How to increase swing speed

[viperact]

I've been trying to increase my distance, but to little success.

Can anyone tell me how to hit it further or point out which part of the swing matters the most to increase distance?

Right now, I'm hitting 260 average. However, I can hit it 290 if I really push it. I really do not want to push it coz when I do, the ball fades.

Thanks in advance.

[Blader-X]

Make a better shoulder turn, especially coming through the ball and work on your core strength to build stamina and provide stability for the swing. I find when my shoulders are working effectively and really getting them through the ball my swing speed is much faster and my move much more efficient.

[idrive]

Blader-X gives excellent advice.

Only thing I would add to that is be sure you load the club at the end/top of your back swing and hold it as long as possible. ala Sergio

Edited July 3, 2007 by idrive

[Augusta Golf]

Search "swing speed drills" and you'll find plenty, and there are a few guys who have programs for sale just for swing speed. I would find a happy medium between 260 and 290 and work on that! Or see a teacher and let him examine what is causing the fade. There's nothing wrong with a power fade!

I've been trying to increase my distance, but to little success.

Can anyone tell me how to hit it further or point out which part of the swing matters the most to increase distance?

Right now, I'm hitting 260 average. However, I can hit it 290 if I really push it. I really do not want to push it coz when I do, the ball fades.

Thanks in advance.

[xchangmanx]

Blader-X gives excellent advice.

Only thing I would add to that is be sure you load the club at the end/top of your back swing and hold it as long as possible. ala Sergio

Yeah, I got my SS up from high 90s to 107-115, just by focusing on more lag. This in turn allowed me to slow my backswing down, and really release it at the ball. I try to picture the Ben Hogan move, when I want more distance; he had the best Clubhead lag!

[Richmond Golfer]

Swing a weighted, heavy club everyday.

[Augusta Golf]

That's right, and swing it fast to build speed, slow swings promote slow movement and vice versa....one you get warmed up of course.

Swing a weighted, heavy club everyday.

[Spoon]

That's right, and swing it fast to build speed, slow swings promote slow movement and vice versa....one you get warmed up of course.

my dad has been using the momentus. hes in his 60s but can still outdrive me and my pals on a good day.

[Mjr. D]

Wrists, forearms. Both normal and reverse barbell curls to work both the top and underside of the forearms. Works for me.

my dad has been using the momentus. hes in his 60s but can still outdrive me and my pals on a good day.

[BrettSmith]

I recommend you take a 3 tiered approach-

1. Techique- weld the upper arms to the torso for stability ala Mr. Hogans training move. This promotes harnessed stability and constant Connection throughout the golf move. More stability will promote more center'd mass thru impact- which promotes more flush, center'd contact. Start with waist high moves getting a sense that the rotating body is snapping the hands- cracking the whip. Then really work that connected feel with getting your back facing the target as you maintain the upper arm adhesion. Speed means nothing without center'd contact so you want to really work at letting go with the outer extremities (hands and arms) and working the body with lots of torque>> "the welded inside moves the outside" ... but no at the sacrifice of center'd contact.

2. Train- work some dumb bells with the connected rotary move to increase your in to out exertion of pressure. More reps instead of more weight btw. Also to create more range of motion in your hand set: Take left hand grip and really make progressively sharper angles between your hand and the shaft- get to your comfortable limit and just tug down one notch at a time and hold for 10 seconds. Work to increase reps- you will definitely see a difference if you pay your dues.

3. Technology- talk to Chris and the tech gurus here at TSG about the right shaft upgrade to get more spring with less effort. Most people are conforming to the equipment instead of vice versa.

Good Luck-

Brett

[+TourSpecGolfer]

I recommend you take a 3 tiered approach-

1. Techique- weld the upper arms to the torso for stability ala Mr. Hogans training move. This promotes harnessed stability and constant Connection throughout the golf move. More stability will promote more center'd mass thru impact- which promotes more flush, center'd contact. Start with waist high moves getting a sense that the rotating body is snapping the hands- cracking the whip. Then really work that connected feel with getting your back facing the target as you maintain the upper arm adhesion. Speed means nothing without center'd contact so you want to really work at letting go with the outer extremities (hands and arms) and working the body with lots of torque>> "the welded inside moves the outside" ... but no at the sacrifice of center'd contact.

