to the initial
angle at which a ball leaves the clubface. Launch angle is determined by a
number of factors, including angle of attack, swing speed, loft, and shaft
flex.
More loft creates a
higher launch angle, causing the ball to go higher, but more swing power is
used on the vertical component, meaning less distance. Less loft causes the
ball to fly lower (meaning it is going to be pulled down faster due to
gravity), but more swing power is used on the horizontal component, meaning
potentially greater distances, if you hit the ball fast enough.
Spin Rate
The amount of spin on the ball also has a considerable effect on the amount of
distance the ball will travel. A ball with less spin cuts through the air
better than a ball with more spin. If there is too much spin then the ball will
rise quickly and lose forward momentum. This is what happens when your shots
start out low and then "balloon" way up and come down on a very steep
angle.
If there is too little
spin then the ball will not stay airborne long enough to realize maximum
distance. Remember, backspin helps a launched ball stay airborne longer, but
too much will cause the ball to rise quickly and lose large amounts of
distance. There is an optimal spin level for your swing in order to maximize
distance. One final point is that as you decrease loft, you decrease the
potential for backspin and increase the potential for side spin, which could
potentially cause accuracy issues.
Optimizing These
Factors To Improve Your Distance
Since we have identified
the four major factors, we must now look at how we can improve and/or optimize
each of these factors in order to enhance distance and accuracy.
Club Head Speed
Club head speed can be improved through a number of different ways. Improving
your swing technique is perhaps one of the most immediate things that you can
do to improve swing speed and club head speed. By fully utilizing the natural
levers provided by your body you can significantly increase your maximum swing
speed in a very short time span.
Optimizing swing
mechanics is an excellent short and long term strategy to improve distance, but
improving you golf specific physical conditioning is probably the single most
important factor in permanently increasing swing speed.
By optimizing your
physical conditioning you can swing more forcefully and powerfully with the
same amount or possibly even less effort than in your unconditioned state. By
being able to swing faster with less effort you will be able to make better
contact with the ball, therefore transferring more of the available energy from
the club to the ball which means a higher ball speed and potentially more
distance if your launch conditions are optimized.
Quality of Contact
Improving quality of contact is much like improving club head speed. Working on
your mechanics can significantly enhance both qualities. I am a firm believer
that before you start trying to hit the ball further you should make sure that
you are making good contact with the ball. Increased swing speed with decreased
quality of contact will not do much for your distance or accuracy.
Increased club head speed
by itself cannot improve your quality of contact, but having a higher maximum
swing speed will allow you to swing easy while still maintaining respectable
swing speed.
Using myself as an
example, 135 MPH is about my maximum swing speed for a standard length driver,
so a swing of 110 MPH is an extremely relaxed, smooth and easy swing. However,
110 MPH is faster than most golfers can physically swing. Since a 110 MPH swing
is far below my maximum swing speed it is much easier for me to make quality
contact and still achieve respectable distance off the tee. By conditioning
yourself properly you can use this same principle in your game.
Launch Angle
Your optimum launch angle is highly dependent on your initial ball speed. As
you ball speed increases, you are able to get away with using a lower loft. If
your ball speed is 140 MPH then, despite everything your ego might say, you
have absolutely no business hitting a 9 degree driver. You would be better
served by using a higher lofted driver which will give you more carry, overall
distance and control. Getting on a launch monitor is by far the easiest way to
find out what your optimum launch angle is for your swing.
Spin Rate
Spin rate can also easily be optimized for your swing by using a launch
monitor. Work with a fitting specialist to ensure that the equipment you are
using is allowing you to play your best golf.
By optimizing any or all of the above-mentioned qualities you will significantly increase the distance of your shots while also increasing your accuracy.
Download a FREE copy of Jason's 37 page "Pure Power Program" E-book
Jason is the founder of Sonic Boom Golf, a golf conditioning company devoted to improving golf performance through enhanced physical conditioning. He draws his knowledge of power and strength development from his years of training under some of the best strength and conditioning programs and power coaches the USA has to offer. He was a Division 1 track and field athlete, running the 100/200m sprints for the University of Oregon, which is one of the most storied collegiate track programs in the country, birthplace of Nike and home to the legendary Steve Prefontaine. The training techniques and principles that allowed Jason to be a great sprinter also allow him to develop incredible power in his golf swing. As a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Jason uses his expertise in power development, practical knowledge and real world performance enhancement experience to ensure that all his clients realize maximum golf performance improvement in a minimum amount of time. Jason is a power golf specialist, typically averaging over 340+ yards off the tee. He has a maximum recorded swing speed of 151 MPH, maximum ball speed of 213 MPH and longest drive of 402 yards.
The articles at GolfFitnessProducts.net are for informational purposes only and are not intended to substitute for direct examination and exercise prescription by the appropriate health professional. It is strongly recommended that you do not perform any exercise program without the consent of your personal physician.
