T-Time Podcast // Ep. 68: (Part 3) Distance Series: HOW to Get the Distance You Want with Lisa Longball
Are your golf swings lacking the punch you desire? Do you often wonder if there's something you might be doing wrong or something more that you could do? Look no further, as we dive deep into the professional realm of exceptional golf playing, drawing insights straight from a world-class athlete herself, Lisa Longball.
Lisa looks back on her journey to becoming an 8-time Canadian long drive champion and reveals some crucial mistakes that many women golfers make on their way to a perfect swing. Much beyond just strength lies the power of muscle memory, mental routines, the role of proper rest, and the rhythm, much of which we tend to overlook. She discusses the balance between physical and mental preparation she gained on her path to hitting the longest drive in women's golf.
Join us as we uncover answers to improving your golf swing, advancing your game, and setting new personal records, gathered from Lisa's experience. Get ready to delve into the depths of golf training, discovering what it truly takes to gain speed and distance in your shots, particularly focusing on the unique challenges faced by women.
Additionally, stay updated with our distance series, where top-notched professionals share their in-depth knowledge, all aimed at empowering you to break free from your average scores and stride towards excellence. Prepare to be inspired and get a closer look at a champion's routine, from the gym to peak performance on the golf course.
Reason 1: You are an arms lifter
The first roadblock to increasing your swing distance according to Lisa Longball is being an 'arms lifter'. Essentially, arm lifters don't utilize their entire body turn during a swing, instead, they merely lift their arms. This scenario might look impressive in pictures, but it lacks the power needed for long driving.
Understanding the Arms Lifter Phenomenon
Women tend to naturally be more flexible than men, making it easy to lift the arms high enough to mimic a proper swing. However, simply lifting the arms lacks the generation of power that comes with a full turn, leading to shorter drives. You might be an 'arms lifter' if you notice you hit many clubs at the same distance.
Addressing the Arms Lifter Issue
Subduing the urge to primarily lift your arms during a swing requires a strong focus on body turn. Breaking your body into two parts - the upper and lower body - can help you conceptualize this. During your backswing, a deliberate turn of your upper body is key. Start your backswing with the lead shoulder, the one towards the fairway, to ensure your body gets a proper, power-generating turn.
Reason 2: Your golf swing sequence is flawed or lacking.
The second hindrance to achieving greater distance in your golf swing isn't necessarily tied to a physical limitation, but rather to the sequence in which you swing. In simple terms, it's all about 'when you do what' during your swing.
Misplaced Priorities: Initiating the Downswing Incorrectly
A common error is starting your downswing with your upper body. This error can nullify the power you've built up during your backswing and leave you with less-than-desired results. The basic sequence of the swing should be this: The upper body initiates the backswing, followed by the lower body initiating the downswing. Starting your downswing with your lower body creates coil and torque, which are the basis of power and distance in golf.
If you initiate your downswing with your upper body, you lose all the power and torque you've built up. The result? Your hips and shoulders align at the point of impact, creating zero coil and torque - and sacrificing your distance.
A Mnemonic to Guide You
One way to remember the proper sequence of movements is through a simple saying: "Turn the shirt, turn the skirt." This phrase signifies the upper body turn in the backswing (turn the shirt) and the subsequent lower body turn in the downswing (turn the skirt). However, it's crucial to understand that these movements should be turns, not slides - sliding is a power leak and will diminish your potential distance.
Feeling the Turn: Drills to Master Dissociation
'But how do I know if I'm turning correctly?', you might ask. One effective way of recognizing the right movements is through practicing dissociation drills. Dissociation means the upper and lower body work independently of each other during the swing - the upper body initiates the backswing (turn the shirt) and the lower body kicks off the downswing (turn the skirt).
You can better understand this concept and its sensations by doing some simple exercises in front of a mirror. By doing these drills, you'll develop an understanding of the sensations of the right movements, which can translate into drastic improvements on the course.
Mastering Weight Transfer for More Power
Lastly, it's essential to understand the weight transition through the swing - an often overlooked aspect of the golf swing. During the backswing, you should feel the pressure building on the instep of your back foot. This weight gives you something to push off and provides the power you need for a powerful, distance-increasing downswing.
Reason 3: You don’t finish the golf swing.
The third common issue golfers encounter that could be hampering their distance is not finishing the golf swing. This is a rather significant issue, because if you want to gain distance in this game, consistently hitting your drives, irons, hybrids, and fairwoods longer, it's vital that you complete your swing.
