The swing for a driver?

Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2003 20:57:28 GMT
Newsgroups: rec.sport.golf
Size: 1,256 bytes

Hi,
I know that I hit much better when I swing 'slow', and a good player at the
local range told me that In fact when I am swinging slowly I am actually
taking a longer swing with the result that the clubhead velocity is
much -faster- than if I try to hit the ball hard. I can kind of understand
this, although it hasn't sunk in to my thick skull enough to make me do it
consitently. I do notice though that when I make a concious effort to swing
at %70, the ball just flies- usually rolling out anywhere from 240-290
yards.
But sadly, on a course I haven't mastered the mental discipline to just
relax and swing at the ball. I get to the tee, squint my eyes down the
fairway to figure out where I should hit and say, 'holy crap this is a long
hole'. After this the urge to just try and crush the ball is overwhelming.
I can even take a sloooow backswing but then my swing is still way too hard
and I am too tense.
So two questions-
First, can someone explain to me how my clubhead goes faster when I swing
easier vs harder- maybe another perspective will help it sink in (if it is
indeed true)..
Second, anyone have any mental tricks or tips to suppress the urge to kill
the ball when on a long hole so I can try and relax my swing?
Thanks,
Bryan