Tips on Building Clubhead speed?

[300_Straight]

Just wondering if you guys have any tips on generating more clubhead speed? I bought these WAG (Weighted Agility Gloves) from Draztek and am going to start using them to improve wrist strength. They feel awkward, but could theoretically help with swing speed. I'm generally around the 108-115mph area with the driver (according to Golfsmith) with a smash factor averaging around 1.45, but would ultimately like to improve to 125-130mph. Real world numbers I usually drive around ~300 give or take with the occasional 265 mishit. I'm pretty flexible and am continuing to stretch, which is a great thing to have because I'm not a big guy (5'9 160). I was wondering if you guys had any more tips for generating clubhead speed. Thanks!

[Petunia Sprinkle]

Do you ever do any sprinting, or boxing?

[300_Straight]

I don't, but I am in pretty good shape. However, I'd like to get more involved in a cardio regimen for a multitude of reasons. I do body weight exercises at home (pull ups, pushups) and resistance band work as well. I'm 28 so still fairly young. I did do kickboxing with my wife for a trial, and though we did like it a lot, it was extremely expensive so we passed for the time being.

I was considering trying the Long Drive Competition in the future, so I'd like to get my speed up to 130+. I have no plans on winning, but I think it would be a cool experience.

[VinceRKG]

Just go out and swing your driver as fast as you can for about 30 swings, than hit 10 balls as fast as you can without worrying about accuracy at first. Than once you have your swing speed up, start to focus little by little on hitting straight. All your doing remember is swinging faster, so keep your swing the same as you would swing for control, just as fast as you possibly can.

[Petunia Sprinkle]

The thing about sprinting and working a bag is that your using speeds that are faster than you'd use in a golf swing. It's really overspeed training (and the action of punching is very similar to the piston action of your dominant arm in a golf swing). I'm talking about actual hitting a bag, not some pseudo kickboxing Zumba type cardio. Anyway, once you've been overspeed training, getting more clubhead speed becomes more about technique (sequencing) and flexibility than jumping out of your shoes, if that makes any sense.

[VinceRKG]

But it also depends on if your body is capable of those speeds. Not everyone can go out and practice and get to 145mph swing speed if they cant get to 110mph swing speed. One might jump 5-9mph swing speed not much more though. Its either you have those fast twitch muscles in you or you don't.......

[300_Straight]

[quote name='Petunia Sprinkle' timestamp='1443480654' post='12380694']
The thing about sprinting and working a bag is that your using speeds that are faster than you'd use in a golf swing. It's really overspeed training (and the action of punching is very similar to the piston action of your dominant arm in a golf swing). I'm talking about actual hitting a bag, not some pseudo kickboxing Zumba type cardio. Anyway, once you've been overspeed training, getting more clubhead speed becomes more about technique (sequencing) and flexibility than jumping out of your shoes, if that makes any sense.
[/quote]
We were hitting the bag but I know what you mean. That makes sense, considering you move much faster punching and kicking than you would in a golf swing. The kicking motion is another good one to develop hip and lower body strength. Thanks for the suggestion.

Vince, thanks as well. I am going to try to implement both of these into training. Also am going to continue flexibility training and using those gloves. I wonder what prevents you from swinging 170mph.

[Petunia Sprinkle]

By the way, hill sprinting is a great workout and has built in protections against injury. For golf, 25yd. uphill sprints are perfect. Here's Staley's article on the matter - http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/staley14.htm

[ThunderBuzzworth]

Powerlifting

[93turbobasket]

[quote name='ThunderBuzzworth' timestamp='1444092714' post='12415294']
Powerlifting
[/quote]

PREACH

[meeks7]

The best place to start is to get a old taylormade driver that you can add weight to or add lead tape to a current driver. Being a personal trainer I have played around with several different trainings. I have had success adding speed by ending my workouts with weighted swings and med ball throws with progressive weight. If you have any questions on training feel free to message me!