Understanding 'Finishing Your Golf Swing'
The speed of your club head should be at its fastest not at the point of impact with the ball, but about three feet beyond it. This idea is crucial and can be captured in the swing thought of hitting through the ball, as opposed to hitting to the ball. When your focus shifts to hitting through the ball, you naturally extend your swing, thereby avoiding early deceleration.
Telltale Signs of an Unfinished Swing
Determining whether or not you're finishing your swing is relatively simple. One key indicator is the position of your hands at the end of your swing. If they stop just above your face or head, it means your swing has been cut short.
Another notable sign is the visibility of the back shoe at the end of your swing. If only a sliver of the heel is visible, or worse, the foot is still planted firmly flat on the ground, it indicates an incomplete swing. A complete swing would show the entire back of the shoe, illustrating a fluid follow-through.
Achieving a Complete Swing
For enhanced distance, at the end of your swing, all of your weight should be on your lead side. Moreover, the shaft of the golf club should touch your back, rather than being held above your face. This position represents completion and provides the distance required.
Essentially, to finish your golf swing, aim to get the club all the way to your back and the entire back sole of your golf shoe visible. Practicing until you consistently achieve these two positions will help you swing through the ball, crucial for gaining distance.
Lisa's Behind the Scenes and Her Practice Routines
Lisa's training for the World Long Drive championships entailed plenty of hard work and dedication. She gives us a peek behind the curtains of what her preparation routine involved to attain her goals. Her primary focus was on creating muscle memory, which involved hitting two large baskets of balls with just a driver five to six days a week. She warns that players should be cautious of fatigue during these sessions. If tired, it's advised to pause, hydrate, and only carry on if one isn't still feeling drained. Working out while fatigued could potentially create detrimental muscle memory.
The Importance of Fitness Training
Physical fitness played a significant role in Lisa's routine. She engaged in gym training four to six times a week, focusing on flexibility and power. One of her secret ingredients was yoga, which she recommends for anyone looking to gain extra distance. Yoga helped enhance her coil and torque, allowing her to hit the ball at extraordinary distances despite her height. She also stretched frequently as it prevents injuries and allows muscles to be more flexible, providing better positions.
In addition, Lisa complemented her training schedule with a unique blend of plyometrics and weightlifting. Plyometrics, termed 'jump training,' comprises bounding, quick, fast muscle movements that help her hit longer drives. Remember, it's a blend of flexibility, strength and speed that makes one an effective long driver.
As far as weights are concerned, Lisa didn't opt for excessive heaviness; instead, she performed repetitions with manageable weights. On some occasions, she'd load heavier-but the focus was on the right muscles. Contrary to the popular perception that arms are the critical factor in hitting the ball farther, Lisa contends that it's more about the core, glutes, hamstrings, and quads. These are the areas she put effort into as they lead to distance.
The Story of Lisa's Longest Drive in Competition Golf
The Competition: Long Drivers of America
Lisa competed at what was then known as the Long Drivers of America Tour before the Golf Channel took over the rights and changed the name to the World Long Drive Championships. This was a competition that drew athletes from all over the globe to compete in the United States. Unlike most professional sports like basketball, baseball or football, golf requires competitors to shoulder their own travel costs. Furthermore, cash payouts were reserved only for those who could secure a place in the top rankings. With a payout structure that was narrower than that of the LPGA or PGA tour, it was a challenging competition for Lisa, especially when her performance in this sector was just beginning.
The Longest Drive
Her longest drive in competition golf occurred during her third year on tour in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the Balloon Fiesta Park. Recalling the moment, Lisa describes the golf course grid as perfectly flat and beautifully surreal. The culmination of it was tremendous when they announced the distance covered - 350 yards, 2 feet, and 2 inches. This historic moment saw Lisa as the first woman to hit a drive over three and a half NFL football fields. It was a jubilant occasion followed by wild swings from Lisa, filled with overwhelming excitement at achieving such a phenomenal milestone.
The Impact
Lisa reminisces about the magic of that moment and dreams about hitting a drive all the way to the green on a 350-yard course at home, bypassing the work in the middle, defining the aspiration of every golfer. This historic incident also played a crucial role during charity golf events. At a charity event for the Boys and Girls Club in Prince Edward Island, Lisa, despite not being an MLB player, was allowed to play from the forward tees alongside fellow competitors. This led to her driving par fours 320 yards, spotlighting her exceptional golfing capabilities, especially during a scramble. This proved a substantial advantage for her team, cementing Lisa's reputation in the world of competitive golf.
