Charles Howell III's 4 Tips for More Distance Off the Tee

There's something almost magical about watching a compact player absolutely stripe one down the middle, the ball launching like it was fired from a cannon while the swing looks effortless, almost casual. Charles Howell III has been doing exactly that for over two and a half decades on the professional circuit, and his secret isn't hidden in some gym routine or exotic equipment—it's pure, repeatable technique.

Back in March 2005, when Howell was still riding the momentum of a stellar early career that included Rookie-of-the-Year honors and an NCAA national title with Oklahoma State, he sat down with GOLF Magazine to explain how a 155-pound player could consistently outdrive opponents who had fifty pounds on him. The advice he shared then remains as relevant today as it was nearly two decades ago.

The Concept of "Late Speed"

Howell's central philosophy revolves around what he calls "late speed"—the ability to maximize clubhead velocity not before impact, not after, but precisely at the moment of truth. It's a concept that separates the truly long hitters from those who swing hard but don't hit far.

"Every long driver has it," Howell explained. The key lies in keeping the wrists fully loaded deep into the downswing, allowing the clubhead to lag behind the hands until the last possible moment. When that stored energy finally releases, the result is explosive contact.

Think of it like cracking a whip—the energy travels down the length until it explodes at the tip. That's what's happening when you watch Howell compress the ball with what looks like a three-quarter effort.

The Four Power Keys

1. The Hip Trick at Address

Howell uses a boxing analogy that I find particularly vivid: picture a fighter throwing a jab. If his body gets ahead of his fist, there's no power behind the punch. The upper body must stay behind the blow for it to land with any force.

The same principle applies to golf. At address, Howell recommends raising the left hip slightly so the spine tilts away from the target. This positions your upper body behind the ball from the start, setting up everything that follows. To feel this, place your right hand on your right hip and press down toward the target. You should feel pressure in your right thigh, your knee kicking in slightly. That's the foundation of a powerful coil.

2. Hinge and Turn in the Backswing

While the backswing should feel like one fluid motion, Howell emphasizes the importance of a proper hinge combined with a full turn. The goal is to coil your upper body over a stable right leg, loading energy into the system like drawing back a bowstring. Without this proper loading, there's nothing to release coming down.

3. Making a Good Pivot

Howell credits his power primarily to his pivot—the shift of weight onto his right side in the backswing that creates the foundation for a powerful move through impact. Too many amateur players slide rather than rotate, losing the torque that generates real speed.

4. The Powerful Shift into Impact

Everything in Howell's approach builds toward one moment: the transition from backswing to downswing and the aggressive shift into impact. With the wrists still loaded and the body moving toward the target, the stage is set for that explosive release of "late speed."

Why This Still Matters

Charles Howell III has now played on both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, winning four times between the two circuits and amassing tens of millions in career earnings. At 47, he's still competing at the highest level, which speaks to both the soundness of his technique and his physical maintenance.

What strikes me about these tips is their accessibility. Howell isn't asking you to develop tour-level athleticism or spend hours in the gym. He's offering mechanical adjustments that any player can implement—concepts about positioning, timing, and energy storage that translate regardless of your physical build.

I've played with plenty of weekend warriors who swing out of their shoes and barely reach the 200-yard marker, and I've played with slight-framed seniors who consistently hit it 260. The difference is almost always efficiency, not effort.

Key Takeaways

Late speed wins: Focus on releasing the club at the ball, not before it
Set up for success: Tilt your spine away from the target at address to keep your body behind the ball
Load to explode: A proper pivot and wrist hinge create the energy you'll release at impact
Size doesn't dictate distance: Efficient mechanics trump raw power every time

The next time you're on the range, forget about swinging harder. Think about swinging smarter, the way Charles Howell III has for more than 25 years.