When you’re working on speed training, here’s how to efficiently take it from the range to the course.
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If you’ve never done a speed training program before, it’s quite an adventure. While most amateur golfers simply think that the swing from their shoes will make the ball travel farther, the truth is that it should the right order to generate more speed — so you don’t bomb it off the tee with an open face that causes your ball to break out of bounds.
Our picks: 5 speed training aids to help transform your game
This is where speed training aids and programs help the most.
But what happens when you start making progress during practice but can’t apply the lessons in the course? I asked GOLF Teacher to watch Matt Henderson that very question, so he gave me some tips that can help any speed-seeking golfer stay confident, trust the process, and avoid any disappointment.
Follow this plan to translate speed training into your next round
“Many golfers have turned to speed training to gain more club speed, using different products or systems to properly develop more power,” says Henderson. “Typically, players use weighted clubs, go through a training plan and chart their progress – likely through an app on their phone.”
While speed training is a great option for players, Henderson cautions against doing it trick-or-treating, which can lead to inconsistency, potential frustration and even injury.
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“Working on speed can be a great option for many golfers, and if your body is physically ready to go through the training process, I would recommend that all golfers give it a try,” adds Henderson. “But I’ve noticed that many of my students who have engaged in speed training programs struggle to see their progress reflected in the course.
“As their club speed increases and their distance numbers increase during practice, when they don’t see the gains translate into their next round, they can become frustrated.”
To help avoid experiencing this for yourself, Henderson shares a four-phase system that helps bring any training benefits quickly from practice to performance—so here’s his step-by-step approach.
Phase 1: Driver, no cannon, no radar
In this first phase, take a high-intensity swing with your driver – but no ball or radar, just pure speed. This eliminates concerns about steering and center face contact, allowing you to simply focus on accelerating with your current driver, not with a training aid. Practicing at full speed and with purpose helps build comfort and confidence with your club, as opposed to adjusting to the weight difference between a training aid and your driver.
Phase 2: Driver, Network and Radar
Once you are comfortable swinging at high speed, move to the net and enter the radar, hitting real balls. Grid practice allows you to focus inward, ignoring direction or distance, and focus only on the speed numbers displayed on the radar. This phase trains you to push your limits, achieving higher speeds without the mental limits of trying to keep the ball in play.
Phase 3: Directional Range, Cannon and Radar
At this stage, it’s time to move into the driving range with your driver, using a radar to monitor your speed. Focus on club speed and try to make the numbers similar to what you experienced in the previous phase. In this controlled environment, it’s not uncommon to add some light cardio (such as jumping jacks) to increase the intensity and keep the movement as fast as possible.
Phase 4: Course correction
Finally, bring your driver to the course and test yourself in real-life conditions, using a launch monitor to gauge your true speed on the course. This phase emphasizes increasing the intensity of your swing in the real game – a skill I’ve found with students to be essential to maintaining the speed gained during practice. On-course testing reveals the true transfer of your training gains and helps you adapt to competitive situations.
“Small changes can make a significant difference when translating training gains into actual rounds,” adds Henderson. “Using this four-step process, you’ll have a clearer and more consistent path to improving your club speed on the course and not just in practice.”
TheStack Swing Speed Trainer (Hardware Bundle + App)
$314 (was $349)
TheStack Hardware 5 milled Weight Stack enables 30 combinations of weights between 0g and 300g Dual Purpose Weight Box / Phone Stand Multi-Designed Training Club – Adult (41.5″) or Youth (38.5″) Version ( see Speed Radar Youth Assembly). See all compatible devices here. We recommend including the 2-year license of PRGR TheStack Training App, accessible only on iOS. Dynamic speed training formulated by Dr. Sasho MacKenzie Guided workout timer for reps, sets and rest intervals Personalized speed metrics to track your gains Hands-free data entry using voice input technology Includes access to Stack Putting (Beta) – Learn more Includes single user License – Enables training and tracking for up to five local users (ie family) under an entry. Multi-user trainer license sold separately. Access TheStack app from the App Store when your order arrives. Requires iOS 15.0 or later.
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