Solid, straight drives help golfers go the distance

Nancy Quarcelino
For Williamson

Golfers are obsessed with distance. I am too! I can’t stand it when the ball does not go the distance I expect.

So when you come to me for a golf lesson and the goal is to add more distance to your shots, the first question I will ask you is: “Have you ever hit the ball farther before?”

That question provokes a great conversation, because if you had more distance previously and lost it, I just have to find out what happened to you. Did you have an equipment or physical change? Many golfers expect to buy a new club and buy into more distance. But sometimes you don’t get more from a new club. That is the main reason you should be properly club-fit before you purchase new clubs.

You may have had a physical issue that has caused you to lose distance as well. We have to take that into consideration and assess how your body will make allowances in your golf swing.

If neither of these two factors applies to you, and you have never hit the ball as far as you think you are capable of doing, then we have some work to do.

Distance is gained by hitting the ball solidly, then keeping it straight in flight and in play. You must hit the middle of the club face, and in order to do this you need to stay on your perfect plane throughout the swing. You must also keep your club face from opening and closing too much during the swing.

If you can hit the ball solid and straight, you can then apply more speed to gain more distance. When you can find your perfect plane, club-face control and speed, your game will change for the better! That’s when I step in to help you make it happen!

Nancy Quarcelino is an LPGA Hall of Fame member and GOLF Magazine Top 100 Teacher. The Nancy Quarcelino School of Golf is located at Kings Creek Golf Club. For more information call 615-778-8823 or go to