Increasing club head speed

[msklar92]

Re: Increasing club head speed

I recently went for a club fitting and mizuno has a device that tells you how well you hold on to club before you release it. its a number from 1-10 and 10 is a longer hold than a release point of say 3. the pro who fit me explained that for example els and couples have close to a 10 and price would be closer to 4 or 5. if you notice els and couples appear to have a slower swing speed due to their ability to hold on and price appears to swing faster. I think my number came out to about a 3. mike

[Jimbud]

Re: Increasing club head speed

I recently went for a club fitting and mizuno has a device that tells you how well you hold on to club before you release it. its a number from 1-10 and 10 is a longer hold than a release point of say 3. the pro who fit me explained that for example els and couples have close to a 10 and price would be closer to 4 or 5. if you notice els and couples appear to have a slower swing speed due to their ability to hold on and price appears to swing faster. I think my number came out to about a 3. mike

So I guess the million dollar question or answer is how do you delay the release. Or in terms of the Mizuno device how do you go from a 3 to a 9 or 10?

[BrianW]

Re: Increasing club head speed

Soooooo many theories.

IMO you have a maximum speed limitation. If you feel you have reached that then the only thing you can do is increase your strength and then increase the weight of your clubs. Something people don't seem to remember often enough is that swing speed isn't everything. There is also MASS of the club that contributes to the total force you can apply to the golf ball.

Correct!! Force = Mass x Acceleration. Assuming you can make good ball contact then a light club with high speed does the same as a heaver club at lower speed. If you can get high speed with a heaver club then you will hit it very far.

[StevePratt]

Re: Increasing club head speed

hi all!

My first post - go gently on me.

There is an increasing amount of good scientific research to suggest that a basic flexibility program plus 'fast as possible' dry swings will increase clubhead speed by as much as 10% in only 6 weeks. One study showed the same amount of increase regardless of baseline speed or handicap level.

You will get the most bang for your buck by combining these two principles. When going for longer drives, efficient technique is king. Strength and size have little to do with hitting it longer.

Steve Pratt

[keiko]

Re: Increasing club head speed

If you look at the pro's who compete in longdrive competitions, they mostly all have strength and size. Jamie Sadlowski is one exception but he has equal strength in both right and left sides thanks to playing hockey left handed all his life and being right handed in all other sports. On a strength meter, he is an ambidextrous giant.
Now for the rest of us, technique is king, ie. getting a full pivot(90 degrees or more), increasing the X factor(torquing the upper against the lower body), increasing the smash factor(hitting the upper third center of the face at maximum speed), of course lag or delayed release, achieving maximum wrist hinge at the top and holding the angle deeper into impact. These are some of the things we mortals can do.
When I was a young kid, I lived next door to a driving range so every day I would go there and hit 2 or 3 buckets of balls(they were 50 cents and most of the time the owner just let me hit for free if I would help him pick up the balls when I was done). When I was 16, I could drive the ball well over 300 yards carry with a persimmon driver-the net at the end of the range was exactly 300 yards so when I went to pick up balls that I had marked with a little dot, there were 50-75 there every time).
Anyway, make a long story short, at 5'9" until I turned 60, I could always hit my driver at least 300 yards at least 4 or 5 times per round. Now at 65, I can still carry the ball 275 average.
Go figure.

hi all!

My first post - go gently on me.

There is an increasing amount of good scientific research to suggest that a basic flexibility program plus 'fast as possible' dry swings will increase clubhead speed by as much as 10% in only 6 weeks. One study showed the same amount of increase regardless of baseline speed or handicap level.

You will get the most bang for your buck by combining these two principles. When going for longer drives, efficient technique is king. Strength and size have little to do with hitting it longer.

Steve Pratt

[DanGlen]

Re: Increasing club head speed

Its amazing how many ideas there are on this topic. I would swing as hard as you can while staying in form. If form breaks down, no amount of pounding will compensate. You'll end up in the woods just a few trees further down range. Go for consistency and accuracy - that trumps a few extra yards anyday.

[Hannu]

Re: Increasing club head speed

Hitting long drives is fun - or I think it will be after I learn how to do it.
On this years club championship tournament I realized that I need to have a power swing "in my bag". It was very windy and I had difficulties getting to the start of the fairway. No way could I reach the green in regulation, when the wind was blowing in my face.
Ok there might be shots that bite the wind, but I want to hit it long (er).

I've started to build flaxibility and strength. Next month I'll start some golf related strength exercises and after a month I'll start to turn strength in to speed and power - and last face is to tie it to my swing... April... and in May, I'll take it on the course.

How much longer will my drive be? Maybe not much, but with strength and flaxibility it will be easier to hit same length than earlier and in a thight spot - hit it longer to the woods

[keiko]

Re: Increasing club head speed

Developing the legs(squats, curls,extensions) core(crunchies,roman chair, twists) triceps(close grip bench presses,french curls) and lats(rows and lat pulldowns) will add both strength and stability. You will be able to swing faster while staying in balance which by itself will add distance. Staying on balance also makes it more possible to hit it flush.
If one is moving around during the swing, ie. changing spine angle, swaying, other off balance moves, it is virtually impossible to hit the ball in the center of the clubface.

Hitting long drives is fun - or I think it will be after I learn how to do it.
On this years club championship tournament I realized that I need to have a power swing "in my bag". It was very windy and I had difficulties getting to the start of the fairway. No way could I reach the green in regulation, when the wind was blowing in my face.
Ok there might be shots that bite the wind, but I want to hit it long (er).

I've started to build flaxibility and strength. Next month I'll start some golf related strength exercises and after a month I'll start to turn strength in to speed and power - and last face is to tie it to my swing... April... and in May, I'll take it on the course.

How much longer will my drive be? Maybe not much, but with strength and flaxibility it will be easier to hit same length than earlier and in a thight spot - hit it longer to the woods

[Hannu]

Re: Increasing club head speed

Keiko,
very much what I'm trying to do...stronger legs, core , shoulders and wrists.

New approach for me is to do a martial arts called Han Moo Do - it's like Taekwondo - very good workout:-)

[ricktimm]

Re: Increasing club head speed

What is the best way to increase club head speed? And is there any exercises or drills to aid this.

I have just finished a book called "fix your body, fix your swing" ... I would highly recommend this book. It will help you to do "golf specific" excersices to strengthen and stretch the proper muscles.
Another way to create speed is to increase LAG....do a search on YouTube for: golf lag This will explain it from a variety of professionals. Training Aids are another way to increase speed. I recommend ... ThePro-Lag go to: www.theprolag.com
Good golfing and Good luck.
Rick, Denver, CO.

[Hannu]

Re: Increasing club head speed

Hi Rick,
looks like a good book (- some mixed reviews.)

My personal favorite is:
http://www.mytpi.com/default.asp

(I have a masters degree in Physical Education so I know the basic stuff about exercising - but this site is very spesific to golf and fixing problems.)