How to Increase Golf Swing Speed
Golf has become the survival of the fittest for amateur golfers looking to increase their golf swing speed. If you want to increase your distance, you can no longer roll out of bed and hope for the best.
In this article on how to increase golf swing speed, we’ll look at how you can boost your strength training to add yardage to each golf club swing.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1
Training
Although you don’t need big muscles to increase distance, you do need to create a physical fitness training regimen that focuses on the correct muscles to help you increase speed.
If you are a gym member, see if your facility has battle ropes. If you are looking for a high-intensity exercise that’s great for building your upper body muscles, the battle ropes are easily one of the most beneficial and efficient exercises to boost your golf game.
At home, using a kettlebell is one of the best devices to help you gain more power.
What’s great about kettlebell swings is that it works the entire body. Arms, back, core, glutes, and legs are utilized in this exercise, and all play a part in creating a powerful rotation when swinging a golf club.
PRO TIP
Weighted golf clubs, or devices with a weighted ball at the end, are a great way to maintain your strength training when traveling or if you don’t have enough time to work out during the day.
CHAPTER 2
Foundation
If you’ve paid attention to professional golfers that hit the longest drives on the PGA Tour, chances are you’ve noticed that their foundation, from their feet to their waist, is solidly locked into the ground for maximum torque.
Along with a full turn away from the ball, golfers need strength from their core and lower body. That power derived from the legs and glutes helps create the coil that golfers need to generate the club head speed that increases yardage, especially with the driver.
PRO TIP
One of the best golf swing tips for increasing distance is simply widening your stance at address. Instead of keeping your feet shoulder-width apart, taking the back foot and extending it out by a few inches will increase swing length. This wider stance increases the length that the club needs to get to the ball, allowing you to create a more hitting speed at impact.
CHAPTER 3
Full Rotation Backswing
You can’t increase club head velocity if you aren’t fully turning away from the golf ball. By making a full turn, you are getting your back facing away from the target and placing the weight over the interior of your inner leg.
In this position, the swing can uncoil on the downswing, creating a powerful rush of momentum to the impact zone.
PRO TIP
Another of our favorite golf swing tips comes from working on our turn away from the ball. Take an alignment stick and pin it against your shoulders by crossing your hands against your chest. The stick should be straight across from shoulder to shoulder.
Place the golf ball usually, as you would at the address, then using the alignment stick as a guide, make a full turn until the stick on your lead shoulder points directly to the golf ball. Work on making that move emphasizing feeling strong and fast through your upper and lower half.
CHAPTER 4
More Data, More Speed
Just like when you are working to lose weight, you need accountability and data comparison. Before you even attempt to increase club head speed, you should find a local launch monitor station that allows you to get a baseline for your distance and club head speed with each club.
Then, after you begin your work, you can go back to the monitor and see if you generate more club head speed. If you are struggling to get additional speed out of your swing, ask for the help of capable golf instructors who can break down your swing on a professional level.
Also, getting a professional club fitting can help you maximize your equipment to help hit the golf ball farther.
PRO TIP
If you are serious about increasing the data on your swing, especially if you are looking to generate speed quickly, then using an at-home monitor can increase your focus because you are working on your own schedule.
CHAPTER 5
Frequently Asked Questions
What exercises increase swing speed?
Although several worthwhile exercises help you increase swing speed, working your upper body with battle ropes and your lower body with kettlebells is a great way to increase clubhead speed.
The battle ropes exercise increases power in the arms, shoulders, and upper torso, while kettlebell swings increase strength in the glutes, quads, abdominal core, arms, shoulders, and back.
Why is my golf swing speed so slow?
One of the biggest reasons golf swings are so slow is the hesitation to swing faster. Too many golfers are scared to unleash their maximum swing speed because they are afraid they will lose control of the shot’s direction.
But actually, by working to increase club head speed, you smooth over nagging swing flaws to hit straighter shots.
How do I add 10 mph to my golf swing?
You can increase club head speed with a few tweaks to your stance and incorporate speed training into your physical fitness workouts. The best tip for adding swing speed is to increase the width of your stance at address.
By increasing the distance between your feet, you elongate the length of your swing, allowing for more momentum when hitting the ball.
How much can I increase my swing speed?
With better fundamentals and exercises targeting specific areas of your body, such as forearm muscles, you can quickly increase swing speed by 5-10 MPH.
By keeping the body loose during the swing, you can also produce more energy to the golf ball and unleash your maximum potential when swinging the golf club.