Golf tips from the Pro
Golf Tips from the Pro is a series that features tips from our professional golf coaches. This month’s contribution provided by Australian PGA Professional, Mr Garry J. Doolan, focuses on the technique to achieve distance in the swing.
Garry Doolan’s golfing career spans over 35 long years, having owned and operated golf shops and driving ranges, in addition to playing and coaching golf. As one of the most sought-after coaches in Australia and Singapore, Garry has been coaching full-time for the past 25 years, during which he also headed eight golfing venues.
Over the years, Garry has introduced golf to thousands of people, a testament of his deep passion for golf.
Power to hit long
These days, driving the ball a long way is almost essential if you want to stay competitive. It’s incredible how far today’s young golf professionals can hit the ball. So how do they do it?
First, you need the correct technique. Learn to swing the club on the right path so that you can compress the ball properly and maintain the line of compression for as long as possible.
Next, a full, dynamic, free-flowing motion is the key to generating distance. To achieve this, initiate your upswing using your big muscles. That means turning your shoulders, chest, and hips — rotate your left shoulder behind the ball until your back faces the target, and the club shaft reaches a horizontal position. Do NOT make your upswing by using your arms and hands. Please refer to photos 1 and 2.
To help you build distance, there are two recommended drills as shown in photos 3 and 4.
