Slice of the Game: The quest for more power, Part 1

By Trevor Moore on August 15, 2019.

Are you looking to add some additional yardage to your game this summer?

The thirst for more yardage is as old as the game itself. This week was not much different than most in that regard. A common theme for me with clients this past week was the pursuit of more power and distance.

I am certainly not about to suggest that more distance directly equates to lower scores; however, learning to hit the ball further certainly can lead to lower scores for some players and more enjoyment in the game for others.

Related: The quest for more power, Part 2

When searching for more yardage, what do you need to change or consider?

Changing your mindset towards it all is the first key. Viewing the problem in the correct context is vital to success in the end. Sometimes a new perspective and a good visual are enough to stimulate all the change needed.

Remember this one simple statement: You don’t gain distance by hitting the ball harder, you gain distance by swinging the club faster. Power in golf is only loosely related to strength.

Rather than trying to add more power or strength to your swing, try to imagine ways to add more swing speed instead. Increased speed will lead to more yardage gains than pure strength or power ever will.

I am sure you can all relate to having seen a young junior at your club, who is built like a 3-iron with ears, yet hits the ball a country mile. By all visual measuring sticks, the player in question appears to lack the size, strength and body weight needed to hit it as far as they do. They appear to defy logic with their distance off the tee.

What are they are doing differently than those short-hitting adults around them – most of whom I may add, are much larger and stronger – to create their excessive distance?

Many things for sure, but let’s start with the simple task of relaxing. Relaxed muscles will always move faster than tense muscles.

Find ways to be more like the junior golfer in our example; relax more, worry less, breathe more often, find the simple enjoyment in the game, and yes, laugh a little louder sometimes. If you want your swing speed to increase, you need your overall body tension to decrease.

Yes, there is more to the puzzle, but it all begins with a change in mindset.

Spend the next two weeks conditioning your mind to pursue speed through relaxation. I will follow up with part two on this topic in my next column, where we will look at a few of the key physical changes you will want to make as well.

Clubhouse chatter

The Medicine Hat College Rattlers officially announced the hiring Dillon Batsel as their new golf coach recently. Needless to say, I have been asked about the announcement many times. I can confidently tell you Batsel is a passionate player, student of the game and respected member of our golf community. He is a good fit for the program and is more than capable of guiding the next generation of Rattlers through their personal, academic and athletic pursuits. I wish both the team and Dillon all the best moving forward.

Trevor Moore is a PGA of Canada professional and a TPI Certified Golf Fitness Instructor with the Titleist Performance Institute. Based in Medicine Hat, he runs his Advantage Golf Academy Services out of Cottonwood Coulee Golf Course and privately consults, coaches and mentors many athletes and sports organizations. For comments or questions, you can reach him via his website trevormoore.ca or follow him on social media @trevormooreinc.

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