Hitting the ball longer off the tee is something all golfers should strive for. As advanced analytics have illustrated, the more distance you have off the tee, the easier the game becomes.

That’s why we’ve seen such a distance boom in the pro-golf ranks in recent years. With the stats showing just how important distance is, pros have focused on doing everything in their power to optimize their swings so they can squeeze every last yard out of their drives.

Recreational golfers may not have the luxury of being able to optimize everything about their setup — but that doesn’t mean there aren’t distance gains to be had. In fact, with a majority of amateur players swinging in an inefficient manner, there are even more gains available to weekend warriors than there are to the pros.

I discovered this fact firsthand when I went through a speed training session with GOLF Top 100 Teacher Bernie Najar, during which I gained over 10 mph of clubhead speed from where I started.

So, how can you see similar gains? I’ve outlined three big keys below.

3 keys for maximizing your clubhead speed

1. Up your intensity

Golf is typically viewed as a “leisurely” sport. But if you want to hit the ball at your maximum potential, you need to dispel that notion.

Think about any other sport in which you are going for a personal record. In all of them, you will try to hype yourself up beforehand so you can give max effort. The same principle applies when speed training.

“I’m a big believer in getting your intensity up,” Najar says. “In your case, you need to get your heart rate up.”

For me, that meant doing a series of jumping jacks before hitting a set of balls. You can also opt for a quick set of sprints or even just some fast walking. All that matters is that you get your heart rate up.

It may seem silly at first, but once you start hitting balls, you should see your clubhead speed jump up by a couple of mph.

2. Generate speed early

Have you ever heard the old golf adage “low and slow” as it pertains to the takeaway? Well, if you want to maximize your clubhead speed, you have to ignore it.

Hitting the ball longer starts with moving the clubhead faster, and that means throughout the entire swing — backswing included.

“One of the ways to get [energy] into the club is to put some [energy] into it a little bit earlier,” Najar says. “We are going to start the club out in front [of the ball] and then rip it back.”

If you’ve ever watched pros who are big into speed training (think Bryson DeChambeau or Matt Fitzpatrick), you’ll see that they take the club to the top as fast as they can. That’s no coincidence. If you want to hit it like they do, it’s important you adopt the same tactic.

“Putting more into the golf club means you really have to rev it up a little,” Najar says.

3. Don’t worry about accuracy

One of the hardest things about speed training effectively is letting go of the result of the shot. We as golfers are hard-wired to try to make the ball sail down the fairway with supreme accuracy. But when you are speed training, you can’t worry about where the ball is going.

“One of the things Kyle Berkshire would tell you,” Najar says. “If you are in a speed session, if you don’t have a big miss, you’re not going fast enough.”

There were a few swings during my session in which I damn near missed the ball — but that’s ok. Speed training is not about trying to hit fairways. It’s about increasing your maximum clubhead speed.

One thing I’ve found useful for addressing this is heading indoors to a simulator and speed training without the shot tracer on. All I put on the screen is clubhead speed and ball speed, and then I swing as hard as I can.

When I do this, I have no idea where the ball is headed. The only feedback I have is my speed numbers. Each time I do this, I find that my speed creeps up just a little higher than when the tracer is on. If you are struggling to let go of your subconscious accuracy biases, I’d recommend giving it a shot.

TheStack + Stack Radar Bundle

Save over 15% when you combine TheStack + Stack Radar with our most popular bundle. Enjoy personalized speed training with TheStack, gamified wedge practice with Stack Wedging, Tour-caliber insights with Stack Putting, and 60+ instructional videos in the Learning Library – along with our Bluetooth-enabled Stack Radar, which sends your speed data directly to TheStack App for seamless training    Stack Radar is a great multi-purpose launch monitor that packs into your golf bag easily, making it perfect for speed training with TheStack, Stack Wedge practice on the range or indoors, and measuring your speeds on the course.  TheStack App – Speed Training, Wedging, and Putting  Rated 4.9 with over 5,500+ Reviews on the App Store  Includes 1-Year Membership to TheStack App Now on iOS, Android (Beta), and Chrome Web (Beta) Adaptive speed training formulated by Dr. Sasho MacKenzie Guided workout timer for reps, sets, and rest intervals Custom speed metrics to track your gains Bluetooth Connectivity to integration devices.  Hands-free data entry using voice entry technology for non-integrated devices Membership includes Bundled access to Stack Putting (iOS), Stack Wedging (iOS), and the Learning Library (All Platforms) Train and track up to twenty local (i.e. family) users under one login.  App works with Family Sharing so the entire family can train easily on separate devices Connect to any other Stacker using Share Codes Are you a Coach?  Learn about our Coaches License  TheStack Hardware  5 milled Stack weights enable 30 weight combinations between 0g and 300g Dual-purpose weight case / phone stand Precisely engineered training club – Adult (41.5″).  For Junior sizing, see Fitting Juniors Stack training requires a speed device that can measure swings without ball contact. This bundle includes our own Stack Radar. View all compatible devices here.  Stack Radar  Measures Swing Speed and Ball Speed.  Calculates an estimated Carry Distance and Smash Factor. Can capture swing speed without ball contact Powers Stack Wedging (iOS), our newest gamified practice feature. Enjoy Seriously Fun wedge practice indoors or outdoors and get accurate feedback regardless of range ball quality or practice environment conditions. Pairs with TheStack App via Bluetooth to enable advanced features. Adjust for temperature and altitude while fine-tuning ball speed and launch angle for the most accurate feedback Set speed trigger threshold at 25, 35, 45, or 55 mph to avoid false triggers from fast backswings Includes a stylized carry case to protect the screen while stored (available exclusively for purchases from our website)  Platform Availability iOS: Access TheStack App from the App Store when your order arrives. Requires iOS 15.0 or newer. Access Speed, Wedging, Putting, and the Learning Library. Android & Web (Beta): Install TheStack App from the Google Play Store or access it on Chrome Web when your order arrives. Access Speed + Learning Library today; Wedging + Putting coming in a future update. See our FAQ pages for questions about membership access.         

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