Training For Long Drive

The big stick got ugly on me. I cut it from 52" down to 50.5", it lost it's kick. At 52 it was playing slightly loose but at 50.5 I added 1 1/2 flexes to it taking it from a XXX to almost a 5x. I thought the compensation in swing weight F8 to E8 and overall weight would compensate also. I guessed wrong. Equipment is the most difficult thing to work in long drive. The swing is a bit flatter, but the fundementals are still the same.

Took a internet lesson in clubmaking from about 5 sources to understand the dynamics of torque, frequency, length, spining and flo, swingweight all have to do with long drive clubs.

Seems my first mistake was starting with a XXX shaft. The first step is to find the length one can comfortably handle. In my case it is 50". Next is to find the frequency that matches you swing. Mine is about a XX 1/2. I must take several factors in to concideration when buying the next shaft. At 100 dollars a pop you can't make too many mistakes. Most long drivers find a shaft that suits there swing and buy several. Now I know why these guys have sponsors.

I seem to like Med-firm tips. So the concusion is. the shaft must begin at 52" and be cut down or must be at least 48" raw shaft. After the first Penley, I found the 47" raw shafts are not good for long drive, they are made to be cut down to around 45 ".

So at 52" the shaft must begin with a relatively medium tip. The tip will be inserted deeper that normal in a 420cc head and will firm the tip up a bit to medium firm. The Penley is not designed to be tip trimmed this is a liability. If the tip plays to soft it can be tip trimmed to firm it up.

The length must be cut 2" or 2 flexes. I am looking for a X flex at 52" that plays a bit soft. An Accuflex VS339 or a SK Fiber may fit the bill. I must buy another head in about a 5° or 6° for the hard pan grids. I have an 8° for the wet grids. Looking at a Bang Animal or SMT Nemesis.

I'm told most long drivers carry as many as 12 clubs to a competition. Just in the begining stages I'm hoping to get 2 together that work. Maybe a backup in case one breaks. I'll see what happens.

I start the workout regime up again tommorrow. I must get some sleep, it wears on you.

GolfBald

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The guy in the white hat!

Had a big setback today. The shaft on the long driver broke. I contacted the builder hope he contacts me tommorrow.

The LD swing is starting to come around. The swimming and workouts are paying off. The surgically repaired right elbow is as strong as it's been since the surgery and the weak left arm is a bit stronger since the stroke. I will not give up. The club thing is just a temporary setback.

Looking into the next club. The clubhead a BANG Animal model BangOmatic 4.5°. Shaft is still up in the air. Don't think I'm going back to Penley for Long Drive. Love it for a playing club though. The wall is very thin. I talked to a few other long drivers, this is a common problem.

more to come....

GolfBald

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The guy in the white hat!

A special thanks to Penley Golf!!! The marketing manager got a call from the bald guy today. Penley stands by there products to the hilt. After discussing the situation with Todd, he is drop shipping me another ETA and also 2 other shafts that he feels will be better for my swing speed. At Long Drive speed, he said a 1/2 off center will cause a shaft to break. The average long drive participant has a swing speed between 120 and 150. Most fall in the 130 range.

The first local is Saturday. I don't know if I will have a club ready. The new shafts will be in Friday. The clubmaker has been alerted to the situation. Hopefully I can get in an hour practice with the new setup to see how the fiddle plays. We will see.

If the shafts don't come in, I'll still go and see about borrowing a club or using my 45" club and swing out of my shoes. I need to see the level of comp. and the format. It's always good to have a feeling out process. I have looked at the locations and I think I can travel to 6 locals right now. The more districts you qualify in the more chances to get to the next level.

More soon....

GolfBald

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The guy in the white hat!

The first contest was a few weeks ago. I'm taking a full college schedule so it difficult to find time to write.

The contest was on a Saturday, The weather was good, 70*F temps. The grid was wet, so carry was important.

The contest final was limited to 12 hitters. 100.00 entry. Not a cheap contest for a newbie. Qualifing entry was 30.00.

Most of the contestants were roll players, good carry but need roll to get a good distance. The Baldguy likes carry!!! 6 balls 5 minutes to hit them.

I made it to the finals as #8 with a 352 yard bomb. I had 3 others in the grid between 335 and 345. 4 of 6 in is very good!
One ball hit off the toe and went 260! LOL Talk about blowing your concentration.

I was really nervous in the finals. Being my first one, the anticipation and nervous energy is amazing. The guy before me hit one 365, what a blast and just added that much more pressure. I hit the first two OB. The third one I hit right on the screws. 362 my best hit to date. The rest were in but about 345 average. The #10 guy past me by 18"

So the bald guy ended up in 3rd place. I was the oldest in the Open class at 42. Most of the guys were about 25-35.

I'm going to a new shaft next week, SK Fiber Lite Rev 1 and Pure Energy on a recommendation from a guy who has a measured 157 MPH swing speed.

Next contest is April 17, a qualifier for the Remax LD championships!!!

I'll keep you up to date.

GolfBald

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The guy in the white hat!

thanks, that is remarkable.
i wish ya luck in the next one.

pat

I'd be quite content with a 260 yd drive off the toe! (or any other part of the club, come to that!)

god do u know how to talk urself up!!!

Lumpa,

I'm not talking myself up, I was asked to keep an online diary of training and competing in the Remax Long drive contest. Some of the trials and pitfalls may help someone else who wants to try the sport of Long Drive Golf.

Believe me, I get real humble when the regulars step on the grid and hit 360 - 420 yards. I am still trying to qualify for district level.

GolfBald

Just wanted to give the forum an update. Humble pie was eaten by the Bald guy again but I am dicovering the differences between a Long Drive swing and regular golf swing. A few of the regulars were helping me get my breathing technique and ball position corrected for Long Drive. A local John Coe (long drive average 380-390) is helping me.

At the last contest, I hit a scorching line drive 327 up the middle, the next 3 went just out at 350, high fades. The next shot was a hard draw as I overcompensated and a straight shot at 345. I'll detail another post with the equipment and swing changes I've made inthe last 3 weeks. Somewhere I've got to find 30-40 yards to be competitive.

Longest drive of the day, 412 yards into a 45 yard wide grid by Trez Simmons.

I finally found a shaft that doesn't break, as of yet. It islight and has a great kick. Some new heads are being tested and I'll share that also.

GolfBald

__________________
The guy in the white hat!