Long Hitters, Born or Made?

puttputt

A question about people who can hit it long from the tee say more than 220-230 yards.

Have you always hit the ball a long way or is there anyone here who through lessons, working out, changing equipment, improved technique or some other means significantly added to their distance from the tee?

soundsham

All of above are components
But in general taller stronger guys bang it out a little longer...

Sandwlch

Born without a doubt.

I have seen players get better through practice and coaching: better short game, more consistent swing. And while I have seen players average length increase due to more consistent ball striking, I've never seen a player's longest get longer. Weights, clubs, longdistance shoe spikes, expensive 'guru' coaches, millions of range balls, low friction tees etc. ...yet to see a single success.

L.O.F.T

I think it helps to be 6 ft+ but you look at Louis below and he hits it a mile for a guy who is 5'9 / 5'10. I think if you learn to hit it hard from a young age its easier to reign it in in later years but if you learned from day one to favour accuracy over smashing the ball I think its harder to teach a player to then start to hit the ball harder. I recall Nick Faldo saying this but I can't find the link and it was a direct comparison to his swing as he favoured accuracy over hitting it a long way.

carnsoreboxer

IMO opinion it's all about technique and timing.

I've seen tiny slip of girls/ladies drive the ball a mile with what looks like a completely effortless stroke

puttputt

carnsoreboxer wrote: »

IMO opinion it's all about technique and timing.

I've seen tiny slip of girls/ladies drive the ball a mile with what looks like a completely effortless stroke[/QUOTE

Without a doubt that is the main factor, but is it a talent you have or have you seen someone through lessons or other means go from being short off the tee to hitting it long.

Smyth

I'm gonna go with born. But in two senses. Some people just have a better grasp on where their body is and how to control it. I've never seen anyone starting off with a **** swing turn it into a great swing. Equally I've seen people with good natural swings turn them into great ones. Then it boils down to flexibility, speed, technique and power. More the first 3 than the last. But if you have all 4, you'll hit it a mile.

carnsoreboxer

I know ladies who as beginners were very short and with lessons and practice became longer. I also know ladies who started being very long hitters but all over the place as total beginners.

I think a lot depends on what your sports background is. Get any hockey or camogie player taking up golf and once they get a feel for the greens their handicap, from what i've seen, comes down very quickly. Same applies to p & p players. They just have to develop their long game. Hand ball co-ordination is very important and is a huge advantage to anyone starting golf.

However, one thing I have really noticed is that anyone starting golf coming from any sort of competitive background seems to have the mental edge to develop their game quicker. I know of one lady who took up golf in her 50's, very competitive, played 9 holes every day and in her first year went from 36 to 12, eventually 5 was her lowest. She had not come from any sort of racquet/ball game but had the determination to succeed.

So back to your original question, sometimes those with the most talent don't do as well as others who are more competitive and really work hard to improve. So natural flexibility obviously helps but determination, learning and working hard imo are crucial.

Su Campu

A person's build has nothing got to do with long hitting. Just look at pint-sized Ian Woosnam, who was one of the longest hitters in his day, up there with Greg Norman, etc. The only factor is in a proper release. Without that, you can be beefed up all you like, and have a huge arc, but if your release isn't right, all that goes to waste. That's the reason why the likes of Els et al. hit is miles without seeming to make any effort.....their release is timed to perfection.

I'm 6ft 1 and hit it further than most people of my ability, but I find I lose 40-50 yards on my drive when my arms are tense. Don Trahan says your muscle tension in your amrs should not change right throughout your swing - ie. you must fight the resistance to hold the club tighter on the downswing, as this will prevent it from recoiling efficiently, reducing clubhead speed.

Regarding is it natural or taught, in my case I remember as a kid messing with my father's woods, and I subconsciously used to practice the release while holding the club out in front of me and doing little quarter swings back and forth, seeing the clubhead accelerating through an imaginary ball. I think this motion became ingrained in me and stands me well today (as long as I remain relaxed, and everything else falls into place) :rolleyes:

WHIP IT!

