Going for Distance

On September 25, 1974, during the second round of the U.S. National Seniors Open Championship at the Winterwood course in Las Vegas, PGA Professional Mike Austin stepped up to the 450 yard, par four fifth hole. His playing partner that day was former PGA champion Chandler Harper. Harper, impressed with Austin’s length off the tee, urged him to really let one go. Austin’s drive landed within a yard of the green, then rolled 65 yards past the flag. Though he was aided by a 30 mile per hour tailwind, Austin drove the ball 515 yards, the greatest recorded drive in tournament history. His driver went to the hall of fame and his tee shot to the Guinness Book of World Records. He was 64 years old at the time.

Move during a swingWe all yearn to achieve more distance off the tee. Many of us believe that, as women, we just don’t have the power to drive the ball as far as our male counterparts. Yet Michelle Wie, as a 14 year old from Hawaii, was out-driving PGA professionals by 30 yards or more. How did Wie, or a 64 year old senior tour player, for that matter, manage to hit the ball so far?

Muscular power depends on the amount of energy available and the time taken to expend it. It is really about the amount of weight moved and the time involved to move it.

Why is this relevant to the golf swing? Simply put, you can and should move during your golf swing. You can and will hit the ball farther, with less effort, if you pivot properly. This movement, coupled with good hand action (release), will help you retain the accuracy you also need. Mike Austin, my teacher and dear friend of 15 years, has helped me to understand and use these principles. In this article, I am paying that knowledge forward.

It’s ok to move

The modern golf swing seems to be all about rotation. Torque, twist, turn, X-factor—these are all buzz words that are commonly given as the answer to a powerful swing. I believe these things can create substantial power, but done alone, can also cause injuries to the body. However, by allowing some lateral movement, golfers can reduce the stress on the back and joints, freeing up the chest and shoulders to turn. By shifting and turning together (movement/compound pivot), we can create both power and accuracy. Movement, after all, is natural, athletic and rhythmic: all characteristics we should strive for in our swings.

What about swaying?

I can appreciate the concern about lateral movement in the swing. We have all been warned of the dangers of “swaying” instead of turning. However, if your swing is a result of a good kinetic chain (the muscle groups in the body working in a series or order of movement, together) and you utilize a compound pivot, I think you will come to believe in movement.

A balanced setup sets the stage for an athletic swing. A right side “pole” frees the left side to turn behind the ball.

The swing center is a point located in the upper spine around which the upper body rotates as you swing the club. If this center point remains in a steady position with the least possible movement, you will maintain clubhead speed, and your contact with the ball will improve. In order to keep the swing center still, we must learn to maintain the balanced forward tilt of our spine (until well after the hit is complete) while we allow the lower spine to tilt left and right in the lateral direction.

This lateral motion is vital. It shifts the weight from one foot to the other, getting the body weight behind the golf ball on the backswing, and allows us to use our legs and trunk muscles more efficiently.

The compound pivot

A good pivot is compound action: a shift-turn-shift-turn sequence. Many times it can seem like an expert player is only turning because this pivot sequence is happening in such a small amount of space. Upon closer examination, you will see that the most efficient swings incorporate a two-legged balanced start, shifting to a one-legged, balanced top swing position to a one-legged, balanced finish position. Basically, you are creating a right side “pole” or axis that frees the left side to turn behind the golf ball (imagine a swinging gate). This not only gives more time for the club to get to the top of the back-swing, it also permits a good chest and shoulder turn.

Get a running start

As it is in the backswing, the forward swing is simply a weight shift, this time from the right foot to the left foot, with a turn through to a balanced finish. This includes an assertive “drive” or “kick” with your right leg to shift the weight to your left and to get a “running start” at the golf ball, creating optimal clubhead speed. In almost all sports that involve throwing or striking, the athlete makes a “running start” of sorts. Not only does this legwork provide additional club speed in the golf swing, but it also gives you the benefit of maintaining your balance as your arms swing forward.

shift your weight and turnThe head may move some during this motion, but it should not move in such a way that the movement resembles a metronome. In fact, the quieter you can keep your swing center, the better contact you’ll make. When only the hips turn, your head will likely sway. If you tilt your hips up and down as you turn, you will have completed the compound pivot and be in an ideal position to throw the club at the ball, around a circle, with your hands. Imagine a softball pitch and throw the clubhead in an underhand motion with the right hand as you unfold your right elbow. Doing this creates magnificent clubhead speed, utilizing the full effects of gravity. To throw, you must move, step and throw.

Less pain, more gain

Students who learn to swing a golf club by learning to pivot first are on their way to an efficient and consistent golf swing. These things, coupled with less strain and pain in the body, have convinced my students that this is the way to go. Movement is allowed in the golf swing. Learn to pivot and hit the ball like an athlete!

Shift your weight and turn through to a balanced finish.

--Deb Vangellow is the Director of Instruction at Sweetwater Country Club in Houston. She is the 2002 LPGA Central Section Teacher of the Year and is both a GOLF Magazine “Top Teacher” and a Golf For Women Magazine “Top 50” teacher. An educator/coach who offers wellness based developmental programming integrated into her “Balanced Golf” philosophy, Deb can be reached at 281-980-4100 EXT. 296 or online at www.debvangellowgolf.com.