tour pro club head speed driver

Golf Swing Speed Chart: Averages By Age, Skill, and More

Swing speed charts can tell you the average speeds by age, skill, gender, and more. You can also compare how club head speeds compare to distance.

As a PGA-certified golf coach, I know I am not alone in being a numbers and statistics geek. Many of my students are hungry to compare their numbers with their favorite pro golfers using charts, graphs, and other visual representations.

Many swing speed charts exist today. Some break down clubhead and ball speed by a golfer’s handicap, gender, age, years playing, and many other areas. What many may find surprising by some of the data is that most golfers do not swing as fast as they think nor hit the ball as far as they claim to.

My goal in this article is to share all of the latest information and statistics regarding swing speed in golf. I’ll also share other related information, such as the distance at which golfers hit the ball. Other information relevant to this topic will be shared as well.

Here is a breakdown of what you can find if you read on:

• Average Swing Speed By Age and Gender
• Average Swing Speed By Handicap
• Average PGA TOUR Club Head Speeds and Distances
• PGA TOUR Average Club Head Speeds and Carry Distance Per Club
• Average LPGA TOUR Club Head Speeds and Distances
• LPGA TOUR Average Club Head Speeds and Carry Distance Per Club
• The Fastest Swingers In Golf

Tips To Improve Your Swing Speed

So get ready, and make sure to buckle up. Things are going to get fast!

Average Swing Speed Chart By Age and Gender

Average swing speed chart by handicap, pga tour fastest 10 driver swing speed averages.

• PGA TOUR Slowest 10 Driver Swing Speed Averages

Fast Swing Speed Does Not Always Equal Longer Drives

Swing speed and driving distance matters, but you can win without them, pga tour average clubhead speed and carry distance per club, lpga tour fastest 10 driver distance averages, lpga tour average clubhead speed and carry distance per club, the fastest swing speeds in golf, traditional tips for getting faster swing speeds, non-traditional tips for getting faster swing speeds, what is the mach 3 speed training system, final thoughts.

*Estimates due to a lack of participants in this age and gender group

** The data in the chart was compiled from a Titleist Performance Institute  (TPI) study conducted in 2019.

Club head swing speed contributes to the distance a golfer can hit a golf ball. Countless factors contribute to how fast a golfer can swing, such as age, flexibility, strength, gender, and the efficiency of their swing mechanics.

The first factor I wanted to chart concerning swing speed is age and gender. The following chart represents the average swing speeds with a driver for several different age groups and by male and female golfers within them.

Age significantly affects how much clubhead speed a golfer can produce on average.  Here is the main observation about swing speed versus age and gender:

• As you age, swing speed generally gets slower

However, as you can see from the chart, age does not necessarily have to slow you down completely. Some golfers in the 50 – 59 and 60+ age groups can still swing significantly fast. It all depends on how flexible someone can stay as they age.

Check this out: What Are the Golf Club Distances for Each Club? (Charts for All Skill Levels)

*Data from PGATour.com  as of 7/9/23  

**Data from PGATour.com  as of 7/9/23

Average swing speeds by handicap data from TrackMan

Let’s look at average swing speeds by handicap level for male golfers.

A golfer’s playing ability and how efficiently they swings the club also directly impact how fast their swing speed is. When golfers understand how the swing is supposed to work and can execute those fundamentals correctly, the result is a much more efficient swing. That efficient swing will lead to an increase in swing speed.

Read on: What Driver Loft Should You Use? (Full Chart Based On Swing Speed)

Average PGA TOUR Club Head Speeds

PGA TOUR professionals are among the best golfers in the world, so many golfers look to them as guides to playing the game correctly.

Note: Even though these speeds happened on a specific date in 2024, they’re still applicable today since swing speeds don’t rise significantly over time.

*Compiled through Rocket Mortgage Classic, 7/2/23

• Tour Pro Golfer Average Swing Speed – 115.24        
• Tour Pro Golfer Average Driving Distance – 299.40

PGA TOUR Slowest  10 Driver Swing Speed Averages

*All data from PGATour.com

**Compiled through Rocket Mortgage Classic, 7/2/23

As you may have noticed, some of the PGA TOUR pros in the top 20 in swing speed with the driver are outside the top 20 in average driver distance. This is because of a stat called Smash Factor, which measures the efficiency of a swing.

Smash Factor  is calculated by dividing the ball speed by the clubhead speed. Additionally, where the ball comes in contact with the clubface matters quite a bit as well.

Here are some examples of players with fast swing speeds who are outside the top 20 in driving distance.

Of those short knockers in the bottom 10 on the PGA TOUR this season in swing speed, and many of whom are very near the bottom in driving distance, all but two have a PGA TOUR victory on their resume.

*Data compiled from TrackMan’s 2017 PGA TOUR Data Points

I use data from TrackMan all the time with my students as a reference for what peak performance stats look like.

