Training For Long Drive

Well back at the long drive practice. I decided to try to qualift for the Remax Long Drive Comp. An average drive is 350 to qualify and 375 to get in the finals. I tried the Penley ETA Stiff (not the long drive model) and it couldn't stand the pressure of the swing. It bent terribly and wouldn't load properly.

I called Pat Dempsey back, it nice to know Long Drive guys will help each other, and we talked shafts this time. He recommended a Accuflex Pro LD at XXX flex 50 1/2" to start. Seems a bit extreme but the Penley at 48" was a Senior shaft in comparison. The Stiff flex is at 45" I'm told. #" doesn't seem like much but the middle of the shaft was like a peice of rubber.

When I brough my hands down 3 " straight as an arrow. I'm learning much about how equipment affects the ball flight. We will see how this new one goes. Sending the club back tommorrow.

I'll keep this open on training for long drive. Might help some folks. We'll see.

R/S
GolfBald

PS. Sorry I posted it in the wrong section.

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The guy in the white hat!

I admire your fortuitidnous and enthusiasm for the long drive and I know from your posts that if anyone can qualify-its you!
One concern is won't concentrating so much on long driving hurt the rest of your game? Also, having played many times with guys who hit it really long, ie. 325-350yds. on almost every tee, accuracy suffers along with challenges to the mid irons; of course these guys when they hit the fairways usually only have wedges to most greens, but on par 3's they seem to struggle. Also, always going for it in two on par 5's, when they miss-they really miss bigtime and fight to recover par.
Just wanted to know how you feel about it.
Go Golfbald!

mtibt,

Well I am keeping this in perspective. I outfitted my Callaway Biggest with an X-100 steel shaft tipped 1". That will keep the regular courses playable for a while. I have a great touch with the mid irons and haven't seen any slipping yet.

For training this week I've been in the gym working with heavy soccer looking balls and weights. Getting my leg strength back. I used to do 6 plates on each side, I'm at 4 right now so I don't strain anything. This weekend I will start in the swimming pool with my homemade drag pants working on swimming sprints. I worked on throwing car tires to strengthen the abs and wrists and work on the release flinging it. I've designed some new excersises just for these training sessions.

I have many unconventional strength training methods I learned in the Marine Corps and as a drill instructor that will serve me well. When I storm the Nevada range, they won't know what hit them!

The golfclub will be back next week. Then the fun begins!

GolfBald

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The guy in the white hat!

Golfbald,

When are you going to post a video of this awsome swing???????

Can't wait

Ian.

I just sent the club back to Horsepowergolf.com to get a XXX flex shaft put in it. Pat Dempsey (Long Drive champion) and I discussed shafts for 40 minutes to come up withthe best combination. If anyone is concidering putting together a long drive club look him up. Tell him GolfBald sent ya!

The first shaft died a short death Penley ETA Tour Stiff flex. Fantastic shaft at 45" not at 48" assembled. This was not the Long Drive model. The graphite sounded like a tree splitting on contact. The new shaft is an Accuflex Pro LD 50", 72 grams. Very light compared to my 123 gram steel in the Callaway.

Once I work out the swing differences, I will post a video. I have to send one to Mike Austin who has an interest in my swing as well. I talked to Mike last night, he likes my attitude, "It's not about the equipment, It's all about the swing." I figure it this way, I will listen to Mike Austin because anyone who after having a stroke, is paralysed on his right side, and at age 90 hit a 147 yard wedge shot left handed only against some PGA pros and hit the pin the ball landed next to the hole. Mike is my kind of guy!

Ian, I will post my swing when I get the swing grooved with a 50 1/2 " shaft.

GolfBald

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The guy in the white hat!

Well, It was a gym and swim weekend. The club is still out of town so no practice there. I have to breakdown my body in the golf muscles to build it back stronger and faster.

For cardio this weekend I swam sprints. After a 8 lap warm up, I swam one way down the lane in good form as fast as possible. The faster the turnover the faster the shoulders work. The flexability and fluidity of the swimming stroke will add supple quickness to the golf swing. Long fast strokes are the key here. In about 2-3 weeks I'll be ready for the drag pants.

In gym for cardio, it was the rowing machine. Good all around machine for legs back and arms. I turm my hands all the way in to work the forearms also.

Leg squats and calf raises are a must for long drive. They help get the club turned on the through swing. I also work a swinging technique with weights to help the right arm get through the sticking point and strengthen the tendons. I am also using a car tire to help with strength in the abs. 800 crunches per day, I'll work up to 2000 - 2500 by the end of Feb. Tight abs that move fast is a key to this whole thing. Lower body is strength mid and upper body quickness.

