Improve Your Swing Speed

Learn to Hit Longer

There are many factors that influence how far you hit the ball, but ultimately it comes down to how much ball speed and spin you generate. If you examine the players who hit the farthest on the tour, you can see both similarities and differences. In terms of swing mechanics, they can actually look very different, but two things that will be very similar are position at impact and swing speed. One of the fastest swingers on the tour is Bryson DeChambeau. His average clubhead speed is 132 mph, and the fastest swing he’s recorded in competition is 139 mph—which are pretty crazy numbers. We “average” golfers won’t reach those numbers, but it’s absolutely possible to add 5–10 mph to your swing speed with a little practice.

Strength

To increase swing speed, it’s important to train your strength, especially in your core and legs. Effective exercises include: Cable rotations, jump squats, rotating sit-ups, and leg presses.

Gary Player, over 90 years old, does 1,000 sit-ups daily and emphasizes the importance of core strength for the golf swing.

Rawspeed/Superspeed

In addition to physical training, it’s beneficial to practice swinging beyond your capacity. Tools like Rawspeed and Superspeed are excellent options for this. Both products include shafts with different weights and a training program that utilizes so-called “overspeed” training. As you follow the program, your muscles will get used to swinging faster while your core gets stronger thanks to the heavier weights.

Endurance

For golfers, endurance is important for maintaining focus and avoiding sloppy shots when you get tired. A round of golf involves 10,000–15,000 steps and the added weight of the golf bag and clubs. Interval training can improve your fitness and help you avoid mistakes toward the end of the round. Start with 45 seconds of jogging followed by 2 minutes of walking, and gradually increase to 90 seconds of jogging.

Different circumstances

The tips you’ve read above are intended for all golfers. However, not all golfers will be able to perform these activities in the same way. The only person you should compare your golf, your training, and ultimately your progress to is yourself. No matter what level you’re at today, you have the opportunity to improve through training. Start by understanding your current level by determining your swing speed, how far you hit the ball with your driver, and, if possible, which hole you feel you start to lose energy on.

While you can definitely learn to hit the ball farther by increasing your swing speed, there are other factors that can help you hit the ball farther without swinging faster. These can range from swing technique aspects that increase your smash factor to a shaft that better suits your swing. If you’d like to read more about the golf swing and various factors that affect ball flight, you can do so here. If you’d rather read more about how the shaft affects ball flight, you can do so here.