Have you measured your swing speed and realized you should get more yards based on how fast you swing the club? Swing speed isn’t the only factor in how far you hit your drives. Here are some mistakes you may be making and the best ways to maximize your power.
Heel and toe strikes
Even if you have a high swing speed, if you don’t hit the center of the face, you lose distance. The first thing you need to do is determine where your miss is and why you are missing the center of the face.
Some players use foot spray on the face but I find that sometimes the spray can linger and throw off launch monitors so I don’t love using it. I prefer impact tape.
Adjust your setup once you see if you are hitting the heel or the toe. Sometimes, it’s as simple as standing too close or too far from the ball.
Drill to try
To reduce heel and toe strikes, swing from waist-high to waist-high. Use impact tape to make sure you strike the center of the face. If you can’t do it on a tempo-controlled half swing, you certainly can’t on a full-speed, full-length swing. Dial in your impact position and then add the speed back in.
Too much spin
Even if you have muscle and speed working for you, you’ll never get the perfect carry and roll if you’re launching the ball with the wrong spin and angle. Too much spin is often caused by a steep angle of attack or an open clubface.
Equipment issues can also impact spin rates. Too little spin will create more of a knuckleball type shot without lift and carry.
The best way to identify a spin issue is to use a launch monitor. Here’s a basic guideline to determine if your spin rates with your driver are within range. Go for a fitting to confirm and dial in these numbers.
| Swing Speed Category | Launch Angle (degrees) | Spin Rate (RPM) | Peak Height (feet) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very Fast (>105 mph) | 10-16 | 1750-2300 | 100-120 |
| Fast (97-104 mph) | 12-16 | 2000-2500 | 87-100 |
| Average (84-96 mph) | 13-16 | 2400-2700 | 70-86 |
| Slow (72-83 mph) | 14-19 | 2600-2900 | 58-70 |
| Ladies (<72 mph) | 14-19 | 2600-2900 | 45-58 |
Swing path issues
If your club face angle and the path don’t have the proper relationship, you will create excessive side spin.
If you swing “over the top” you create an out-to-in path where you may end up pulling or slicing the ball. In addition, an inside-to-out path could create a hook or a push.
My favorite drill for working on swing path issues is the gate drill. This video from Titleist shows you how to set up and practice. It’s not easy but it will teach you to hit the center of the face.
Equipment mismatch
While issues with transferring power to the ball could be related to your swing, they can also be related to your equipment. If the shaft flex is too soft and you have a high swing speed, you will create excessive spin and inconsistent golf shots.
Golf shafts that are too stiff tend to promote a lower launch and steal some of your carry distance.
If you have high swing speed, you may need a lower-spin driver that helps control that power and get the ball to travel straighter and further.
Go for a fitting and see if changes can be made to the adjustability of your current clubs or if you need to replace some of your gear. Don’t forget to choose the right golf ball while you are at it.
Excessive tension
When you aren’t getting the swing speed you think you should be getting, it’s natural to increase tension and try to muscle the ball. This may reduce your ability to rotate or release the club.
Start with some stretches before a round of golf. Learn to control your breathing to keep the body loose. Lighter grip pressure ensures you’ll let the club release through impact.
Take full advantage of your flexibility and rotation and release all excess tension if you want to maximize your transfer of power.
Poor weight transfer
Another culprit could be poor weight transfer. Many amateur golfers struggle with getting their weight to shift efficiently from the trail side to the lead side in the downswing. If your weight stays back, you’ll lose power.
The key to maximizing your energy transfer is to initiate the downswing with your lower body while keeping your upper body in sync.
Drill to try
Find a light weight of about two pounds or less. Using something just a little heavier than your golf club makes it easier to feel the move you need to make.
- Hold the weight in your lead hand.
- Place your trail hand on your trail hip for stability.
- Start by moving the weight toward your trail shoulder, simulating the backswing.
- Start the transition into the downswing with your lower body — shift pressure to your lead foot and square your knees.
- Pump the weight back up at least once, then swing through to a balanced finish.
- Repeat to reinforce the correct sequencing.
Better power transfer, better results
Once you implement some of these changes, you should see more power and efficiency in your swing. Here are some numbers from Trackman that give insight into what distance you can expect from your driver when your power is transferring and you are getting closer to that 1.50 smash factor.
| Club Speed (mph) | Ball Speed (mph) | Smash Factor | Carry Distance (yards) | Total Distance (yards) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75 | 111 | 1.48 | 157 | 208 |
| 85 | 126 | 1.48 | 193 | 242 |
| 95 | 140 | 1.47 | 225 | 271 |
| 105 | 156 | 1.49 | 259 | 303 |
Final thoughts
More speed is something every golfer wishes for. If you have it, take full advantage by learning to strike the ball clean, release some of that tension and play with the right equipment. Maximizing your power potential takes some practice and fine-tuning but it’s well worth it.
Ed Nelson
1 year ago
Farther