Above, I have pulled out the club head speed and carry distances for each club, on average, on the PGA TOUR.

TrackMan notes that these AVERAGE stats from 2017 have mostly stayed the same over the last six years.  The top players on the PGA TOUR have gotten faster and carry the ball longer, but, on average, the chart above still holds close to today’s average.

Average LPGA TOUR Club Head Speeds

The LPGA does not keep data on swing speed. However, the average swing speed with the driver hovers around 95 mph, per TrackMan. As we noticed in the statistics above for the PGA TOUR, there is somewhat of a correlation between swing speed and driver distance, but not necessarily always.

The current top drivers on the LPGA Tour shake out as follows:

Driving Distance Averages from LPGATour.com

Swing Speed Estimates Via TrackMan

Data compiled through 7/9/23

As noted previously, TrackMan is a go-to source for swing and club data for many coaches and players. I use data from TrackMan with my students all the time. For my female students, as well as slower-swinging male students, one of my go-to charts is TrackMan’s 2017 LPGA TOUR Data Points .

Compiled data from TrackMan

As noted previously, TrackMan notes that these AVERAGE stats from 2017 have mostly stayed the same over the last six years. The top players on the LPGA TOUR have gotten faster and carry the ball longer, but, on average, the chart above still holds close to today’s average.

In 2012, Ryan Winther set the world record for swing speed at 167 mph, and that swing produced a ball speed of 225 mph.

Recent long-drive phenom, Kyle Berkshire, has come close to Winther’s record, recording a swing speed of 160. Berkshire does however have the highest ball speed ever recorded at 236.8 mph… Say What?!?

More from Golf Span: The 10 Best Drivers for Slow Swing Speed

Swing speed and distance have become one of the most talked about topics in the game over recent years. It seems that everyone in golf has a need for speed! There is no denying that swing speed is a hot topic in golf.

Golfers are always looking for tips and tricks to improve their swing speed. I will break down my tips for you in two different ways. The first is the more traditional ways we, as instructors and coaches, point students toward when working on improving their swing speed.

The second will come from my friend, Michael Romatowski, founder and creator of the revolutionary Mach 3 Golf Speed Training System. Mike’s system is really helping 1,000’s of golfers get faster with their swing.

Some of the more traditional tips for golfers to help them increase their swing speed include the following:

• Train Your Body to Get Faster-  If you can increase your flexibility and mobility, reaching faster swing speeds will be more realistic. How a golfer moves their body, in terms of how much they can rotate their hips and upper torso, will play a big part in their production of swing speed. Getting yourself into the habit of stretching your body regularly will help your ability to swing faster.
• Equipment can make a difference- Having the right equipment for you can make a big difference in your ability to swing faster. Some of the critical things you need to consider in terms of equipment include:
• The overall weight of the club-  The lighter the club, the faster you can swing it. That is straight-up science, folks.
• The type of shaft you use-  The shaft matters in golf. From the length, to the flex, and where the kick-point is, all of these things equate to your ability to swing at your maximum speed.
• The head of the club-  Golf equipment technology has made massive gains over the last two decades. The clubheads on today’s drivers can offer maximum forgiveness and create a “trampoline effect” with the ball coming off the face. Test different drivers, and you may be surprised at what gains you can make by simply having the right club.

I have recently become a massive fan of a speed training program called the Mack 3 Golf Speed Training System . It was developed by Michael Romatowski. Mike is a multi-certified personal trainer, golf fitness expert, and post-rehab exercise specialist. I have spent a lot of time talking with Mike recently; he was a recent guest on my Quite Please Golf Podcast. You can listen to that episode here.

Mach 3 is a year-round speed training protocol that has produced an average gain in clubhead speed for program participants of 11.5 miles per hour. The tools used in Mach 3 are dynamic and unique, allowing golfers to experience the sensation of “Speed Out in Front,” which is the hallmark of Mach 3.

Some of the critical points of Mach 3 that I like include:

• It’s Open To All –  The Mach 3 program is for golfers of all ages, genders, and playing abilities.
• It’s Fun & Safe –  Workouts are fun, non-exhausting, safe, and athletic in nature.
• It’s Accessible to All –  Speed training workouts can be held indoors or outdoors.
• It’s Optimized –  Train for golf without “bulking up” and using natural golf body motions.

The overarching theme of Mach 3 is the “Speed out in front” concept. “Speed out in front” means that a golfer needs to become much more target-oriented when swinging. Anything after impact and up to the end of your swing is “out in front.”

Because the golf swing is such a fast movement, taking roughly only 1.25 seconds, it is essential to think in your mind to be a few steps ahead. Golfers often think of the ball and impact with the ball as the finish line when, in reality, it is only the mid-way point. If you focus on the ball as the ultimate goal, you will move slower into it at impact.

