For more distance off the tee, Les Miller recommends keeping a light grip pressure throughout the swing. (Larry Olmsted/WorldGolf.com)

10 golf tips to help you maximize your distance off the tee

By Les Miller,
Contributor

Try these quick tips, and see your distance off the tee increase:

• At address, keep 60 to 70 percent of your weight on the right foot. Take a slightly wider stance (a little wider than your shoulders), with toes pointed slightly outward.

• Tee the ball high, and move it forward up by your front toe so you can catch it on the upswing. Use a stronger grip than normal - hands turned back toward your back shoulder and light grip pressure.

• Make a wide arc, and strive for maximum extension. (Stretch your arms outward during the swing.) Maximize coil, and get your left shoulder behind the ball on backswing.

• To maximize coil, don't lift your left foot on the backswing. (Very important, the lower body has to stay solid during the backswing.)

• Be sure to complete the backswing and the follow through, making a completely full swing. It's OK to bend your left arm to make a complete backswing.

• Start your downswing by pulling the hands down toward the ball and letting your right knee slide toward the target. Keep your right heel on the ground longer on the downswing, and follow through to help keep your body back. (Watch Ernie Els and Tiger Woods during their practice swings.)

• Try and stay loose during the swing, keeping your head and upper body behind the ball upon impact. Rotate the shaft through impact.

• Generate maximum club-head speed by rotating the shaft through impact. (Let the hands turn over and release.)

• Throughout the swing, try and keep a light grip pressure. (Vijay Singh actually lets go of the grip with his right hand during the impact zone.)

• Remember: Swing the club fast, not hard!

December 8, 2009

Les Miller was a longtime Golf Writers of America member who covered golf instruction for several newspapers and golf publications. His many years of experience as a golf professional, director of product development and tour relations for several major golf companies gave him a unique background and ability to help golfers increase their enjoyment of the game.