The mechanics of the golf swing require specific levels of flexibility, balance, stability, strength, endurance, and power to perform it efficiently. If your body does not have the required capacities then what will the result will be? A less than optimal swing, and a less-efficient swing than possible.
Essentially, your body supports your swing much like a foundation supports the house you build upon it. I am sure that all of you would choose to build a house on a stone foundation rather than a sand foundation. But many amateur and recreational golfers make a different choice when it comes to the golf swing. I quite often see amateurs developing their swings on a "foundation of sand," not a good thing to do in my book.
Regardless of how much time you spend working on your swing mechanics, if your body does not have the "golf strength" to support your swing, you are limiting your potential. It's a common sight: people practicing at the range who struggle because their bodies are limiting what they can do with their swing. Quite often I see people with limited flexibility, poor balance capabilities, and low levels of strength and power. The bottom line is that your mechanics will not get better until you fix the body that swings the club!
Optimal swing mechanics and the proper levels of "golf strength" in the body should go hand-in-hand. One without the other is going to leave you short when it comes to your potential in the game. And golf strength is addressed less often than swing mechanics when you get right down to it. The pros are all aware of the importance of golf strength, why not you?
(For a sample exercise that can improve your golf strength, take a look at one of my favorites - the Seated Russian Twist.)
Equipment
We have come to the final point, and that is equipment. I think the majority of golfers are aware of the technological advances that have occurred in golf equipment over the last 20 years. Think about the 1980s when we were still playing with woods that actually had wood in them! And now we are using drivers with space-age faces that shoot the ball off of them at warp speed.
In addition, there have been tremendous advances in terms of golf balls. How manufacturers design golf balls today makes a difference in how far they travel. What a lot of people do not realize is that the USGA has set standards on how "hot" driver faces can be and how "fast" balls can come off the face of drivers. Most clubs are reaching this limit, and anything past these USGA rules becomes illegal to play. So what does that tell us?
1) Club manufacturers have done a great - and I mean great - job in the advancement of technology; and
2) to increase the distance of your drives you are now going to have to turn to topics one and two above - swing mechanics and golf strength.
Bottom-line, how do you improve your power?
It comes down to three simple ideas. Number one is improving your golf swing mechanics. Improved mechanics will improve your driving distance. Number two is improving your golf strength. By improving your body as it pertains to the golf swing, you will improve your distance off the tee. Finally, equipment does make a difference, if you hit the ball correctly.
Best of luck with your game.
About the Author
Sean Cochran is a well-known golf fitness instructor who travels the PGA Tour regularly working with, among others, Phil Mickelson. To learn more about Sean and his golf fitness programs visit his Web site at www.seancochran.com.
