Last week we showed you that Tiger is taking steps to limit his rotation in his backswing to save his back. So I bet you are wondering how you and Tiger are going to get reasonable distance out of every drive with less backswing rotation (the way Steve Stricker does). Some of you have purchased a GOLFSTR+ to train for a straight arm in the backswing. Of course Tiger has a great straight arm swing (so he may not have purchased his GOLFSTR yet). You may not hit as far as Tiger but your distance and consistency will improve.
How Does Tiger Get Distance in His Drives?
Tiger has a wide straight arm backswing with a 90++ degree wrist lag. Sean Foley has him limiting his backswing to save his back but his arm and wrist strength still give his great distance in his drives. His wrist release at the bottom of his swing is where all of his power comes from.
Tom Watson lifts his leading heel to help him get more rotation and power just like a baseball player lifts his heel for more power.
2014 US Ryder Cup Captain Tom Watson Has a Trick!
He admits that his back is not as loose as it once was. He was also finding that his limited rotation was limiting his distance until he found this trick. To get more rotation he lifts the heel of his leading foot in the backswing. This gives him the extra back swing rotation and more power when he shifts forward with more power through his swing. [Moe Norman and Ben Hogan both had a slight heel lift on the leading foot in their backswing.]
One of the 6 uses of GOLFSTR+ is to remind you to keep your leading arm straight while you practice and while you play 18 holes. When you feel the curved plastic end lifting off the back of your arm you should limit your backswing at that point. You may also want to let your leading heel lift slightly to give you a little more rotation in the backswing. I often say that this is not baseball but baseball players all lift their leading foot and step into the ball. Why not try a modified version of this for more power in YOUR golf swing.
One last tip is that you should learn to stretch you leading arm using the exercise in this video. It really is one of the best video’s that I have seen on the straight leading arm swing from Thomas Golf and their Golf-Info-Guide.com : The Right Way to keep your Left Arm Straight
Check out GOLFSTR+ and use these Swing Tips to get more distance out of your drives.