[300_Straight]

I recently broke my Aldila NV 65-S shaft (split at the hosel), so I can now use the shaft alone as overspeed training lol. That and I also have the Draztek weighted agility gloves that should be able to help. Although it's difficult to hit the ball with the weights on the wrist. I'm sure it helps wrist strengthening, but I feel like a weight in the head of the club could be very beneficial as well.

Also doing some power lifts (squats, etc) and isometric wall presses (back against wall with 90 deg bend in the knees holding for 1 minute). I'm doing these at home, so the weight is very limited at this point.

I've been watching "My Swing Evolution" on Youtube and he allegedly increased his clubhead speed by over 20mph. That's incredible. Depending on where I go (Golfsmith vs. PGA Superstore), the readings differ. I am 108-115 at Golfsmith but more like 115-120 at the PGA Superstore.

[JustTheTips]

[quote name='300_Straight' timestamp='1446226569' post='12529350']
I recently broke my Aldila NV 65-S shaft (split at the hosel), so I can now use the shaft alone as overspeed training lol. That and I also have the Draztek weighted agility gloves that should be able to help. Although it's difficult to hit the ball with the weights on the wrist. I'm sure it helps wrist strengthening, but I feel like a weight in the head of the club could be very beneficial as well.

Also doing some power lifts (squats, etc) and isometric wall presses (back against wall with 90 deg bend in the knees holding for 1 minute). I'm doing these at home, so the weight is very limited at this point.

I've been watching "My Swing Evolution" on Youtube and he allegedly increased his clubhead speed by over 20mph. That's incredible. Depending on where I go (Golfsmith vs. PGA Superstore), the readings differ. I am 108-115 at Golfsmith but more like 115-120 at the PGA Superstore.
[/quote]

Every golfsmith I have been in recently have used GC2. GC2 doesn't measure clubhead speed. They make it up (well actually they fix the smash factor at 1.45:))

If you want to be as fast as possible, you want to do everything
a) technique. Hit the center of the club head face and the golfsmith swing speed might go up to 120mph:)
b) flexiblity - you need some.
c) strength - heavy weights in the gym
d) power - various jumps, sprints, med ball throws, fast weight motions with light wieghts,...
e) speed - swinging the lightweight club. Just trying to go at it at as fast as possible
f) equipment - nothign like adding another 3" to gain some speed if you can handle it

What works best for you depends on your weakness. Long term you want to max out all of them.

Personally I would be a bit worried about hitting a ball with weighted gloves in that they might mess up technique. But if they work for you, go for it.

[300_Straight]

[quote name='JustTheTips' timestamp='1446745416' post='12557138']
[quote name='300_Straight' timestamp='1446226569' post='12529350']
I recently broke my Aldila NV 65-S shaft (split at the hosel), so I can now use the shaft alone as overspeed training lol. That and I also have the Draztek weighted agility gloves that should be able to help. Although it's difficult to hit the ball with the weights on the wrist. I'm sure it helps wrist strengthening, but I feel like a weight in the head of the club could be very beneficial as well.

Also doing some power lifts (squats, etc) and isometric wall presses (back against wall with 90 deg bend in the knees holding for 1 minute). I'm doing these at home, so the weight is very limited at this point.

I've been watching "My Swing Evolution" on Youtube and he allegedly increased his clubhead speed by over 20mph. That's incredible. Depending on where I go (Golfsmith vs. PGA Superstore), the readings differ. I am 108-115 at Golfsmith but more like 115-120 at the PGA Superstore.
[/quote]

Every golfsmith I have been in recently have used GC2. GC2 doesn't measure clubhead speed. They make it up (well actually they fix the smash factor at 1.45:))

If you want to be as fast as possible, you want to do everything
a) technique. Hit the center of the club head face and the golfsmith swing speed might go up to 120mph:)
b) flexiblity - you need some.
c) strength - heavy weights in the gym
d) power - various jumps, sprints, med ball throws, fast weight motions with light wieghts,...
e) speed - swinging the lightweight club. Just trying to go at it at as fast as possible
f) equipment - nothign like adding another 3" to gain some speed if you can handle it

What works best for you depends on your weakness. Long term you want to max out all of them.

