Drills to Increase Golf Club Head Speed

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Swing Mechanics & Fundamentals

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Quick Answer

• Focus on drills that build rotational power and improve your swing’s kinetic chain.
• Prioritize technique and efficient energy transfer over just swinging harder.
• Consistent practice is your best bet for long-term gains.

Who This is For

• Any golfer who wants to add serious distance to their drives and approach shots.
• Players ready to take their game to the next level by unlocking more power.

What to Check First for Gaining Club Head Speed

• Swing Mechanics: Take a look at your current swing. Are there any obvious leaks in your power transfer? Maybe your hips aren’t turning enough, or your wrists are too stiff. A quick video analysis can be a game-changer here.
• Grip and Posture: A solid foundation is key. Make sure your grip isn’t too tight – think relaxed but secure. Your posture should allow for a full, free turn without strain.
• Flexibility and Mobility: Can your body move the way it needs to? Hips and shoulders are huge for generating speed. Get ’em loose. A quick body check can reveal tightness that’s holding you back.
• Equipment Check: While not a drill, ensure your clubs are the right length and flex for your swing. An ill-fitting club can hinder speed development.

Step-by-Step Plan for Increasing Golf Club Head Speed

Here are some solid drills to get you swinging faster. Remember, it’s about working smarter, not just harder. I’ve found these really help me feel the correct sequence.

1. Medicine Ball Toss Drill:

• Action: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a light medicine ball (3-5 lbs is good to start). Rotate your torso away from the direction you’ll throw, then explosively rotate your hips and torso to throw the ball behind you. Think about uncoiling like a spring.
• What to look for: A powerful, quick hip turn leading the rotation, followed by a full torso coil and release. You should feel the power coming from your core and hips, not just your arms. It should feel dynamic and fast.
• Mistake to avoid: Don’t just heave the ball with your arms. The power needs to originate from your lower body and core. If you feel it mostly in your shoulders, you’re doing it wrong.

2. Towel Drill:

• Action: Grab a golf towel and hold it by one corner, letting the rest hang. Swing it like a golf club, focusing on accelerating through the imaginary “impact zone” where the clubface would be. The goal is to make a loud “crack” sound, like a whip.
• What to look for: A whip-like action at the end of the swing, creating a sharp, audible snap. This mimics the lag and release of the clubhead. You should feel a distinct acceleration just before the towel “snaps.”
• Mistake to avoid: Swinging the towel loosely like a rag without any snap. You need to generate speed and then actively release the towel to create that distinct cracking sound. If it just flutters, you’re missing the point.

3. Step-Through Drill:

• Action: Start your backswing as normal. As you begin your downswing, take a deliberate step forward with your lead foot, planting it firmly. This encourages proper weight transfer and sequencing of your body.
• What to look for: Your lower body initiating the downswing, with your hips starting to turn towards the target before your torso and arms fully unwind. You should feel your weight shift smoothly to your lead side as you step and swing.
• Mistake to avoid: Starting the downswing with your upper body or arms. This kills your potential for speed and can lead to slices or inconsistent contact. The step should feel like it’s driving the swing.

4. Clubhead Lag Drill:

• Action: Take a few slow-motion practice swings with a golf club. Focus on keeping your wrists hinged and the clubhead trailing your hands as you start the downswing. Imagine a rubber band stretching and then snapping forward.
• What to look for: A noticeable delay in the clubhead’s release relative to your hands. The club should feel like it’s “lagging” behind during the initial part of the downswing, then accelerating rapidly through impact.
• Mistake to avoid: Early release of the wrists, which causes the clubhead to whip through too soon and lose power. If the club feels like it’s coming through level with your hands from the top, you’re losing lag.

5. Rotation and Extension Drill:

• Action: Set up as if to hit a golf ball, but without a ball. Swing back, then initiate your downswing by rotating your hips aggressively towards the target. As you rotate, focus on extending your arms through the impact zone.
• What to look for: A powerful, full hip rotation that leads the entire body’s movement. You should feel your body uncoiling and then extending through the shot, creating a broad sweeping motion.
• Mistake to avoid: Trying to generate power solely from your arms or shoulders. The rotation needs to be the primary driver, with your arms and the club following in sequence. If you feel tension in your arms, ease up and focus on the hip turn.

How to Gain Club Head Speed Through Dedicated Practice

Building club head speed isn’t an overnight thing. It requires consistent effort and a smart approach. These drills are designed to ingrain the proper mechanics, which is the foundation for speed. Think of it like building a strong house – you need a solid base before you can add the upper floors. Many golfers get frustrated because they try to swing harder without understanding the underlying movements that create speed. My own journey involved a lot of trial and error, but focusing on these drills made a huge difference.

