Age:                                     38

Height:                               6’2”, 187cm

Weight:                              205-207 lbs, 93-94kg

Driver Specs:

  • Krank 3.5* to 4.5* loft
  • Aldila Phenom 50g Tour-x. CPM 248-255 which is a x-stiff.
  • Total weight is 299-304g. Which is extremely light.

Sponsors:

  • Uddala Bygg
  • Essi AB
  • Hirzl
  • Was sponsored by Aldila but the product was good enough to keep no matter what

Special Accomplishments:

  • Played Swedish Tours to 2007
  • European Tour Q-school 2008 (but missed of course)
  • Never outside Top 5 at the European Long Drive Championship

What is your longest drive in competition?

  • 449 yards (411 meters) in Mesquite, Nevada
  • 443 yards (405 meters) at Uppsala, Sweden

What were the conditions of the drive?

Downwind, in Mesquite about 650m altitude.

In Sweden sea-level but a summer fairway.

To hit that long you need good conditions.

What are the fastest swing speeds you’ve recorded on a Swing Speed Radar and/or Trackman?

On an SSR it’s 153mph. On a Trackman (at RE/MAX World Long Drive Championships) I had 138mph with a 209mph ball speed.

What lead you to choose your particular equipment specifications?

I own a Foresight GC2. Gives me launch, spin, ball speed and start direction. All I need to dial in.

I want 12-17* launch, around 1800 spin at my maximum ball speed.

As I hit with an Angle of Attack of +8 to +10, I found quickly that at 4* loft my spin was almost perfect. My average launch is 13-14*, spin usually under 2000.

So I work on getting higher ball speed and finding the best heads for it. Even if manufacturers will deny it, there is a 1-2% difference in speed between the best and worst heads. True at all I have tested.

Do you favor a particular shot shape to hit it long?

I can do both.

To maximize distance you should never fight the wind, always ride it.

My natural shape is draw/hook so under pressure I tend to do that. But my longest drives are almost always a push or push fade.

I get better spin numbers usually with a draw as I deliver the club better with it.

Do you use any training aids to work on your speed and power?

I have tried most things out there or built it myself to try it. But after a few months I go to old tried stuff.

I use a lighter club, about 10%. I use resistance bands. I have started to try out pitching exercises as throwing speed is transferable to swing speed.

Unfortunately I have been out for 2 months for a disc bulge and I’m just starting to get back to normal but it was promising before I had to stop.

Do you do any other types of training to drive it further?

I do gym exercises, mainly squats and deadlifts. A bit of Kettlebell as well.

But to hit it further I hit a lot of balls at full speed. Not many per session but many days a week. If I can´t hit balls I swing a pw or something at full speed. Just be careful to not injure yourself.

Is there any particular bit of advice you would give the regular amateur for him or her to hit the ball longer?

Do gym mainly to prevent injury.

A proper Squat or Deadlift is the best exercise for LD (long drive), in many and my opinions.

I like Kettle bell to strengthen my back.

Stretch, easiest way to gain distance.

Swing everyday, even if you don´t play or practice that day.

To hit long learn how to swing faster, end each range session with 5-10 drives at max to learn to swing faster. Most people don´t access their max speed as they never try for it.

Tee it high! Learn to hit up on the ball…

Read the rest of what Andreas has to say about the Long Drive in the June 2014 Monthly Handicap Improver here:
https://www.swingmangolf.com/register.php