Age:                             34

Height:                       5’8”

Weight:                      227 pounds

Driver Specs:

Long Driver: 47-inch USGA Callaway XR LD 4-degree, Reve 50 gram XX and XXX shaft, Black Widow hybrid grip

Traditional Driver: 43.5-inch USGA Ping G30 9-degree, Reve 80 gram X shaft tipped 2.5 inches butt cut to length, Black Widow hybrid grip

Sponsors:

Volvik, Reve shafts, Dr. J Enterprises, and Black Widow grips

Special Accomplishments:

  • Boys and Girls Club of America Ambassador of Golf
  • Former Guinness World record holder ball speed 211mph (3 wood)
  • 2015 T9 Long Drive World Championships
  • 2015 Long Drivers European Tour Champion
  • 2012 Team USA long drive team captain

What is your longest drive in competition?

459 yards

What were the conditions of the drive?

It was about 25-30 mph down wind in Mesquite, Nevada. Like most guys when you hear about the best ball we have ever hit it’s always going to be under extreme conditions. But it would be interesting to see how much further some of the long drive numbers would be if the grid was as hard as some of the PGA TOUR fairways.

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

In 2015, the fastest Trackman numbers that are documented were 151 mph swing speed and 221mph ball speed. I’ve had some bigger numbers on other systems such as About Golf, Fore Golf and a few Japanese systems. The key to a tracking device is consistently practicing on the same exact one and no matter if its 100% accurate it will give you a baseline. Then based on those numbers you can always chart improvement.

What lead you to choose your particular equipment specifications?

I began working with Tour Edge in 2012 when we set the world record because I believed they had some of the best products in golf. I also wanted to grow the sport of Long Drive by associating myself with a major club manufacturer so we would be able to gain exposure. It turned out to be a great fit and we have been working together for a while now and are expecting to continue to grow as the sport grows.

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

I would say my favorite shot shape is a draw when I’m competing in long drive. I’m still working on how to hit the power fade. For some reason it really doesn’t fit my sight at the moment and I feel that I lose distance with that shot with the way I’m currently attempting to execute the fade. Ironically when I play traditional golf I really enjoy hitting both the draw as well as the fade and have gotten really good at both.

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

Honestly no I haven’t in the past but for this upcoming year I plan on incorporating a few of them into my training. I am really looking forward to see how they will help my speed and distance, it will be fun I’ll keep you posted.

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

I focus on training the exact same way I always have when I played other sports. I do base cardio, strength training, speed training, plyometric train, flexible training as well as mental training. My system is probably over kill in the eyes of most but my goals and expectations I’ve set for myself are very big so I want to give it my best effort.

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

Keep your hands soft, I believe most amateurs lose distance because of grip pressure. When your hands are…

Read the rest of what Maurice has to say about the Long Drive in the March 2016 Monthly Handicap Improver here:
https://www.swingmangolf.com/register.php