Personally I would be a bit worried about hitting a ball with weighted gloves in that they might mess up technique. But if they work for you, go for it.
[/quote]
Thanks for the post. I actually found Golfsmith to be more accurate relative to CHS. Reason I say this, I was at the PGA Superstore last night and they put black tape on my driver to measure my Angle of Attack. This 'tape' allows a more accurate measure of swing speed, which was primarily between 112-115. I think this is a better indication than the 115-120 I've been seeing at PGA SS without the tape.

My SF is usually 1.47-1.51, so I'm hitting the ball well. Just need to get that CHS up, which I'm going to try overspeed training as well as bodyweight plometrics/isometrics. Thanks for the tips.

Also found that I have a Negative AOA with my driver averaging (-2), so that could be improved as well to hit the ball further. With my CHS, it's not too bad hitting slightly down on the ball, but my Launch Angles are low, so I'm sure I could pick up some distance with a positive AOA. These launch monitors have really changed the game.

[KimSeHo]

I have a club head speed of 115mph on average. I am 16 years old. 183cm and weighing around 59-60kg. How can I gain more club head speed? You guys can take a look at my swing @KimShady101 on Instagram. I am planning to increase my body mass above 70kg and more. I'd say I have the potential to increase my club head speed. 130mph is my goal, but faster would be better. Ive played Golf for over 10 years so technique might not be the issue. Help guys?
Thank you!

[93turbobasket]

Be weary of swinging anything that is more than 10-20% heavier than your driver. while it may be conducive to some strength, swinging anything too heavy will only teach your nervous system how to swing slower. Focus on strengthening your whole body, while also focusing on teaching your body to move faster than it ever has.

[clubtwirlz]

Swing harder.

[mikpga]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neHLgJT_Xqc

[playa]

[quote name='Petunia Sprinkle' timestamp='1443480654' post='12380694']
The thing about sprinting and working a bag is that your using speeds that are faster than you'd use in a golf swing. It's really overspeed training (and the action of punching is very similar to the piston action of your dominant arm in a golf swing). I'm talking about actual hitting a bag, not some pseudo kickboxing Zumba type cardio. Anyway, once you've been overspeed training, getting more clubhead speed becomes more about technique (sequencing) and flexibility than jumping out of your shoes, if that makes any sense.
[/quote]
Never really thought about it before but I've always had decent chs (still a hair above 100 at 47 years old, probably around 110 plus in my prime) and I did a lot of boxing in my youth and still shadow box all the time (just a habit that you keep for life). If you learn real boxing, as opposed to boxercise where it's just abkut fitness, you really learn how to use weight shift to generate power and how to really generate fast hand speed. Throwing a right hand (for an orthodox boxer) is very similar to swinging a golf club right handed in as far as you get all your weight moving onto your front (left) foot and storing the power til impact. If you watch good bkxers you will see that they are very loose and relaxed right up until impact when throwing a right hand. They don't throw it with their shoulder from way back. It is kept cocked right up until impact, then thrown through the target so all the power is directed at and slightly past the target, like a good golfer stores lag on the downswing and hits through impact, not to impact. Very good analogy, I'm surprised I never noticed it before.

[EKELLY]

But it also depends on if your body is capable of those speeds. Not everyone can go out and practice and get to 145mph swing speed if they cant get to 110mph swing speed. One might jump 5-9mph swing speed not much more though. Its either you have those fast twitch muscles in you or you don't.......

