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Distance, Distance, Distance

By Chad Jones

One of the most common questions I get asked by my students is how to make their tee shot go further. The most common error I see that results in the lack of distance is not starting the downswing with their lower body first. People who swing this way start their swing arms first, not their hips and as a result see all of their clubs go about the same distance. This is because there is no power generated from a swing that starts with all arms first. Power comes from the ground up. Follow these two simple steps to help you make a better turn, and use your hips first will allow you to see the results almost immediately.

Step 1:
As you turn on your backswing, a majority of your weight will move to your right leg. You should feel some pulling in your left hip as you do this. Your weight should remain on the inside of your right leg. Otherwise you will begin to sway instead of turn. At this point, your left shoulder should be pointing in the direction of the ball or slightly behind the ball. Now, begin to move toward the target leading with your hips and legs. Your shoulders will follow in the same direction as your hips. This is the proper sequence of your downswing. As the old saying goes the dog wags the tail, not the tail wags the dog.

Step 2
As a result, always try to finish with your weight on your left leg and your hips facing the target. You must use your upper and lower torso to generate speed and power not your arms first! Practice this and you will be driving it longer off the tee.

Chad Jones teaches at The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Florida. He is a PGA of America Certified Instructor, Certifed Titleist Club Fitter, and has certifications in junior golf and golf fitness from the Titleist Performance Institute. He was named a 2009 and 2010 US Kids Top 50 Coach. Chad can be reached at cjones@concessiongolfclub.com for lessons.

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