Golf Swing Speed For Distance

The importance of golf swing speed. All other factors being equal, it is an indisputable law of physics that the faster the club head is moving at the point of impact, the more energy will be transferred to the golf ball, and the farther the ball will travel. The higher the golf swing speed, the greater the distance. Newton's Three Laws of Motion all support this.

All things Are Not Always Equal

Of course, all things are not always equal, and if technique is sacrificed for speed, this equation may not necessarily work. If the loft is too high, too much energy will be expending in attaining height rather than distance. The theoretical optimum height with no wind interference is 45 degrees and anything greater or less than this will reduce the distance the ball travels. Wind interference, however, changes this. Hence, in high winds a low trajectory ball of 20 degrees may travel much farther than one struck at maximum speed and theoretical optimum loft. Golf swing speed is still important however, since the faster swing will still send the ball farther if loft is equal.

Other factors affecting distance are the ball design (number and type of dimples, ball weight, etc), the hardness of the ball which determines how much of the swing energy is absorbed through compression of the ball, the position and angle of the club face, exactly where on the ball contact is made (relative to the so-called sweet spot) and many others.

Golf Swing Speed Alone Is Not The Answer To Length

It is not, therefore, sufficient to improve your golf swing speed alone. You must also work on your golf swing mechanics, your stance and address, backswing, downswing and follow through. When training to improve any aspect of your golf game, not only your golf swing speed, it must be understood that best results will be obtained by working on your game as a whole, and not just one specific aspect of it.

Golf Ball Design Plays It's Part

Many good golfers can push the ball a good way down the fairway without seeming to hit the ball fast. In such cases, distance is achieved through technique, and good swing mechanics, choice of ball, etc. Beginners generally like hard golf balls, molded from a single lump of resin, since they can be hit a long way due to their relative hardness. Professionals, on the other hand, prefer a soft cover on their ball which allows more spin and hence more control, at the expense of distance. Then, who worried about distance if they are already whacking the ball 300 yards down the fairway!

Golf swing speed training should be part of an overall improvement program on your golf swing mechanics in general, and then you will achieve the best possible results from the improvement in your golf swing speed.