Questions & Answers Responses from PGA/LPGA Teachers on FINDaLESSON.com                                                                                  << BACK From Christopher, golfer: I can hit straight drives but I don't get distance because if I swing hard my body outraces my arms and leaves the clubface open sending the ball into the trees on the right. Could you please give me some ways to swing with all or most of my speed without leaving my arms behind and being unable to release? PGA/LPGA TEACHING PROFESSIONAL RESPONSES: Pennsylvania "Chris, Practice swing at 40% power, then 70% power. Then hit some balls at those same swing speeds. Then walk down the fairway to get your ball!" - Bob Sheppard, Teaching Professional Pennsylvania "Drill - take your driver and hold it on the shaft by the club head and swing the club. You will hear the swoosh sound and it will get louder as you learn to swing faster. This will train you what it will take to swing faster which will lead to more distance. The key is to do this and stay in balance." - Don Beardsley, Teaching Professional South Carolina "Christopher: You are not the only person with this type of problem.  And it is easy to fix, so long as you have some patience.  Do make sure that you have a sound alignment position, before you try what I explain below.  When your body is out of alignment to your target, you can cause one part of the body to over compensate to get the club and ball back on path. Once set-up positions are checked and assured to be in good shape, you need to address the main culprit as the upper body and lower body not moving as two separate units.  In the manner in which your fault is occurring, the hands have to hold on to the club to keep a balance between the upper and lower bodies.  If they did not do this, you would fall over. By holding on, or blocking the ball, the hands never fully release the club through the ball, which is how the club gets back to a square impact position. First, try to make swings that you can balance and control, while still maintaining a relative distance that is playable. Be willing to give up yardage right now in exchange for accuracy. Next, you will need to do some drills that allow both parts of your body to move in unison. Bring the club only have way back. At this point, let the lower body start the down swing and have the hands follow. Make sure that as the club approaches the ball that your right index finger starts pointing to the ball and then to your target after the club has struck the ball. You will probably notice how your hands rotate through the impact zone, versus hold back. Repeat this drill with and without golf balls, to give the body a chance to repeat a proper release of the golf club. Let me know if I can help further." - John Hughes, Teaching Professional