Throughout his career, Nick Price was known for his exceptional ball-striking abilities which helped him become one of the best players of his generation. In 1994, Price had a standout season where he hit an impressive 73.8 percent of fairways and went on to win two majors, the Open Championship and the PGA, along with six total tour wins. This successful season earned Price the title of the 1994 PGA Player of the Year for the second consecutive year.
Price attributed his ability to drive the ball long and accurate to three key components: shoulder turn, weight shift, and balance. He emphasized the importance of a big turn on the backswing to set the stage for a powerful downswing and a big drive. To help increase shoulder rotation, Price recommended a simple shoulder-turn exercise using a driver to visualize the proper upper body coil.
In addition to the shoulder-turn drill, Price also shared some tips for hitting more fairways on the course. He emphasized the importance of playing the percentages and always aiming for the middle of the fairway. Price advised golfers to consider their shot shape, club selection, and target when deciding on the best approach for each hole. While a safe club choice may be smart, Price encouraged golfers to always make an aggressive swing to maximize distance and accuracy.
One of Price’s final pieces of advice for developing a fairway finding strategy is to select a small target within the fairway to aim for. By focusing on a specific spot, such as a rake in a bunker or a shingle on a distant building, golfers can improve their chances of hitting their desired target. Price’s philosophy of aiming small to miss small can help golfers improve their accuracy off the tee and increase their chances of hitting more fairways.
By incorporating Nick Price’s driving keys into their game, golfers can improve their ball-striking abilities and increase their chances of finding the fairway more often. By focusing on shoulder turn, weight shift, and balance, golfers can develop a more powerful and consistent swing that maximizes both distance and accuracy. Price’s emphasis on playing the percentages, selecting the right club, and aiming for a small target can help golfers improve their decision-making on the course and ultimately lead to lower scores.