2. Train- work some dumb bells with the connected rotary move to increase your in to out exertion of pressure. More reps instead of more weight btw. Also to create more range of motion in your hand set: Take left hand grip and really make progressively sharper angles between your hand and the shaft- get to your comfortable limit and just tug down one notch at a time and hold for 10 seconds. Work to increase reps- you will definitely see a difference if you pay your dues.

3. Technology- talk to Chris and the tech gurus here at TSG about the right shaft upgrade to get more spring with less effort. Most people are conforming to the equipment instead of vice versa.

Good Luck-

Brett

Hey Bret, When is your web site coming out? My game suffers without your lessons man.

I can attest to what this man says, it has transformed my game making me more consistent and much longer. Let me share a little background about B.Smith and I. When I used to live in Norcal about 5 months ago I took lessons from Bret Smith but he only took me as a student if I truly devoted myself to the game of golf and the 3 T's Technique, Training, and Technology. He is not the band aid sorta sensei like so many I have taken lessons from in the past.

Bret put me on his hardcore and serious tour platform and beat the S*** out of me day in and day out. It was 3-4 days a week, each lesson ran about 3 hours long and most of the time on course. He took my swing apart and much to my surprise in several lessons had put it back together and stronger then ever. The back of my neck turned black, I ached for days and after the lesson hit the Gym for golf specific training and stretching. From working the coil, to having the proper depth and posture everything he had taught me was for a specific reason and goal.

Another big aspect of what he taught me was Tactic's, On many Par 4's I was hitting driver like a num nutz, he showed me nothing was wrong with a 5 wood and after looking at the numbers he was so very right. I started learning about my personal distances and so importantly conversion tables and my scoring zone. So Many golfers would rather smoke a drive and have 60 yards to the pin or so than hit a FW wood or Iron to get to the optimal zone giving you the best chances of sticking it by using your most comfortable distance and shot.

Its been 5 months since I have had a lesson with Bret due to the move, Not a round goes by where I don't think about what he has taught me or when the next lesson will be. He is Golf's best kept secret and a total genius of the swing. I would rank Bret Smith up there with instructors like Ballard, Harmon, and the greatest of all time Ben Hogan.

Kudo's to ya Bret! Can't wait till the launch of your web site!

[bogeydog]

I have no idea if this is your problem, but is it very common. It is vital that you learn the proper coil and load of the swing. I bet that when you go after it, you are out of sequence because you are swinging from the top. This will kill club head speed. Sequence is so important in that it is how power is created. The coil is so important. A good measure is to keep or decrease the distance between your sternum and your belt buckle in the backswing. If this distance is getting bigger, you probably are not able to coil enough. To do this you need the flexibility in your torso and hips. The ability to "separate" the hips from the torso in the swing is key. Without flexibility, the coil won't happen, the shoulders won't turn, the hips will slide or turn incorrectly and the downswing will likely be out of sequence. Power is generated from a proper sequence.Hips first, then sternum, shoulders...arms will follow.

I've been trying to increase my distance, but to little success.

Can anyone tell me how to hit it further or point out which part of the swing matters the most to increase distance?

Right now, I'm hitting 260 average. However, I can hit it 290 if I really push it. I really do not want to push it coz when I do, the ball fades.

Thanks in advance.

Edited February 9, 2008 by bogeydog

[Spoon]

I recommend you take a 3 tiered approach-

1. Techique- weld the upper arms to the torso for stability ala Mr. Hogans training move. This promotes harnessed stability and constant Connection throughout the golf move. More stability will promote more center'd mass thru impact- which promotes more flush, center'd contact. Start with waist high moves getting a sense that the rotating body is snapping the hands- cracking the whip. Then really work that connected feel with getting your back facing the target as you maintain the upper arm adhesion. Speed means nothing without center'd contact so you want to really work at letting go with the outer extremities (hands and arms) and working the body with lots of torque>> "the welded inside moves the outside" ... but no at the sacrifice of center'd contact.

