Golf Swing Speed Drills

Golf swing speed refers to the speed your clubhead attains before impact with the ball. With better swing speed, the ball moves further since a faster clubhead means longer shots. All golfers aim to hit the ball further, whether it’s off the tee or yards out on the fairway.

Clubhead speed is the single most significant contributor to distance. A high clubhead speed means a higher ball speed. You can get your tee shots further down the fairway with extra distance and have less space to cover into the green.

PGA Tour data shows the game is changing. If you want to compete at the pro level, you need some serious clubhead speed, with most players averaging over 120 mph. Fortunately, here are 7 of the best golf swing speed drills to increase your clubhead speed so you can hit the ball farther.

Resource: Step by Step Golf Practice Routines + Training System

7 Best Golf Swing Speed Drills

1. Speed Setup Drill

Inefficiencies in your swing setup can cost you vital yardages every time you play. The form influences how you transfer energy to the ball and, ultimately, its speed. Practice this setup drill to master your stance and position for maximum swing speed.

• Take a wider stance than usual to acquire a more stable base and encourage some resistance in your swing.
• Move your shoulder down a bit, ensuring around 60% of your weight is on your right side at the address.
• Position the ball slightly further forward, like in front of the big toe of your left foot, and teed up marginally higher.
• Aim for a big shoulder rotation in the backswing. Ensure your left shoulder comes over and across the right knee cap. Keep your left arm straight.
• Don’t let your knees extend or flex too much as you turn. Ensure your legs and hips have plenty of resistance.
• Good timing and rhythm are essential for maximum swing speed. Drive your body weight across at the top of the backswing by focusing on your belt buckle. You need to feel like you’re spinning around like a wheel as quickly as possible to face your target.

2. Upside Down Swing Club Drill

This drill teaches you to accelerate the club into the ball so the clubhead can reach its maximum speed. A common mistake that will kill your ball speed is releasing the club too early or too late.

• Turn your club upside down and grip it just below the clubhead on the shaft.
• Take a few swings and note where you get the loudest ‘swoosh’. The goal is to ensure it’s around the impact zone.
• If your swoosh occurs before the impact zone, you’re releasing too early, and if it’s beyond then, you’re releasing too late.
• Continue swinging until you can consistently make a loud swoosh at the impact zone.
• You should realize that you have to rotate your shoulders and hips on the downswing for perfect results. Hips should uncoil first, then shoulders and arms follow.

3. Swing Step Drill

This drill helps you master how to get more lag in your swing. Golfers at all levels are obsessed with mastering lag in the swing. Better lag boosts your clubhead speed, distance, and quality of contact.

• Assume a proper golf setup at the address.
• Step the lead foot away from the target to ensure it’s right beside the trail foot.
• Hold your arms out in front with the clubhead pointing towards the target and the club shaft parallel to the ground.
• Sing your arms into a backswing. As you make the downswing, step your lead foot forward into its regular position and complete the golf swing.
• By simply stepping forward as your arms move, you naturally load energy, giving you the feel of stored energy required for the lag.

4. 10 Finger Golf Grip Drill

Also known as the baseball grip, it involves both hands pressed against each other on the clasp. It gives you better leverage to create more clubhead speed at impact and improve your distance.

• Simply hold your club with both hands, like it’s a softball or baseball bat.
• Let the golf club’s grip rest in your hands where the base of the fingers and palms meet. Keep the club on your fingers, not your palms.
• Ensure you have adequate pressure on the grip but avoid gripping the club too tight. Keep the thumb of your right hand pointed out, and avoid wrapping it around the club.
• Perform a swinging motion by rotating your forearms in a similar action to hitting a baseball.
• Avoid gripping it and ripping it, and take your time. A different grip does not change proper swing mechanics.

Resource: How to Break 90, 80, 70 Training Plans

5. Left-Hand Speed Drill

When you grip the club too tight with your right hand, it reduces the swing speed by causing you to cast the club and push it through contact. This drill helps you relax the grip to increase acceleration and speed.

• Start by gripping the club a few inches up with your left hand. It should feel like you’re holding on with the bottom three fingers.
• To ensure correct hip and low body motion, grab your belt buckle with your right hand. This ensures you don’t lack coordination and your lower body does not remain static.
• Once in position, focus on the role of your hips and lower body as you rotate into a backswing.
• You should feel the left knee, left hip and left arm work in unison. Pulling on your left hip initiates the downswing and creates room for the left arm to swing and accelerate.
• It should feel like the body is leading your arm for a better sequence and more penetrating clubhead flight.
• You’ll start relying less on your right arm as you make a normal swing and square up the clubface more consistently.

6. Karaoke Drill

Exercise science research shows that balance and flexibility exercises help increase clubhead speed and driving distance. The karaoke drill is an excellent exercise to improve your balance and flexibility.

• Start by standing upright and place your arms in a goal post position.
• Cross your right foot behind the left one and step to the side with your left foot.
• After stepping, cross your right foot in front of your left foot. Then step again to the side with your left foot.
• Perform this alternating pattern while moving laterally to the left for a few meters. Then reverse the footwork while moving laterally to the right.
• Ensure your upper body stays facing forward. You can start slow and gradually add a brisk pace to the drill.
• It improves your flexibility and balance by enhancing your torso rotation and sequencing.

7. Ball Squeeze Drill

This drill helps you increase strength in your hand and forearm muscles. Increased suppleness and power in your forearms and hands translates to increased swing speed, distance, and control.

• All you’ll need is a rubber ball.
• Squeeze the ball in your right hand as you sit at home watching television or at your desk in the office. Alternate between your right and left hand.
• Ensure you squeeze the ball for five minutes or more at a time with each hand.
• Squeezing for five minutes a day can provide fast results, although it’s recommended you squeeze it for as long as you can.

Golf Practice Plans to Follow

• How to Score in the 60’s Golf Training Plan
• How to Score in the 70’s Golf Training Plan
• How to Score in the 80’s Golf Training Plan
• All Access: Get Every Practice Plan (Lifetime Membership)

Thanks for reading today’s article!

Nick Foy – Golf Instructor