Get More Distance With The Driver

I've got two different testimonials today that praise the Peak Performance Golf Swing. Two men (both named Chuck) say they're hitting the ball straighter and with more accuracy than ever before. But, they're also both struggling to find distance with their drivers. 

This is a common occurrence I see at our golf schools and private lessons. Because the driver is longer and flatter, it's harder to swing it vertically. It takes more effort to swing the driver with acceleration through impact and therein lies the problem.

Here's what Chuck Chouinard had to say:

I have been using the PPGS concept using a 3/4 backswing and find that I consistently hit a straight ball but no matter what I do I cannot get acceptable distance. While I am 80 years young and play golf 3 or 4 times a week, I just can't get more than 170 yards with my driver using the PPGS. If I go back to the hip and shoulder turn swing I get at least 20 to 30 yards more but not always in the middle of the fairway.

I know you have addressed this issue before but I really need some help in increasing my distance with my driver and 3 wood using the PPGS.

Thanks,

Chuck Chouinard
Sturgeon Bay, WI

Chuck Rankin is facing a similar dilemma:

Surge,

The upright swing has given me super control. I am staighter and closer to the pin on most shots than ever before. Unfortunately, my driver distance has gone from 250-260 (even more) when I was younger to 225-230 using the Surge Swing.

Can you give me some pointers on how I can recoup some of my distance? I notice all my shots are going lower with out the usual carry I am accustomed to. I used to generate a lot of power with my low swooping swing/big turn. Maybe some mental keys to get a bit more turn or something.

Thanks,
Chuck Rankin

The driver is the longest club in the bag and it's also the flattest. When you have a flatter club to swing, you have to make a concerted effort to swing up vertically. Naturally, a longer club that's farther away from your body takes more energy to lift up. 

It also requires more effort on your forward upswing. When you swing through to impact, you have to increase your energy to do this. At golf schools, when the clubs get longer, students start to slow down and stop accelerating the club the way in which they did with their shorter clubs.

The longer and heavier the club, the more you will have to work to swing it vertical. I think some of you forget about speed and acceleration. I don't want you to start turning more to increase anything. We get our power from our arms, so just swing them faster towards the target to increase your distance, while also holding your legs firmer.

At the end of the day, you have to engage your muscles, especially in the arms, hands, and legs. You must be able to hold your legs firm if you're going to speed up the swing with your arms. If your legs break down, your swing will break down. 

Finally, make sure your driver isn't too long for you and that you have the right type of shaft for your swing.

Keep it vertical,

The Surge

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