Welcome to Play Smarta regular GOLF.com game improvement column that will help you become a smarter and better golfer.
I like to try to hit the ball hard. When I go to the simulator, I always leave some time at the end of my sessions to swing as much as I can. There is nothing more satisfying than catching one only right and seeing a new personal best flash on the screen.
But while the pursuit of speed is a fun occupation, it can also be frustrating. There are days when I feel sluggish and sluggish, and my swing speed reflects that. Worse yet, there are weeks on end where I feel like I’ve hit a plateau, maxing out my swing speed for good.
Such was the case for me at the end of last year. And after not being able to add any swing speed for a few weeks, I felt at a loss. That’s when I turned to swing speed guru Bernie Najar. Not only is he 100 GOLF’s top teacher, but he has also taught some of the longest-tenured players in the game, such as Kyle Berkshire.
At last winter’s Top 100 Teachers Summit, I joined Bernie for one speed training camp to get as many speed tips and tricks as I could. Watch the video below to see them all, or read on for a simple tip that will instantly increase your movement speed.
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Try this for an instant speed boost
Clubhead speed is measured at the moment you hit the ball, but if you want more power, you need to think about acceleration long before that. In fact, how fast you are going at impact is directly related to how fast you start moving.
“What’s important to understand is that the energy in the club happens at the beginning of the comeback,” says Bernie. “It’s not ‘get it back.’ slow.‘”
One of the most popular sayings in golf is that you should swing the club “low and slow.” But if you’re trying to hit the ball longer, well, that’s a load of BS.
To get the maximum amount of energy into the golf club—and generate the most speed—it’s important to put that energy into the club as quickly as possible.
Think what it looks like when Bryson DeChambeau is swinging a driver. His pickup is faster than many amateur swings – and that’s no accident. If you want to get the most speed possible, you need to start grabbing the club fast.
“We have to get you to put more into the golf club early,” says Bernie. “Putting more into the golf club means you really have to liven it up a bit.”
If you’re struggling to get more movement speed, give it a shot. It will challenge your need to feel in control throughout your ride, but you’ll also find you have more speed in the tank than you thought.
Bernie Najar is a Top 100 GOLF Teacher and Director of Instruction at Caves Valley GC in Owings Mills, Md. If you want to learn more about his teaching philosophies, check out his book Speed/Power/Finesse: How to Play the Three Games of Golf.
