Huge Decrease in Swing Speed!!!

[jones137]

Why??

Ok, here's the deal. I been playing golf seriously for about 8 years. I'm a 8.6 hdcp and have gotten into the 70's quite a bit this year. I'm a great putter and have an outstanding short game. My SS with the driver has usually been in the 103-105mph which isn't great but above average. I got on the launch monitor yesterday to compare my R7425 vs. G10 vs. FT5 to see which one gave me the highest ballspeeds and was most online. To my dismay, my SS was averaging 89 - 92 mph with the driver with ballspeeds in the high 130's.....what the h!@#. I also was hitting about 60 yard offline hooks.

I've been noticing this on the course as well that my average drive is in the 230-240 range compared to what I used to be in the 260-270 range. This is putting unbelievable pressure on my game and if I didn't have a great short game I would be screwed.

My question, what would cause a huge drop in SS? The pro who did my launch monitor fitting who was a former assistant pro at Isleworth said my left wrist was breaking down and I was coming too far from the inside. Any sugghestions on how to fix this and get higher SS's in general. I'm 28, 6'3", 220lbs and very flexible. I feel like I should be in the 110-115 mph range for my SS.

[ej002]

Sounds like you are casting, (losing your angle of your wrist hinge). You try to hit it hard, the right hand over takes the left, the club head gets ahead of itself causing the loss of lag.

 

Try to close the face and hit straight balls with that way (as a drill). You should notice that you have to "hold" the angle between the your forarm and shaft longer. You will keep your hands in front of the ball. That should help.

 

You want to hit the ball so your Right hand (wrist) is cupped in relation to your forarm (not straight).

[wkuo3]

I'm taking a wild guess that your swing tempo is not a smooth one, but more like a snap at impact?

If so, several things might be imvolved here, you could be rushing through impact zone thinking you're applying the power ( snap) to the golf ball, actually you might be releasing too soon, and lost potential power from the core.

This might be OK if you're in top shape physically, but any injury ( pronounced or hidden ) especially in you wrists or palms and fingers, would cause the lost of swing speed

If you don't wish to change anything and you're not feeling injury on your wrists and fingers, do some exercise with the grip ball to strenthen your forearms, wrists and fingers.

The reversed is also true should you injuryed your shoulder or back.

[jones137]

Thanks for the replies. The pro told me I am hitting from the top and I've seen this numerous time in my swing on video where all my lag is lost about half way down and basically I'm slapping at the ball with no real power. I'll try the drill with the closed face......so the premise is that in order to get the face square at impact I would basically need to hold off and almost release after impact in order to ingrain the feeling of a late release?

 

Anymore drills to learn a late release and feel lag?

[wkuo3]

This was brought up by one of the fellow WRX'er in the topic of Hogan's Swing.

One of my favorite clip.

[ej002]

Thanks for the replies. The pro told me I am hitting from the top and I've seen this numerous time in my swing on video where all my lag is lost about half way down and basically I'm slapping at the ball with no real power. I'll try the drill with the closed face......so the premise is that in order to get the face square at impact I would basically need to hold off and almost release after impact in order to ingrain the feeling of a late release?

 

Anymore drills to learn a late release and feel lag?

 

Yes, swinging from the top is the same thing. Dont think about the club head, just pull the shaft past the ball. Gravity, physics, all that other stuff will get the head to the ball. You may not be able to hit it straight with the closed face, but in the attempt you should get the feel. And you are right, you should not "actively" release the club (dont force it), it will happen on its own. YOur right hand will over take you left, much AFTER the ball is gone.

 

Try it with a mid iron first. You could hit 3/4 punch shots first - then move up. This should cure it.

[martfin]

Wow, thanks guy's I have been doing the same thing. I used to hit 250 to 270 consistently, now I'm lucky to hit 240. I knew I was losing my lag and casting I just didn't know what drills to try and gain it back. So thanks again and I will try them.