Golf Q – How long should a beginner be able to consistantly drive?
Hi, I’ve bееn playing golf fοr аbουt 1.5 months. I hаνе really gotten іntο іt & practice 3 times a week. I hаνе focussed οn technique more thаn power & today I finally felt lіkе everything hаѕ clciked & іѕ becoming a lot more natural. Thе οnlу thing thаt I аm a small worried аbουt іѕ mу drive length. I hit аbουt 6-7/10 drives straight. Thеу аrе always аt thе 175 yard mаrk. Mу max (іf I take a lаrgеr, more inconsistant swing) іѕ οnlу a tad over 200 yards.
Am I a bit tοο weak οr іѕ here something dramatically incorrect wіth mу form?
I јυѕt саn’t seem tο gеt аnу further аt thе moment. I аm working οn core strength & stretching daily tο hopefully give mе more power & care fοr mе frοm injuries.
Hοw far ѕhουld a begginner golfer bе аblе tο consistanly drive?
As a beginner, You should be more worried with contact, and swing mechanics…..Distance comes from the combination of the two. Though strength has a small part in the overall concept the 2 I have mentioned provide far more as far as distance is worried. It is hard to assess form without life able to see.
you said you are a beginner in golf and you want to learn to hit the ball 400 yards?
forget it.
read this first:-
18 holes and 72 strokes.
2 putts on each green you are authorised. that makes 36 strokes.
1 approach shot for each green that makes 18 strokes.
now the total strokes are 54. count 4 more strokes for par threes as approach shots.
now the total strokes you have already played without a driver are 58 strokes.
remaining strokes 72-58 =14 strokes.
for only 14 driver shots you want to know how long you should be able to hit the ball?
if you want to learn excellent golf then concentrate from putting. chipping,pitching, mid irons, long irons and then the woods and what ever the largest driver you can buy.
you are doing well by striking 175 yards now. keep it up.
distance will come as and when your concentration to look at the ball increases and you are able to hit from the centre of the club and the speed/tempo of the swing increases.
pleased golfing my friend.
Johnny you will soon learn that the source of power in the swing comes from your ability to co-ordinate a complete turn through the ball to a full end. Most beginners use an arm swing to get them started and an arm swing will get you about 175-200 yard drives when you hit a excellent one and usually in the 160 yard range. To get to the next level and 225 plus drives work on a nice full turn and you’ll see some excellent results. Excellent luck
Get the book by Ben Hogan on swing mechanics and here is also a video. It talks about swing planes and the coiling of the body. It appears you are swinging more with your arms than getting a excellent shoulder turn and weight distribution. In my opinion, the most vital element in golf is a balanced swing with excellent tempo. With today’s clubs and with practice it should not take you long before getting a decent distance from your drives.
How far should a beginner hit a drive? With today’s clubs 200+ yards is not asking a lot.
P.S. – One tip that I always practice when my game gets a small off is to take a six-iron and stand with feet together to hit balls on the practice range. Once you start to strike the ball well then adjust to your normal stance. You’ll be surprised how far the ball will travel.
As the others have said, you’re a beginner and while it may be tempting to judge yourself based on distance, don’t fall into that trap. Your main concerns should be around making levelheaded contact and improving your form. Distance will come once all the pieces really start to fit together….and that usually takes more than 90 days.
As well, distance is also a function of your physical size and strength. Primarily it comes from excellent form, as all the contributors have said so far, but your height, weight and fitness also come into play. Depending on your age and physical conditioning, you may have some on the rise or some training to do….perhaps both. But as I said, the main thing is technique, so stay focused here for right now.
I urge you get a few lessons from a excellent teaching pro in your area. As you seem to be hooked on the game, it’s best to start out with some lesson….avoid the development of any terrible habits before they really become part of your swing mechanics. Who knows, they may suggest some improvements that give you that yardage you’re looking for honestly quickly.
Don’t look for the quick fix though, as it rarely works that way. Instead, work a bit with a pro and practice…distance will come with improved mechanics!!