Su Campu wrote: »

A person's build has nothing got to do with long hitting. Just look at pint-sized Ian Woosnam, who was one of the longest hitters in his day, up there with Greg Norman, etc. The only factor is in a proper release. Without that, you can be beefed up all you like, and have a huge arc, but if your release isn't right, all that goes to waste. That's the reason why the likes of Els et al. hit is miles without seeming to make any effort.....their release is timed to perfection.

I'm 6ft 1 and hit it further than most people of my ability, but I find I lose 40-50 yards on my drive when my arms are tense. Don Trahan says your muscle tension in your amrs should not change right throughout your swing - ie. you must fight the resistance to hold the club tighter on the downswing, as this will prevent it from recoiling efficiently, reducing clubhead speed.

Regarding is it natural or taught, in my case I remember as a kid messing with my father's woods, and I subconsciously used to practice the release while holding the club out in front of me and doing little quarter swings back and forth, seeing the clubhead accelerating through an imaginary ball. I think this motion became ingrained in me and stands me well today (as long as I remain relaxed, and everything else falls into place) :rolleyes:

The last part of that reminds me of a pal of mine I golf regularly with. Three handicap with a lovely swing. Just watching his practice swing is a great lesson to me - lovely and smooth but very very quick "thru the ball", ie: the bottom 3 feet off his swing (say 18 inches either side of the ball) has great speed with the rest smooth and controlled as you like.

In my opinion (for what it's worth as a 16HC!), it's speed through the ball that really gives a powerfully, solidly struck ball.

Myksyk

Yeah, played with a guy yesterday and was saying to him how it looks like he's trying to hit the driver like a wedge ... and the thing goes a mile. Very relaxed but powerful swing. All the timing and rhythm (and latent energy) goes out of the swing when you grip and rip.

G1032

Yep. I've added distance over the last couple of years.
Playing golf a long time. Off 5 now, with a lowest ever handicap of 4.
Always faded the ball and got down to 5 without ever being able to hit it huge distances.
But have gotten about 7 or 8 lessons over the last 2 years and the pro wanted me to develop a draw. He said I was killing myself with the distance I was hitting it. So with his help I've learned to draw the ball and have developed a more 'in to out' swing. Probably added 25 yards to my tee shots, with no change of equipment.
Proper technique can be thought and proper technique wil increase the distance you hit the ball.

stockdam

puttputt wrote: »

A question about people who can hit it long from the tee say more than 220-230 yards.

I don't want to start a debate about how long everyone his but 220 yards is short off the tee with a driver.

But to answer your question........I believe that it's hard move into the super long territory if you weren't "born" into it.

Screaminmidget

stockdam wrote: »

I don't want to start a debate about how long everyone his but 220 yards is short off the tee with a driver.

i was thinking that alright but didn't want to say anything. :P

franbe

born mostly, then technique, then conditioning.
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/video?id=7699893&syndicate=syndicate&section

puttputt

stockdam wrote: »

I don't want to start a debate about how long everyone his but 220 yards is short off the tee with a driver.

But to answer your question........I believe that it's hard move into the super long territory if you weren't "born" into it.

Don't want to turn this into a my average drive is 290 / oh no it isn't debate but most people I've played with are hitting around 230 or a little more. I've played with relatively few who hit it substantially longer on any kind of a consistent basis.

L.O.F.T

stockdam wrote: »

I don't want to start a debate about how long everyone his but 220 yards is short off the tee with a driver

I agree wholeheartedly

puttputt wrote: »

I've played with relatively few who hit it substantially longer on any kind of a consistent basis.

I think you need to play with allot of other golfers to form a more rounded experience, and that is not a derogatory remark puttputt, but 220/230 is solid 17/18' hybrid territory with allot of the golfers I play with and have played with. Long in my book is 265+ from the tee and that is club golfers. In the professional / top end amateur ranks 265 is short and its a different game altogether.

puttputt

L.O.F.T wrote: »

I agree wholeheartedly



I think you need to play with allot of other golfers to form a more rounded experience, and that is not a derogatory remark puttputt, but 220/230 is solid 17/18' hybrid territory with allot of the golfers I play with and have played with. Long in my book is 265+ from the tee and that is club golfers. In the professional / top end amateur ranks 265 is short and its a different game altogether.

