A Turn Too Far

To hit it longer off the tee, you might think you've got to make a bigger turn. Well, a big turn helps, but only if you have the flexibility to coil your upper body while creating resistance with your lower body. Players who focus on a big turn often over-rotate and lose their coil. When that happens, a host of problems can occur, most notably lifting out of posture and collapsing the arms (above, right). If you do that, you lose control of the swing.

Remember, distance comes not only from swinging the club faster but also from hitting the ball in the center of the clubface. You're more likely to do that if you have less turn with maximum coil (above, left).

Try making a shorter backswing, and feel pressure building through your feet and the muscles of your back tightening. Your lower body should feel stable. This compact feeling will give you more control and help you make good contact for a boost in distance.

David Leadbetter, a Golf Digest Teaching Professional, operates 26 golf academies worldwide, including his headquarters at ChampionsGate near Orlando.