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 nicely, as balls would begin left of his goal, then drift extra left. He figured which may occur, although. 

This, too. 

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

This week’s Hero World Problem holds a considerably distinctive spot on the present professional golf calendar, moreover 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 match — it additionally isn’t Masters-serious, both, and that gives 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 below 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 an excellent alternative,” Thomas mentioned. “I can use it at residence, however placing one thing in and taking part in it in competitors, I feel, is simply totally different. 

“Didn’t go very nicely on the entrance, however once more, they weren’t essentially horrible drives. I sort of mentioned 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 just a little bit longer, I simply sort of need to get the membership out in entrance of me and get on prime of it just a little bit extra.”

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

However there are professionals to taking part in it. Assume physics. An extended membership means an extended swing arc, resulting in extra room to speed up forward of contact — and doubtlessly extra distance. Thomas mentioned 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 all places. It’ll be an equation. Tighter programs equal shorter driver; open programs imply longer driver. 

“I would like to have the ability to have that as a result of I feel there’s some programs that it’s an enormous benefit,” Thomas mentioned. “This isn’t essentially one. You understand, 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 already know, these aren’t dangerous tee photographs lots 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 towards a bush.