Stability for consistent distance

Almost every golfer on the planet would like to squeeze those few extra yards out of every tee shot, however in an effort to create more power, most amateur golfers actually end up losing distance and consistency. For most golfers they simply associate the length of the golf swing with club head speed, and simply abandon the form and sequence that is actually needed to create true club head speed.

When we look at the longest hitters on the PGA tour, players such as Dustin Johnson, Jason Day and Rory Mcilroy, you will notice they all produce very different positions at the top of the backswing. Each player has their own individual nuances from the length of their swing to their club face position. However, when you look closely you will see one big similarity that directly relates to how far these players hit the ball. That similarity is the separation between their upper body and lower body, also known as  “x factor stretch”. The term “x factor” was originally coined by Jim Mclean in golf magazine back in 1992.

Originally the term related to the difference in rotation between the hips and the shoulders at the top of the backswing. However, in more recent years the introduction of technology such as 3d body measuring devices have allowed us to take Mclean’s original theory and develop it and prove the facts that lie within. Although this original x factor theory was close to being factually correct, we now know that the “x factor” at the top of the backswing is not where skilled players separate themselves from the average golfer, but it is actually in how they separate the hips and shoulders at the beginning of the downswing. The greater separation players can begin to create between the upper body and the lower body in the downswing, the greater potential they have for creating club head speed.

To put this in context for the average golfer we must look at one of the most common mistakes that average golfer makes while trying to produce more swing speed.  As most golfers take the club away from the golf ball, their main goal is generally to create as much length in the backswing, regardless of what might happen elsewhere in the swing. This can often be a distance killer as in creating more length with the club head, they will loose stability in their lower body and as a result loose the ability to separate their upper body from their lower body. By doing this their ability to create club head speed and a constant strike is significantly reduced, resulting in poor strikes and a a loss in distance.

To help this the average golfer should try to follow these tips:

• Create a wide and strong lower body with the driver
• As the club moves away from the ball and towards the top of the swing maintain as little movement as possible.
• Don’t let the club swing too far
• Let rip!!

Maintaining a stable lower body will help produce a consistent strike and more distance.