by Jimmy Patrick

Created on: January 21, 2008

You want the quickest way to hit the ball farther than you do now? Swing harder. I am kidding on some level, but at the same time there is truth to that statement.

Wanting to hit the ball farther is normal. Even the longest hitters are always looking for a little extra distance if they can find it. Swinging harder will make you hit it farther, but not necessarily on the line you want.

The real key to more distance starts with proper fundamentals. In other words, if your swing needs a lot of work and you don't hit the ball relatively straight already, stop reading this and find some tips about hitting the ball correctly. Proper fundamentals will increase your distance dramatically.

If you already hit the ball consistently solid and can control you ball flight reasonably well, there is only one way to increase distance: you must increase clubhead lag.

I have written another article in here called: "Understanding Clubhead Lag" Look for that if you want the detailed rundown, or go to niblickmaster.blogspot.com to find all my golf articles arranged neatly for you.

Essentially, clubhead lag is a term referring to the distance the club trails behind your hands. On a putt, for example, you are not trying to hit the ball very far, so there is very little clubhead lag. On a drive, you will naturally create more lag because of the long swing and the long club. To create more distance, simply find a way to increase the lag.

What you will find, in very basic terms, is that you simply have to swing harder. I repeat, this is not good advice if your swing is not fundamentally sound. If you have a strong set of fundamentals, then go for it.

The laws of physics will make it more difficult to hit it accurately, the harder you swing, but we can't avoid the laws of physics. If you want a really detailed, nerdy explanation of lag, check out "The Golfing Machine," a book by Homer Kelley.

Golfers will always have an obsession with distance, but the best advice is not to worry about it. If you can hit it far enough to reach the greens in regulations, that is all the distance you will ever need.

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