Developing and gaining speed
The Need for Speed
There is almost a linear correlation between swing speed and golf handicap. Generally, as swing speed increases, the player’s handicap tends to decrease, particularly in the range from mid- to low-handicap golfers. Here’s a closer look:
• PGA Tour players: These golfers tend to have extremely fast driver swing speeds of 113+ mph. Top-level pros can often exceed 120 mph, with the longest hitters, like Rory McIlroy or Bryson DeChambeau, reaching speeds of 125+ mph
• Lower Handicaps (0-5): These golfers tend to have faster driver swing speeds 100-105 mph. The correlation is strong at this level because greater swing speed translates into more distance, giving these golfers shorter approach shots and more birdie opportunities.
• Mid-Handicaps (6-15): Swing speed starts to decline gradually as handicaps increase. Golfers in this range still have decent Driver swing speed 90-100 mph, but other factors like consistency, accuracy, and short-game skills become more critical to their overall performance.
• Higher Handicaps (16 and above): Swing speeds drop further often below 90 mph.
In short, the correlation is strong but not purely linear because other skills (accuracy, short game, putting) also influence a golfer’s handicap.
A modest increase in swing speed can make a huge difference to performance, an example of this would be a golfer gaining 5 mph speed. This would relate to approximately 15 meters distance gain from the tee and also the player would need at least 1 club maybe 2 clubs less on the approach to the green. This could turn a Par 4 hole from driver then 6 iron into driver then 9 iron.
During my 20000 hours on the range coaching players of all standards I have also noticed an interesting phenomenon, the average swing speed of a male PGA tour player is around 90 mph with a 7 iron. Your deficit compared to the PGA pros is approximately your handicap . For example a player with a 7 iron speed of 72 mph would have 18 handicap or close to it.
Therefore anyone looking to improve their handicap should test for club speed and put a plan into place to gain speed.
What is your clubhead speed?
A plan to improve
Once we have measured your swing speed it is then time to set some goals and start the training plan. A typical training plan to improve swing speed is over 6 weeks. We will use the Superspeed overspeed training plan. Overspeed Training works by making your body more faster than normal during the training gradually causing the brain to remember this faster speed. Typical gains after this 6 week plan are between 5-10 mph in clubhead speed. This equates to around 15-30 meters gained from the tee and 2 clubs less on your approach shot. Predicted handicap improvement 2-5 shots.
Book your assessment todayFootnote
Of course strength, balance and flexibility play an important role in gaining speed and I will happily refer you to our TPI fitness expert to work on these key aspects.
Custom fitting can also play a key role, experimenting with lighter weight shafts and making sure your club are optimized.
Initial assessment
- Observation and club speed measurement (approx 30 min)
- Working through proposed changes
- Ground reaction forces training
- Start of overspeed training
- Club fitting check
- Video analysis
- Custom Report
- Development of blue print for future training
- Practice structure, routines and drills
Follow up lesson
- Video analysis
- Progress check
- Feedback on changes
- Continued technical training
- Only possible after initial assessment!