Increase swing speed

[virtuocity]

Not going to dent my handicap with a 85mph swing.

Right forumites- I need a big list of ways to increase speed.

Keep it general, not specific to me.

 

[tsped83]

Is 85mph your iron speed? What's wrong with that?

 

[Ian_S]

Flexibility and core strength. If you look at the guys on tour who swing the fastest, they don't have huge muscles, but they can create such huge separation between their shoulders and their hips (the 'X-factor', as those Sports Science shows like to call it).

All that comes from stretching and working on stomach and back muscles.

 

[Imurg]

Denting your handicap doesn't necessarily need a faster swing speed.
Most likely you play more shots from 100 yards in so swing speed becomes rather academic.

 

[virtuocity]

Driver.

Normally 85 to 90 mph.

To give you some ideas, I never hit the driver sweet spot. So that's something to work on but don't know how.

I also sky a lot and slice so working on the chair drill where I try to keep my bum against an imaginary chair. I am also working at keeping my head behind the ball. It has stopped my slice and skies but distance is poor, circa 200 yards.

If I could pay for an extra 20mph I would.

 

[fundy]

Flexibility and core strength. If you look at the guys on tour who swing the fastest, they don't have huge muscles, but they can create such huge separation between their shoulders and their hips (the 'X-factor', as those Sports Science shows like to call it).

All that comes from stretching and working on stomach and back muscles.

Not convinced how much use they are to handicap golfers, if 85mph is his driver swing speed then technique would be the place to start for me (which may identify some areas of strength/flexibility that could do with improving), boring answer but go see a pro (or pop a video up on here)

 

[virtuocity]

Denting your handicap doesn't necessarily need a faster swing speed.
Most likely you play more shots from 100 yards in so swing speed becomes rather academic.

I can putt well and get close enough to the green from 150 yards that I can hold my own easily against 10 handicappers I've played with.

Bt when I'm pulling out a hybrid for my second shot on a par 4 when the wind is in my face and they're pulling a 6 iron, it definitely makes me want to be able to hit the driver well.

 

[tsped83]

Increasing your swing speed will only exaggerate your slice if you don't fix the root cause, trust me, I've been there. The more juice I try to put into a drive, the worse it usually ends up. And by worse I mean to the right. Nice steady rhythm and flatter swing works for me.

 

[Ian_S]

Not convinced how much use they are to handicap golfers, if 85mph is his driver swing speed then technique would be the place to start for me (which may identify some areas of strength/flexibility that could do with improving), boring answer but go see a pro (or pop a video up on here)

Oh I agree. If you want to lower your handicap, best person to see is a pro.

 

[lyden]

Loose wrists and think about swinging fast rather than hard that should increase you about 6-7 mph.

 

[TheClaw]

Driver.

Normally 85 to 90 mph.

To give you some ideas, I never hit the driver sweet spot. So that's something to work on but don't know how.

I also sky a lot and slice so working on the chair drill where I try to keep my bum against an imaginary chair. I am also working at keeping my head behind the ball. It has stopped my slice and skies but distance is poor, circa 200 yards.

If I could pay for an extra 20mph I would.

Doesn't sound like extra speed is required. A better swing perhaps?

 

[virtuocity]

Doesn't sound like extra speed is required. A better swing perhaps?

85mph is acceptable for you then?

 

[Foxholer]

Swing better, not faster.

Better, more consistent contact generally provides better results.

Still exercises to increase X-Factor (first 'defined' by Jim McLean) are also worthwhile. And others to increase Core strength. Most of the best players actually don't look as if they are swinging fast at all, though they are because their balance and sequencing allows for a flowing swing.

 

[Imurg]

85mph is acceptable for you then?

If it puts you 200+ down the middle then it's acceptable...
Yes, a bit more SS wouldn't hurt but accuracy is more important.

200 from the tee + another 2 shots gets you on or around a par 5 as well as a long par 4 so it's far crom the end of the world.

 

[Foxholer]

85mph is acceptable for you then?

I'm (just) single figures with a low 90s Driver swing - though I've been as low as 7.

And that's with a dodgy short game too!

 

[ScienceBoy]

You need to look for the effortless power rather than all out power.

Swinging on plane, coming in with a square clubface with a 90mph driver swing will hit the ball further than an off center off plane 110mph swing.

My big fault is swinging too hard, I have a powerful swing but to take advantage of it I need to get on plane. I can hit a 3 iron 200 yards or 170 yards depending on the contact, just a little off plane and it falls away.

I suggest getting one of those tour striker small headed irons, like in the last golf mag.

Remember the feeling of effortless power when you get it, you will feel like you are hardly swinging at all but the ball goes miles.

 

[Airlie_Andy]

This may sound stupid but if you want to swing faster you can, just swing faster at the ball. Its swinging faster under some sort of control that is the hard part. By the sounds of things hitting the ball out of the middle of the driver will get you more distance anyway.

 

[One Planer]

My swing is not much faster than yours. When I got fitted, my swing speed with a 6 iron was low 70's so I'm around 85MPH-90MPH.

The phrase hit it better, not harder has always rung true with me.

I can play courses effectively with the swing speed I have. Ill never look to add more distance to my game as I'm comfortable with what I have.

 

[Foxholer]

Btw. It is possible to swing faster, but not very much!

About 5mph is the limit, certainly 10mph would be exceptional! That equates to about 12yards - 1 club difference. That's why the 'better not faster' is the way. Improving your 'Smash Factor' from 1.35 (not awful, but not good) to 1.45 (very good, but still room for improvement) will increase distance by 20 yards or more!

 

[HawkeyeMS]

My pro told me on Thursday that I don't hit my driver hard enough. To be honest, when I tried it in my lesson I was carrying the ball further when I got it right. But for now, I'll put that on the back burner in lieu of accuracy, I don't need 20 yards further if it's in the clag