Age: 27
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 170 lbs
Driver Specs:
– Long drive driver – Callaway XR LD 5.5 degree, House of Forged Platiunum XXX 48”.
– Playing driver – Callaway Double Black Diamond 816 45”Misubishi Ahina 70g XX
Sponsors:
Callaway Golf, Lexus, Travis Matthew, House of Forged, Footjoy, Golf Pride, Rivalus Supplements, Arccos Golf
Special Accomplishments:
– 2-Time RE/MAX World Long Drive Junior Champion (2005/2006)
– 2-Time RE/MAX World Long Drive Open Champion (2008/2009)
– Final 8 competitor for 8 years straight
– Made 2/3 cuts on Web.com Tour
What is your longest drive in competition?
475 yards
What were the conditions of the drive?
About 25 mph downwind and temperature in the 80s in Mesquite, Nevada
What are the fastest swing speeds you’ve recorded on a Swing Speed Radar and/or Trackman?
Trackman – 150 mph with a ball speed of about 224.2 mph
What lead you to choose your particular equipment specifications?
I’ve used House of Forged shafts since 2007 and have good success with it. They are also very supportive of getting me all the product I need.
I’ve also been with Callaway since 2012. They make low-lofted heads, their engineering is really impressive, and they’re the only company whose driver heads I’ve never cracked. That really makes life a lot easier since I don’t have to go through so many drivers. I used to have to bring 20 drivers with 4 setups and 4 backups. Now I only bring 3.
Do you favor a particular shot shape to hit it long?
I used to favor draws and I bent all of my clubs upright. The last couple of years I’ve become comfortable working with the wind and curving it both ways. I never want to fight the wind.
Do you use any training aids to work on your speed and power?
I’ve been using the Momentus Speed Whoosh for 4-5 years for the feeling of “cracking the whip”. It also weighs about the same as a driver but the weight is all in the hands allowing you to swing it faster. I might swing it 20 times and pick up 4-5 mph of club head speed.
Do you do any other types of training to drive it further?
The biggest priority for me is mobility. In fact, my trainers wouldn’t let me touch a weight for 1.5 months while we worked out some mobility issues.
Is there any particular bit of advice you would give the regular amateur for him or her to hit the ball longer?
Mobility and practicing swinging hard are two important things. I think the…
Read the rest of what Jamie has to say about the Long Drive in the August 2015 Monthly Handicap Improver here:
https://www.swingmangolf.com/register.php