Golf Driving Tip
Add Power to your Golf Drive

Here are some tips that will help add power to your golf drive according to Scott McCarron, PGA Tour professional.

• Make sure that you stretch and warm up before you start your round
• Your clubs and your swing need to fit your body style
• Take a wider stance when you address the ball
• Strengthen your grip - for right handers, this means rotate your left hand to the right
• Align your heels toward the target line
• Open your front foot slightly
• The ball should be aligned with your armpit
• Slight tilt to your spine - about 5-6 degrees to the right
• Make a low, slow takeaway
• Don't "slide" your hips - turn your hips
• Arms stop the backswing when your shoulder turn stops
• Don't overswing
• Accelerate through the ball - you want poser at the bottom of the swing, not the top
• Keep your head behind the ball at impact
• Back heel off the ground at finish

That is a lot to try to think about during your swing, so the key is to do it so often while you are practicing on the range, that it becomes a routine that you don't have to think about while you are playing.

To develop your swing power on the course, there are a couple of things to do while you are off the course. First, get a swing jacket, a weighted club, or a swing trainer and work with them when you are away from the course. Each of these will help you refine and improve your driving ability.

You should also work on your balance. One of the easiest ways to do this is to get two pieces of Styrofoam that are "half round" and about 18-24 inches long. Turn them so that the round part is facing down and then stand on top of them and practice your swing. You will find out very quickly whether you have a balanced swing or not. A word of caution - you should have someone with you the first time you try this - just in case you fall.