Okay, let’s talk about swing speed.
Getting Curious
So I keep seeing these numbers thrown around about PGA Tour swing speeds. You watch the guys on TV, and yeah, they absolutely crush the ball. It got me thinking, where does a regular weekend player like me actually fit in? I mean, I know I’m not hitting it like them, but how far off am I, really? Just pure curiosity, you know?
Heading to the Range
I decided I had to figure this out myself. I’ve got one of those little launch monitor gadgets – nothing super fancy, but it gives you basic numbers like swing speed. Charged it up the night before. Next afternoon, I grabbed my driver, a fresh bucket of balls, and went down to the driving range. Weather was decent, not too windy, perfect for getting some baseline numbers.
First things first, I just warmed up. Maybe 10-15 easy swings with a wedge and an iron, just getting loose. Didn’t want to pull anything trying to swing out of my shoes right away. Then, I got the driver out.
Doing the Work
I set up the launch monitor behind the hitting mat, like the instructions show. Took a few normal, comfortable driver swings first. Just my standard tempo, trying to hit it solid. Checked the numbers. Okay, that felt about right for me. Then came the fun part. I thought, “Alright, let’s see what happens if I really step on it.”
I focused on trying to generate more speed. Honestly, it felt a bit forced, maybe a little jerky. Like I was rushing everything. I hit maybe 15-20 balls really trying to push the speed up. Some felt powerful, a couple even went pretty straight surprisingly. A few others… well, let’s just say they went sideways. Fast. Consistency definitely took a hit when I tried to swing harder.
Looking at the Numbers
After the session, I looked at the speeds I recorded:
- My regular, smooth swing was hovering around a certain speed. Let’s just say it’s my baseline.
- When I really went after it, I could definitely bump that number up. Maybe added 5-7 mph on the good ones.
- But, those faster swings weren’t always pretty. My timing felt off.
Then I went home and looked up the actual PGA Tour average driver swing speed. And wow. Let me tell you, it put things into perspective real quick. The average speed for those guys is significantly higher than even my fastest attempts. Like, a whole different level.
What I Reckon Now
Seeing that massive difference was pretty eye-opening. Those Tour pros aren’t just golfers; they’re serious athletes generating incredible power and speed, but also doing it consistently. Trying to chase their numbers seems kinda pointless for someone like me.
My little practice session confirmed what I kinda already knew deep down. For my game, focusing on swinging faster probably isn’t the answer. It just led to more bad shots. I think my time is much better spent working on hitting the center of the clubface more often with my normal, comfortable swing speed. Finding fairways feels way better than topping the speed chart at the range but losing balls on the course.
So yeah, it was interesting to measure and compare. But the big takeaway? Stick to your own game, work on solid contact and consistency. Leave the crazy speeds to the pros.
