Inspired by watching the Women's golf at Woburn, I tried swinging the club a bit slower and more smoothly today, like most of them do, and found that even at the age of 70 I was almost hitting forum distances again. 😎
Swing smoother, hit further!
- Thread starter delc
- Start date
HomerJSimpson
Hall of Famer
You seem surprised. Most of us hit it best when we slow down and don't try at all
pokerjoke
Money List Winner
How many men would you watch hit it smoother most are all power but its controlled and the timing is spot on.
So imo forget smoother and get the timing right and it will go further
So imo forget smoother and get the timing right and it will go further
One Planer
Global Moderator
My only take on this, to coin a Callaway phrase, "You can't argue with physics".
You cannot swing slower and hit it further. You just can't! You can swing smoother and hit it further than you would if you snatch and lash at it, but you can't hit it further by swinging slower.
You can still swing fast and be smooth. Look at Jason Day or Dustin Johnson.
Capella
Journeyman Pro
It would be interesting to see the numbers on a launch monitor on this. My guess would be, that even though you feel like you are hitting it slower, your clubhead speed at the moment of impact will actually be the same or even higher, just because the sequence is better.
a few weeks ago i decided to alter my swing by shortening my back swing and slowing down the take away. my back swing is now about 3/4 length but the transaction into the downswing feels a lot smoother and slightly quicker through the ball.
the result is a cleaner strike and i am now a club longer than before.
This added to a change in my grip and set up gives a lower ball flight and a slight draw (still get the odd hook but its work in progress).
the result is a cleaner strike and i am now a club longer than before.
This added to a change in my grip and set up gives a lower ball flight and a slight draw (still get the odd hook but its work in progress).
bobmac
Major Champion
I agree.
Plus, you are less likely to hit the sweet spot consistently if you lash at it
Slower and smoother means that you are more likely to get your timing right meaning you get the power of your body and coil hitting the ball, not just your arms. Pro's get that timing right as a matter of course so they have power plus speed. For most amateurs a fast swing means arm power only, hence why you lose distance.
Unless you are very good and can get your timing spot on slower and smoother will mean better for many amateur golfers, particularly as you get older. Doing it is another challenge altogether, must swing slower, must swing slower.......
Unless you are very good and can get your timing spot on slower and smoother will mean better for many amateur golfers, particularly as you get older. Doing it is another challenge altogether, must swing slower, must swing slower.......
garyinderry
Ryder Cup Winner
Its a smoother transition you are after. once you have changed direction smoothly you can then turn on the power.
God it takes patience. Something most of us have in short supply.
Matsuyama is the king of the pause, start downswing then rip.
God it takes patience. Something most of us have in short supply.
Matsuyama is the king of the pause, start downswing then rip.
njrose51
Challenge Tour Pro
I understand where Delc is coming from. For me, slower and smoother on the take away allows me to get everything in place - coil, shoulder turn etc. then starting the downswing just as smoothly - hopefully - allows the sequence to work, and the acceleration to begin, leading to full power release through the ball rather then rushing with my arms from the top of an incomplete backswing. Smooth and slow allows me to put power and speed into the swing at point of impact. (doesn't always work though and I can still lash the F**K out of the ball with the driver!)
Leftie
Tour Winner
Don't know about you lot, but the number of easy swing lay up shots I've played that go 15 - 20 yds further than a full blooded lash and still end up in the trouble ........ :mmm:
MendieGK
Tour Winner
agree, there is a difference between hard & fast.
Fast comes, from being smooth though IMO
fundy
Ryder Cup Winner
AlanMills
Hacker
Well, unfortunately for you, physics tells us you can do exactly that. I can think of three ways...
1) hitting the ball slower will decrease backspin which, into a head wide, can stop the ball ballooning up and stalling.
2) Alternatively, slower with a better launch angle, can make it longer too.
3) a bit of a cheat this one, but hitting slower and presumably more controlled may well mean you don't hit it into that tree and it may not bounce back behind you. ;-)
Foxholer
Blackballed
This is the key!
Smash Factor (from a LM) will be significantly higher with a smooth feeling, if slightly slower swing because the strike is more often nearer to the sweet spot!
I've apparently got a 'ultra smooth' 90mph Driver swing that maximises ball-speed to around 135 virtually every time! My mate also has a 'smooth' swing - but his is 25mph faster!! If his swing is on, he's 80+ yards ahead of me; if it's slightly off, it can be 100 yards away from mine - often on an adjacent fairway!
Finding the right balance of speed and rhythm (or tempo and timing!) is the key! I'd still like to be able to swing faster, as it's generally a huge advantage!
Oh and Gareth/One-Planer.... 90mph swing with a 1.5 (centred strike) Smash Factor gives same ball-speed as 100mph swing with 1.35 SF (off-centred strike) - so yes, you can hit it further if you hit it better!
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MendieGK
Tour Winner
You've seen a photo of my legs, they are far from smooth.sounds like youre calling yourself smooth Sam
People who feel like they are swinging smoother are often swinging just as fast or faster than normal, they swing better (more efficiently)
The women are probably giving it 98% of all they have, they can just make what is almost flat out look good with balance and technique
You are still talking about golf right?
MendieGK
Tour Winner
maybe, maybe not
I should add that I am now hitting my 8 iron about 150 yards, whereas up to recently it was only 120 yards! 😎