No worries, I guess to the guy who's hitting 230 someone hitting 260 seems a big hitter, whereas if you're out at 280 then 260 seems short. Long off the tee is relative to where you're coming from I suppose. I put the original distance as a baseline to see if people had gone from hitting shortish to hitting further. Must try to play with some "better" players

stockdam

Sorry let's not get sidetracked on what is long or what is short.

If you want to increase your yardages then the most important thing is to hit the ball in the centre to the upper part of your driver. A draw will generally get you an extra 10 to 20 yards. Some people seem to be able to get their drives to run whereas others don't get that much run after the ball lands.

To hit the ball far you need a fast swing speed (at impact) but this is difficult to do and keep the ball on the fairway. People who slice the ball will never be consistently long.........you've got to hit a fade or as I said a draw.

coolhandspan

very sensible comment, fade will help but dont get hung up on distance, consistency chipping putting is much more important.

puttputt

stockdam wrote: »

Sorry let's not get sidetracked on what is long or what is short.

If you want to increase your yardages then the most important thing is to hit the ball in the centre to the upper part of your driver. A draw will generally get you an extra 10 to 20 yards. Some people seem to be able to get their drives to run whereas others don't get that much run after the ball lands.

To hit the ball far you need a fast swing speed (at impact) but this is difficult to do and keep the ball on the fairway. People who slice the ball will never be consistently long.........you've got to hit a fade or as I said a draw.

I don't tend to slice the ball, mis-hits are usually a hook, normal shot would be a small draw.

Thanks for all the replies guys and gals. I reckon the gist of the responses is that the really long hitters have a special talent but that improvement is possible for shorter hitters. I'm trying to decide if it would be worth devoting the off season to seeking length off the tee. My short game is not too bad and I wouldn't neglect practising that area.

First step maybe to see a pro and state clearly that more distance is what I'm looking for?

Figo69

stockdam wrote: »

Sorry let's not get sidetracked on what is long or what is short.

If you want to increase your yardages then the most important thing is to hit the ball in the centre to the upper part of your driver. A draw will generally get you an extra 10 to 20 yards. Some people seem to be able to get their drives to run whereas others don't get that much run after the ball lands.

To hit the ball far you need a fast swing speed (at impact) but this is difficult to do and keep the ball on the fairway. People who slice the ball will never be consistently long.........you've got to hit a fade or as I said a draw.

+1

stockdam

Length off the tee is a great advantage. Hitting an 8 iron to a green is much easier than hitting a 5 iron.

However it isn't easy to gain the extra 30 yards or so. I don't think I've ever known anyone who has increased their average drives by a significant amount.

So it's probably best to accept what you can do off the tee. Get some lessons to see if you can improve your swing and you will gain some length. However make sure that you play within yourself and keep the ball on the fairway. It's easy to start to spray the ball when you try to hit the ball further than your capability.

G1032

stockdam wrote: »

So it's probably best to accept what you can do off the tee.

Wouldn't agree with this. Most guys I see who only hit it 220 -230 off the tee have such exaggerated over the top swings its incredible. That is a flaw that can be cured and these guys can, if they want to, be taught to swing on the correct path. Nothing will lose you power like an over the top swing and that swing flaw is one of the most common amongst higher handicap players.

puttputt

stockdam wrote: »

Length off the tee is a great advantage. Hitting an 8 iron to a green is much easier than hitting a 5 iron.

That's what had me thinking, on reviewing the past season my lowest scores were in the early summer when conditions were hard and fast which effectively shortened the courses. I was able to hit more greens in regulation which makes it easier to score rather than trying to rely on getting up and down to make a par. Similarly I prefer links courses because the firm fairways allow me to get closer to the greens.

