How to gain swing speed without overhauling your game, according to 5 low handicappers

Recreational golfers don’t have all the time in the world to practice, yet we all still want to hit it longer and shoot lower scores. How do you do it? Enter GOLF’s resident low-handicaps, who are here to offer some helpful advice, golfer-to-golfer.

1. Focus on Contact

Dylan Dethier (+3.3 handicap): First, make better contact. Sure, you could get on a Bryson-style bulk-up routine, but the most efficient way to hit it farther is to hit it better. Even if you feel like you’re slowing down your swing to do so, that pure contact is worth it. Once you groove solid contact, then you can focus on getting flexible. You know how your swing always feels better in hot weather than cold? You’re achieving the same effect through flexibility and range-of-motion exercises. Do some yoga!

2. Invest in a Program

Luke Kerr-Dineen (2.2 handicap): If you’re serious about gaining speed without overhauling your game, I’d recommend finding a speed training program and sticking to it. You’re coach will be able to help you build one, or you can also find some great ones online designed around training aids, like SuperSpeed’s training protocols, or the Orange Whip’s Fitness X program. It doesn’t need to be a heavy lift — it could be as simple as few swings a day — but think of it as an investment. Put a little bit away on a regular basis, and it’ll pay off big in the long run.

3. Get Flexible

Josh Sens (2.5 handicap): I’m beating a stiff horse here but: get more flexible. If your body can’t physically move the way you want it to, you’ll never be able to generate the power you crave.

4. Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously

Joe Summa (4.9 handicap): Technique, technique and I’ll say it again: technique. Yes, being in good shape will allow you to rotate your body faster, and maybe even swing “harder”, but that will not always correlate to hitting BOMBS like Phil. Getting back to fundamentals, making sure your body is in sync, with a good swing plane and square clubface, is a more achievable way of gaining distance than trying to bench 300 pounds.

5. Strengthen Your Core

Emily Haas (8.4 handicap): Strengthen that core! I’m not really a gym-goer, so when I’m struggling to engage my core on the golf course, I’ll try to incorporate a core circuit into my activities for the week. Whether I’m midway through a run or a Netflix binge, I’ll stop and do sets of Russian twists, leg raises, scissor kicks, planks, and mountain climbers. This is a quick, easy workout that’s less than 20 minutes of your day and is easy to do at home or in the gym. 

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