W L
GOLF
LOCKDOWN THAT SPEED
BY TOM ATKINSON , PGA GOLF PROFESSIONAL
So , here we are once again in lockdown , can ' t see friends and can ' t improve your golf or can you !!?? This is a hot topic at the moment , let ' s see if we can help you out with yours !
What ' s your club head speed with a driver ? It seems to be the tour pro ' s obsession at the moment , owing mainly to the amount of data at their fingertips , and they ' re working hard to increase it , after all , a faster swing speed will equate to more ball speed and subsequently , longer drives .
The average male golfer has a swing speed of 93.4 MPH and a total drive distance of 214 Yards , 78 MPH and 167 yards for ladies . An increase of 1 MPH will give on average another 3.16 yards off the tee , so imagine being able to increase your speed by 5 or even 10 MPH
Here ' s how I can help you increase yours , from your own home !
Firstly you need to train your body to swing faster , to do this you will need to swing a club that is lighter than the one you use normally , but you ' ve not got a lighter one ? Most modern drivers are adjustable meaning you can remove the head leaving just the shaft , presto , a lighter club , or if your driver is fixed then try using an alignment stick , a cane , there ' s endless options . Make your normal swing and see how quickly it feels as you ' re moving the end of it , the aim is to break out of the habit your brain has been accustomed to , swinging it in and around the same speed for all these years . Mix up the lighter club with occasional swings of your actual driver . This is all swinging and no hitting balls ! play for as long as possible , your fitness is key . Work on some basic stuff at home around mobility , flexibility , stability and strength . There are umpteen examples online for you to try , here are just 5 of my favourite stretches for flexibility for you to go and look up :
1 . Shoulder Flossing 2 . Scarecrow Twists 3 . Standing Side Stretch 4 . Twisting Stretch 5 . Hip Press
Finally your equipment will play a huge roll in your speed , from your shafts to the support from your shoes . We can check this for you once we return but have a think now . If you ' re using shafts that are too heavy or too stiff for you then either one will eat into the club head speed . We need to be comfortable out on the course so this is where we start when it comes to buying shoes , the pros don ’ t though , you probably weren ’ t aware that manufacturers offer a comfort range and a performance range , this can affect how attached to the ground you are , which again can help you to maximise club head speed . Don ’ t get me wrong , they ’ re all comfortable but a performance shoe will be much sturdier , providing more support and less over all movement .
Performance shoe
Comfort shoe
Hopefully you can get out in the garden and train yourself to swing it quicker , set aside 10 minutes of your day to increase your golf fitness and go and check your equipment for things that may be slowing you down .
Then there ' s fitness , listen I understand that you ' re not trying to win the Open , or you might be , it is back at Hoylake in 2023 after all , but I do know that you ' d like to lower your scores , enjoy your golf more and
Stay safe golfers , Tom Atkinson
64 wirrallife . com