2. Train- work some dumb bells with the connected rotary move to increase your in to out exertion of pressure. More reps instead of more weight btw. Also to create more range of motion in your hand set: Take left hand grip and really make progressively sharper angles between your hand and the shaft- get to your comfortable limit and just tug down one notch at a time and hold for 10 seconds. Work to increase reps- you will definitely see a difference if you pay your dues.

3. Technology- talk to Chris and the tech gurus here at TSG about the right shaft upgrade to get more spring with less effort. Most people are conforming to the equipment instead of vice versa.

Good Luck-

Brett

the three T's. i like it! i have been slacking of the gym in recent months and giving less and less emphasis on flexibilty and i can see the differences already. i'd like to beleive that there are shortcuts like proper technique but who am i kidding. gotta pay the dues!

i will head to the gym and approach the game in a more hollistic nature. thanks this was an eyeopener

[BrettSmith]

Thank You for the props there maestro... but your hard work just makes me look good!

In the immortal words of Mr. Denzel Washington in "Training Day"... "it's not what you know, but what you can prove". Well here's what we can prove:

We know that the butt-end of the club points back to center with every TOUR player at impact and the left wrist is flat... The torso is covering the ball longer with the TOUR players as the left instep and inside leg is weathering the tsunami of the recoil. The inside slings the outside without compromising stability-- the smash factor through impact LASTS LONGER... like stepping flush on a mustard packet.

Yes, very excited for the site to go live. I think that this will really be the first of it's kind Technique and Training Online Platform for the serious golfer....

Thanks again for the kudos and stay after the underneath rips... 3-9 BABY!

bSmith

[Leek]

I wanted to get my clubhead speed up, so I also researched this. I found some posts on another site where people were claiming some pretty incredible clubhead speed increases with some heavy devices. One guy claimed he gained something like 30 mph (which I honestly doubt).

I found a guy who is a long drive competitior who was working on a number of swing fixes and speed increases. He actually did increase from about 125 mph to I think the 140 mph range. I could actually see proof in his results.

I asked him a number of questions, and he recommended a program using a device called Swingspeed. I asked him and the manufacturer a lot of questions over a couple of months then in January I bought their LD model. It's a sort of a shortish club like device with removable weights that allow you to put anywhere from 2 to 6 lbs on it. Anyway, it came with a DVD that had a number of drills on it to increase flexibility, strength and fast twitch muscles.

When I first got it, I noticed a couple things:

1. The left arm only swings are better ingraining the feel of the left arm pinned to the chest until release. This is a major power accumulator.

2. My hips twist (always have pretty much), not slide. What I first was just a sort of explosion. It sequences like this, slightly before reaching the top, weight shifts left, axis tilt increases, wrist angles (and lag increases), then the hips fire- must faster (it feels like explode) left. I also practice several sets with a gripped 57 gram shaft only, then several sets with a real driver. The woosh sound is much later and much much louder.

Then I bought a Swing Speed Radar + Tempo Timer on the advice of a reknowned clubfitter named Frank Viola to measure my progress. Frank told me the SSR is very accurate. What's the point of all the effort if I couldn't monitor any progress?

After 3 weeks of doing the drills on the DVD that came with the SwingSpeed, I went to the range to monitor my results. I knew something was up when I was seeing mid-90s with my 6 iron during warmup. I don't what my 6 iron speed was before, but my driver was mid-90s (sometimes low 90s) three weeks earlier.

Then the driver- first swing- good contact 104! I then made a few swings that were NOT pretty- 98 and 100. Now, I'm pretty enthused- what happens if I swing OUT OF MY SHOES??? Take a couple big cuts- 104-107, but bad contact. Excitement is over, just normal swings. They stay from 101-105. Average was about 103 over 25-30 swings. That was about 8-9 mph in 3 weeks.