Mach 3 trains golfers to think of the finish line of the swing as being the top of your finish. You become hyper-focused on the target, the finish of the swing, and getting all of your energy, momentum, and speed “out in front” and past the point where the ball is at impact…well past it.

Mach 3 will help any and all golfers that give this concept a try. As mentioned earlier, program participants’ average gain in clubhead speed is around 11.5 miles per hour. That is significant!

If you’re a golfer seeking to improve your game, understanding the insights a golf swing speed chart can provide is invaluable. These charts break down swing speeds by various factors such as age, gender, and skill level, offering a wealth of data that helps golfers understand where they stand. My extensive experience as a golf coach has shown me that these statistics are crucial for those aiming to improve their performance. Surprisingly, many golfers discover they don’t swing as fast or hit as far as they initially thought.

The charts reveal that factors like age, gender, and skill level profoundly impact your swing speed and, subsequently, your driving distance. However, it’s important to note that age doesn’t necessarily have to slow you down. Many golfers in the 50 – 59 and 60+ age brackets can still generate impressive swing speeds, particularly if they maintain good flexibility and employ proper swing mechanics.

To boost your swing speed, you can rely on tried-and-true methods and cutting-edge techniques. On the traditional side, improving your body’s flexibility and selecting the right equipment can make a significant difference. For instance, lighter clubs and the right shaft type can notably increase your swing speed. On the innovative front, training systems like the Mach 3 Golf Speed Training System have helped thousands of golfers achieve faster swings by focusing on functional training tailored to golf performance.

To wrap up, a golf swing speed chart is an essential tool for anyone serious about upgrading their golf game. Combining this data with top tips for improving your swing speed can set you on the path to becoming a more formidable golfer. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to fine-tune your skills, a strategic approach backed by sound data can help you reach new heights in your golf career. Stay tuned for the latest updates and trends in golf statistics and training techniques.

More from me on Golf Span: How to Increase Swing Speed: 10 Tips

Brendon Elliott

Brendon is Class A PGA Professional and founded Little Linksters, LLC, and its nonprofit arm, the Little Linksters Association for Junior Golf Development. He won 25+ prestigious industry honors, including the 2017 PGA National Youth Player Development Award. He graduated from the PGA of America Management Program and has a handicap index of 7.8.

He has played golf for over 40 years and currently plays twice a month at the Eagle Dunes Golf Club near Sorrento, Florida. He loves Srixon clubs and plays a ZX5 driver with Z 585 irons. He's written over 60 articles on GolfSpan and specializes in sharing tips to improve your golf game. You can connect with Brendon at  LinkedIn , X , IG , FB , his website , or [email protected] .

• Brendon Elliott https://www.golfspan.com/author/brendon-elliott Driver Mistakes To Avoid: +25 Golf Driver Tips for Beginners
• Brendon Elliott https://www.golfspan.com/author/brendon-elliott The Resurgence of Golf in the Olympics 2024
• Brendon Elliott https://www.golfspan.com/author/brendon-elliott Who Owns the PGA Tour? The +$1 Billion Dollar Non-Profit
• Brendon Elliott https://www.golfspan.com/author/brendon-elliott Flat Swing: Pros, Cons, How To Fix

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Swing Speed and Distance Chart for Every Club

Find out exactly where your swings speeds with each club stack up

• DESCRIPTION Golf driving range with distances measured
• SOURCE Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH
• PERMISSION Shutterstock license

The more data we collect about our golf games, and the games of the best players out there, the more we realize how important distance is. No matter what the club manufacturers tell you, the best way to increase your distance is to increase your club head speed. Here’s a club head speed chart that shows you swing speeds for every club from every type of player, from PGA and LPGA tour players, to high-handicap amateur men and women.

Whether you are embarking on a swing speed mission, or you’re simply seeking some context to see how your swing speed with a certain club stacks up, this chart shows average club head speeds for each type of player.

Tour Player Swing Speed and Distance Chart

Here are the average swing speeds of PGA Tour and LPGA Tour players with each full-swing club, along with their average carry distances, in yards, for each club. This data comes directly from Trackman , which captures dozens of metrics from countless professional and amateur golfers every day.

What Is the Average Distance With Each Golf Club?

Amateur Golf Swing Speed Chart by Gender and Handicap

Trackman measures and publishes actual swing speed data for tour players with every full swing club. Additionally, Trackman has published driver swing speed data for amateur men and women by their handicap range. Given that the handicap index of the average male golfer is around 14.5, Trackman used that as one of its handicap benchmarks, in addition to a category that Trackman calls the “Bogey Golfer.”

Using Trackman’s measured swing speeds for amateur and professional golfers, we can estimate the average swing speed with each club for amateur golfers, both men and women, by handicap.

