SETUP-STANCE
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One of the changes I made in my stance and setup was to stand taller to the ball at address. If you review the stance of most all the PGA big hitters with a driver you will note that there is very little bend at the hips or flex of the knees. Note Annika Sorenstam's Setup below. She stands tall to the ball. Visit golf swings web site (Link is in the left hand column - Must connect with your Internet Provider to visit) and check the swings of Tiger Woods, Davis Love, John Daly, Fred Couples and others and you will note that they all stand tall to the ball. This stance will create more club head speed because it increases the arc of the swing and will keep you more relaxed in the legs, arms and shoulders.
Set up with a slight bend at the hips and a just enough flex in the knees to be in an athletic well balanced position. You want to think in terms of creating an athletic posture at address to get your weight centered between the heels and toes for perfect balance. Try to stand up tall while still creating a nice small angle in the lower back and just enough flex in the knees that you could move quickly in any direction if you had to. Short knockers have too much bend from the hips and to much flex in the knees. Your legs should not have any tightening or strain in your thigh muscles. Your whole body should be relaxed standing tall to the ball.
I also widened my stance a little to where my feet are at least shoulder width. The inside of my feet are shoulder width, not the outside. Widening of the feet builds a bigger base for balance and also increases the arc of your swing, which increases club head speed. Do not widen your stance beyond your shoulder width.
To make sure you get a full weight shift back and through, address the ball with about 60 percent of your weight on the right side. Your weight, your hands, and your head -- all should be behind the ball at address. This allows you to coil easily around your right leg and prepare for a powerful move back to the left on the downswing.
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The following instructions are for a right-handed golfer. If you play left handed just reverse the process. Your grip should be light without squeezing the club. You should feel no tension in your forearms. Make sure your right thumb and forefinger do not squeeze the club. I touch the tip of my right thumb to the tip of my forefinger to make sure I do not squeeze the shaft on my downswing.
Tee the ball off your left toe or no further back than your left heel. Having the ball teed forward in the stance helps to pre-load power on the right side and promotes a full extension at impact. Positioning the ball forward in the stance will help you stay behind the ball at impact.
Ray Beaufait, Long Drive Expert
Ray is also the Webmaster of "Golf Swings", which has drawn millions of viewers since 1998.
Also, visit Ray's great friend Steve Griffith's site at http://golflongdriver.com/ebook.html for the best ebook ever written on hitting the ball long at any age. Steve was World Champion in 2005!