Lisa’s Mental Approach to Competition
The discussion then moves onto the subject of mental preparedness and approach to high-pressure competitions. Lisa divulges two key practices she uses to manage anxiety; mimicry and visualization of the pressure-filled situation. The pre-shot routine gains particular emphasis as an essential tool in maintaining mental focus and composure. Lisa further stresses the role of visualization as an essential part of her training regimen, where she re-creates an environment similar to match conditions inclusive of crowd noises and onlooking cameras. Apart from visualization, she strongly recommends maintaining control of one's breathing. Taking a deep breath out prior to the backswing, according to her, eases tension in the shoulders and forearms, therefore contributing to a more effective swing even in stressful conditions.
Working on Angle of Attack
The angle of attack refers to the angle at which a golfer's club strikes the golf ball. A downward strike is typically a distance killer for drivers. Therefore, most golf players seek an upward angle of attack to gain better distance with their shots. However, for Lisa, the focus tends to shift more on the launch angle, which equates to the direction the ball takes immediately after being hit. A steady launch angle is a crucial contributor to achieving maximum distance. Aiming for an 11 or 12-degree range is ideal. Anything in the 13 or 14-degree range may result in excessive height, thus reducing the distance gained. The spin rate is also an important aspect of achieving the perfect shot. A high spin rate of about 2400 can be detrimental to the desired outcome of a shot. Techniques like proper ball position can contribute significantly in maintaining the optimum spin rate.
Tips for Improvement
For female golfers keen on game improvement, understanding these crucial elements is key. Here are some tips to help.
Use a Launch Monitor- Start by using a launch monitor. It can provide data on different aspects like the spin rate, launch angle, and angle of attack. This data is useful in identifying areas of opportunity, planning training, and tracking progress over time.
Seek Professional Help- Unique corrections required to improve spin rates and launch angles can be effectively achieved with the help of a pro. They can explain what the numbers from the launch monitor mean and guide you towards achieving optimum rates.
Use Appropriate Equipment- Using a low spin driver can help control the unwanted spin. For Lisa, because of her jumping movement when hitting the ball, she tends to create a lot of spin. Hence, a low spin driver helps in keeping excess spin in check.
Loft is your Friend- Lastly, consider loft during shots. Most women may find a 12 degree driver useful. While golfers who produce a lot of loft can go for something between six and seven degrees. Remember, as your club hit speed increases, so does the launch of the ball.
Understanding and Adjusting Driver Loft
Many golfers own high-quality drivers with numerous settings that often go unused. Beginners and experienced players alike should not shy away from experimenting with these settings as they can significantly improve their game. For instance, adjustments can be made to aid straight trajectories for those who usually slice the ball. Additionally, lofts can also be adjusted, with most drivers allowing for an addition of up to two degrees of loft.
Identifying your typical misses, whether they are slices or pulls, and making adjustments accordingly can significantly enhance your game. However, for those with variable misses, adjustments may be a bit trickier. Remember that if you're competing, any changes made to your driver's settings must remain for the rest of the round to adhere to the rules. Further adjustments can be made in between rounds, but cannot be done in the middle of a round.
The Essence of Effortless Power
The power of a golf swing comes not from force but from an effortless flow, as beautifully exemplified by legendary golfers like Ernie Els and Louis Oosthuizen. Nicknamed 'The Big Easy,' Els' perfectly timed and easy swing is a model to be looked at for anyone seeking to improve their golf swing. Watching such effortless power can provide great insight and inspiration for golfers at all levels.
How to Connect with Lisa
Listeners can connect with Lisa through her website, lisalongball.com, where they can find a link to numerous free instructional videos. These videos are also accessible on YouTube under the name Lisa Long Ball, under the playlist "Golf instructional videos." The videos range from warm-up grip to driving instructions.
Additionally, Lisa can be found on Instagram. She is very passionate about women's golf and conducts golf clinics for women throughout North America including in Orlando, Phoenix, Palm Springs, and Canada. She educates on all aspects of the game with the objective of helping women love the game, improve their skills, and lower their scores. All necessary information and updates are posted on her website.
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