Golf Swing: 3 Ways to Develop More Power

Golf Swing: 3 Ways to Develop more Powerlimiting your potential. I have seen it numerous
How can you improve the power of your golftimes, people practicing at the range who struggle,
swing? This is a question that all of us want annot because of trying to get better, but because
answer to. Most golfers go to great lengths totheir bodies are limiting what they can do with
get that extra yard off the tee. But how manytheir swing. Quite often I see people with limited
people actually know that golf swing power is theflexibility, poor balance capabilities, and low levels
result of these three specific factors?of strength and power. The bottom line is that
* The first and probably most evident of theyour mechanics will not get better until you fix
three is 'swing mechanics'. Everybody is aware ofthe body that swings the club!
how important the mechanics of a swing areUp to this point we have discussed the two most
when it comes to driving the ball. If you are overimportant ideas when it comes to power on the
the top with your swing or come inside too much,golf course. A review of the topics tells us that
you'll see that dreaded slice or snap hook. Yourthey are optimal swing mechanics and the proper
drives will be inevitably be too short, too low, toolevels of 'golf strength'. One without the other is
high, left, right, or a combination of these if yougoing to leave you short when it comes to
are putting bad swings on the ball.potential in your game.
To improve your game, it is essential for a golfer* The third most important factor to improve the
to work on the mechanics of the swing at everypower of your golf swing is: equipment. Yes,
possible opportunity. The golf swing is a highlyequipment. It does make a real difference to how
complex, mechanically movement, that requiresfar you drive the ball. The equipment
constant work to keep it highly efficient and inmanufacturers have let this fact be known to
check. Professionals realise the importance andeveryone, and I bet we all have gone to the pro
have swing coaches that work with them on ashop probably more than twice to pick up a new
consistent basis.driver that claims to give us that elusive 20 yards.
Amateurs throughout the world pack drivingIt should be remembered however that, that
ranges, week in and week out, pounding ballsextra distance might not be down the middle of
without any improvement. This, I feel, is a resultthe fairway; it will give you an extra 20 yards
of one of two things: a lack of instruction, or lowalright... but it could be left, could be right, or it
levels of golf strength. A lack of instruction leadscould be down the centre of the fairway. That all
to the development and ingraining of improperdepends on points one and two of this article.
swing mechanics. This only results in slices, hooks,Equipment and technological advances have
topping the ball, and hitting it fat on the course.definitely lengthened the distance of our drives.
And we all know that those types of swings leadBut without better swing mechanics and your
to frustration and bad rounds of golf. I wouldbody in better golf shape, new technology will not
suggest to almost anyone: find a good instructorhelp your game. A bad swing will produce a bad
and take lessons on a consistent basis. This canresult, regardless of what type of 'new' driver
only help your game in the long run. But if privateyou may have just purchased.
lessons sound too expensive for 'just a past-time'I think the majority of golfers are aware of the
then consider video tutorials and books in theadvances that have occurred in golf equipment
very least. Swing mechanics are a fundamental inover the last 20 years. I mean, in the glorious
improving your power.'80's when we were still playing with woods that
* The second of the three factors is what weactually had wooden club heads! Imagine that for
term golf strength. It is probably the leasta moment, and now we are using drivers with
recognized of the three, but for many is the 'key'space age faces that shoot the ball off of them
to longer drives; yet the category is given theat warp speed. In addition, we have to mention
least amount of attention, especially by amateurs.the advances in terms of golf balls. How
Golf strength is defined as how well your body ismanufacturers design golf balls today makes a
conditioned to swing a golf club with maximumdifference in how far they travel. What a lot of
power (ie. it is a measure of fitness). Althoughpeople do not realize is that the USGA has set
probably the least understood of the three, golfstandards on how 'hot' driver faces can be and
strength maybe the most needed by golfers inhow 'fast' balls can come off the face of drivers.
general.Most clubs are reaching this limit, and anything
Strength, in terms of golf, is not about how muchpast these USGA rules becomes illegal to play (in
you can bench press or how much your bicepsthe professional game only of course!).
bulge! Golf strength and weight room strength,There's no doubt that custom made golf clubs
are very different. If you do not quite understandcan make a significant improvement to your
the difference, ask yourself one question: Howswing power. But before you go off and spend a
many bodybuilders do you see on Tour?!!fortune, remember the saying: 'a bad workman
It comes down to this idea: the mechanics of aalways blames his tools'. In other words, first
golf swing require specific levels of flexibility,improve the fundamentals of your swing
balance, stability, strength, endurance, and powermechanics and golfing fitness before you make
to perform it efficiently. If your body does notany purchase.
have these required capacities, then the result willSo in summary, what does power really come
be obvious a less than optimal swing.down to?
Essentially, your body supports your swing. I amIt comes down to three simple ideas. Number one
sure that all of us would choose to build a houseis improving your golf swing mechanics. Improved
on a stone foundation rather than a sandmechanics will improve your driving distance.
foundation, wouldn't we? Yet I will say that manyNumber two is improving your golf strength. By
amateurs make a different choice when it comesimproving your body as it pertains to the golf
to their golf swing.swing you will improve your distance off the tee.
Regardless of how much time you work on yourFinally, equipment does make a difference, but
swing mechanics, if your body does not have theonly if you hit the ball correctly.
'golf strength' to support the swing, you areBest of luck with your game.