Golf Swing Speed – Golfer’s Average & How to Easily Improve it

What’s the average golf swing speed? And how can you effectively improve your swing speed?

If you’re a golfer, you know that golf swing speed is vital for your game.

As you speed up your swing, you’ll get the ball farther and the more likely it is you lower your overall score.

In this post, we’ll answer these and other important questions so you can up your game easily.

Read on.

Amateur’s golf swing & club head speeds

The average male amateur golf swing speed is around 93 mph for an average total shot distance of 214 yards. This usually goes in hand with a Ball Speed of around 132 mph and a launch angle of 12.5 degrees.

On the other hand, the average male professional golf swing speed is around 115-125 mph. With an average driving distance of 296.2 yards.

But just because you don’t fall into that range, doesn’t mean your game suffers. In fact, most club professionals will tell you that, while swing speed is important, it’s not the be-all and end-all of the game.

Factors such as height, weight, and strength all play an important role in how fast someone can swing a club. In general, taller and heavier golfers will have faster swing speeds, while smaller and lighter golfers will be able to swing the club slower. That is simple mechanics, as longer joints act as larger levers and create more momentum.

How fast are LPGA Tour players?

The average female amateur golf swing speed is around 87 miles per hour, for an average total shot distance of 191 yards.

On the other hand, the average female professional golf swing speed is around 94 mph with the driver and 78 mph with the 6-Iron.

As with the men, women’s height, weight, and strength all play an important role in how fast they can swing a club.

How to determine your golf club speed

There are a few ways you can test and determine your golf swing speed.

One option is to use a launch monitor, which uses sensors to track the speed of your swing. These are usually found at golf clubs or driving ranges, but you can also get newer models online. These are small enough to carry around and even practice at home.

Another option is to use a swing speed radar. These devices measure the speed of your swing using a radar beam. They’re small and portable, so you can take them with you to the driving range or practice at home.

A better approach is to use a ‘clip on’ device that you can attach to your belt. These are more accurate and will give you a better idea of your true swing speed.

Another handy option you have available is to use a smartphone app to test your driver swing speed. While these are not as accurate as a radar gun or launch monitor, these can be a simple and quick way to track your progress.

What are the benefits of increasing your golf swing speed?

If you want to become a well-rounded golfer, you may want to focus on increasing your swing speed. Here are some of the benefits of doing so.

A faster swing can lead to a longer drive, as the club head will travel faster creating more momentum before making contact with the ball. That will translate into greater energy transfer and therefore, greater distance.

When swinging at a higher speed, you’ll have less time to second-guess your shot, which can help you stay focused and avoid making last-second adjustments that could throw off your aim.

In addition, a faster swing can also help you to hit the ball straighter. If you tend to slice the ball, increasing your swing speed can aid with bad posture habits and result in a more powerful and straight hit that will send the ball down the fairway

4 Easy ways to boost clubhead speed & distance

Now that you know more about swing speed, it’s time to focus on how you can increase your own. We’ve compiled these ideas for you based on our own personal experience and professional advice. Depending on your skill level you might have already heard some of them, but try incorporating these helpful tips into your practice routine, and don’t forget to warm up. 

Warm up properly. Start with some slow swings and gradually increase the speed as you go. Warming up will help prevent injuries and make your muscles more flexible, both of which are important for a fast swing.

• Tee the ball at the right height. Does this seem like a silly tip? You’d be surprised how often golfers tee the ball too low or too high. The general advice is usually to tee the ball high and ‘let it fly’. But be open to experimenting with lower tees, as that might give you a more consistent shot and ball flight.

A lower tee will usually give you more roll as the ball lands on the fairway.

• Another valuable tip is to stop and visualize the swing motions before hitting the ball. You can pick a small area on the golf course as your target, and visualize how you would hit the ball perfectly, with the right body mechanics. This will help your muscles execute the correct swing pattern more naturally. This is the perfect combination of technique and mindset.

There’s a reason why so many pros use this tip in their everyday golf.

• Go as wide as possible with your clubs. Swing speed starts right at the beginning of your swing. We suggest you go as wide as you can from the takeaway to create the most energy and momentum.