When you’re practicing, try to feel the difference between a fast swing and a powerful swing. A fast swing can be wild and uncontrolled, but a powerful swing is efficient and directed. The drills above help you find that efficiency. For instance, the medicine ball toss teaches you to use your whole body as a unit, transferring energy from the ground up. The towel drill refines the feeling of accelerating the clubhead through impact, which is crucial for transferring that energy to the ball.

It’s also important to integrate these drills into your practice routine. Don’t just do them once and expect miracles. Try to do them a few times a week, perhaps as part of your warm-up. You can even practice them without a club, just focusing on the feeling of rotation and speed. For golfers looking to improve their overall game and scoring, increasing club head speed is a direct path to hitting the ball further, leading to shorter approach shots and more birdie opportunities. This is a key aspect of how to gain club head speed effectively.

Common Mistakes

• Swinging Harder Without Proper Technique — Why it matters: You’ll likely just get faster but wilder, and you could easily pull a muscle or develop bad habits that are hard to break. This is the quickest way to injury and inconsistent golf. — Fix: Focus on the drills that improve your sequencing and mechanics first. Speed will follow naturally once your body knows how to move efficiently.
• Neglecting the Lower Body and Core — Why it matters: Your hips and core are the engine of your golf swing. They generate the vast majority of your power. Ignoring them means leaving significant distance on the table. — Fix: Incorporate exercises that build rotational strength and hip mobility. Think squats, lunges, dynamic core twists, and flexibility work.
• Holding the Club Too Tightly — Why it matters: A death grip restricts your wrists and prevents a fluid, powerful release through impact. It’s like trying to throw a ball with a clenched fist – you lose all the snap. — Fix: Practice with lighter grip pressure, especially during your practice swings. You want to feel relaxed and fluid, allowing your wrists to hinge and unhinge naturally.
• Not Warming Up Properly — Why it matters: Going from zero to full speed without preparing your muscles is a recipe for injury. Your body isn’t ready for that kind of explosive movement. — Fix: Always do a dynamic warm-up before you start hitting balls or practicing speed drills. This includes movements like arm circles, leg swings, torso twists, and light jogging.
• Trying to Swing “Out of Your Shoes” Immediately — Why it matters: This leads to tension and poor sequencing. You’re trying to force speed rather than allowing it to happen. — Fix: Start slowly with the drills, focusing on the feeling of correct movement. Gradually increase the intensity as you become more comfortable and your body adapts.
• Focusing Only on the Downswing — Why it matters: A powerful downswing is built on a solid backswing and transition. If your backswing is restricted or inefficient, your downswing will suffer. — Fix: Pay attention to your entire swing motion. Ensure a full shoulder turn in the backswing and a smooth transition into the downswing.

FAQ

• What is the average club head speed for a professional golfer?

Pro golfers typically swing their drivers between 110-120 mph, with some exceeding that significantly. This is a benchmark that shows the potential for speed with dedicated training [1].

• How much can club head speed realistically increase?

With dedicated training, golfers can see increases of 5-10 mph or even more over time. It depends on your starting point, age, athleticism, and commitment to the process [2]. Don’t expect miracles overnight, but consistent work pays off.

• Are there specific age groups that benefit more from speed training?

While speed training can benefit golfers of all ages, younger players often have more natural elasticity and recovery, potentially seeing faster gains. However, older golfers can absolutely increase their speed with the right approach and focus on mobility and injury prevention [3]. It’s never too late to add distance.

• Do I need special equipment for these drills?

For the drills mentioned, you don’t need much. A light medicine ball (3-5 lbs) and a golf towel are all you need to start. Some golfers also use speed sticks or weighted clubs, but these bodyweight and towel drills are a fantastic and accessible starting point for increasing your golf club head speed.

• How often should I practice these drills?

Consistency is key. Aim to incorporate some of these drills into your warm-up routine 2-3 times a week. You can also do them on days you’re not playing or practicing full swings. Don’t overdo it, especially when you’re starting out, to avoid muscle soreness or injury. Listen to your body.

• Will these drills help with accuracy too?

Yes, absolutely. By improving your sequencing and ensuring your body is working together efficiently, you’ll likely see improvements in consistency and control along with speed. When you swing with better mechanics, accuracy often follows. It’s about creating a more repeatable motion.

Sources:

[1] How to Increase Your Golf Club Head Speed: https://golfhubz.com/how-to-increase-your-golf-club-head-speed

[2] Increasing Your Golf Club Head Speed: https://golfhubz.com/increasing-your-golf-club-head-speed

[3] How to Increase Golf Club Head Speed: https://golfhubz.com/how-to-increase-golf-club-head-speed