Hoss' Long-Drive-Tips

I am really happy that Scruffy has agreed to bring my pal Mathew “HOSS” Vilade on the Scruffy & Pals staff as our long-drive-tips expert. If you are like me and most other guys, hitting it long is fun. Hoss and I have a special bond because we kinda look alike, well we think we do, and we share the same name. “HOSS” is a long drive professional and holds the Remax Mesquite Grid record with a drive of 473 yards!! That’s right I said 473 yards! He is a Professional Sports Entertainer, a member of UST High Performance Driving team, an ALPHA staff player and a member of Team Power Tech. He finished 19th overall on the 2007 LDA tour that earned him a spot in the 2007 World Finals. But best of all, he is a new proud daddy of future long drive champion, Cooper Hudson, born on January 29th 2008.

Here is Hoss with his first of many long drive tips:

Lesson One:
Striking the Ball

Many people ask me " Hoss, how can I hit the ball further?" One of the first things that I like to talk about with people is the theory of ball flight. You would be surprised how many golfers don't recognize that ball flight is a tell tale sign of what is going on in the golf swing. Many amateur players tend to strike down on the ball with the driver, producing high ball spin rates. High spin rates will eat up your distance faster than Kobayashi at a hot dog eating contest. Work on your attack angle and find the proper spin rate. Make sure that you are striking your drive on an ascending angle. Equipment does play a part in being able to achieve acceptable spin rates for your ball speed. Don't forget now, there is also such a thing as not enough spin on the ball. With not enough spin, the ball will not be able to create enough lift for optimal distance. Stop in and see your local professional club fitters. They will be able to tell you what spin rates and equipment will be best for you to optimize your distance.

Thanks Matt. I can't wait to try out those tips. Knothead will go ballistic when I outdrive him by another 25 yards!

Before you leave this page, why not visit our Pro Shop (click below) and order a sleeve of Scruffy and Pals golf balls to use at your next golf outing? Matt's test drive (click here to see results) is proof that they are a quality product and they may even give you the jump start you need for your game. Please remember to place us on the tee facing down the fairway, though, we hate getting hit in the face with those big-headed drivers!