Pete McDaniel

Too often I see golfers trying to swing in a way that doesn't work with their physical capabilities. They end up never realizing their potential or, even worse, getting hurt. For the young, limber player, a body-driven swing is often the way to go. It involves swinging from the center outward, with the big muscles in the trunk and legs doing all the work. The preferred shot is often a fade. For the older player in search of more power, the draw usually works better. By focusing on the hands and arms and incorporating more lateral body movement in the swing, a less flexible golfer can become more of a free swinger, and that means more distance. Here I'll walk you through two model swing sequences: one for young, athletic types and one for older, less flexible golfers.

Age: 35 | Resides: Raleigh, N.C. | Story: Won this year's RBC Heritage by five shots for his fifth career PGA Tour victory.

Age: 26 | Resides: Jupiter, Fla. | Story: The Ryder Cup team standout won the 2011 PGA and 2012 WGC-Bridgestone.

Age: 31 | Resides: Nashville | Story: The reigning FedEx Cup champ has four PGA Tour wins in the last five years, including the 2012 Tour Championship. In July, he placed T-3 at the British Open, matching his best finish at a major.

Age: 31 | Resides: Nashville | Story: The reigning FedEx Cup champ has four PGA Tour wins in the last five years, including the 2012 Tour Championship. In July, he placed T-3 at the British Open, matching his best finish at a major.

__Age:__34 | Resides: Orlando | Story: The Swede has won five times on the European Tour. At the Masters this year, he had the 54-hole lead, eventually tying for third, and finished T-7 at the 2011 U.S. Open at Congressional.

__Age:__29 | Resides: Pinnacle Point, South Africa | Story: 10 victories, including the 2010 British Open; runner-up at this year's Masters.

__Age:__29 | Resides: Pinnacle Point, South Africa | Story: 10 victories, including the 2010 British Open; runner-up at this year's Masters.

__Age:__32 | Resides: Charlotte | Story: Won this year's Sony Open for his third PGA Tour title. Followed it with a T-2 the next week at Humana.

Age: 23 | Resides: Jupiter, Fla. | Story: Played on the 2010 Ryder Cup team and earned his first professional victory at the 2011 Kolon Korea Open.

Age: 29 | Resides: Greenville, S.C. | Story: Won the 2011 FedEx Cup with a victory at the Tour Championship; made the 2011 Presidents Cup team.

Age: 31 | __Resides:__Crans-sur-Sierre, Switzerland | Story: Scott has more PGA Tour wins (eight) than any current player under the age of 32.

Age: 30 | Resides: Scottsdale | Story: Has won three times on the PGA Tour, including this year's Northern Trust Open at Riviera.

Age: 30 | Resides: Scottsdale | Story: Has won three times on the PGA Tour, including this year's Northern Trust Open at Riviera.

Simple tips for gaining distance

Tim Cooke, one of Golf Digest's Best Young Teachers, shows how to fix your faults with creative practice swings.