You're right. It's the combination at impact. I was in Vegas for the last REMAX. Jamie was the only one around 150 MPH, couldn't find the grid. I'm only in the 115 MPH range, at 50 years old, but I'm a slight fade. The quest for long drives in many cases, doesn't help the golf game....LOL

[meeks7]

Get in the gym. Work on explosive lifts such as power clean, box jumps, KB swings. As well as work on power with squat, bench and deadlift. I work with athletes everyday and have the most success with adding speed weather it be running or swinging by working the posterior chain. Your power comes from your legs with the upward drive. There's no perfect program that will add distance but trying a mix of exercises and finding what works best for you.

[CmacLD]

u tube andy bollenbacher it proves a few things Yes he is a little power house but he is only 5 7" like me ,,can create a 140chs without being 6 ft tall ,,,core strength,,,,,flexibility,,,hands ,,,hands,,hands,,,can create a lot of chs,,,he has very loose hands but squeezes the ring and finger on the left hand on the down

[Mr22putt]

Lanny Watkins said they easiest way to increase clubhead speed is with your hands.

Obviously, the downside is getting too flippy with the hands causing low hooks.

[physics&golf101]

Physical strength in arms and shoulders means very little to club head speed. Face it, a driver weighs about 280-320 grams, or ounces and not pounds, You will not build club head speed by adding mass to your arms/shoulders. You want to decrease your body's moment of inertia, to minimize the effort to put it in motion. Concentrate on strengthening your core, and reducing your body mass as much as possible for extremities away from your core. Strengthen your foundation (legs) to handle the faster rotation. Lowering your body mass will increase your rotational speed by lowering the effort required to do so. It will also increase flexibility which is very important.

 

Keep your forearm strength up for hitting through rough. Other than that, don't spend hours building muscles.

[CmacLD]

this supports a bit of what your saying,,but there are many examples of muscular guys that have unreal CHS Jason Zubak,Mitch Dobynn,Muarice Allan, and yes they have trained for this specificly ,,but even Rory,Tiger,Jason D are flexing some pipes,,but it is true your don't need big muscles to go fast ,,,

 

 

All muscle contractions are not equal. Fast, explosive movements like singing, throwing, punching and kicking, have a stretch-shorten cycle that starts with a quick pre-stretch of the muscle that almost completely contracts the muscle, stores energy in an elastic way, and then accelerates through the entire range of motion to release the energy built at the end. Some contractions are eccentric, some isometric. Again, traditional weight lifting execution discourages this type of technique because of the high amount of inertia, momentum, and centrifugal forces that creates dangerous conditions that increase the incidence of injury.

[woldon]

For swing speed training with a lighter driver and a heavier driver, how much lighter and how much heavier if one were to remove weight from / add weight to the clubhead?

Would a shorter shaft and a longer shaft work just as well?

And how about gripping down on the shaft for the lighter work?

[CmacLD]

+ and - 15% of your current driver , you can use a longer shaft ,but you reg length should be fine.

[woldon]

Thanks for the + and - 15% tip, which seems to comply with other "sports science" findings. This is very much a plyometric exercise, which should be performed with care as it is strenuous on the joints and can lead to unwelcome injuries. What about isometric exercises for building speed, which strengthen tendons and ligaments in a more body friendly and "injury free" manner?

[CmacLD]

training the entry kinetic chain is always a good idea, but for this specific event which is to increase SS your fast twitch muscles come into play more as at the end of the stretch the firing mechanism has to be ready to handle the force your about to deliver, that's why a lot of long drive guys and pro golfers do work which core lifts ,squats,deadlifts, cleans,, it trains the body to accept stress, these lifts should be done with some quidenance on form to lower the risk of injury, as for the isometic stuff, I prefer a stretching routine that isolates areas that you may feel sore or tight abit. Also SS training needs to be done from both sides this helps with deceleration as your body needs to stop itself using different muscles from the other side. Hope this helps

[woldon]

Thanks Cmac, this is a useful overview. Why do you relate the isometric exercises to stretching exercises? I was thinking of isometrics as an alternative to some of the core lift, squat and dead lift type exercises, as explosive/short duration isometrics engage the fast twitch muscles, and serve to strengthen tendons and ligaments, which makes the body more injury resistant.