How to increase power

[acepepper]

I hit my woods a fairly good distance, but have trouble with my irons, (I use John Letters Trilogy blades. Quite old, but expensive when new). I know it's all about clubhead speed, but I don't seem to be able to increase that without losing balance and control. Any good drills for increasing clubhead speed?

And why is it that Ernie Els and Vijay seem to put far less effort and speed into their swings, but achieve the same distance as Tiger, who seems to really lash at the ball. Is that just an optical illusion?

[Mizunoman]

Re: How to increase power

Distance does indeed come from increased clubhead speed. Increase the width of your swing and the clubhead speed will increase. Lighten your shaft and the same will happen. Try and increase your hip turn as well and this will pull the clubhead through faster.

Tiger does swing harder than Vijay and Ernie. This is primarily because of the fact that despite all his talk of weight training Tiger is actually not that physically impressive a specimen. He is naturally slight, whereas Vijay and Ernie are big strong guys. They are also taller by a couple of inches I think which also makes power more easy to generate. Ernie and Vijay are probably a good few pounds heavier than tiger so they dont have to work as hard to generate the clubhead speed.

Dont beleive all this rubbish about strength not helping with distance, if it didnt then no one would be pumping iron on tour. Being strong is very important otherwise they wouldnt be lifting.

Get to the gym and work on your back, legs, shoulders and triceps, they are important muscle groups for golf.

Check your irons for the weight of the shaft, it might be worth tring a nice light shaft to see if that helps as well.

D.

[gord962]

Re: How to increase power

Darryl, you are correct, strength is important, but you don't see any juice monkeys out there either. Strength is great, but don't let this turn into sheer bulk. The reason for this is that overly large muscles will reduce flexability, which is just as important as strength. Charles Howell doesn't depend on strength - it's all in technique and flexability with him.

[acepepper]

Re: How to increase power

Tiger does swing harder than Vijay and Ernie. This is primarily because of the fact that despite all his talk of weight training Tiger is actually not that physically impressive a specimen.

This really did make me laugh out loud. He looks ok to me, but I know what you're saying. Everyone talks about clubhead speed, but when you look at Ernie, Vijay and Montgomery, (whose swing I love), there just doesn't seem to be any.

Thanks for all your other advice, I'll try to take it on board.

[Mr_Change]

Re: How to increase power

Swing timing, the more you work on timing the straigter and longer your shots will be without extra effort.

I mean it's no good using everything you have to swing the club as fast as you can to generate clubhead speed, if you have no power at impact.

What I do is use my whole left side to swing the club down as fast as I can, I keep my right side coiled against my left side mgh on the down swing, my right arm maintains it's 90 angle which I created at the top of my swing. Once the club is about hip high I releash my right side with everythin it has, which helps me maintain the clubhead speed generated by my left side and even accerate through the impact zone.

[Ian Hancock]

Re: How to increase power

I wouldn't agree that pumping iron will help with you golf swing.....in fact it will probably cause more harm because it makes you ache.

However I do agree that tour players need to be physically fit to cope with the riggers of 4/5 rounds every week + practice and travelling all around the world playing in hot weather 10 months of the year, I watched the European Tour yesterday.....how can they play with wet trousers?

There are lots of "out of shape" players on tour and alot of the 40+ brigade are leading the way, Vigay is 42 this month, as Darrel has stated Vigay is a very large man with arms like a baboon, he must be 6/7 feet from the ball at address with a driver.

Keep yourself fit enough to play 18 holes without breaking sweat and you will be fine.



Ian.

[pnearn]

Re: How to increase power

What about Michelle Wie?

Shes hardly Arnie now is she?

You can hit the ball a long way by proper mechanics and timing. Tiger relies more on his strength to do it .. the old hitter or swinger analogy

Im sure weve all flushed the odd ball miles with an iron or a driver .. only we cant repeat it all the time .. pros can and thats the difference

Mid you they hit hundereds of balls evert day in practice so theyre timing is inate .. if only I had the time ( or my wife would let me )