Lots of amateur golfers move their shoulders slightly, without maximizing their swings. To solve this, try to go as far back as you can at the top of the swing.

• Naturally, with all that energy, once you hit the ball, you’ll want to rotate your lower body to follow the motion. From the start of the swing to the finish, rotate your lower body and create a full body turn. That extra movement, will boost energy transfer and therefore distance. Think of your shoulders, hips, and legs as a pack that should work together.

All these movements will create some sort of ‘slingshot’ motion, as you rotate your upper body followed by your lower body.

These are simple but potent steps to increase your swing speed and gain yardage. Of course, these might need some time to integrate with your current swing. So be patient, and keep practicing!

3 of the Best golf swing analyzer apps

There are many golf swing analyzer apps on the market. But finding the best ones for Android can be a challenge. Many of them are poorly reviewed or don’t work well.

Rest assured, these work for a multitude of golfers and can help you improve your game.

Mirror Vision Swing Analyzer

This app is excellent for tracking and using playback options to dissect your swing. The main feature is the side-by-side video analysis. You can see your swing from different angles and devices at the same time, hence Mirror.

You can upload your videos and work simultaneously with your coach to improve any bad habits or mistakes.

This will cost $35 per year for the premium features, and you’ll enjoy a short free trial.

SwingByte

Swinbyte offers an impressive amount of data to work with. Unlike other apps, this one won’t give you improvement tips, so this might be better fitted for seasoned players who can spot their weaknesses and coach themselves a bit.

You can track absolutely everything can might want with this app. You can even use their online community to get tips and tricks from professional golfers. A nice add-on.

Something to keep in mind: It’s free to download but requires a p$169 device.

V1 Golf App

This is probably one of the best budget-friendly options to monitor your swing speed and get instant feedback.

This software will compare your swing motions to the pros so you can see the differences and how to correct little mistakes. It features ultra-slow speed options, so you will see even the slightest detail!

You can use it for free or go premium for $4.99 per month.

How fast are swing speeds at the World Long Drive Championships?

The World Long Drive Championship is the perfect setting to see some of the fastest golf swings on the planet.

In recent years, the average swing speed of the finalists was 143 mph, with the fastest swings reaching over 156 mph! One name that lately stands out as a fast swinger is Kyle Berkshire. The golfer from Maryland routinely hits 150mph club head speed and recently broke the record achieving an impressive ball speed of 232.6 mph.

Clearly, these are just some of the top performers in the world of the golf swing and ball speed, and not every golfer should compare to them. Remember that swing speed is not everything in the game of golf and there are other important factors to develop and improve.

2021-2022 PGA TOUR Player Swing Speed Chart – Average Swingers

2022’s PGA Championship average club head speed is 114.69 mph.

Here’s a list of 20 of this year’s average swingers. They’re considered to be in the middle of the pack when it comes to club head speed.

2021-2022 PGA TOUR Player Swing Speed Chart – Fast Swingers

2022’s PGA Championship fastest swinger is Cameron Champ, with an average club head speed of 124.76 mph on tour. Not bad at all!

The fastest swingers in order are:

What exercises increase golf average swing speed?

There are many ways to increase your golf swing speed, but not all of them are created equal. In order to get the most out of your training, it’s important to focus on exercises that target the correct muscles. This goes beyond developing strong calves. The focus here is strength plus mobility.

Below you’ll find some of the most effective exercises to work on both mobility and power while keeping a balanced golf swing.

NOTE: You will need a resistance band in order to complete some of the exercises.

Bird Dog:

This move is a great way to get started because it strengthens the lower back and abdominal muscles while also promoting good posture.

How to do it:

Start on all fours with your hands directly below your shoulders and your knees below your hips. Keep your spine in a neutral position throughout the entire movement.

Slowly extend your right arm and left leg until they are in line with your body. Return to the starting position and repeat with the opposite arm and leg.

Do 2-3 sets of 10-15 repetitions on each side.

