If you want to add more distance to the shots you make during a golf game, then you’re going to need to increase your GOLF BALL SPEED and SWING SPEED.
These two things will give you the extra yards you’ll need to get you in the green.
So let’s go over all the things you need to know about your swing speed and ball speed and how they can impact your game.
What is Ball Speed and Swing Speed
Two things will help you gain more distance when playing golf, and that’s your SWING SPEED and BALL SPEED.
The first refers to how fast a golfer will swing their club, from the backswing, downswing, and point of impact.
The second will refer to how fast the golf ball will travel once hit by the club of the golfer.
So how do they connect to distance?
When golfing, your goal is to hit the ball as hard as possible so your score can be as LOW as possible.
Your CLUBHEAD SPEED is what will make it possible since it’s where the energy that will propel the ball forward comes from.
However, you can’t just rely on your swing alone; you’ll need to ensure that all that energy transfers as cleanly as possible when hitting that ball to get good ball speeds.
Ball Speed to Swing Speed Formula
If you want to calculate how fast your swing speed is, you can quickly figure it yourself without any fancy equipment needed.
All you have to do is take your Ball Speed (BS) and divide it by 1.4, and you’ll have your Swing Speed (SS).
BS ÷ 1.4 = SS
For example, if your ball speed with your driver is 143 yards, divide it by 1.4. Your calculated swing speed is 102 miles per hour.
Swing Speed to Ball Speed Formula
On the other hand, all you need is your clubhead speed if you want to calculate your ball speed.
Once you have your Swing Speed (SS), you should multiply it by 1.4. The result will be your calculated Ball Speed (BS).
SS x 1.4 = BS
For example, if you have a Swing Speed of 113 miles per hour, multiply that by 1.4, and you’ll get 158. That is your Ball Speed.
More: Best golf ball for 85 mph swing speed
Other Ways to Determine Your Ball Speeds and Swing Speeds
Aside from calculating your ball speed and club head speed, you can purchase a LAUNCH MONITOR that will immediately track your ball speed and swing speed.
Aside from determining your ball speed and clubhead speed, some models can also offer you data about your overall distance, attack angle, launch angle, and even your spin rate.
Factors in Getting Accurate Results
Different factors will affect the data you’ll get from your launch monitor.
Radar vs. Camera
Monitors that use a radar are all situated behind the ball to get data and results. That makes it harder to get accurate readings regarding the point of impact since the club head will OBSCURE the view first.
Meanwhile, monitors that use a camera are MORE ACCURATE since they can picture the clubhead and ball impact.
Position
If you get a lower-end monitor system that uses radar to track your movement, you’ll have to place it in the exact spot the manufacturers ask you to get ACCURATE RESULTS.
Algorithms
Good launch monitors will have YEARS OF ALGORITHMIC RESEARCH behind their tracking systems which should help give you more accurate results.
Because of that, you should find a monitor that comes from a reliable brand that has years under its belt.
How Does Impact Location Affect Golf Ball Speed?
Although the modern golf club offers you a considerable amount of forgiveness if you miss the sweet spot (center of gravity), it will still affect your ball speeds and, in turn, the total distance it will travel.
If you hit the ball SQUARE, your ball will travel the driving distance most optimally, along with a high spin rate.
If you hit the ball even just a little bit off-center, the ball may either slice or won’t gain a lot of height as it travels.
How to Improve Swing Speed and Ball Speed
If you’re thinking of going through some swing speed training to add several yards of distance when hitting balls, then here are some golf tips to get you by.
Grip
Many golfers might have forgotten this, but your grip greatly affects your golf swing and distance efficiency.
Your club should rest just where your fingers and your palm meet, so you can apply just the right amount of PRESSURE and CONTROL when you release the club as you swing it.
The proper grip pressure and control will ensure that you’ll get your maximum club head speeds.
Because of that, your driving distance will have more yards added in, which is exactly what you want.
Swing Form
Your swing form will also affect your golf swing speed and the distance your ball will travel.
If you don’t have the proper posture as you swing, you could actually decrease both the speed and energy transferred into your club and to the ball.
You need to be able to properly rotate your body as you perform your backswing.
Once you perform your downswing, you should rotate your hips to get POWER and ENERGY from it and transfer it to your club.
Speed Training
At the heart of it all, you’re going to have to train your body how to move faster.
Speed training will allow you to swing fast and cause your clubhead speed to go up and increase your carry distance.
However, you cannot just swing your club harder to get more speed; you’re going to need to learn how to hit your golf ball with MORE SPEED and still hit SQUARE.
Equipment
Getting better equipment may help you improve your golf ball speed and golf swing speed, resulting in a better distance.
If the golf clubs you own at the moment are too stiff for your swing speed, then you should replace those stiff shafts with shafts that are more appropriate for you and your needs.
There is a different range of flex ratings that you can use to find the best club for you:
- Extra Stiff (XS)
- Stiff (S)
- Firm (F)
- Regular (R)
- Senior (S)
- Amateur (A)
- Ladies (L)
Beginners with less powerful swings should use clubs with MORE FLEXIBLE shafts, which can help propel their balls even further.
Meanwhile, if a player has a speedy and powerful swing, they can use a STIFF SHAFT with less flex.
You should keep in mind that manufacturers may vary in their flex specifications. One manufacturer’s stiff flex may be another manufacturer’s firm flex.
Monitors
Aside from that, you could get a monitor.
