What's the best way to work on increasing swing speed

[lfb]

I am an intermediate golfer and have great swing mechanics. I'm a short female and get solid contact on my swing now and I'm accurate. My driver speed is around 75 to 80. My driver distance is 150-175 carry and the ball flight is straight. I want to work hard this winter on getting my swing speed a lot higher. My goal is to go to 100 mph. What is the best way to practice getting more swing speed? What are the methods and mechanics of being faster that I should consider? I was fit for new clubs this summer so that is not an issue. The master club fitter set me up with full length men's clubs with senior flex to promote more distance since I can make good contact. Once I get me speed up then I'll have even more distance.

[rotator]

Re: What's the best way to work on increasing swing speed

This is not addressing swing speed in isolation, but check this recent thread about Ochoa. It's clear you are tryng to get more swing speed to get more distance. The thread speaks about swing speed, but also other aspects to consider, such as increasing strength and improving basic technique.

http://www.golf-tuition-online.com/g...-question.html

Sorenstam and Ochoa, and others, have increased their distances over time, by working out to get stronger. When Sorenstam first came on the tour, she was average in distance, and she worked her way to the top 5.

Increasing strength and flexibility also allows the body to support the swing angles. If your hamstrings or back can't support the swing you want to make, there will be breakdowns and compensations. A purely struck shot goes farther and moe accurately than when it is hit all over the clubface.

As for swing speed specifically, there are plenty of drills which will be suggested. One simple one is to turn the club around and grip it near the head and swing it through as fast as you can make it go. You should particularly strive to make the whoosh deep into the swing, that is, past the bottom of the swing. You can start with one hand only and then the other. Initially, you may find the whoosh comes early in the downswing, indicating you have speed there, but have been decelerating through the impact zone.

Ted

[BrianW]

Re: What's the best way to work on increasing swing speed

Additional clubhead speed can be produced with a technique similar to that of cracking a whip, the hands must slow so that momentum is passed to the club as it whips through impact. I have created an article to explain the method, I hope it helps you:

http://www.golf-tuition-online.com/c...ath-111-a.html

[mont86]

Re: What's the best way to work on increasing swing speed

Brian thanks for the link...Lately I have been trying exactly what you are taking about. For the longest time I tried to get myself to extend down the line, but that didn't feel right. By accident I started doing the whipping action, seems to work for me. Is that what 3 skills is about?

[Matt10]

Re: What's the best way to work on increasing swing speed

In addition to lifting weights (search 7minutemuscle) I purchasd the swingspeed (swingspeed.com) 4 months ago, I have gone from 95mph to 102mph consistently. The DVD that comes with the device is very helpful - and so is the booklet. I've also switched dedicated myself to a more rotary swing - search Slicefixer and Symple Swing - so that way my shoulders do most of the work. I've combined those two methods and have seen good results, especially since I'm only 5'7 - but I'm starting to cut the fat of my 190lbs body

[rotator]

Re: What's the best way to work on increasing swing speed

There are many training aids on the market, including the one in the previous post and "fan" (looks like the feathers on darts) on the stick device that was discussed in another thread. I think the latter one was bought by the poster of the thread in the end. There is the Speed Stik, which is endorsed by V J Singh. All of these appear to be legitimate, and instructors and pros actually use them. They are all fairly pricey, but if they help, they may be worth it to you.

Ted

[GreeBoman]

Re: What's the best way to work on increasing swing speed

I worry about using things like the speed stick. You may be just swinging your arms faster and not the clubhead (casting).

Its all well and good for Vijay to use it as he knows he is not casting as is making the correct part of his swing faster, but you and I out in the back garden? I wouldnt bet on it.

[Matt10]

Re: What's the best way to work on increasing swing speed

the device I mentioned earlier - the swingspeed

http://www.swingspeed.com/golf.html

[rotator]

Re: What's the best way to work on increasing swing speed

I worry about using things like the speed stick. You may be just swinging your arms faster and not the clubhead (casting).

Its all well and good for Vijay to use it as he knows he is not casting as is making the correct part of his swing faster, but you and I out in the back garden? I wouldnt bet on it.

GreeBoman,

You are right in suggesting there may be a problem in this case, but that applies to EVERY well intentioned advice, information or tip ever given, in this forum or outside of it. I would hope everyone here knows better to take note of any advice or information, recognizing that you cannot accept such advice or information in isolation and out of context.

For instance, if you see a suggestion re retaining a bent wrist and start to work with it, there could be problems, if the rest of your technique is wrong.

If I was willing to spring for one of these devices, however, and put in the effort to use it, I'm 100% certain it would improve my speed, as it would for most sound swingers of the club. But, I'm happy with playing the game I have now, and as I disclosed in earlier posts I'm too old to bother.

