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KPJ's Five Essentials to Hitting the Ball Longer

To get more distance, try hitting the ball straighter instead of harder. Concentrate on hitting the ball in the sweet spot of the club face. If you have ever hit sweet spot, you know that these shots fly farther than the shots you hit off center in the heel or toe. For every quarter inch you hit the ball outside the sweet spot, you lose 10 yards of distance. So for maximum power, improve you swing technique to consistently hit the ball in the center of the club face.


Practice hitting the ball on the center of the club face.









Use face tape and concentrate on hitting shots on the center of the club face to get maximum power. Here are elements of the swing that will help you hit the sweet spot of the club face.





It is impossible to have too many thoughts while you swing, so work on each one of the elements separately and you will soon see an improvement in your ball striking.

1. Alignment

Alignment is the key to consistently hitting the sweet spot. If you are aligned correctly, you'll have the confidence to swing aggressively down your target line. If you are incorrectly aligned (which is one of the most typical problems that I see among high handicappers) your body will subconsciously make compensations to move the ball in the direction of your target, throwing away your chances of hitting the ball in the center of the club face.

Ideally, you want to aim your feet, knees, hips and especially your shoulders parallel to your intended target line. This position will assure that you can move your body correctly.

Place a club down on the ground, pointing parallel to your target. With a secure grip and stepping forward with your back foot, set the club face down behind the ball with the leading edge of the club face perpendicular to your target line. Then set your front foot into position and adjust your back foot into place so that your feet are parallel to your target line.

Your feet, hips, knees, shoulders, and even eye line should be parallel to your target line.

2. Angle of Attack

Angle of attack is the way the club head approaches the ball at impact. To hit the ball correctly in the sweet spot you must understand how the club head should approach the ball.

When you hit a driver, the angle of attack is shallow. The club head should arrive to the ball at the same level. This sweeping motion assures that you will hit the ball in the sweet spot.

In order to achieve the correct angle, you must set-up "behind the ball at address." To do this, play the ball off the inside of the left foot and tilt slightly into your right side so that the head starts behind the driver. You want to have the ball in line with your left ear. This position will help you turn and sweep the ball off the tee at impact.

• Visualize sweeping the ball off the turf.
• Widen stance, play the ball off your left instep.

3. Swing Plane

The plane of your swing is simply the angle that your club sits at address. Each club will have a slightly different plane. If you wind your body correctly, the club should stay on plane back and through. If you use your body incorrectly, you will not be able to swing the club on plane which will cause the club head to approach the ball off center.

Ideally, the club shaft works up the swing plane as you swing back. The shaft should be parallel to the ground and then the natural hinging of the wrists take the club to the top of the back swing where the club is on top of the right shoulder.

Correct Sequence for Swinging on a Plane

4. Squareness of Contact

To consistently hit the sweet spot for maximum distance, you should strive to swing with a square club face at all times. Unless, of course, you are trying to hit an intentional curve ball.

If your grip is correct, then it will be easy to return the club face square impact. If you have a faulty grip, then the club face cannot be squared at impact or you will have to make compensations. To determine your club face position at address and impact, hold the club out in front of you so that the shaft is parallel to the ground. The leading edge should be straight up and down. Then stretch your arms out as far as possible and check the club face. Ideally, the leading edge should stay square. If the club face twists open or closed, then this is how the club face will hit the ball at impact. If you continually hit shots to the right, then your club face is open at impact. When the club face is closed at impact your shots will shoot off to the left. Adjust your grip and setup until you achieve a square club face.

Experiment with your grip positions to find the one that suits you best.

5. Speed

When you have confidence that you can consistently hit the ball in the sweet spot, it is easy to swing the club with speed. Speed is important because it is what launches the ball airborne. Rhythm is your golf swings speed. Rhythm is the momentum created by your swing that generates club head speed to give you power and distance. Think of a child's swing, once it is swung back, it will reach the top then almost stop. Then it will change direction and start down on its own, picking up speed. Imagine your golf swing as one flowing motion, never as a series of jerky starts and stops. Let the club head accelerate through impact, all the way to the finish without interrupting the motion or trying to slow it down.

• Tighten grip pressure and take three practice swings.
• Now loosen grip pressure and swing. Notice the difference.