Launch monitors will tell you your different stats like your clubhead speed, launch angle, and other factors to improve and help you get better and lower scores.
Here are several recommendations.
Skytrak Monitor
Source: Amazon.com
This is probably the most famous monitor, and for a good reason.
It can measure a multitude of things like:
- Ball speed
- Launch angle
- Back angle
- Side angle
- Sidespin
- Carry/total distance
- Roll Distance
- Flightpath
- Angle of descent
- And more
Not only does it track your stats, but you can also use its GAME IMPROVEMENT TOOL to find your weaknesses and get feedback based on how you perform.
It’s also easy to use. You need to charge it with the USB charge port and download the Skytrak app. Once you register a new account, you can set the Skytrak monitor a foot away from the ball and start shooting.
While you might think that this monitor is expensive, the features and accuracy it provides make it a GREAT STEAL.
Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor
Source: Amazon.com
If you’re not keen on shelling out more than 1000 USD for a golf monitoring device, then the Rapsodo Mobile Monitor could be a great option for you to try.
This monitor lets you view your ball speed, distance, clubhead speed, smash factor, launch angle, and launch direction.
It’s also extremely PORTABLE since it’s a stand that you’ll use to prop your iPhone or iPad on to access the video features.
Yes, this inexpensive monitor makes use of videos so you can replay your shot and look at how you performed yourself.
It even has a GPS feature so you can look at an overview of the course you’re at. With that, you can look at the approximate location of where your golf balls landed.
The only thing you might be wary about the Rapsodo MLM is that it’s not as accurate compared to other high-end monitors you may find on the market.
However, this monitor is worth it if you’re looking for an inexpensive option that will offer you a lot for your money.
Impact Location Training
Impact location training will let you accurately hit the sweet spot consistently as you play.
It will increase your driving efficiency and your ball’s total distance when you take a shot.
All you need is a can of odor spray (which you’ll use on your club face) and go to a driving range or golf course to practice.
With that, you can do your swing speed training while practicing to hit the ball squarely with your driver and other clubs.
Tee Height
If you play golf, you may be familiar with the saying, “Tee it high and let it fly.”
That’s not necessarily true, and you should experiment with your tee height and get a feel for what gets you better GOLF SWING SPEEDS and DISTANCE.
It may help you get your ball farther as you train yourself.
You can improve your driver distance and distance efficiency with that.
Average Golf Swing Speed and Golf Ball Speed
Are you curious about the average player’s clubhead speed?
The data depends on the skill level, so we broke it into two categories: amateurs and PGA Tour players.
Amateur
Here are the average stats for amateur players.
Golf Swing Speed
The average male, the amateur golfer, can reach an average club head speed of 80 to 90 MPH.
On the other hand, the average female, the amateur golfer, can hit 70 to 80 MPH swing speeds.
Golf Ball Speed
The average male golfer can reach golf ball speeds of 133 MPH on average.
Meanwhile, the average female golfer can hit golf ball speeds of 111 MPH.
PGA Tour Player
Here are the average stats for both LPGA and PGA tour players.
Golf Swing Speed
If you’re interested in the average driver swing speed of PGA tour players, then you should know that they can reach swing speeds of up to 113 MPH.
An LPGA tour player is equally impressive since they can hit an average swing speed of 94 MPH.
Golf Ball Speed
A PGA tour player can hit an average golf ball speed of a whopping 167 MPH.
On the other hand, an LPGA tour player can reach an average ball speed of 140 MPH.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions and answers that may interest you when learning about clubhead speed and ball speed.
What Happens If I Use a Stiff Shaft?
If you use a staff that’s too stiff for your swing speed, there will usually be two common consequences regarding your driving efficiency and clubhead speeds.
You Will Slice Your Shot
If the shaft you’re using is far too stiff for you, then it could cause you to slice your shots. That’s because it’s harder to hit square with stiff shafts. They’ll create less spin rates that aren’t as optimal.
Your Carry Distance Will Be Shorter
Because you’re using a stiff shaft, even if you hit the ball square center, the distance it travels will still be less. That’s because your muscles will be compensating for the weight and will cause the elasticity of your swing to derive the golf ball a speedy hit.
With that, your CARRY DISTANCE WILL DECREASE.
Do Weighted Shafts Help With Club Head Speed?
Although your physics lessons may have taught you, weighted shafts won’t help you get better swing speeds.
Using a weighted shaft will result in you messing up your timing and the overall feel of the club.
Instead of focusing on strength, you should focus on the TIMING and SPEED of your swings to improve your driving distances.
Will Course Strategy Help Me Get Better Distance?
Yes, going through course strategy may help you increase the overall distance your ball will travel when you play on a golf course.
If you understand the game better mentally, you can play BETTER and SMARTER.
What is TigerWood’ss Average Swing Speed?
Tiger Woods has an average golf swing speed of over 120 MPH but can top out at 130 MPH.
So while it’s not that much of a great leap from the average PGA tour player’s clubhead speed of 114 MPH, it must help out when adding yards of distance in his shots when playing in the PGA Tour.
Final Thoughts
While you may have a SLOW SWING SPEED and a SLOW GOLD BALL SPEED at the moment, it’s not like it will be like that forever.
Golf is a sport where it takes TIME and EFFORT to train to get better and reach the goals you want to achieve.
If you do your best and do not quit, your overall carry distance can slowly but surely improve.
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