Most amateur golfers crave as much clubhead speed as possible, treating it as the holy grail when it comes to smashing their tee shots for more yardage. While swinging harder can be beneficial, like all things in the golf swing, if it’s not done with control, the results could be worse than before.
So instead of just gripping the driver, biting your lower lip, and trying to swing out of your shoes, you’ve got to understand how to implement more clubhead speed to still keep everything in sequence.
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That’s where practicing the right drills come in — and thanks to PGA Golf Pro Brendon R. Elliott, you can learn the right fundamentals to incorporate more speed in your swing.
The best part? Instead of packing up and heading to the driving range to smash ball after ball, Elliott says the drills below can all be done from your home — so there’s no excuse not to try them out.
Scroll down to see what Elliott suggests, and try adding the unique drills into your training routine to get the clubhead speed that you’ve been seeking.
Use these easy at-home drills for more clubhead speed
“As a seasoned golf teacher with nearly three decades of swinging, teaching, and coaching, I’ve learned a thing or two about this game — and one of those things is the importance of clubhead speed,” Elliott says. “Let’s face it, who doesn’t love the feeling of striking the golf ball with a little bit of extra juice behind it, then watching it soar down the fairway?”
So if you’re one of the millions of golfers who are on the hunt for more clubhead speed, Elliott suggests the following at-home drills to try and hit your goals.
1. The towel snap drill
Contrary to what you might imagine, this is not a drill where you twirl around a bath towel in your bathroom, so hear me out.
Grab a small towel, twist it up, and hold it like a golf club. With your normal stance, simulate your swing, with the goal to be to snap the towel at the bottom of your downswing. This exercise promotes the feeling of increasing speed at the right moment, while also helping you get the sense of proper wrist hinge and release. Plus, it gives a satisfying “snap” without having to call for drywall repairs when you attempt to do this with a club in your living room.
2. Resistance band training
Most people only associate resistance bands with physical therapy or recovery, but they can be a great resource when you’re looking for more clubhead speed, too. They’re also really inexpensive, and can be used anywhere from your living room or garage to a hotel room when you’re traveling.
So here’s what you need to do with this drill.
Secure a band to something sturdy, like a door handle or a bed post. Now get into your normal golf posture and pull the band as if you’re swinging a golf club. By using this drill, it’ll develop strength in the muscles involved in your swing, which, in turn, amps up your swing speed. But the best part? The drill’s versatile enough to do between TV commercials, so there’s no reason not to try it out.
3. Speed stick training
You’ve likely seen playing partners or golfers on the practice range use one of a variety of swing speed training systems — and they’re not just hype!
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While there are many to choose from, I personally like The Stack System, which gives you access to personalized training programs that are proven to increase clubhead speed straight through their app. With some commitment to the program, you’ll see solid results.
I’ve had a handful of my teen students use The Stack System, with each experiencing unbelievable results. My student Emil gained over 25 yards off the tee in just a few months — which will change anyone’s game, given that added distance with the driver.
Remember, increasing clubhead speed is a journey, not a sprint. By consistently using these home-based drills, you’ll start to see the improvements you want, all without putting too much strain on your body by swinging a club over and over with extreme force.
