[Kim Haneul's FunFun Golf] 'Increasing Driver Distance'

Swing Speed Up 'Always Hit Hard' Practice
The Secret to Long Hits: Sweet Spot and Weight Transfer Key
Small Stick at Home, Club Empty Swings at Practice Range

These days, long drives are a hot topic. On the Korean Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Korean Tour, player Jeong Chan-min, and on the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, player Bang Shin-sil showcased powerful long drives and won tournaments. Hitting the driver far is every golfer's dream. When you hit a long tee shot, you can attack the green with shorter irons, which naturally leads to better scores.

To increase driving distance, you need to increase your swing speed. There is no special method; you just have to practice hitting hard a lot. When you swing strongly, your body balance can be disrupted. You won’t hit the sweet spot, and the ball will fly in all directions. Because the ball doesn’t go straight, you may lose motivation to train. However, to increase distance, you must repeatedly practice hitting hard. Over time, your body adapts, your balance improves, and your impact point gradually moves more inward.

When playing pro-am rounds with amateur golfers, I notice that even when they hit hard, the ball doesn’t travel very far. The reason is that they fail to hit the sweet spot. To achieve long drives, you must hit the ball squarely. After about a week of practicing hitting hard, you will see your distance gradually increase. On the course, you also need to let go of your score and hit hard. At first, you may slice or hook the ball, but gradually you will start hitting it toward the center.

To hit long drives, you must ensure proper weight transfer. Swinging with your arms alone limits your distance. While hitting hard, you should aim to hold your finish for more than 3 seconds. The swing starts from the farthest part of the body: the head, hands, shoulders, pelvis, and knees follow to complete the backswing. The downswing begins with the knees moving down, followed by a pelvis turn. You should feel your lower body leading. This natural weight transfer helps maintain balance. There is also a training method for the practice range: during the backswing, lift your left foot, then plant it firmly during the downswing, repeating this motion.

To increase driving distance, you should also train at home. Due to limited space, you can do empty swings using a small stick or a remote control. As you practice, you will gain confidence. Even doing 10 empty swings before bed is helpful. At the practice range, hold two irons and do empty swings. Consistent practice will yield good results.

Sportainer and 14-time winner on the Korea-Japan Tour