Six vintage swing keys pros still use for extra driving distance

By Staff Writer

September 1, 2026

2 min read

LoopGolf

Extra distance off the tee has always come down to a handful of repeatable mechanics, and several methods long-hitting professionals have used for decades still apply for everyday golfers chasing more yards.

Why does a lighter grip add distance?

Jack Nicklaus once told Greg Norman to lighten his grip pressure before the final round of the 1986 British Open at Turnberry, advice Norman used on his way to the win. A grip held too tightly restricts the clubhead's release through impact, which costs speed. Holding the club with roughly the pressure needed to squeeze a tube of toothpaste, rather than gripping hard with every finger, allows the hands to release freely.

How does tee height change ball flight?

Teeing the ball higher, so most of the ball sits above the top of the clubhead at address, promotes a flatter swing and a fuller turn, which can add speed and produce a lower, more penetrating shot. It takes practice to avoid early pop-ups, but a flatter plane also helps into the wind.

What did Seve Ballesteros do in his backswing?

Ballesteros treated the backswing as a way to gather energy, building slowly to an explosive downswing rather than rushing the takeaway. The sensation of a brief pause at the top, followed by the right hip firing first, let him store power before releasing it through the ball.

Can stance width and foot position add yards?

Some shorter hitters flare their trail foot away from the target, a setup once used by PGA champion Jeff Sluman, which allows for a bigger shoulder turn without swaying. Flaring the foot more than 45 degrees, though, tends to cause the body to sway rather than turn.

Technique	Associated with	Effect
Light grip pressure	Greg Norman, on advice from Jack Nicklaus	Frees clubhead release through impact
High tee height	Chi Chi Rodriguez	Flatter swing plane, fuller turn
Wide takeaway arc	Jack Nicklaus	Builds power through a wider swing arc
Leg drive off the top	Craig Stadler	Clears the hips early to give arms room to swing

Craig Stadler generated his power from an aggressive rotation of the legs at the start of the downswing, clearing the left hip as soon as his weight shifted to his lead foot. Jack Nicklaus, meanwhile, built power through one of the widest takeaways in the game, keeping the club low to the ground well past his trail foot before hinging his wrists.

None of these moves require a faster swing on their own — they're built to let the swing you already have release more freely.

Frequently asked questions

How tight should my grip be for more distance?

Hold the club with light pressure, similar to squeezing a tube of toothpaste, rather than gripping firmly with every finger, so the clubhead can release freely through impact.

Does teeing the ball higher add distance?

Teeing the ball so most of it sits above the clubhead at address promotes a flatter swing and fuller turn, which can add speed for many golfers, though it takes practice to avoid pop-ups.

What is a leg drive in the golf swing?

A leg drive is an aggressive rotation of the legs toward the target at the start of the downswing, popularized by players like Craig Stadler, that clears the hips early and gives the arms room to swing through.