How Long Drive Champions Use the Ground for More Power

In this PGA Show educational presentation, long drive champions Justin James and Jason Zuback explain how elite players leverage ground reaction forces for swing speed and stability. Using Smart2Move force plates and training aids, they demonstrate early trail-side loading, lead-leg stabilization, and step drills that optimize weight transfer and vertical torque.

• Load into the trail side early in the backswing, reaching up to 80–90% pressure on the trail foot by shaft parallel.
• Transition pressure onto the lead side before reaching the top of the backswing to maximize peak force early in the downswing.
• Vertical torque is generated by a force couple: pushing rearward with the trail foot and pushing forward toward the ball with the lead foot.
• Using the ball of the lead foot as a gas pedal pushes the hips back and prevents early extension through impact.

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