Do your buddies call you "short knock" or "buttercup"? Can't drive your way out of a paper bag? When you get to the fairway, is your ball always the first one you come to? If this describes you, keep reading. It's time to let the big dog out.
I have broken this article into two segments: the backswing and the downswing. During the backswing the goal is to find the right position at the top of the backswing that will help you to create speed on the downswing. Many errors are made during the backswing that virtually eliminate any chance for the golfer to create good clubhead speed on the downswing. Focus on the backswing first.

- Grip. You want more distance, strengthen your grip. Most golfers have a grip that is too weak, or turned too much to the left. The "v" formed by the thumb and index finger of your left hand should point between your right ear and shoulder. Most golfers have their "v" pointed at their chin or left ear. This causes the clubface to be open at impact resulting in compensations that cost the golfer clubhead speed.

- Set-up. A good beginning makes for a good ending. The set up position is important, as errors in your set up position will cause errors in the swing. Posture is important to distance. Poor posture will effect your turn and coil during the backswing. Keeping your back straight, tilt forward from the hips and bend your knees slightly. Your weight should be on the balls of your feet. Tee the ball so that ½ of the ball is visible above the top of the driver. With the driver, set up with a little more weight or your right side (about 55-45). This will help to encourage a downswing path from the inside and a shallower approach into the back of the ball. Place the ball further forward in your stance, about the width of a ball. Unlike the other clubs where a descending blow is preferred, you want to contact the ball with the club slightly on the upswing. Your stance width needs to be a little wider. Set your feet about shoulder-width apart. This is measure from the outside of the shoulders to the inside of your feet.

- Wider is better. Extending the arms during the backswing creates width. The wider your backswing is, the more clubhead speed will be created. A common error is keeping your right elbow in too tight. Many golfers believe that the right elbow should be kept in during the backswing. This is wrong. The right elbow should be pointing down at the top of the backswing but should also be away from the body. The right elbow comes in close to the right side during the downswing, not in the backswing. Don't sacrifice your wrist hinge for more width. Proper hinging and unhinging in very important to creating clubhead speed.

- Coil. The lower body resists the turning of the upper body. As the upper body turns back during the backswing, you want a stable lower body. The upper right leg is the anchor of the backswing. Try to keep it stable. Look at sequence pictures of good players and you will see wrinkles in their shirt below their left shoulders. This indicates that the player has coiled. At the end of your backswing, you should feel some tension in your lower back and hips. That's coil. That "live tension", is what will help you get your downswing in the correct sequence, which is very important to improved distance.

Now you're in great position at the top and ready to start down. Your goal is now to apply the speed created in the right place.

- The first move down. All good things come to those who wait. A common error is to uncoil the shoulders too early throwing the club out "over the top". The downswing should be initiated from the ground up.

- Impact. Many golfers believe that the address position and impact position are the same.

- Swing harder. I believe that many golfers swing too easy. If you swing easy you might just make the same errors at a slower pace. I'm not suggesting "coming out of your shoes" every swing but make some effort to increase your clubhead speed.

Ed Oldham is the Head Golf Pro at The Ranch Country Club. You can reach him at 303-466-2111 for further information.