Lack of driver distance:

I am happy that I have finally tamed my driver to where I am hitting fairway (short grass) 90 + percent of the time. But I am lucky if i am driving 200 yards with some roll most of the time. I understand common golf knowlege says that technique not muscle is the key to distance. Well that sounds great but my swing is nice and relaxed through the ball and even with great contact the ball just doesnt' go that far for me. I am 59 with not a lot of upper body power or arm strength and I am still new to the game. Will distance come in time? Am I just being impatient and expecting too much too soon. I've seen men my age and older drive the ball further. It seems I was driving the ball further when I first started playing than I do now.

Sometimes I will lead with my shoulders first to get more clubhead speed and a sorta whipping action through the ball, but this just results in a pull or a slice most often. In other words an out of control swing. Any suggestions.
Driver is R7 425. What a waste of clubhead in my hands.

__________________
I would suggest that any golfer who says they've never thrown a club is either a liar or a poser. To all of you "gentlemen golfers" out there, respectively..
Jim

hi jim
i just got the r7 425 and i like you am a little impatient!
when i first used it it was no longer than my 3wood.
recently i have been counting out my tempo in my head so as not to thrash at it with the result being a longer straighter drive and just tonight ive started hovering the clubhead behind the ball which reduces arm tension and helps with a smooth takeaway and again ive gained some extra distance prob 240/250 yards
just a thought mate

So good to hear from my old buddy slater . How have you got your R7 setup. I believe mine is set to low drive at the moment. But I have set it on most everything at on time or another. I bought the book tour tempo and have listened to the cd. Haven't put it into any kind of serious practice though. I do have one of the tempos in my head however, set to the piece of a song. Going to play today. May try it after a few holes. I hover as well and it takes all tension out of my arms but still no distance. Hope you enjoy the R7. I'll let you know if I have any change today.

__________________
I would suggest that any golfer who says they've never thrown a club is either a liar or a poser. To all of you "gentlemen golfers" out there, respectively..
Jim

Try putting 10 or 12 gm. weights in the heel ports and 2 gm. weights in the toe ports. This will get you high draw.

Power is elusive - sometimes I have it - other times I don't. A short while ago, from an elevated tee, an older gent almost hit me with a ball. When he came down, he apologized, and said that he thought he saw me leave the green - he drove to the green from 280 plus and he was well into his sixties if not older. I have read lots of books and watched too many DVDs - and I think when it comes to power the answer isn't the same for everyone. I think one of the keys - is a tension free swing - tension kills speed.

I watched a Science show explaining how Long Drivers get their power. A Long Driver was hooked up to monitoring devices at the Titelist Performance Instiutute - are you ready for this - one of the long driving champions - a stocky gun named Zuback - when he hit the ball he derived great power from his legs - here is the kicker - just after impact both of his feet were off of the ground - can you imagine that - and in a subsequent article I read, it stated that many of the long drivers had no formal golf instruction, which in part, is why they can hit so far.


I managed to find the show I watched on the long drive. Check out the Big Launch on the link attatched.


http://www.exn.ca/dailyplanet/view.asp?date=7/7/2006

James

hi jim
i tried all the settings and have mine set to low as well (are we twins? )
the offset is enough to keep my drives straight!
im off to spain in the morning for a weeks golf so i will see how it performs under pressure thats if the airline doesnt bend or lose my clubs!
hit em long n straight buddy
adios

Hello James, What lengths will we not go to, to perfect our swing. What a monster machine that thing is . Now they need to develop the portable mini model that rides on the golf cart.

Like you, one day I noticed the pairing behind my group waiting for us to leave the green before teeing off. I said to my buddies, "do those guy's actually think they are going to drive the green. Is that why they are waiting back there. NO WAY JOSE!." Well, watching them from the next tee box I saw one of them drive it right on to the green. It is at times like that, that I feel like throwing my clubs in the pond .

Thanx for the feedback. I'm gonna keep working on it.

Hope you enjoy your week of golf Slater. I think our parents separated us at birth and for some reason unbeknownst to me "adopted you out"

__________________
I would suggest that any golfer who says they've never thrown a club is either a liar or a poser. To all of you "gentlemen golfers" out there, respectively..
Jim