Age:                                37

Height:                          6’8″

Weight:                         295 lbs

Driver Specs:

  • Mutant Brute 2.0 – 2 and 3 degree heads
  • XPHLEXXX shaft by Veylix playing at a 4X-5X stiffness
  • Pure Grips

Sponsors:

  • Mutant/Brute Golf
  • XPHLEXXX
  • Pure Grips
  • Tornado Tee
  • Perfect Release
  • High 5 Gear
  • 2 UNDR
  • Rockwell Time

Special Accomplishments:

  • 2007 World Long Drive Champion
  • 4 Top 10 finishes at the World Championships
  • Multiple LDA (Long Drivers of America) Tour Titles
  • 2004 LDA Tour Rookie of the Year
  • Record Holder for the Longest Drive in a Professional Golf Tournament at 551 yards

What is your longest drive in competition?

  • 463 yards in Long Drive Competition
  • 551 yards in a Pro Golf Tournament

What were the conditions of the drive?

For the 551-yard drive, I was playing on Butch Harmon’s Pro Tour in Las Vegas, NV. In the middle of summer in Vegas the ball goes a long way because of the heat and dry air. The drive was hit on the 18th hole of Dragon Ridge CC which is a gradual downhill Par-5 measuring 553 yards. It was about 112 degrees outside with a 10-12 mph left to right helping wind. I hit the ball over a bunker that sat at 430 yards off the tee, and it landed on a firm downslope and took off running. The ball ended up pin-high about 40 yards right of the green (this hole has a lot of space that it covers). The shaft also broke across my back on the follow through.

I hit the drive with a Geek Golf Dot Com This 7.5-degree head on an Accuflex Tantrum shaft set at 47 inches.

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

163 mph on swing speed radar and 154 mph on TrackMan

What lead you to choose your particular equipment specifications?

Hitting a lot of balls and figuring out which setup works best for me.

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

I try to hit whatever shot shape I feel will work the best that day. I always try to work with the wind instead of against it.

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

I use the Perfect Release, Twitch Trainer, Kallassy Swing Magic, Momentus Power Hitter, Super Speed Golf.

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

I am in the gym 5-6 days a week, but I also do plyometrics, sprints, swimming, and flexibility and mobility training.

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

First – you can not be afraid to hit the ball off line. Many amateurs have slow swing speeds because they try to guide the ball down the fairway. When you’re looking for maximum…

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