A Long Shot
RYAN CITARELLA , ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL AT NEWPORT BEACH COUNTRY CLUB , SHARES SOME TIPS ON HOW TO CHANGE YOUR GAME BY HITTING THE BALL FARTHER .
BY ASHLEY RYAN
Although it ’ s not the only way to enhance your golf game , hitting the ball as far as possible is certainly a concept that ’ s at the top of every golfer ’ s mind . Many may be under the assumption that arm strength plays a large role in how far you can hit , but there are so many more pieces to the puzzle ; size and strength are not the only deciding factors . Consider your swing , your grip and your alignment , but also make sure to practice any drills that may help you achieve your goals .
Here to provide some tips is Ryan Citarella , assistant golf professional at Newport Beach Country Club . Although Citarella just joined the club in March , he has a wealth of knowledge to share — and says it ’ s especially important to hit the ball far because of the equipment you can then rely on . “ It ’ s a big advantage because hitting it farther allows you to hit shorter clubs on your approach shots ,” he explains . “ You ’ ll have a better chance at hitting greens in regulation and , obviously , misses tend to be better with shorter clubs .”
Read on to discover how to improve your golf game by hitting the ball as far as possible , whether you ’ re playing on our courses or elsewhere around the world .
BAY WINDOW : What is the proper grip to achieve distance ?
RYAN CITARELLA : I think having a proper grip is important and the first thing to look at . Many [ right-handed ] players have the handle too much in the palm of their left hand , which makes it impossible to hinge the club properly . Halfway back , you should be able to create a 90-degree angle between your straight left arm and the shaft of your club . This is easier to achieve when the handle is more in your fingers and sits firmly underneath the heel pad of your left hand .
BW : What should I feel in my backswing to be able to hit it farther ?
RC : It ’ s important to create width and load into your right side . Width can be thought of as the distance created from the butt end of the club to the center of your chest at the top of your swing . The more width you have — or the wider your swing arc — means you have more potential to create speed in the downswing . Then , to load into your right side , your left hip should shift slightly away from the target as you are turning in your backswing . You should feel the weight load into the instep of your right foot .
50 BAY WINDOW