I can hit my mid-irons well but as often as not I may as well leave them at home as most second shots are too far out except on the short par 4's

L.O.F.T

puttputt wrote: »

Must try to play with some "better" players

Perhaps you have missread me, and my intentions were never to be smug or be-little; Lenght from the tee does not equal birdies or even par's or a superior golfer. There are no pictures on scorecards puttputt. Play to your strenghts.

LostPassword

Nobody is born with a golf swing - it's a seriously unnatural movement that requires learning. Once you've got a basic swing ingrained, it's very difficult to add distance, but that's a factor of the swing style, not the golfer. If you change your swing style (which is very hard to do once you've got used to hitting it a certain way) your distance will change accordingly. Over a year or so, I managed to add a good 60 yards to my average drives by eliminating an over-the-top move and the slice that went with it. But reconstructing a swing requires you to take a long trip through the valley of pain.

soundsham

60yds improvement :eek: from what distance did you improve
Enlighten me please what did your h'cap drop to
Did you change driver or was John Daly bashing them out there for you ?

puttputt

L.O.F.T wrote: »

Perhaps you have missread me, and my intentions were never to be smug or be-little; Lenght from the tee does not equal birdies or even par's or a superior golfer. There are no pictures on scorecards puttputt. Play to your strenghts.

My apologies, L.O.F.T. re-reading that post I realise it sounds a bit snide and that was not my intention. I was trying to say your suggestion to play with a wider ability of players was a good idea. Thanks for your input to the thread.

Since I started playing my intention has been to try to get as low as I can handicap wise. I know that distance from the tee is not the only part of going low you still need a good short game to score well, I've played with enough higher handicappers who can hit a good tee shot and then throw away shots nearer to the green to realise that. But any single digit guys I have played with are all putting it out there a good way.

LostPassword

soundsham wrote: »

60yds improvement :eek: from what distance did you improve
Enlighten me please what did your h'cap drop to
Did you change driver or was John Daly bashing them out there for you ?

From about 200 yds to about 260 yds - this was in my first year of playing before I had a handicap. I improved by about 12 shots over that year I'd guess (from a very low base mind).

Woodgate

franbe wrote: »

born mostly, then technique, then conditioning.
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/video?id=7699893&syndicate=syndicate&section

Wow, so fast through the ball, super stuff

GreeBo

I also think there are 2 types of long.
1) They guys who are swinging out of their shoes
2) The guys who swing the same with all their clubs

2) Are usually always long and on the shortstuff.
1) Can be all over the place, but sometimes catch one thats very long.


2) Are usually the better golfers

Personally any time I compare hitting it hard to hitting it smoothly there is maybe 5yards more with the best hard swing. The worst hard swing can be anywhere, so on average the smooth swing where I middle the ball is WAY further out there.

Waesfjord

For what it's worsth, I've just started playing golf seriously in last ~10months, and was driving ~220yds, with a slice.

A few lessons later (and much practice and driving range), I am now averaging probably 240 - 260yds, have hit a couple up close to 300yds, which has allowed me to be edge of green on a few Par 5 greens in two.

I'm only 5' 10" medium build and what I've found is that by choking down a little on the driver, although I'll lose a little club speed, however the better swing control I get as a result means a much cleaner hit and much improved distance and direction.

Bottom line, I think technique moreso that swing change has made a vast improvement in my drives, for what that's worth.

bigtimecharlie

Get very little time to play/practice. Early 2009, I dropped the driver and started with a Callaway heavenwood (20 degree I think) of the tee, 150 yards but in the middle of the fairway. Early this year, used my Callaway 3 wood and have gained plenty of 250yd drives with this off the tee.

Last 2 rounds with the driver have seen lenghts of 230 yards max but I still getting there.

My swing is slow and smooth and when I hit it off the middle, lenght is not a problem. I was never born to be a golfer but hopefully with more golf time and practice.

hades

In the latest Golf Digest (a fan favourite here ) there's a piece about tour average in relation to drives.... the interesting thing to note from this is, it didn't matter if you bomb the drive or are relatively short off the tee, approach shots to the green, on average always end up within the same area. Now this is a far cry from what normal golfers manage, but interesting none the less. So its all about length.

