Does your plan of hitting an extra long drive backfire more than succeed?  Usually when we’re trying to get a little more distance out of our drives we end up creating more tension in our swing, resulting in slower clubhead speed and less distance.

If you find this to be the case in your golf swing, try the following tips.

First, try producing less pressure and tension in your grip.  Gripping the club too tightly will cause your forearms and shoulders to become restricted, thus resulting in a shorter turn in the backswing.   The grip pressure is similar to taking a banana, peeling it, and gripping the banana without putting any fingerprints on it.  When done properly, you will feel more relaxed in your arms when gripping the club in your set up.

Secondly, at the top or completion of your backswing, eliminate tension in your arms by making them feel as if they are wet noodles.  Staying relaxed at this point of the swing will help you sync your arms with your body efficiently.

Working the two tips above will help create more clubhead speed without swinging harder at the ball and get the little added distance when you really need it.

As always, if you’re struggling with your golf game, please contact our golf professional staff to set up private lessons.  We are more than happy to help you with the improvement of your golf game.  A private lesson program can help you focus your thoughts on sound fundamentals that will help improve your game.

Brad is currently the Director of Golf at Hammock Beach Resort, home of the Ocean Course and the Conservatory Golf Course.  The Ocean Course boasts more holes on the ocean than any other golf course in Florida and the Conservatory is currently ranked as the longest and hardest course in Florida.  Brad's golf lesson articles can also be found at bradhauergolf.com.