Because of this membership, Justin Thomas says he’s hitting tee photographs 15 yards longer 

Justin Thomas admitted his front-nine tee photographs on Thursday didn’t go properly, as balls would begin left of his goal, then drift extra left. He figured that may occur, although. 

This, too. 

“I drove the hell out of it on the again 9,” he stated. 

This week’s Hero World Problem holds a considerably distinctive spot on the present professional golf calendar, in addition to the truth that it’s performed at paradisiacal Albany Golf Course within the Bahamas. Whereas the Tiger Woods-hosted occasion isn’t precisely foolish — $1 million is handed out to the winner of the 20-man event — it additionally isn’t Masters-serious, both, and that provides the chance to tinker. Scottie Scheffler is taking part in with a brand new claw placing grip (to nice success, too, if the primary couple of days are any indication). Akshay Bhatia is taking part in with a brand new driver. 

And Thomas is taking part in with an extended driver, from 44⅞ inches to 46, the utmost size allowed underneath the foundations. Why not, he and his caddie, Matt Minister, thought. 

“I imply, I’ve messed with an extended driver this offseason and I put it in play at the moment simply because with not a lot wind, I felt prefer it was alternative,” Thomas stated. “I can use it at residence, however placing one thing in and taking part in it in competitors, I believe, is simply completely different. 

“Didn’t go very properly on the entrance, however once more, they weren’t essentially horrible drives. I sort of stated that to Rev [Minister’s nickname] strolling up 9 — all of them felt like fairly good swings; I used to be simply barely sort of beginning left of my window and simply going left versus I just like the ball falling proper. And simply with it being a bit bit longer, I simply sort of should get the membership out in entrance of me and get on prime of it a bit bit extra.”

So it takes work. It’s not for everyone, not even the professionals. 

However there are professionals to taking part in it. Suppose physics. An extended membership means an extended swing arc, resulting in extra room to speed up forward of contact — and probably extra distance. Thomas stated he thinks he’s getting 2 or 3 extra mph in ball velocity, and 15 further yards. 

It might stick then, although understandably not in every single place. It’ll be an equation. Tighter programs equal shorter driver; open programs imply longer driver. 

“I need to have the ability to have that as a result of I believe there’s some programs that it’s an enormous benefit,” Thomas stated. “This isn’t essentially one. , a few of these drives that I hit within the — I don’t know if you wish to name it sandy space, desert space, regardless of the heck it’s — you understand, these aren’t unhealthy tee photographs quite a lot of locations. If it’s simply within the tough, I’m going to have the ability to get across the inexperienced, versus on 3, I’m up in opposition to a bush.