×

Top Links:

Get A Golf Handicap

UK Golf Guide

Golfshake Top 100s

Find Golf Travel Deals

Golf Competitions

Search

Community Forum

Course:

Tee Times | Search | Reviews

News:

Gear | Tour | Industry Insider

Tuition:

Video Library | Tuition Sections

Community:

Join | Log In | Help | Useful Links

×
New Forum System - click here to visit our new & improved forum system >>>

Why Do Some of Today's Golfers Drive Longer?

Posted by: user88724 | Wed 6th Aug 2014 09:37 | Last Reply

So, following on from my earlier post of today if equipment is not the primary catalyst for today's prodigious driving distances then what is?

First let me venture the opinion then when one enters the territory of VERY serious distance hitting, then 'Yes' equipment becomes significantly more important.

Give a fast exceptional swinger a driver which is 48" long rather than the 42" of yesteryear, 6d of loft from a low spin generating head rather than the 12d of old, and a XXX shaft instead of an X shaft then today's big hitter is certainly better tooled up.

Couple such with a high compression ball of say 110-113 (which can better handle his s.s) then his exceptional prowess is serviced by equipment which has only recently become readily available.

But what about the next layer of golfers down, those not routinely hitting 400 yards but say 340 yards? How are they securing their increased distances?

Very often, but not always, by increased athleticism. Many of today's generation of golfers train hard like competitors in many other sports.

Next, just like gymnastics, by incorporating increased technicalities into their routine. Technicalities which have only occasionally been partially utilised in the past eg. Austin, Nicklaus, Hogan. Technical swings which have largely evolved for power hitting rather than golf, but which some still nevertheless utilise most efficiently eg. Watson and McIlroy.

Sometimes, but not always, by better diet.

Returning to the the elite hitters: A host of new hitting 'tricks' have evolved which generate distance when efficiently used. I don't recall ever seeing either photographs or film of players of yesteryear for example using 4" pegs and hitting at a serious angle on the upstroke.

Or having swings which are essentially approaching 720 degree rotations if one's back didn't get in the way on the follow through.

In a few words - golf technique (at least for power hitting) has taken massive strides forwards over recent years. Techniques which may not yet appear in routine golf books, but nevertheless techniques which are widely used in their raw and diluted forms by all serious hitters.

Finally by fast and efficient recovery from injury due to the wonderful array of sports injury therapists which now abound if one can afford their services. Injuries always follow from heavy training, and in the past just one of such injuries might dog a player for life.

So will new equipment help? Not as much as golfers would like it to. The primary answer is study and application not money.

But many will continue to seek their magic potions in the form of new clubs.

Such is life.


Last edit : Wed 6th Aug 2014 09:43

The Forums have now moved to a new version

We have now moved the forum to a new and improved system which provides more functionality plus provides easier access from desktop, tablets and smart phone devices.

Click here to view the new forum & register for free.

Scroll to top