5 Power Secrets From One Of LIV Golf's Biggest Hitters
Hitting the ball a long way off the tee doesn't have to be a pipe dream, especially with these five power tips from one of the biggest hitters in world golf...
There is no better feeling than standing over the golf ball on the tee box and launching it long and straight down the middle of the fairway, but for many golfers the reality is far different.
Adding distance off the tee is a great way to help you shoot your best scores and lower your handicap, but without the right expert tips on how to generate more power, those extra yards can be difficult to find.
Fortunately, thanks to the boundless depth of the Golf Monthly archives, we are able to share 5 power secrets from one of LIV Golf's biggest hitters...
1. Club Fitting
Club fitting plays a big role. The shaft is the most important part and the head is then the shape and look that you prefer. That’s not to say there isn’t a lot of technology in the head, too, but I think the shaft is the most important thing to help match those two up. Different shafts can change performance enormously.
2. Shoulder Turn
A big problem for club golfers is getting ahead of the ball. Their first move is the upper body turning and the club then gets behind them, instead of the first move being down with the club.
A big shoulder turn is key here – you need to turn into your right hip. Make sure you get a nice wide turn on to your right side and remember to keep the right knee flexed.
3. Tempo
A smooth tempo is key – getting the right transition at the top so you don’t go too quickly and get ahead of yourself. I try to set my tempo from the start with a smooth takeaway before gently accelerating to the top.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
I also have a very slight pause at the top, which encourages me to start down with my lower body rather than my hands to generate power from my core. My miss would be a slice or a slight shot to the right, and if I just calm my tempo down, make sure my club gets in the right positions and don’t get ahead of myself, that fixes it.
4. Swinging Hard
Swinging harder is okay if you tee it up a bit higher and have a quiet takeaway. The transition has to be smooth, but as long at it is, you can then go after it. When I feel comfortable and I’m driving it well, I’m happy to swing hard.
If you get that really smooth transition with the club coming down instead of getting stuck behind you, you can go for it. Extending your arms down the line through impact is another power generator. It gives you room to uncoil and prevents you from hanging back – a real power killer!
5. Ball Position
Make sure the golf ball is far enough forward in your stance to allow yourself plenty of time to reach it. I see a lot of amateurs who have the ball in the middle or almost back in the stance with the driver. You have no time or space then to get to the ball, but if you put it up the front, you’ve got a lot of time to let the club hit the ball.
Want To Read More Expert Golf Tips?
The Golf Monthly archive is a gold mine of brilliant reads, documenting a journey through the history of golf dating back to our first issue in 1911. Take advantage of over 100 years of invaluable tips from the best tour professionals and coaches in world golf, by subscribing to the online Golf Monthly Archive.
Barry Plummer is our Staff Writer, joining in January 2024 after seven years as a PE Teacher. He now writes about instruction, working closely with Golf Monthly's Top 50 Coaches to provide hints and tips about all aspects of the game. As someone who came into golf at a later age, Barry is very passionate about supporting the growth of the game and creating opportunities for everyone to access it. A member at Sand Moor Golf Club in Leeds, he looks forward to getting out on the course at least once a week and making up for lost time in the pursuit of a respectable handicap.
Barry is currently playing:
Driver: Ping G425
Hybrid: TaylorMade Stealth 4 Hybrid
Irons: Mizuno JPX 921 4-PW
Wedges: TaylorMade RAC 60, Callaway Jaws MD5 54
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour
-
'A Natural Fit' - Tiger Woods Backs Keegan Bradley US Ryder Captaincy
The 15-time Major winner made his remarks during an appearance in the NBC Sports broadcasting booth in the final round of the Hero World Challenge
By Mike Hall Published
-
Scottie Scheffler Set To Overtake Six-Time Major Winner For Consecutive Weeks As World No.1
The 28-year-old will soon reach 82 weeks at the top of the world rankings, overtaking Nick Faldo
By Mike Hall Published
-
Jack Nicklaus Golf Tips: 5 Timeless Lessons From The Golden Bear
As one of the greatest players in golf's history, Jack Nicklaus possesses a wealth of experience and wisdom. Here, we share five of his invaluable golf lessons
By Barry Plummer Published
-
Peter Uihlein Golf Swing Tips: How To Maximise Distance By Balancing Power And Control
Hitting long tee shots is a crucial skill for amateur golfers, but control is key, so we asked big-hitter Peter Uihlein to share his tips to maximise distance
By Barry Plummer Published
-
Ball Striking Masterclass: Drastically Improve Your Distance And Consistency With Long-Irons, Fairway Woods And Hybrids
Many amateurs struggle with ball striking when using long-irons, fairway woods and hybrids – but these PGA pro tips can improve your distance and consistency
By Gary Munro Published
-
How To Start The Backswing In Golf (Plus One Bonus Hack To Revitalize Your Ball-Striking)
Improving your ball-striking is a key factor in the pursuit of progress on the course, but consistency can be elusive. This simple hack could be the answer...
By Joshua Mayo Published
-
Dan Grieve Golf Tips: 3 Releases To Save Your Short Game
Dan Grieve is a world-renowned short game expert and his 3 releases system has helped countless amateurs to play better golf. Dan explains all in this video...
By Dan Grieve Published
-
'These Are The 3 Hardest Bunker Shots You Could Ever Face'... Overcome Your Misfortune With Alex Elliott's Sand Save Masterclass
When faced with the hardest bunker shots in golf, most amateurs curse their luck and feel defeated before they even try... but PGA pro Alex Elliott can help!
By Alex Elliott Published
-
How To Play The Long Lazy Lob Shot: Get Out Of Trouble Around The Greens With This Essential Short Game Saver
The long, lazy lob shot is a short game essential for when the only option is to go airborne with your chip shot. Our expert PGA pro explains how to nail it...
By John Howells Published
-
I'm Confident These 9 Tips Can Help You Putt Like A Pro... Say Goodbye To Misreads and 3-Putts!
These 9 putting tips, from Golf Monthly Top 50 Coach Joshua Mayo, will help you to improve your distance control, read, posture and success rate on the greens
By Joshua Mayo Published