BrianD3

It's a good question. I'm a long hitter and have been playing since I was a kid. I remember when I was a 5 foot 8, stick thin, 15 year old junior I was outhitting maybe 75% of the adult males in my club. This was far from unusual for a junior in fact I was probably one of the shorter hitting juniors around at the time. There were some very good juniors but they drifted away from golf as they discovered drink and birds.

As I "filled out" and gained a couple of inches height in my late teens/early twenties I definitely gained some distance. At that stage I was probably hitting longer than >90% of all males in the club. Then I took up weight training and got a further boost.

In terms of equipment I still have* the Great Big Bertha that I was using in 1995. The head was regarded as "massive" at the time but seems small now. As clubs have gotten more forgiving I think people can afford to hit them harder so that may also be a factor for golfers. I do know that I hit my GBB longer now than I did before. Also have* the same irons and certainly I hit them longer now than I did in 1996 or 2003.

*have changed my irons and woods on a couple of occasion but kept the old ones.

stockdam

BrianD3 wrote: »

In terms of equipment I still have* the Great Big Bertha that I was using in 1995.

Are you still playing with the GBB? I used to have one but bought a Taylormade 860 and now a Titleist 975.

They are definitely much easier to use than the GBB ....... well for me.

stockdam

hades wrote: »

In the latest Golf Digest (a fan favourite here ) there's a piece about tour average in relation to drives.... the interesting thing to note from this is, it didn't matter if you bomb the drive or are relatively short off the tee, approach shots to the green, on average always end up within the same area. Now this is a far cry from what normal golfers manage, but interesting none the less. So its all about length.

I'm not sure what you mean.

hades

I'm a numpty, i should've googled it at the begining

http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-equipment/2010-11/new-looks-drivers

Thats the story

WHIP IT!

hades wrote: »

I'm a numpty, i should've googled it at the begining

http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-equipment/2010-11/new-looks-drivers

Thats the story

I can see how this might be true for the average club golfer - to be honest, I'm as likely to hit/miss a green with an eight iron as I am with a five iron.

BrianD3

stockdam wrote: »

Are you still playing with the GBB? I used to have one but bought a Taylormade 860 and now a Titleist 975.

They are definitely much easier to use than the GBB ....... well for me.

I have it but only use it rarely for fun/experiments etc. not for normal play. It seemed like a very easy club to use at the time (and so it should have, cost 500 punts in 1995 IIRC!) But now it seems difficult and unforgiving to use compared to modern clubs.

stockdam

BrianD3 wrote: »

I have it but only use it rarely for fun/experiments etc. not for normal play. It seemed like a very easy club to use at the time (and so it should have, cost 500 punts in 1995 IIRC!) But now it seems difficult and unforgiving to use compared to modern clubs.

Yes I found a big difference between the GBB and the newer drivers. The GBB was much better than the smaller headed clubs before it so it was good at the time. I think I still have mine somewhere.

steve.burkie

You are born a long hitter, I've played golf with the strongest looking people over 6 foot built like tanks and wouldn't hit it 200 yards. i'm 5 10 and hit it up on 280. not long by pro standards but long compared to more amatures. Clubs do help but Davis Love III was hitting it 300 yards+ when joined the tour back in the day when there was no titanium actually hardly even metal of any kind in a driver.

BrianD3

steve.burkie wrote: »

You are born a long hitter, I've played golf with the strongest looking people over 6 foot built like tanks and wouldn't hit it 200 yards. i'm 5 10 and hit it up on 280. not long by pro standards but long compared to more amatures. Clubs do help but Davis Love III was hitting it 300 yards+ when joined the tour back in the day when there was no titanium actually hardly even metal of any kind in a driver.

If you look at the men on the Long Drive tour, many are huge in terms of height or build or both. Many would have a background in strength and power sports such as weightlifting, shot put etc.

But on the other hand there is also this guy who is average size. Spectacular swing though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mqGYlh1jjg