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Increasing Golf Swing Speed: The Top 3 Approaches
hititlonger
Many golfers would like to hit it longer off the tee – let’s face it, it is probably the most fun part of the game! But to do this we will need an increase in our clubhead speed. The average weekend golfer only reaches about 80 miles per hour with a driver, while the pros on TV easily swing 110.
Of course, how do I build a more powerful swing, you ask? If the answer is, “swing harder,” you have probably lost the battle before it started. What most golfers dream about is to hit the ball long without the feeling of more effort. When golfers swing harder, they often tense up and end up missing the center of the clubface. Who wants to feel like they are using all that strain, when usually it just makes them swing slower!
The best way in terms of results over time, is easily improving the mechanics of your swing. If your fundamentals are solid, you will be setup for a big increase in swing speed. A power swing is based on the whirling or snapping motion of the wrists through impact. However, this can’t be done without a solid grip in the fingers. Also, you must use an effective weight shift to establish a base of support for the fast moving arms and wrists. Finally, if the setup and posture are correct, you stand a better chance to hit the ball squarely.
Improving your golf swing with these basic fundamentals is the easiest way to increase swing speed and hit those monster drives you seek. Although some teaching pros are better than others, most understand and can teach you the ideas I described above. Also consider signing up for an online golf instruction program, as some of them are quite good.
Another way to increase your club head speed is to adopt a complete stretching program that addresses all the muscles of the body. When the muscles can stretch farther, it will allow you to make a bigger shoulder turn and a longer wider backswing. Furthermore, you will be able to snap your body through faster on the downswing because you have better range of motion the other way as well.
The average golfer is very tight and has a restricted range of motion, because many of us do not move and stretch like we did when we were younger. An example of this is the quadratus lumborum muscle of the hip area, which is a primary source of injury in weekend golfers. If you have good flexibility in this area it will really help to protect the lower back. If you were to stretch 5 to 10 minutes in the morning and evening, you would see steady results with your swing speed. Unfortunately, most pros who give lessons know little about building a really good comprehensive flexibility program, so you may need to seek out someone with more of a fitness or physical therapy background.
The third approach is power training, which generally requires a gym. Better golfers who have already tackled the first two approaches may only be able to eke out more swing speed this way. It can yield good results, but it is quite challenging and takes several months to really see a difference in your golf game.
Many of the long drivers that I coach work out in the gym to some extent. The best approach here is to focus on power lifting and plyometrics. Both involve explosive force and speed in the lifts, and can injure you if your form is wrong. After a few months, they will allow you to produce more force in your swing and thus increase your swing speed.
If you are serious about increasing your driving distance, I recommend that you try these three approaches, in order. By far, improving the mechanics of your golf swing will yield the most results over the quickest period of time (if you have the right teacher!). If your swing is already fairly solid, consider a stretching program, and stick with it every day. Weightlifting can also give you longer drives, but it will cost a lot of time, sweat, and possibly money as well.
Steve Pratt is a Kinesiologist and golf teacher. He teaches privately in Southern California and around the world from his website, www.hititlonger.com. There you can find many more articles and lessons on how to increase your swing speed. He learned under legendary long driver Mike Austin.
Article submitted Saturday, January 21, 2012 & read 5 times.
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