The current thinking seems to be that good technique and a grooved swing will naturally lead to a faster swing. It's this that I refuse to believe. If that were the case then why can't experienced players hit the ball 300 yards?
Swing Speed - Holy Cow!
- Thread starter timgolfy
- Start date
bobmac
Major Champion
Nature, definately although nurture helps
sweatysock41
Q-School Graduate
We are not saying it will lead to a faster swing - we have said it will lead to an increase in distance. There is a subtle difference.
Okay - so you have a very sweet contact at 90mph. Is that enough to drive 300 yards?
goldenbare
Challenge Tour Pro
In any area where a skill is required, music, sports art etc. the ones that reach the top are the ones that have natural ability and then work like made.
it doesn't matter what size you are, its natural hand eye coordination that makes a good ball sportsman. We all want to be good but have to know the limits of our abilities.
Dontcha just love it when people come on the forum and are going to change the world without experiencing the conundrum that is GOLF.
it doesn't matter what size you are, its natural hand eye coordination that makes a good ball sportsman. We all want to be good but have to know the limits of our abilities.
Dontcha just love it when people come on the forum and are going to change the world without experiencing the conundrum that is GOLF.
sweatysock41
Q-School Graduate
Possibly, if the conditions were right, and the equipment was matched to your swing speed. I'm approaching 50, My swing speed was measured at 92 mph and I have driven the 11th hole at my course 311 yds. It doesn't happen every time and my technique requires a lot more work but it is possible.
surefire
Challenge Tour Pro
The thing with this is, all the kids might have the same potential, but some reach it sooner.
These kids then get even more attention, so improve even more whilst the others get left behind, as they get less coaching.
There was a study about ice hockey players in Canada that was similar to this. At junior level the kids whose birthdays were at the start of the school\sports age group year, were effectively a year older than those at the end. As kids a year is a lot of development time, so these kids were stronger\faster\smarter. The coaches obviously see this, and devout more time to the "gifted" kids.
By the time the kids reach 18, the skill gap has increased even more because the amount of coaching time and encouragement. At the pro level there is a disproportionate spread of birthday months reflecting this.
My point being, the different between nature and nurture can be a fine line and not always easy to sport.
bobmac
Major Champion
Health is also an issue.
How long will your body stand the punishment it takes if your swing isn't bio-mechanically sound.
If your technique isn't good and you swing fast enough to hit it miles, something will eventually give.
Tim, if you like smashing it out there, go for it and have alot of fun but expect to be chipping sideways a fair bit.
Alvaro Quiros is no slouch but probably only hits 4-5 fairways per round. Fine on open wide courses but on tight treelined fairways, he would always struggle.
How long will your body stand the punishment it takes if your swing isn't bio-mechanically sound.
If your technique isn't good and you swing fast enough to hit it miles, something will eventually give.
Tim, if you like smashing it out there, go for it and have alot of fun but expect to be chipping sideways a fair bit.
Alvaro Quiros is no slouch but probably only hits 4-5 fairways per round. Fine on open wide courses but on tight treelined fairways, he would always struggle.
Tiger Woods has natural ability - he was born with a golf club in his hands.
The Williams sisters were born with tennis rackets in theirs.
Lionel Messi was born on a football.
The Williams sisters were born with tennis rackets in theirs.
Lionel Messi was born on a football.
sweatysock41
Q-School Graduate
My Mrs' says I was born in a Barn 
bobmac
Major Champion
My Mrs' says I was born in a Barn
Shut that flippin door
sweatysock41
Q-School Graduate
goldenbare
Challenge Tour Pro
But I bet they still all worked like mad to make the best of their abilities
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
Kaymer - 295 yRDS
Westwood - 288
Donald - 271
Gmac - 288
Whay do you want to drive 300 yards?
Westwood - 288
Donald - 271
Gmac - 288
Whay do you want to drive 300 yards?
G_Mulligan
Tour Rookie
I may be coming late in this debate but I am going to stick my oar in anyway. I understand the science behind fast twitch fibres but I fail to see how every pro golfer out there has alot of them. Yeah Ricky Fowler and Rory mcilroy probably have a boat load and that means they can swing fast naturally but it should also be noted that swing speeds are worked on at a younger and younger ages due to the length of Pro courses. This means the technique of a fast swing is ingrained and natural to them. Others can still build it up over time. Harrington for example was not even the best player in his house growing up but he worked alot harder and alot longer than his brother and became one of the best in the world and not short off the tee by any standards.
My coach is trying to get me to swing faster at the moment because it really is the only way of adding significant distance. Club head speed may well stem from good technique but speed is the key to hitting it long. Yeah it is pointless hitting it 280+ and spending your day in the trees but if you can harness it you will have a big advantage over other players and with a great shortgame you should be able to beat a 250 yard player in the long run.
My coach is trying to get me to swing faster at the moment because it really is the only way of adding significant distance. Club head speed may well stem from good technique but speed is the key to hitting it long. Yeah it is pointless hitting it 280+ and spending your day in the trees but if you can harness it you will have a big advantage over other players and with a great shortgame you should be able to beat a 250 yard player in the long run.
sawtooth
Tour Winner
Because they try to hit it 300yds, especially with their backswings.
The difference between those figures and ours are that theirs are AVERAGE distances and REAL distances, not make believe.
Currently, I would say my average drive is 250 yards (80% fairways). I've spent countless hours on the driving range trying to groove a decent swing to achieve it and regularly worked on speeding things up. I just didn't realise how slow I was compared to the pros.
I'm a late comer to this and personally I think the OP is shall I say, "optimistic". Swinging fast alone and trying to measure speed on this bit of kit isn't the way to long STRAIGHT drives. Personally if I was on a mission for regular 280+ drives then I'd be looking at gym work, bio mechanics, a good swing coach, regular practice, custom fitted gear and a lot of practice and dedication
As the ad on tv says - speed kills and I'd rather be 250 every time and off short grass than trying to go supersonic with every swing to get another 30 yards but playing 3 off the tee or chipping out sideways.
Not sure if I missed what level the OP is currently at and where he ultimately wants to get but in my opinion ditch this bit of tat and get some lessons and learn the fundamentals of a good swing with a driver and let tempo, timing and technique take care of business
As the ad on tv says - speed kills and I'd rather be 250 every time and off short grass than trying to go supersonic with every swing to get another 30 yards but playing 3 off the tee or chipping out sideways.
Not sure if I missed what level the OP is currently at and where he ultimately wants to get but in my opinion ditch this bit of tat and get some lessons and learn the fundamentals of a good swing with a driver and let tempo, timing and technique take care of business
bobmac
Major Champion
If you hit 80% of fairways and average 250yds, you hit it far enough to be a scratch golfer.
G1BB0
Money List Winner
who says marathon runners cant sprint, they do for 26 miles.... try and keep up with some of them buggers for 100-200m
this debate is part of the whole golfing conundrum. there are so many variables to improving from technique, equipment, temperament, natural ability, nurtured lack of ability etc etc etc
isnt golf and this forum great
this debate is part of the whole golfing conundrum. there are so many variables to improving from technique, equipment, temperament, natural ability, nurtured lack of ability etc etc etc
isnt golf and this forum great
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