| So you want to drive like Tiger and putt like Ben | | | | completing your turn to a nice high and solid finish. |
| Crenshaw, huh? Don't we all. | | | | 3. You will need really good rhythm in order to |
| Long drives and accuracy are a bit like oil and water | | | | achieve your best distance and accuracy. Don't be |
| in terms of a combination but they don't have to be. | | | | tempted to make a quick move from the top of |
| Just imagine if you could hit your drives consistently | | | | your swing, which can ruin your entire tempo and |
| in the fairway 250 yards + nearly every | | | | sequence of events. (Most high handicappers make |
| time...wouldn't that make the game a lot easier...and | | | | this mistake). You can counteract this movement by |
| fun? | | | | developing internal counting during your swing. |
| Having a good tee ball is critical to your confidence | | | | Counting "one one thousand" on your backswing and |
| and placing the ball where you can score. We all can | | | | "two one thousand" on the downswing will help to |
| get easily frustrated when things go sideways with | | | | create a smooth rhythm. |
| the driver so I'm going to share you with you some | | | | Now, most people will have trouble with these |
| secrets on how to get the most distance from your | | | | elements with the driver because it is the longest and |
| tee ball while keeping it accurate. | | | | most difficult club to hit. It will be easier with the |
| There are basically three elements to being able to | | | | shorter clubs because there is less of a premium on |
| get the distance and accuracy you desire with the | | | | distance and more on accuracy. |
| driver. | | | | One drill I have seen work wonders is to try and |
| 1. You must have a good handle on the clubhead and | | | | alternate hitting your driver and 9 iron when |
| have complete control of it. There are two things to | | | | practicing. Start with the 9 iron and make a few |
| check when dealing with club face control. First, you | | | | good swings using the 3 elements above. Don't |
| need to check your grip. Second, you need to see if | | | | overswing, just make nice easy swings. Then, pick up |
| you have the ability to hit a ball to the left and to | | | | the driver and create the same motion and tempo. |
| the right. If you can do both of those, you should be | | | | Don't swing any harder, just focus on the elements. |
| able to split the difference and hit the ball straight. | | | | If you can't hit the driver with the same results as |
| Now, I'm not talking about being able to work the ball | | | | your 9 iron, go back to the 9 iron and see the |
| like a trick shot artist...just know how to bend it a | | | | difference. Keep alternating 9 iron and driver until you |
| little right or left when needed. (Hint: Open the | | | | get a consistent rhythm and tempo. A great case in |
| clubface to hit a fade, close it slightly for a draw) | | | | point is to watch PGA pro Kenny Perry. He hits the |
| 2. Make sure you have good rotation in the shoulders | | | | ball a long way with a very compact and easy swing. |
| and hips. Power is created from "coiling" or turning | | | | Why? Because he has great control over his |
| away from and then back through the ball. If you | | | | clubhead, makes a wonderful turn away from and |
| don't "coil" or turn properly, you will never realize | | | | through the ball and lastly, has exceptional rhythm. |
| maximum distance. Pretend you are trying to turn | | | | So, pay attention to these 3 elements and don't be |
| your belt buckle as far away from the target while | | | | surprised if you starting hitting them long...AND |
| turning during your backswing. Also, make sure that | | | | straight. |
| when you come through the ball at impact, you are | | | | |