No matter what their skill level or experience, every golfer on the planet will always want to hit increase the power of their golf swing so they can hit 300 yard drives.
That is why golfers are bombarded with all kinds of new drivers, golf swing gadgets, and golf fitness exercises that will supposedly allow them to add 10, 15, 25, even 75 yards to their tee shots.
Unfortunately, much of this stuff will not work, and here is why.
If you have never exercised regularly and have a classic over the top golf swing that results in a big slice, doing a few wrist exercises and trunk twists with training bands is not going to let you add 30 yards to your tee shot.
You have not corrected the primary swing fault, and you really have not added much strength.
That is just one example of many.
There are essentially four key principles to power golf.
The first principle of power golf is golf swing technique.
The fact of the matter is that if you have a significantly flawed golf swing, it will drain power from your swing.
The quickest way to increase swing speed is to improve your swing.
When a golfer corrects a major swing flaw they will immediately start hitting the ball more solidly and straighter.
That is why you add distance with improved technique.
So, the first Principle of Power Golf must be technique.
If you improve your technique, you can definitely hit the ball further.
It just takes good instruction and the desire to improve! After improving your basic swing shape, the next thing that will help you increase your golf swing power is flexibility.
This is the second Principle of Power Golf.
Flexibility is more important than increased strength because if you have the flexibility to make a bit shoulder turn, you will have the ability to create a bigger arc with your swing, which is key to increased swing speed.
That is not to say that strength is not important.
If you really want to take your golf swing power to another level, increased strength will do the job.
As a result, strength is the third Principle of Power Golf.
However, when it comes to strength, it is total body strength, not just a few small muscles in the wrists as some would have you believe.
Much of what is sold to the public as golf fitness is somewhat embarrassing.
The idea behind these is that if you do a couple of these exercises for a few minutes, a couple days per week, you will hit the ball 25 yards further.
This is utter nonsense.
As with any endeavor, if you want to improve your golf game and golf swing power, it will take some work.
The added benefit of strength training is that it will make you healthier overall, and more durable.
So, to truly improve your power off the tee, be prepared to work your legs, your core, your chest, shoulders, back and arms.
The last Principle of Power Golf is body speed.
The truly elite golfers and long drivers have incredible body speed, and this primarily innate.
However, elite athletes are learning how to increase their speed through a variety of new exercises.
A lot of this training involves plyometrics, but these types of exercises are generally performed by athletes who are already in pretty good condition.
If you are this type of golfer, training like an elite athlete will take you to the next level in your development.
Two time world long drive champion Jamie Sadlowski demonstrates all four of these Principles of Power Golf.
He has an exceptionally powerful golf swing with a huge swing arc and tremendous wrist lag.
He is extremely flexible in both his body and his wrists.
He works out like an elite athlete and is quite strong, even though he only weighs about 165 pounds.
And finally, he has incredible body speed.
The end result is that he can regularly hit the golf ball over 400 yards in competition.
While it won't likely be possible for you to hit the ball over 400 yards, if you improve your technique, flexibility, strength and speed, you will definitely have the opportunity to hit the ball closer to, or over 300 yards! Copyright (c) 2010 Scott Cole
That is why golfers are bombarded with all kinds of new drivers, golf swing gadgets, and golf fitness exercises that will supposedly allow them to add 10, 15, 25, even 75 yards to their tee shots.
Unfortunately, much of this stuff will not work, and here is why.
If you have never exercised regularly and have a classic over the top golf swing that results in a big slice, doing a few wrist exercises and trunk twists with training bands is not going to let you add 30 yards to your tee shot.
You have not corrected the primary swing fault, and you really have not added much strength.
That is just one example of many.
There are essentially four key principles to power golf.
The first principle of power golf is golf swing technique.
The fact of the matter is that if you have a significantly flawed golf swing, it will drain power from your swing.
The quickest way to increase swing speed is to improve your swing.
When a golfer corrects a major swing flaw they will immediately start hitting the ball more solidly and straighter.
That is why you add distance with improved technique.
So, the first Principle of Power Golf must be technique.
If you improve your technique, you can definitely hit the ball further.
It just takes good instruction and the desire to improve! After improving your basic swing shape, the next thing that will help you increase your golf swing power is flexibility.
This is the second Principle of Power Golf.
Flexibility is more important than increased strength because if you have the flexibility to make a bit shoulder turn, you will have the ability to create a bigger arc with your swing, which is key to increased swing speed.
That is not to say that strength is not important.
If you really want to take your golf swing power to another level, increased strength will do the job.
As a result, strength is the third Principle of Power Golf.
However, when it comes to strength, it is total body strength, not just a few small muscles in the wrists as some would have you believe.
Much of what is sold to the public as golf fitness is somewhat embarrassing.
The idea behind these is that if you do a couple of these exercises for a few minutes, a couple days per week, you will hit the ball 25 yards further.
This is utter nonsense.
As with any endeavor, if you want to improve your golf game and golf swing power, it will take some work.
The added benefit of strength training is that it will make you healthier overall, and more durable.
So, to truly improve your power off the tee, be prepared to work your legs, your core, your chest, shoulders, back and arms.
The last Principle of Power Golf is body speed.
The truly elite golfers and long drivers have incredible body speed, and this primarily innate.
However, elite athletes are learning how to increase their speed through a variety of new exercises.
A lot of this training involves plyometrics, but these types of exercises are generally performed by athletes who are already in pretty good condition.
If you are this type of golfer, training like an elite athlete will take you to the next level in your development.
Two time world long drive champion Jamie Sadlowski demonstrates all four of these Principles of Power Golf.
He has an exceptionally powerful golf swing with a huge swing arc and tremendous wrist lag.
He is extremely flexible in both his body and his wrists.
He works out like an elite athlete and is quite strong, even though he only weighs about 165 pounds.
And finally, he has incredible body speed.
The end result is that he can regularly hit the golf ball over 400 yards in competition.
While it won't likely be possible for you to hit the ball over 400 yards, if you improve your technique, flexibility, strength and speed, you will definitely have the opportunity to hit the ball closer to, or over 300 yards! Copyright (c) 2010 Scott Cole