Two more weeks later, I went to the range with my Swing Speed Radar + Tempo Timer.

First driver swing, pretty smooth 106! I hit about 10 balls trying to take it pretty easy, all were between 104-107! I tried some harder swings, then full out. I could get to 112 for a few swings, but had no control over the ball. Hit the rest at a comfortable 80%ish power level, very straight and consistently 105-107 swing after swing. Interestingly, I also checked tempo, and my typical tempo before starting this regimen was 1.01 seconds from takeaway to impact. Today it was .87-.92. I did not feel quick, in fact rather lazy. This tempo does seem too fast though, based on what I've read.

I was really jazzed about this. Increasing from low to mid 90s, to a comfortable 106-107 is about a 20-30 yard increase!

I've continued to work with this device and added some additional things for speed work, something called an overspeed device- essentially a graphite drive shaft with surgical tubing on the end.

I haven't continued to increase my speed as quickly, I'm now averaging 107-109 on comfortable (about 80-85%) swings and can reach over 115-118 if I swing all out.

The best thing about this is Mike, the LDA competitor got me a big discount on the device (the manufacturer is a buddy of his I think) and told me if I know anyone who wants one, he thinks he can get them the same deal. Then on the Swing Speed Radar + Tempo Timer, Frank directed me to a guy who got me a good deal on that too! These boards can be a great place to get really good deals, and trade information with people Mike.

If you want information on the drills I'm doing, my workouts or anything like that, just ask. I'll be happy to share.

My handicap index ranged from 4-6 last year with my lowish driver club head speed. If I can keep my short fame up, and maybe chop off about 1 putt per round, I'm thinking I can get to scratch or better. I'm really excited!

Edited March 24, 2008 by Leek

[flyfree]

Leek,

Swingspeed seems to be a really good device. I'd like to buy one.

PM sent also, just in case you don't check this message.

Thanks,

SC

[john_n]

You may want to try loosening up your grip a bit. Grip the club firmly but make sure that your forearms and arms aren't tense during your swing. You'll generate better clubhead speed if you don't try to muscle and manipulate the club. This should also help you with ball contact, it's incredible how much you can accomplish by simply experimenting or making a small change and get much better results, i started a program a few days ago as a result of my brother in law's recommendation, was at the hillsborough g&c with him and i noticed the guy had made progress on getting more distance at the first tee off i thought they were shooting a commercial for turkish airlines, the ball took off like a jet, thing is we are both average, and i noticed he got from 270 to 300, after i asked him (a hundred times) how he got it fixed he told me his boss told him about Jacob Bowden and how he took some lessons, here is what i could find out about it http://swingmangolf.com/

he did however help me add distance to my drive simply by telling me i bend too much forward and my hands were closer to my body when they shouldn't be, and i used to not lift my right arm enough, as soon as i get out on the tee with the improvements i will update it here.

[Miuramaniac]

You may want to try loosening up your grip a bit. Grip the club firmly but make sure that your forearms and arms aren't tense during your swing. You'll generate better clubhead speed if you don't try to muscle and manipulate the club. This should also help you with ball contact, it's incredible how much you can accomplish by simply experimenting or making a small change and get much better results, i started a program a few days ago as a result of my brother in law's recommendation, was at the hillsborough g&c with him and i noticed the guy had made progress on getting more distance at the first tee off i thought they were shooting a commercial for turkish airlines, the ball took off like a jet, thing is we are both average, and i noticed he got from 270 to 300, after i asked him (a hundred times) how he got it fixed he told me his boss told him about Jacob Bowden and how he took some lessons, here is what i could find out about it http://swingmangolf.com/

he did however help me add distance to my drive simply by telling me i bend too much forward and my hands were closer to my body when they shouldn't be, and i used to not lift my right arm enough, as soon as i get out on the tee with the improvements i will update it here.

His question is over 6 years old. Pretty sure he probably went somewhere else to find out how to hit it further.