Your Golf Club Swing Speed Determines More Than Your Distance

I bet you think that to get maximum distance all you need do is the ball at maximum speed straight down the fairway. Am I right? You bet, because that’s what most folks think. But they are all wrong – and so are you!

Sure...swing the club as fast as you can, but what about the loft factor? Do you think you are going to get optimum loft from your driver no matter how fast you swing it? No matter how fast your clubhead is going when it hits the ball? Yes? Wrong!

The Ball Goes Up and the Ball Come Down – Get The Angles Right!

When you swing a golf club, the swing speed is determined by how much energy your body gets into the rotational movement of the swing itself. This energy is transferred to the club, then to the clubhead, then to the ball on impact. Wham!!!! Straight down the fairway. . . . well, no actually! The ball goes up into the air first. And the angle at which it goes into the air has as much to do with your distance as how fast your club is moving when you hit it. Straight up and it will land at your feet. Straight along the ground and it will trundle till it stops.

The ideal elevation is somewhere between: exactly in between to tell the truth. A 45 degree angle is the optimum angle for any projectile to travel farthest. Unless there is a high wind, in case a low trajectory for a headwind and a high trajectory for a following wind are best.

You Only Have One Driver – So Choose It Well

However, logistics and rules mean that you can only realistically carry one driver in your golf bag, so that should be the one which is best for you under ideal conditions. The loft of your driver face should suit your average golf club swing speed. The lower the speed the higher the loft. A loft of 10 degrees is fine for Tiger Woods but not for your measly 85 mph swing. You need 12 – 13 degrees to get the ball up into the air so that it travels farthest.

You also have a choice of flexibility of your driver shaft. Did your know that? A stiff shaft for fast hitters and more flexible for slower hitters. If your driver shaft is too stiff or too flexible for your average swing speed, your timing won’t be right. You will hit the ball too soon or too late. That will also affect your distance.

So, please remember. Distance is not just about club speed and power: it is also about correct choice of club face and driver shaft. If you want to improve beyond your foursome buddies keep that in mind. Your golf club swing speed is not the be all and end all of distance. Learn about how your club shaft and swing speed are critical.