The members of Mike Dunaway’s 350 Club were like the who’s who of the Long Drive Hall of Fame. You had Evan ‘Big Cat’ Williams, Bobby Wilson, Mike Gorton, Art Sellinger, and an old timer named Mike Austin.
To make the 350 Club you had to either hit the ball over 350 yards in competition, or beat one of the members head to head. 350 is an fairly easy feat nowadays – today it would probably be called the 450 club! But this was 1984 when you had small persimmon heads and heavy steel shafts – and the ball was soft with nylon windings.
Mike toured with the 350 Club from 1984 to 1987, averaging about 310 yards per drive. Mike claims he never missed a fairway in that 4 year span. Bobby Wilson recalls that Mike may have hit a few out, but he was “certainly straighter than all of us younger guys.”
Mike taught at little Studio City golf course in the LA Valley area. Because of its proximity to the studios, many celebs used to hit balls and hang out there. Mike taught many famous actors.
Even at 77, Mike could still easily clear the 100+ foot net at the back of the range, where the ball would sail into the LA aqueduct behind. In his glory days, he could carry it with a 5 iron.
Watch the video posted above and tell me if you wouldn’t be thrilled to swing like Mike here. I dare you to find me a power swing more effortless, fluid, and balanced. And it’s all by design.