One way to generate more speed!

These days it is all about distance, or at least it is the most discussed topic in the media, especially with the recent transformation of Bryson DeChambeau in his quest to hit it further. Many people will ask…How can I hit it further? How can I create more speed? Because to create distance most importantly you need speed, however there is one caviar to speed, it must be controlled and you must hit the centre of the clubface otherwise it is a waste of time.

Here’s a great example of this…

Notice how the attack angle at 100mph has a total distance of 293 yards, this attack angle of 5 would be considered technically better with a driver, whereas the attack angle of -5 produces the exact same distance but with a swing speed of 110mph, 10mph quicker yet the same distance. This is just one example of how good technique is still required to maximise and utilise swing speed.

The exact same point could be made for hitting the centre of the clubface versus hitting the toe/heel etc, it’s not all about creating speed but taking that speed and controlling it in a way that allows you to benefit from it.

So enough about the pit falls of creating speed let’s discuss one way out of many that almost everyone can create more. Now there are a lot of different ways to create speed and if I was to cover them all this would be a much longer article than I or you would like, maybe I can cover these individually over a period of time. To refer back to my comment about ‘almost everyone’ this would be referring to those individuals who have a physical limitation that restrict them from making the technical change I will shortly be discussing, i.e. an existing injury.

Utilising Lower Body Speed

The one aspect I want to discuss helping increase your speed and ultimately distance is the effective use of the lower body. As a coach I see golfers not using this effectively enough all the time and it can lead to issues in several other areas of their swing, but importantly to this article it hampers speed and limits the amount that can be created. To use an analogy when you see a boxer throw a punch, he/she doesn’t just use their arms, when you see a baseball pitcher throw a pitch they won’t keep their feet planted and throw. In both of these circumstances the individual will utilise their lower body to help further generate speed. The lower body has some of the largest and most powerful muscle groupings (hamstrings/quadriceps and even the glutes) and if we don’t utilise them then we are missing out on so much potential speed.

The way I try to engage the lower body starts from the top of the backswing. I need to feel that the lower body (I think about my belt buckle as a point of reference) is moving towards the target as soon and as quick as possible, this movement will create a difference between our upper and lower body thus causing the upper body to be dragged behind, and the faster the lower body moves the faster the upper will be dragged through as a result.

The above image of Justin Thomas demonstrating his downswing is a terrific example of effective lower body movement to create speed. Note how at impact his ‘belt buckle’ is almost pointing at the target and the rate of which he has rotated in his downswing. A great example as he is one of the best at this on tour, Justin makes up for his lack of size over others with his effective and efficient technique. Pound for pound one of the longest for sure!

So, if you are reading this and more speed is what you’re after then this is definitely worth a try, unless you already do it well of course.

As always if you have any questions or comments on anything mentioned in the above please do not hesitate to reach out.

All the best and good luck!

Jamie Savory

Advanced PGA Member

Teaching professional @ Tee Box Golf London

[email protected]

07795437359