Hitting it BIG: How to Hit Your Golf Ball Further

The Ultimate Guide to Hitting Your Golf Ball Further

Hitting your golf ball further is an important skill - and it could be just the thing you need to take your game to the next level.

Davis Zangerle of The Golfer Gods puts together his top tips. Read on to find out more!

There are lots of ways to start hitting the golf ball a little further

Swing harder, buy the newest golf clubs or even change the type of golf ball you’re hitting. Chances are your golf buddies have suggested all three of these things to help you hit your golf shots further.

While there may be some truth to all three of these suggestions, we believe the real key to hitting the ball further is in this simple guide!

We’ve taken hours of lessons, spoken with various swing coaches and even put some of these tips to use in our own swings. These steps are guaranteed to help you put some extra distance on your golf ball.

Check them out below - and tell us your suggestions in the comments.

1. Hit the Weightroom

It may seem obvious, but strength and flexibility are big contributors to the amount of distance behind your golf ball.

Simply going to your local gym 2-3 times per week, or even doing some weighted exercises at home, will help you put on muscle and loosen up in order to gain more yardage.

It is important you target the correct muscles though, as well as focus on form, so you don’t cause any unnecessary injuries.

We’ve listed some of the best workouts that are designed to target those “golf” muscles.

Squats

A lot of players are able to reach high swing speeds by using their legs to drive power from the ground.

Body weight or barbell squats that strengthen the lower portion of your body are a great way to gain power and speed through your swing.

Lower Back

Any sort of exercise that targets your lower back will help with that “hinge” motion throughout your swing.

Strengthening your lower back will also help you develop a strong platform to swing from, while also keeping you balanced and aligned.

Kettlebell Swings

We love any exercise that is able to incorporate a kettlebell in order to target your core and lower body.

These weights are great for maintaining flexibility and “looseness” when swinging. We always recommend starting light to prevent injury or soreness.

Wrist Strength

A golfer’s wrist is an integral part of the entire golf swing.

Exercises that strengthen the wrist will not only add distance but also prevent injury later down the road. Make sure to always incorporate a few wrist exercises into your gym routine every week.

And don’t forget, you have to eat big to get big, so make sure your bulking is on point with our tips for putting on size.

2. Increase Your “Hand Arc”

If you ever spend time watching or listening to professional golfers, you may hear them describe something as a long “hand arc.”

This essentially refers to how far you take your hands back in your backswing. In order to get your hands farther back, it means you must increase flexibility in your hips, legs or shoulders.

This will get your body to turn and allow your hands to move back.

There are several great videos out there that offer practical drills in order to get a feel for this happening.

We like the “wheel” method, where you feel like your swing is on a vertical wheel and your hands must go as far back as possible. However, any drill that can create this feeling will help you work on that arc.

3. Shift Your Weight

In order to use those strengthened muscles we described earlier, you need to learn to shift and transfer your weight throughout your golf swing.

Using your weight to your advantage will help you drive through the ball and increase both swing speed and distance on the golf course.

Keep your hips loose so that you can feel like your belt buckle is turning behind you and then pointing to the target as you finish your swing.

Being able to feel this weight transfer is key to managing it throughout your swing.

4. Invest in a Club Fitting or Lesson

Some golfers are using clubs that are outdated or simply do not fit their body type. Everyone is different, so you should go to your local golf store in order to get fitted for the proper clubs or to verify that the ones you’re using are the right ones for you.

This can make a huge difference in ball striking that will help you manage both distance and control.

Once you know you have the right clubs in hand, you can start to work on the specifics of your swing in order to gain even more speed and distance.

A lesson is not a terrible idea for someone just getting into golf and looking to increase their distance.

It can tell you a lot about your takeaway, backswing and follow-through so that you have some helpful golf tips and drills to walk away with.

Once you know what you’re doing wrong, it’s easy to spend time at the range each week and work out those specific kinks. Investing in both a lesson and fitting will pay off big time in the long run!

5. Find the Centre of the Club Face

Following these steps should mean you find that sweet spot more often. Every club was designed to strike the ball in this area, and every golfer knows exactly when they do.

Once you’re able to find the sweet spot, hitting the ball there with speed and control will increase your distance even more.

It might be easier said than done, but even slowing it down to find this part of the club will result in increased yardage, compared to a fast mishit.

First work on wedges, then build your way up through long irons and drivers to find that “sweet spot” on each club.

6. Create “Shaft Lean” at Impact

Another fancy term that you might hear instructors or pros use is “shaft lean.” This is a super important aspect in order to generate power and speed through impact.

This lean is what creates the compression of the golf ball and allows it to take flight off the club face.

Achieving this is not one simple step or instruction, it requires a multitude of things to come together in the golf swing, which is why this is the most difficult move to do as a beginner.

However, once you are able to get a feel for your swing and know what you can do to create this shaft lean, you’ll instantly feel it through impact.

How to Hit Your Golf Ball Further: Next Steps

With all of these tips in mind, it is best to start small and build your swing up one drill at a time.

Golf takes years of learning, implementing and adjusting everything you’re taught in order to achieve that perfect swing.

Our advice is to always work on the little things first until they are perfect, and then move on to the next. Do not expect to find the centre of the clubface without putting in the work and training that is required to do so.

Once you do start to find your swing, continue to build on your skills and push yourself to see how good you can become.