10 Tips On How To Hit Absolute Piss Missiles

There are very few golfers who don't want to hit the ball farther, especially with their driver. The adrenaline you get from bombing a drive straight down the fairway is right up there with hitting a 21 the hard way when the dealer is showing a 9. A solid, long drive sets the stage for how the rest of the hole will be played, like a domino effect. Here are some foundational tips and techniques that can help you get that extra yardage.

Achieve centered contact While it may sound obvious, hitting the driver in the center of the clubface makes a tremendous difference. Thanks to modern technology, we can now measure the loss in distance resulting from off-center hits. You can mark the face of your driver with face tape or powder spray to determine the contact point with the ball. Start with slow and controlled swings, focusing on a good grip and setup to achieve solid contact in the sweet spot. Once you gain confidence through good shots, gradually increase your swing speed.
Establish a proper setup Most setup fundamentals apply to all clubs when the ball is on the ground, but the driver requires some adjustments. Position the ball forward, typically in line with the lead foot instep, taking advantage of the high tee. This forward ball position allows you to tilt your shoulders back and away from the target, ensuring that your shoulder alignment remains relatively parallel to the clubface alignment. This setup enables you to contact the ball on an upward angle, leading to increased distance. You can check your posture by hugging the club to your chest, then bowing forward until the club shaft drops between your legs. Finally, tilt away from the target until the club shaft contacts your lead leg. This will help you develop the correct posture for longer and better launching drives. If you tend to hit your driver solidly but too low, this fundamental is worth checking.
Rotate your torso Once you have a good setup and achieve solid contact, you can start generating power. A powerful backswing involves rotating your upper body away from the target. The degree of rotation can vary based on your flexibility, and foot flare can help compensate for limited flexibility. An effective way to promote rotation is by keeping your arms connected and synchronized with your torso. Another technique is to cross your arms close to your chest, emulating the demonstration by GOLF Top 100 Teacher John Tillery. These methods will help you feel a circular rotation away from the target, resulting in a more athletic turn.
Maintain a proper grip Have you ever experienced a slice? It's not a pleasant feeling, especially when the ball travels disappointingly short. One of the quickest ways to add distance to your driver shots is to ensure a proper grip that promotes a square clubface at impact. This allows for direct and square contact, avoiding an open face with a glancing impact. A helpful practice is to place your lead hand on the club naturally, hanging in the fingers. Take a moment to relax your lead arm and observe how it hangs. How many knuckles do you see? That's the number of knuckles you should see when your lead hand is on the club. Each golfer is unique, so find a grip that suits you.
Swing in a circular motion A golf swing follows a circular path, and achieving the correct swing path is crucial for maximizing distance. A club head that cuts across the ball produces a glancing blow and won't generate the desired distance. To ensure a proper swing path, practice with an alignment aid just outside your golf ball. This will help you maintain the correct swing path at impact. Excellent posture, grip, and rotation during your backswing lay the foundation for achieving this.
Generate speed with your hands and arms You can generate a significant amount of speed using your hands and arms alone. I vividly remember watching Jim Flick teach at PGA National, where he demonstrated that power could be created solely through the hands and arms. By sitting in a chair and lifting his feet off the ground, he pounded drivers down the fairway with impressive distance. Similarly, in a long drive contest with my friend Kathy Hart's brother, Dudley, he hit from his knees while I made my regular swing. Unsurprisingly, he emerged as the winner. Generating speed from your hands and arms plays a major role in achieving distance. While I'm not dismissing the contribution of the body, it's important to recognize the significance of this aspect. When you grip the driver correctly, avoid squeezing it too tightly, as excessive tension can impede your ability to take advantage of this speed. A useful practice is to hold the club in a way that allows you to feel the weight of the clubhead throughout your swing.
Get properly fitted If you had the opportunity to gain more distance, would you take it? I certainly would, and I did. Being fitted for your driver by a reputable clubfitter, such as True Spec (note: True Spec and GOLF are both owned by 8am Golf, the same parent company), or participating in demo days at your club or nearby, allows you to explore new technology that can help you hit the ball farther. Finding the right loft, shaft flex, and driver length are essential factors in this equation. Club fitters possess extensive product knowledge and can help you maximize your potential. Although it may involve some expense, the club shaft is often referred to as the "engine" of the club. Considering the increased enjoyment and improved performance you can achieve, this investment is worth considering.
Try Speed Training For the fortunate few golfers naturally blessed with speed, I commend you (although I may feel a tinge of envy). For the rest of us, practice is necessary to gain and maintain speed. One simple method is to turn one of your woods or your driver upside down and hold the shaft just below the clubhead. During your normal swing, aim to create a loud swooshing noise at the bottom of your swing, where the ball would be. As you swing the grip of your club, try to increase the speed and, consequently, the pitch of the swoosh. One highly regarded training system is SuperSpeed Golf, which has a proven track record of increasing distance. This system is not overly time-consuming and can yield real results.
Know when to swing aggressively As you become more familiar with the course you regularly play, you'll discover landing zones where the ball lands and rolls forward. Watching professional golfers on television reveals their remarkable ability to control their ball flight and land it in specific spots to take advantage of speed slots, resulting in shorter approaches to the green. Developing this awareness and knowing when to swing hard can greatly benefit your game.
Choose the right golf ball Does the type of golf ball make a difference? Absolutely! It can be overwhelming with the multitude of options available, and ball names and design characteristics change each year. Some companies offer ball fittings, which I recommend taking advantage of if you have the opportunity. Otherwise, consult your club professional for recommendations on which golf ball to try. It can also be fun to conduct your own experiment. Ask for three suggestions and try each one. You'll likely be surprised by how noticeable it is when you find the golf ball that suits you best.