Make me swing faster

[warbirdlover]

Well I went to the driving range today (since I was pissed about this) and got ten more (straight) yards dinking around. And I KNOW my swing is faster because the old Sumo2 is REALLY noisy now. Four simple things (using the basic swing I've worked on over the winter).

1. Quit worrying about not moving my head which...

2. Lets me transfer weight to the right side easier on the backswing and....

3. I pushed off the right foot at the start of the downswing which...

4. Got me on my left side and slowed down my overly quick lower body.

The timing is back... No John Daly but much more respectable.

POW!!!

[LottaBalata]

Originally Posted by SilverUberXeno

Rotate.

Hit a draw.

That was my first thought, "are you hitting a soft fade, or are you actually turning it over."

Originally Posted by gwlee7

WBL, I don't know what kind of physical shape you are in but I am sure that you can become stronger and more flexible regardless of where you are at now. There are some really good exercise programs out there that are specific to golf and can be adapted to golfers of all ages.

I am almost 46 years old and over the past 5 1/2 months I have gotten myself into better shape than I was when I was 20. This has caused me to be able to hit the ball farther than I was back at the first of the year. Coupled with better techinique, I have hit a few drives to places where I never have over the past few months including a few real (not internet) 300 yarders. I have seriously picked up about 25 yards on average and now average in the 275 range where this had been being my absolute "nutted" best.

Also, you've got to be sure that you are playing the right driver for your swing. I know that you have tried a lot of different drivers but, have you ever been to a reputable club fitter that has a launch monitor and knows what he is doing? I know that you aren't afraid to 'ho a club so how about going and getting the right one for you if you've never tried this route before?

Then, my second thought was build strength and flexability. Just make sure you don't damage your body doin' it.

From your last post, it seems you've found a few more yards somewhere, that's a plus.

[LyleG]

The harder you try and hit it the shorter you will hit it. Trying to swing hard creates tension in the forearms, tension is the biggest single power killer of them all. Relax those arms, relax the shoulders and think tempo. The speed will come as soon as you stop trying to create it, just let it happen. Loose = fast, its really that simple.

[Wi-Golfer]

Originally Posted by LyleG

The harder you try and hit it the shorter you will hit it. Trying to swing hard creates tension in the forearms, tension is the biggest single power killer of them all. Relax those arms, relax the shoulders and think tempo. The speed will come as soon as you stop trying to create it, just let it happen. Loose = fast, its really that simple.

But what about the magical clubs that will instantly turn everyone into Bubba Watson or Daly??? Surely they exist because I read it on an internet golf blog.

[warbirdlover]

Always keep my hands and arms relaxed and never try to force it (learned that many years ago). Was looking for just a little more ss and might have found it with a better weight shift. Time will tell...

And the search for the magic club (or shaft) continues...

[mont86]

Originally Posted by LyleG

The harder you try and hit it the shorter you will hit it. Trying to swing hard creates tension in the forearms, tension is the biggest single power killer of them all. Relax those arms, relax the shoulders and think tempo. The speed will come as soon as you stop trying to create it, just let it happen. Loose = fast, its really that simple.

Nice and easy.....It works so well that the next time I try to muscle up on it and there goes another bananaballer!

[VtDivot]

Originally Posted by warbirdlover

Always keep my hands and arms relaxed and never try to force it (learned that many years ago). Was looking for just a little more ss and might have found it with a better weight shift. Time will tell...

And the search for the magic club (or shaft) continues...

It's hard to give advice until we can see your swing. Get a video and post it.

My best guess is you are coming across (OTT) and hitting a weak fade. It's prob the reason 90% of the people - including myself lose distance. Of course now I have the opposite thing going LOL

[SilverUberXeno]

Think of a slingshot, WBL. If the cradle of the slingshot was attached to poles instead of flexible bungees or whatever they are, you wouldn't be getting much distance out of anything.

This is just a thought to reiterate Lyle's point about tension. Loose is flexible, and when your power comes from rotation, speed comes from leverage and flexibility in a controlled turn.

[warbirdlover]

I agree with that. I'm no expert, but a 9.5° stiff-flex driver sounds ill-suited to someone that's hitting 230-260 yard drives. I know everyone's different and it may be perfectly suited, but on the surface it doesn't seem like it would be.

BrandonM7

I've done the launch monitor thing and 9º was a perfect 14º launch angle. At that time (year and a half ago) I was swinging at 95-105 ss and had up to a 163 mph ball speed. And straight. I've lost it somehow. I understand the outside/in concept, etc etc. (I've hacked for over 40 years). And my perfect driver (the Rapture 9º with a stiff NVS) was stupidly sold. I want to hit the G10 before I 'ho another Rapture though as I hate composite heads where you have to be so careful if you want to change shafts.

I've got the mechanics figured out but keeping them timed right is what's killing me.

Questions:

Where do you place the ball with the driver, off left toe or middle of stance?
How many worry about keeping head position still?

And I've had an "overswinging" problem which causes the balloons or slices. I constantly fight that.

(I think the shaft flex thing in regard to distance is way overrated. I've hit X-flex to regular and not seen any huge distance gains or losses).

.

[warbirdlover]

We just bought a video camera so maybe swing vids soon. Here are some pics... Too much "twisting" on follow thru.

[SiberianDVM]

Well, I'm distance challenged myself, and you're probably outdriving me already, but what I see in those static photos appears to be a mainly upper body swing.

I don't see a weight shift and hip turn back to the left with your hips leading coming into impact.

Am I wrong?

[warbirdlover]

Doc,

You're right, although right about the time this pic was taken I get "some" hip into it. And I'm hopefully addressing that now. Hip turn is difficult for me since my lower vertebrae are fused from arthritus. Irons are a different story. All is well in ironland. It's this frickin driver. I was hitting it good two weeks ago and it just went south (get it? went south?)...

[SiberianDVM]

Originally Posted by warbirdlover

It's this frickin driver. I was hitting it good two weeks ago and it just went south (get it? went south?)...

Take your "went south" driver and put it where the sun don't shine.

[MCDavis]

Originally Posted by SiberianDVM

Take your "went south" driver and put it where the sun don't shine.

Based on how much rain they've been getting, I'd say his driver is already there!

[SiberianDVM]

warbirdlover, if it makes you feel any better: the longest hitter in my flight (C), a guy who can drive some par 4s, consistently shoots the highest scores. Saturday he shot a 99 to my 88, even though he outdrives me by over 50 yards.

He rarely hits a fairway, always hits driver unless it's a par 3, has no short game, and can't putt. But he can hammer that Sumo.

I'm with you; I think I have another 30 yards or so in me, I just don't know how to get it. So until a miracle occurs, I'm spending 75% of my time on wedge shots, chip shots, and putting. Saving par is where it's at.