How to Increase Your Swing Speed The Right Way

Plenty of golfers quietly accept the idea that swing speed is fixed - something you’re either born with or not.

I used to believe that too.

But over the last decade, I’ve completely changed my mind, and my swing speed. More importantly, I’ve learned that increasing swing speed is one of the biggest scoring advantages available to everyday golfers - especially those who think they’re “too old” or “not athletic enough” to get faster.

The truth? Swing speed is a skill. Just like your wedge distance control, your ability to start putts on line, or striking the center of the clubface more often. And like any skill, you can improve it with the right plan.

In this article, I’ll walk through the three pillars of increasing swing speed safely, effectively, and in a way that actually lasts.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re swinging harder but the ball isn’t going any farther, you’re not alone. Let’s fix that!

When I was growing up as a junior golfer, nobody talked about swing speed. Distance was something you either had or didn’t. And if you didn’t, tough luck. But modern data tells a different story, and the formula is quite simple:

• Longer drives leave shorter approach shots

• Shorter approach shots lead to more greens in regulation

• More greens in regulation lead to lower scores

Obviously, we’ve seen a shift in pro golf since distance off the tee was quantified statistically, thanks to Mark Broadie’s Strokes Gained research. But this isn’t just a PGA Tour phenomenon.

Broadie found that distance increases are more valuable for the average golfer than pro golfers.

In other words, someone who hits it 220 off the tee gains far more from adding 10–15 yards than someone already carrying it 300.

Distance is a scoring tool.

But here’s the best part. If you build it properly, it shows up in every single round.

Let’s go through the three pillars of increasing swing speed. Now you don’t have to do all of these, but knowing the entire framework is helpful.

If I could wave a wand and get every golfer to adopt one habit, it would be two to three full-body strength training sessions per week.

Strength is the engine behind clubhead speed.

The stronger your muscles are, the more force you can produce - and the easier it is for your nervous system to recruit fast-twitch muscle fibers (the ones responsible for speed).

A few important truths I’ve learned:

• Strength training doesn’t make you “tight.” In fact, full-range movements like squats and deadlifts improve mobility.

• Strength declines naturally as we age. If you don’t fight it, your speed will slowly disappear. Everyone starts losing muscle mass in their 30s.

• Strength alone won’t make you faster, but it unlocks speed you can’t access otherwise.
  

In my early 30s, my driver swing speed dropped into the 100–103 mph range.

That bothered me - not just as a competitive golfer, but because I could feel my body trending in the wrong direction.

I was tighter. My lower back started to hurt. And nagging injuries like pulled muscles began showing up.

However, after committing to consistent strength work (and not skipping leg day), I am now swinging in the 108–110 mph range at age 42. And I’m confident I can stay there - or even improve - as long as I stick with it.

More importantly, my body feels better than ever before. Strength training is the closest thing we have to the Fountain of Youth. Don’t be afraid of lifting weights!

Whenever I bring up strength training, golfers usually get overwhelmed and look for a complicated routine.

You don’t need fancy equipment or “golf-specific” movements that mimic the swing. Those often do more harm than good.

Instead, Mike Carroll, a great resource on swing speed, recommends building around five simple patterns:

• Squat

• Hinge (deadlift variations)

• Push (chest press, shoulder press)

• Pull (rows, pulldowns)

• Rotate (medicine ball throws, cable rotations)
  

Starting with 20–30 minutes, a few times a week, and slowly adding weight is enough to see meaningful improvement. In my opinion, it’s the most efficient use of time for just about any exercise routine.

Think of strength as the fuel tank.

The bigger it is, the more speed potential you have.

Strength builds the foundation. But if you want to access that power, you also need to train your body to move faster than it’s used to.

This is where most golfers struggle. They simply never try “max intent” swings.

The bigger it is, the more speed potential you have.

At the end of a practice session, once you’re fully warmed up, hit 5–15 balls as fast as you can.

You won’t hit them perfectly. That’s OK.

The goal is to normalize faster movement patterns.Feedback is essential here.Using a launch monitor like the SkyTrak ST MAX is helpful to track:

• Your normal swing speed

• Your max swing speed

• Whether you’re actually getting faster over time

This is the simplest (and often most overlooked) way to build speed.

These include medicine ball slams, rotational throws, and basic jump training.

They help you develop:

• Ground reaction forces

• Rotational explosiveness

• Faster recruitment of fast-twitch fibers

They’re highly transferable to the golf swing. Only do these exercises after you warm up properly and aim to progress gradually over time.

You can’t swing fast if your body can’t physically get into the positions required to produce speed.

Many golfers (especially those who sit all day) struggle with:

• Tight hips

• Limited shoulder turn

• Reduced thoracic spine mobility

A short, daily mobility routine that moves your joints through a full range of motion can unlock the speed you already possess.

I’ve incorporated a morning mobility sequence that targets my hips and spine. Not only has it helped my swing, but I feel better in everyday life.

Yes, certain swing adjustments can unlock more speed:

• A bigger turn (longer hand path)

• Better sequencing

• Improved use of the ground

But technique is complex.

If you’re going to pursue technical speed improvements, do so with a qualified coach who understands swing mechanics and speed training. Usually, someone with a certification from the Titliest Performance Institute will understand this connection.

No matter which methods you choose:

• Start slowly

• Warm up properly

• Track your numbers

• Expect plateaus

• Avoid doing everything at once

Swing speed training is incredibly effective when done intentionally. But golfers who get excited and take on too much, too soon, often will develop some kind of overuse injury.

The best part about developing swing speed is that it doesn’t disappear overnight.

If you build it on the pillars of strength, mobility, and explosive movements, you can maintain (or even grow) your speed well into your 40s, 50s, and beyond.

I genuinely feel younger as I’ve committed to this work. It’s improved my golf, my health, and my quality of life.

Increasing swing speed isn’t about swinging harder.

It’s about building a body that can move fast - reliably, safely, and on command. And who doesn’t love hitting their drives past their friends and shooting lower scores?