| One of the most frequently asked questions in golf is, "How can I hit the ball further?" And the answer is, "Make the club swing faster!" This is very basic, but it is obvious that this is not the answer you are looking for. The next question asked is, "How does a person's flexibility, strength or age affect swing speed?"
Power is the key word, and power is a combination of strength and speed. This alone would be the determining factor for hitting the ball further if everyone had the same physical make up. However, due to reality, each of us can only learn to maximize what we have to work with. This includes age, flexibility, coordination, strength and physical barriers, such as injury or pain that may be caused by arthritis.
I have a concept that I would like you to visualize. Picture two vehicles, one being towed by the other using a ten-foot length of rope. Picture the cars, one behind the other at the lights of an intersection. The light turns green and the lead car pulls forward. Now, if the tail car is exactly ten feet behind the lead car and the rope is tight, then both cars will move away smoothly and may be able to accelerate without any problems.
However, imagine that the tail car is only five feet away and the rope has some slack in it. What will happen when the lead car pulls away? There would be some jerking, some tire squealing if the gas was steadily applied and there could be some damage.
Now picture your golf swing in a similar way. Your lower body is the lead car, your club is the tail car and your upper body and arms are the rope. For all of us, a smooth movement from the top of the back swing all the way through impact with the ball is the key to a controlled powerful swing. So to increase your distance, make that movement faster without sacrificing the smoothness.
Understandably, we are all made differently and we may not feel we can move anything fast or smooth anymore. However, the key is to remember that these words are not written with a ten-, twenty-, or seventy-year-old person in mind. They are written for everyone because they work -- it is up to you to realize your own maximum potential. If you don't know what that is, please consult a local golf professional and s/he will help you figure it out.
I believe that anything in this world can be made as complex or as simple as you want it to be. Don't let your ego label the golf swing as an impossible, overly complex movement just because you don't achieve the results of a tour professional. Ask a professional what the fundamentals of the golf swing are and stick to them. They are the foundation of your swing.
Good luck in golf and life, and remember...
If you are searching for the perfect swing, don't allow yourself to get too mechanical. A perfect swing for each individual is one that uses the least amount of effort yet gets maximum results.
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