March 2005  |  April 2005

Let me introduce myself.  I’m an 11 handicapper who has been playing golf for 15 years and am slowly working my way down to single digits, a goal of every hacker out there. Having the privilege of being a military/commercial pilot I have had the opportunity to play many courses throughout the United States, appreciating the topographical challenge of each course, be it a Trent Jones or Pete Dye layout.  Enough of me, lets get down to the business of playing better golf because in the end, that’s why were out there hacking away.

 This first article will touch on the subject of gaining distance, an area in which if you can improve, will take some pressure off the rest of your game.

The X-factor, or Torque Factor, which I like to call it, relates to the body and its ability to create torque, which in turn generates power through your swing.

 Lets start from our base; the feet/legs. To create torque you have to insure that your right knee is flexed (if you’re right handed) and roughly 80% of your weight is on the right inside of your leg and foot during your backswing. As your backswing progresses, insure that your lower legs remain quiet and the majority of your weight is located on the inside of your right leg.

 The upper portion of your body (waist up) torques around your legs. We do this by completing a full shoulder turn on our back swing. A good “swing thought” for this is to make your back turn towards your target so it faces the target when you are at the top of your swing.

 Try this technique out on the range, and if you do it right you will gain 20-30 yards, especially with your driver. You will be taking money from your partner before you know it.

 Next month we will discuss accuracy and what drills will help improve this facet of the game.

 Till then, stay out of the rough.

Bill O'Hara