Does Distance Matter? How the Pros Approach Drives

As you stroll up to the next hole on the course, do you assess the yardage from tee to flag and then decide which club will get the ball closest to the hole?  One of the biggest mistakes golfers make is trying to replicate that one great shot they achieved during a game of golf–perhaps a hole-in-one or simply landing the ball within a short putt of the target on the green.  Professional golfers approach drives differently, which should make you wonder how much does distance matter on your initial swing.

How Professional Golfers Approach Drives

First of all, if you’re coming to the game cold after hoisting your clubs from the trunk and walking to the first hole, you’re already at a disadvantage.  Great golfers warm up.  That means they complete a stretching routine to get their muscles ready to play, and they complete a regimen of practice shots and swings.  Just like any sport, taking the time to get your mind and body ready to play with a complete warm-up routine will ensure you’re primed for optimal play on the course.

Once you’re ready to play, avoid approaching every hole as an opportunity to achieve stardom. Your goal is to do your personal best on the entire course, not strike it big with one amazing swing.  It’s easy to fall into a trap called “distance chase” because ball manufacturers are out there promoting just how far their products will travel.  Getting a good distance on your swing is important, but so is landing the ball somewhere you can play well from next. Those who focus on just getting maximum distance tend to score worse than players who think about their subsequent shots.

Critically assess the course.  Look for obstacles, hills, valleys, slopes, and other impediments.  Think about the wind speed and how damp or dry the grass is.  Remember, a Par-3 hole means it should reasonably take 3 swings of your club to get the ball into the hole.  Decide where your first drive should land the ball, so you are positioned best for your next drive.

Choose the tee appropriate for your level of gameplay.  It can be tempting to try to impress your teammates by selecting the most difficult tee to play from.  However, you are more likely to end up frustrated by attempting this.  Golf courses provide a range of tees with more or less distance to the hole for a good reason–it helps to build player confidence for a lifetime of growth and improvement.

Next, take your time and think about your technique.  Is your body well-balanced?  Do you have a proper grip on the club?  Are you standing in the correct position to the ball?  Instead of hitting the ball as hard as you can to get maximum distance, focus on swinging the club correctly–with all of these elements addressed appropriately.  In the beginning, it may feel awkward, and you might not hit the ball quite as far, but over time, you’ll gain both distance and accuracy.

Are you looking for more tips to improve your game?

Learning how professional golfers approach drives will give you a few ideas about how to improve your game.  Our team will help you take your game to the next level. 

We encourage our members and guests at the Eagle Point Golf Club to take advantage of personalized tune-up sessions.  These mini-lessons are designed to help golfers warm up and fine-tune a handful of skills before hitting the greens.  During a session, we’ll introduce you to some easy warm-up exercises designed to achieve balance and alignment on the course.  

Next, one of our professional trainers will observe your swing in a few different scenarios.  We’ll pinpoint specific issues getting in the way of your game, such as aligning the perfect swing on the chipping green.  Next, we’ll introduce a few simple exercises for you to practice to perfect your short game.  By targeting just a few critical items, you’ll be headed to your game in no time with a manageable number of techniques to practice.

If you’re ready to take your game to the next level, call the Eagle Point Golf Club at 541-826-8225 to inquire about golf lessons.  We’re excited to see your game improve!