Ted

[kbp]

Re: What's the best way to work on increasing swing speed

Improve your technique and speed will come. Gadgets and gizmos are not going to get you what you want. There’s no magic bullet.

If you currently have a swing nearly as good as Ochoa or Sorenstam, and a coach who has verified this and will continue to work with you, then strength training and flexibility training may help to some degree.

If your swing is not VERY, VERY good, the most efficient use of your time would be in improving it.

[cyc53870]

Re: What's the best way to work on increasing swing speed

Is it advisable to hit a thousand balls a day?

[GreeBoman]

Re: What's the best way to work on increasing swing speed

Is it advisable to hit a thousand balls a day?

In a word, no.
Your technique would be totally shot by the end of it.
Also, if you are hitting that many balls you will start to hit them well by your body making adjustments eventually. That doesnt happen on the golf course as you are only hitting 50 shots in 4 hours.


We all need to ask ourselves what we want.
1) Score better
2) Hit further
3) Putt Better
4) Chip better
5) etc

then work on that.

1) should always be your goal, sometimes that will tie in to other goals (like putt better) but 99% of golfers will not score better by hitting the ball 10% further.

[Martin Levac]

Re: What's the best way to work on increasing swing speed

Hi lfb,

I have improved length and accuracy through extensive practice, strength training and perhaps diet.

Practice consisted mostly of using a single club for the entire session of about 300-400 balls at the range. I aimed to the same target. My target is usually an alley of about 5 yards wide. If the ball lands in the alley, it's good. If not, it's a miss. I've had to keep great focus to go through these practice sessions because they are boring. However, they are very productive and rewarding.

Strength training consisted of whole body workouts 3 times per week. I preferably used a barbell. I performed mostly compound movements. I also focused on strengthening the arms independently. Now I'm training with Powerballs.

Diet consisted of cutting out carbs. A year ago, I wanted to gain muscle. So I ate. I had no clue how it worked. The advice I got was to eat more so I did. I got fat. At some point I decided to lose fat so I ate less. It didn't work quite as I expected it. Anyway, I finally figured things out by reading about diet and decided to cut out the carbs. I lost 50lbs in one year. I continue to avoid carbs like they're poison. Improvements include better eyesight, more endurance, more strength, more focus, better mental abilities, better overall health to name but a few.

Since you say you are an experienced player, I trust that you know the swing inside out so I have no recommendation on technique or anything like that. Instead, I recommend you continue with your current technique and simply add practice, strenth training and see your diet for possible improvements. Basically, I recommend you do what I did but adjust for your capacity for practice, for strength training and for diet.

Have fun.

[Jimbud]

Re: What's the best way to work on increasing swing speed

Hi lfb,

I have improved length and accuracy through extensive practice, strength training and perhaps diet.

Practice consisted mostly of using a single club for the entire session of about 300-400 balls at the range. I aimed to the same target. My target is usually an alley of about 5 yards wide. If the ball lands in the alley, it's good. If not, it's a miss. I've had to keep great focus to go through these practice sessions because they are boring. However, they are very productive and rewarding.

Strength training consisted of whole body workouts 3 times per week. I preferably used a barbell. I performed mostly compound movements. I also focused on strengthening the arms independently. Now I'm training with Powerballs.

Diet consisted of cutting out carbs. A year ago, I wanted to gain muscle. So I ate. I had no clue how it worked. The advice I got was to eat more so I did. I got fat. At some point I decided to lose fat so I ate less. It didn't work quite as I expected it. Anyway, I finally figured things out by reading about diet and decided to cut out the carbs. I lost 50lbs in one year. I continue to avoid carbs like they're poison. Improvements include better eyesight, more endurance, more strength, more focus, better mental abilities, better overall health to name but a few.

Since you say you are an experienced player, I trust that you know the swing inside out so I have no recommendation on technique or anything like that. Instead, I recommend you continue with your current technique and simply add practice, strenth training and see your diet for possible improvements. Basically, I recommend you do what I did but adjust for your capacity for practice, for strength training and for diet.

Have fun.

Great advice, I'd love to know if anyone has had success increasing club head speed by use of the weight equipment at their local health club. During the winter months I'm at the gym about 5 nights a week using the treadmill and elliptical and I know there's about 10 mph of increase swing speed hiding in that weight equipment.

[BrianW]

Re: What's the best way to work on increasing swing speed

Great advice, I'd love to know if anyone has had success increasing club head speed by use of the weight equipment at their local health club. During the winter months I'm at the gym about 5 nights a week using the treadmill and elliptical and I know there's about 10 mph of increase swing speed hiding in that weight equipment.

My opinion is that if you are trying to get distance with accuracy by muscling the club then you are doing the wrong thing. The reason good golfers are good is that they stay in balance and make great ball contact, forcing the shot will cause instability and poor results with most people.