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How would you like to reach each par 5 on your home course in just two shots? What if you could hit a 5 iron instead of a 3-iron into a long par 4? Odds are, your game would improve. Here is a list of what I consider the five essentials to focus on if you want to hit the ball farther.

1. Widen Your Swing Arc
   Tiger Woods and Davis Love are good models of long hitters with wide take-aways and big arcs. To achieve this, extend your arms as much as possible on the backswing. If you can keep your arc wide, you'll be able to create good clubhead speed without swinging any harder.





2. Lighten Your Grip Pressure
   You don't have to swing hard to hit the ball a long way. In fact, this is often counterproductive and causes muscle tension, ultimately leading to less clubhead speed. After relaxing your upper body, the next key in attaining additional power is proper grip pressure. Think of your grip pressure as about a 7 on a scale from 1 to 10. Maintain this pressure throughout the swing to create good clubhead speed and still maintain control. If you have access to a clubhead speed analyzer, put your swing on it. While using it, note the differences in your clubhead speed when applying tight- and relaxed-grip pressure. You'll quickly discover that the less tension you have in your body and grip pressure, the more your clubhead speed increases.



3. Make a Big Shoulder Turn
   Jim McLean, one of the PGA' s best teachers, calls shoulder turn the "X" factor. He took scientific measurements of many long hitters and found that they all have a greater shoulder than hip turn. This means that a big hip turn can actually diminish your ability to create power and clubhead speed, because there is less torque created. Keep the lower body (the foundation) steady while the shoulder gets behind the ball, and you'll be in good shape.



4. Tuck Your Elbow
   The best way to feel the proper position is to keep the right elbow tucked against your side on the downswing (left elbow for left-handed players). By doing this, you'll avoid the common error of swinging across the ball, which diminishes power. Also, when the right elbow stays in, it delays the hit with your hands--an essential in creating power and a properly timed release. When you do the tuck correctly, the right arm (for right-handed players) is straight and your hands are not behind the ball.



5. Keep Your Knees Firm and Flexed
   Think of your legs as the foundation of your swing. If your foundation is shaky and moving around too much, you'll have a power leak and less ability to coil properly. Keep a firm feeling with the right knee at the top of the backswing (left knee for left-handed players) and a feeling of your weight staying on the inside of the foot. If the knee and weight move outside the foot, a sway can occur, resulting in numerous mechanical problems. The left knee should stay fairly quiet as well and not move laterally too much so that you maintain some width between the knees. A tip we published earlier suggested that you imagine keeping a basketball between your knees.



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