Imagine your backswing as short, wide and tight. As you swing back, make sure your hands are outside your right shoulder halfway back. (Larry Olmsted/WorldGolf.com)

To hit longer, straighter drives, keep it short, wide and tight

By Les Miller,
Contributor

Golfers often use too much backswing. They take the club back way too far and then have to use their hands to get the clubhead in the proper position at impact. When golfers time it right, they hit the ball a mile, but when they don't the ball goes everywhere, except in the fairway. In their quest to hit long drives average golfers over swing, which causes them to loose their timing on the way down. The result leads to all kinds of bad shots.

When the arms swing too long the body turns too much, causing the arms to collapse. This results in an over-the-top move on the downswing. When you throw the club from the top the hands release early, resulting in a slice or a pull depending on your weight shift. The good news is there is a remedy for this problem.

Imagine your backswing as short, wide and tight. As you swing back, make sure your hands are outside your right shoulder halfway back (when your hands are waist high on the backswing). Also, in this position the wrists should be fully cocked.

Next, complete your turn and let the club go back naturally. Feel as though your right hand is pushing out away from your body. This move promotes a wider arc, helping to create a shorter, tighter backswing. From here allow the hands to drop down as you swing through to the follow through position.

Remember, halfway through the backswing the hands need to be outside the right shoulder to create a wider arc (right-handed golfers). Practice this move and watch your power and accuracy improve.

October 5, 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.