Hello, Daily Duffer readers! Sarah Chen here, and today we’re tackling one of the most exciting and often elusive goals in golf: adding more speed to your swing. As a PGA-certified instructor for over 15 years, I’ve seen countless golfers, from weekend warriors to tour pros, chase that illusive extra yardage. And you know what? Everyone can find more speed with the right approach.
We all love the feeling of hitting one absolutely pure, seeing that ball launch and carry further than ever before. But let’s be honest, those moments can sometimes feel few and far between. We hit plateaus, we feel sluggish, and sometimes it feels like we’re just stuck. I’ve been there, and I know many of my students have too. That’s why I was so intrigued by an article discussing a tip from GOLF Top 100 Teacher and swing-speed guru Bernie Najar.
Rethinking the Takeaway: Speed Up Early!
For years, a common adage in golf instruction has been to take the club back “low and slow.” The idea was to create a smooth, controlled start to the swing. While control is certainly important, especially for consistency, for pure speed generation, this advice might actually be holding you back.
The core concept Bernie Najar emphasizes, and one I fully endorse, is that clubhead speed at impact is heavily influenced by how you initiate your backswing. It’s not just about what happens at the bottom of the swing; it’s about how you build momentum from the very beginning.
“What’s important to realize is that energy into the club happens early in the backswing,” Bernie says. “It’s not ‘take it back slow.‘”
Think of it like throwing a baseball. You don’t start the throw in slow motion, right? You build up speed gradually but purposefully from the very first movement. The golf swing is no different. If you want maximum energy and snap at impact, you need to start generating that energy early in the backswing.
In my teaching, I often see students struggling to get more speed because they’re simply not allowing themselves to move athletically from the start. They’re too focused on being “smooth,” and in doing so, they miss out on a crucial opportunity to build momentum. This isn’t about being uncontrolled; it’s about being dynamic. When you see players like Bryson DeChambeau, whose backswing is markedly faster than many amateurs’, it’s a deliberate choice to infuse energy into the club as early as possible.
“We’ve got to get you putting more into the golf club early,” Bernie says. “Putting more into the golf club means you really have to rev it up a little.”
This “revving it up” isn’t just a mental cue; it’s a physical action that engages your larger muscles from the outset, allowing them to contribute to the swing’s velocity. It challenges the instinct to be overly controlled, but the reward is often a significant jump in speed.
Putting it into Practice: Drills for Instant Speed
Ready to try adding some early speed? Here are a couple of drills and checkpoints to help you integrate this concept into your swing:
Drill 1: The “Quick Takeaway” Drill
- How to do it: Address the ball as usual, but before you start your backswing, take a silent count: “1, 2, GO!” On “GO!”, initiate your backswing with a more aggressive, quicker move than you’re used to. It should feel like you’re pulling the club away from the ball with purpose, rather than gently pushing it.
- Why it works: This drill breaks the habit of a slow takeaway and encourages your body to start moving more dynamically. It helps you feel the initial “load” of energy into the club. Don’t worry about perfect tempo at first; focus purely on the sensation of a faster start.
- Checkpoint: Pay attention to the sound of the club moving through the air. A faster takeaway often produces a more distinct “whoosh” sound earlier in the backswing.
Drill 2: The “Continuous Swing” Drill
- How to do it: Without a ball, take your normal setup. Instead of pausing at address, immediately start a continuous, fluid swing where the club never stops moving. As the club moves past the ball position on the backswing, think about accelerating it quickly towards the top.
- Why it works: This drill helps you remove any “dead spots” or pauses in your swing, especially at the start. It promotes a more rhythmic and energetic flow, teaching you to link the initial motion directly into the rest of your backswing.
- Checkpoint: Focus on maintaining a sense of momentum throughout the entire backswing, particularly in the first few feet. Your hands and arms should feel like they’re “leading” the club with energy.
The Mental Game of Speed
Embracing a faster takeaway can feel a bit uncomfortable at first. You might feel like you’re losing control or getting out of sync. This is completely normal! Remember what Bernie Najar highlights:
“One of the most popular adages in golf is that you should take the club back ‘low and slow.’ But if you are trying to hit the ball longer, well, that’s a load of BS.”
This isn’t about being reckless; it’s about optimizing how you generate energy. Trust that your athletic instincts will adapt. Start by trying these drills with half swings, then move to full swings, focusing on that initial burst of energy. You might just surprise yourself with the amount of speed you have in reserve.
Adding speed to your swing is an exciting journey, and it often involves challenging some long-held beliefs. By giving more energy to the club early in your backswing, you’re setting the stage for a more powerful and dynamic swing. So head to the range, give these tips a try, and get ready to see those ball speeds climb!
