Why RE/MAX World Long Drive Champions hit it so far! [Video]

[nevets88]

Why RE/MAX World Long Drive Champions hit it so far!

1) Lift Lead Heel In Backswing
2) Hands High
3) Vertical Jump in Downswing

PGA tour pro average rotation speed - 900 degrees/sec. Long drive competitor - 1300 d/s

Most of you probably know the three points mentioned, but nonetheless, an interesting video mostly due to the slow motion segments. If a picture is worth 1,000 words, a video is worth a novel. Learned what blackout means w/resp. to pressure plates.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_GLBg74Ckw

 

Edited October 22, 2015 by nevets88

[RandallT]

Fascinating that they can run 3 tests on the these guys and accurately predict their max ball speed (so they say):

1. Seated chest pass of medicine ball
2. Lie on back and sit up to throw medicine ball
3. Vertical jump

I'd imagine max ball speeds are somewhat similar so who knows what correlation they're seeing. But if they can do this over a wide cross-section of people with a wide variety of ball speeds, then that would certainly indicate these tests are critical skills in hitting the ball long.

I'm interested in the idea of the vertical jump on the downswing, as I know I'm very flat. I think more about pressing down on my left foot to get weight forward than I think about going airborne! My assumption is that the vertical leap part of the long drive swing adds an element of inconsistency that may not be worth the extra distance?

[nevets88]

 

Wish they revealed the formula. That's probably an industry secret though. Or take the course.

Like 0.4 * Seated Pass + 0.4 * Ball from lying down + 0.2 * vertical

[Nosevi]

Fascinating that they can run 3 tests on the these guys and accurately predict their max ball speed (so they say):

1. Seated chest pass of medicine ball
2. Lie on back and sit up to throw medicine ball
3. Vertical jump

I'd imagine max ball speeds are somewhat similar so who knows what correlation they're seeing. But if they can do this over a wide cross-section of people with a wide variety of ball speeds, then that would certainly indicate these tests are critical skills in hitting the ball long.

I'm interested in the idea of the vertical jump on the downswing, as I know I'm very flat. I think more about pressing down on my left foot to get weight forward than I think about going airborne! My assumption is that the vertical leap part of the long drive swing adds an element of inconsistency that may not be worth the extra distance?

Interesting vid.

A lass I know at my club who plays off scratch is little but doesn't half hit the ball a long way. Photo of her through impact is below:

Training I do that helps with driving isn't all that different to when I used to compete at javlin and discus (other than the intensity right now - early days). Yes there's arm stuff in there but there are a lot more squats and core stuff. I was always taught you have to build strength from the core outwards when training for a dynamic sport. There's no point in having really strong arms if your core can't support that strength. Dynamic balance is equally important.

Edited October 22, 2015 by Nosevi

[natureboy]

Old school version (probably slightly more 'controlled' / in balance):

 

 

Edited October 22, 2015 by natureboy