Dead bugs:

This exercise strengthens the lower abs, obliques, and lower back while also teaching you how to keep your spine in a neutral position. This is important for maintaining a good golf posture.

How to do it:

Start by lying on your back with your knees bent to 90 degrees and your feet flat on the floor. Place your arms at your sides with your palms flat on the floor.

Keeping your lower back pressed to the floor, slowly extend your right leg until it is in line with your body. At the same time, reach your right arm overhead. Return to the starting position and repeat with the opposite arm and leg.

Do 2-3 sets of 10-15 repetitions on each side.

Hip Hikes:

This exercise targets the lower abs and obliques, which are important for stabilizing the trunk during the golf swing.

How to do it:

Start by standing with your feet hip-width apart and your hands on your hips.

Keeping your left leg straight, raise your right hip until your right thigh is parallel to the floor. Return to the starting position and repeat with the opposite leg.

Do 2 sets of 10-15 repetitions on each side.

Russian Twist:

This exercise strengthens the obliques, which are important for rotational power in the golf swing.

How to do it:

Start by sitting on the floor with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor, and back straight. Lean back slightly so that your center of gravity is in your lower back. Place your hands on your hips or extended out in front of you at shoulder level.

Keeping your back straight, twist your torso to the right and then to the left. Return to the starting position and repeat.

Do 2-3 sets of 10-15 repetitions on each side.

Lateral Band Walks:

This exercise strengthens the abductor muscles, which are important for stabilizing the hips and improving energy transfer.

How to do it:

Wrap a resistance band around your ankles and stand with your feet hip-width apart.

Keeping your feet straight and your knees slightly bent, step to the side with your right leg. Return to the starting position and repeat with your left leg.

Do 2-3 sets of 10-15 repetitions on each side.

Effective tips for the elderly to swing faster

As we age, it’s natural for our bodies to lose muscle mass and bone density. However, that doesn’t mean we have to give up our love for golf. There are still ways to swing the club faster, even if we’re not as strong and agile as we used to be.

Here are a few tips:

Use a lighter golf club. If you’re finding it difficult to swing your usual club, try using one that’s a few ounces lighter. This will help you generate more speed without compromising your accuracy.

You have plenty of options with different materials, perhaps you might want to give titanium or graphite a try. These materials are proven to be very lightweight and resistant.

Also, golf shafts will play an important role in how fast you can swing the club. Look for shafts that are made of lighter materials such as graphite or titanium. And focus on using ‘Senior flex’ shafts. These are designed specifically for golfers with slower swing speeds.

Warm up before your round. It’s important to warm up your muscles before playing, especially as we get older. A simple 3-5 minute warm-up routine of light stretching and light cardio will work. You can also practice with some drives in the air. This will help prevent injuries and get your muscles and blood flow.

Use the right follow-through technique. In golf, follow-through is just as important as the backswing. The critical idea in this step is ‘energy transfer’, which comes from moving your weight from your back foot to the front foot.

On the backswing your weight should be placed on the back foot, this will create maximum torsion. As you rotate your hips, shoulders and chest, you should also shift your weight to the front foot.

This will naturally create more momentum and you’ll end up with the correct posture at the top of the swing.

From there, you can start your downswing and focus on hitting the ball with maximum speed and power.

Hopefully, these tips will help you swing the club a bit faster, even as you age. Remember, it’s not about how hard you

Conclusion

There’s no question that improving your golf swing speed is a key to playing better golf. The average golfer can benefit from swinging the club faster.

However, simply trying to swing harder won’t necessarily lower the scores. In order to improve your golf swing speed, you need to understand a few things about how the whole body produces power and how you can optimize your Swing Mechanics.

In this article, we’ve looked at the average golf swing speed and what factors influence it. We also covered some exercises that will help you generate more power and some tips on how to improve your Swing Mechanics. All in all, you have a quick speed training crash course without the need for professional golf instruction.

If you want to lower your scores, focus on improving your golf swing speed. It’s one of the most important factors in playing better golf. If you’re really serious about your game, consider hiring a professional coach that will give you even further details.

We encourage you to put these tips into practice and start seeing positive progress along the way. Good luck!