Next week video and mirror work to work out swing technique. Working on a new idea for strengthening the forarms and tendons at impact. I'll post it after I try it.

Still going for it!
GolfBald

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The guy in the white hat!

This past week was pretty busy. I did a lot of mirror work, trying to get my legs working properly. I was starting to slide to the left vice turninig. In the videos, my left hip was turning slightly backwards (huge power loss) and this made the right hip and right shoulder turn off plane. It took a few days but back on track again.

More swimming and gym work. Started working on my shoulders a bit more.

The long drive club will be built and sent this week. Pat Dempsey from Horsepowergolf.com will be back from the PGA Merchandise show Monday. I hope he will hook me up quickly.

I am installing a net in the backyard so I can hit shots everyday. I am really tired of range balls. I did get permission to use the 16th hole of my local course as a grid (40 yards wide) if no one is one the course. I will be marking the 300 - 450 yard grid area. The hole is a 480 yard par 5 from the whites.

More later,

GolfBald

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The guy in the white hat!

450?????? You must really let the big dog eat. How far do you fly the ball on irons?
Outa interest, in ur opinion, how much difference in distance would there be from playing in hot climates to cold climates?
cheers

BigMan,

The hole I'm setting up has a hard clay under the grass. The ball will get a good roll when it dry's out and none when wet. You have to set it long. I'm trying to fly it at least 350-375 then try to keep it in the grid. The shot is: trying to hit an area 40 yards wide at over 350 yards and keep the ball in the 40 yard width, if it's out it doesn't count. A contestant gets 6 shots, best ball. It's all distance and accuracy. If you can catch a good one onf the sweetspot it will go about 400 or better. I can't wait to get the long club back and get to work.

ClubHead: SMT HP420, 8* for now! This head is 420 cc. I may drop down to a 370cc head. I'll give the 420 a chance first.

Shaft specs: Accuflex Pro LD, XXX Flex, 72g., 50". Prettty Awesome stick!

I'll post some pictures when I get the club back.

GolfBald

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The guy in the white hat!

Early in the week, it was days in the gym and swimming pool. I'm up to 30 laps! My stroke turnover is increasing this will increase my swing speed also. I'll be starting with the drag pants next week to get some resistance training in the pool. I have been working on legs this week to get a firm base to work from. I'm up to 325 lbs. on the leg press machine, not up to my standard yet. I hate doing crunches but they are very necessary.

Well, I got the driver back. After discussing with Pat Dempsey the specs, he suggested the Penley ETA XXX flex at 50" the overall club length 52". This shaft was $70 cheaper than the Accuflex shaft. This shaft is used by the #1 Long Drive golfer Brian Pavlet. Looonnngggggg club.

Just for fun I had it checked, it has the same frequency as my normal driver and 3 wood. It felt like swinging a normal driver. After a trip to the range, I noticed some immediate differences. At setup a 45" driver looks like it sets up on the toe area to hit center. I teed one up and squibed 3 shots off the toe. I asked someone to line it up in the center of teh club while I was at address. It sets up looking almost on the hosel. The man assured me the club was centered, I didn't want to snap the shaft on the first day. He was right on, I smoked on right down the middle. I took notes. The club requires a much slower backswing. The through swing requires patience to stay behind the ball.

I had another small session after work today. Much better range balls on the home course. I am realizing it will take a bit of time to get this down. I hit a few balls off the back of the range. There was a golfer that sliced one on to the practice hole next to the 1st hole. I smoked one over his cart and near the green on the practice hole, distance estimate 370. I think there is hope for this little adventure.

I'll keep the diary going,

GolfBald

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The guy in the white hat!

Incredicable!

pat

Wow...and wow again. This is the dedication and hard work which gets you where you are! I am a beginner (if you can call me one after 18 months of golfing). Short in stature and long on years, I am more than happy to consistently hit 240 yards off the tee. I can only dream

Best of luck

Golfbald,

Why don't you put this much training into your short game and go on tour, it sounds like your could out drive Tiger.


Ian.

With this series of inspirational messages, I went to play monthly medal at my local club. Lo and behold (I am a 28 handicap!!), I shot my career best Net 63 in my division to win the medal. I am sure my handicap is going to come down rather sharply but I am not complaining; this is what this forum contributes to its readers.

Thank you

Back after a short trip,

Ian, I wouldn't consider going on tour as I would take more time than I have to prepare. Driving is only one part of the game as you say. I have worked very hard on my short game the last year and I am starting to reap the rewards. The 40 - 75 yard half shots were killing me. Now I can get it close pretty consistantly.

I played a 137 slope course Saturday I'd never seen before. Very Narrow and long, shot an 82. I'll be playing it again in a few weeks an am sure I'll do better.

GolfBald

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