Combining Trackman’s measured data and these estimations, here is the club head speed chart for amateur golfers.

8 Clubhead Speed Drills to Help You Hit More Bombs

Male Amateur: Average Club Head Speed Chart

Over the years, we’ve collected a ton of data from professional and amateur golfers alike. With access to this data, we can match actual average distances with each club for each type of player with their swing speeds.

Here is the average club head speed chart, with actual and estimated swing speeds, paired with actual average distances from male amateur golfers, according to data provided by Shot Scope, an industry leader in on-course distance measuring devices and stat-tracking. Distances are in yards and are adjusted to remove outlier shots.

Bogey Golfer Official Handicap and Stats

Female Amateur: Average Club Head Speed Chart

While we don’t have big data on the average distance female amateur players hit each club, we can still give you solid estimates on how fast they swing each club. Here’s the swing speed chart for female amateur golfers, broken down by handicap.

Trackman Tour Averages

At Trackman, we're dedicated to providing the most accurate and up-to-date data to enhance your golfing experience. That's why we're excited to announce the release of our new Tour Averages, reflecting the latest insights from leading professional golf tours.

How We Gathered the Data

Our team has been hard at work collecting data from a wide range of pro players, utilizing Trackman technology to capture every swing and shot with precision.

Explore the New Tour Averages

Discover the latest numbers for both PGA and LPGA Tours, now presented in a redesigned format for easy reference. To see how the game has progressed over time, check out this link to see what’s changed compared to the last Tour Averages.

What's Changed Since Last Time

Since Trackman last revealed the Tour Averages, certain areas of the game have changed. When driving, for instance, players are now hitting further, with greater ball speed and less spin rate. See how your figures compare to the pros.

The Impact of Trackman

Trackman's role in driving performance gains cannot be understated. From influencing club manufacture to revolutionizing training methods and making data more accessible, Trackman continues to shape the future of golf. Additionally, integrating Trackman technology with advanced golf simulators offers players an immersive experience, allowing them to practice and improve their skills in a virtual environment.

Stay Informed

Whether you're a seasoned pro or a weekend warrior, Trackman is here to help you reach new heights on the course. So stay tuned for more updates and insights from Trackman as we continue to push the boundaries of golf technology.

Get the New Tour Assets

The updated Tour Averages data is available for download here in various formats (incl. in meters or yards), whether you're a coaching professional or simply want them handy on your phone when you're on the range.

Key Insights:

Male data is captured across 40+ different events and 200+ different players.

Data is captured at both PGA TOUR and DP World Tour events with majority coming from PGA TOUR events.

Female data is captured across 30+ different events and 150+ different players.

Data is captured at both LPGA and LET events with majority coming from LPGA events.

Averages are based on data from competition as well as on the range.

There are multiple processes in place to eliminate shots hit with a non-driver during competition.

There could be a small number of non-driver shots in the dataset (less than 0.5 percent).

Official stat holes are picked going in opposite directions to reduce any effects from wind.

Average Driver Swingspeeds? COMPLETE GUIDE by Age, Handicap etc.

Written by Graeme Hay | Last Updated: 21/05/2024

Jack Nicklaus didn’t have his swingspeed tested until 1998 by which time he was 58 years old and his record breaking 18 major winning career was well behind him.

But in modern golf it seems that swingspeed stats are almost as important to golfers as the actual yardages they drive the ball.

A higher swingspeed – or clubhead speed as it is also often called – will mean more distance the vast majority of the time especially off the tee and as such it is inevitable that golfers want to know how they stack up against their peers.

Over 95 mph is a ‘good’ driver swingspeed as it is above average for male amateurs according to Trackman. Clubhead speeds under 85mph are slow and put golfers within the lowest 17% of male amateurs while speeds over 100mph are fast enough to be ranked in the top 23%. A ‘good’ swingspeed for a woman amateur is over 70mph.

Comparisons across a category of golfers as wide as the entire population of male or female golfers is a starting point but a much better measure is how we are matching up against those closest to us in playing standard or peer group.

After all, it doesn’t make much sense for a beginner to be comparing their driver swingspeed to a scratch amateur or the numbers they see on the TV screen when watching the top pros smash the ball ever-increasing distances off the tee.

So in the remainder of this post we look at the topic of driver swingspeed in its entirety and do a deep dive into the numbers of how fast the average golfer should swing their driver broken down by a number of categories including handicap, age and gender.

And as an added bonus we’ll finally take a look at how this all stacks up against the best pros on the PGA and LPGA Tours!

[ Top tip: Improving your fitness and swing speed will make a huge difference to how far you hit the ball and has the potential to add 20 to 30 yards to drives and an extra club throughout the bag. If you want to know how you can achieve this check out two of the best ‘golf training’ programs that can get you there:

• The Stack System
• Fit for Golf  (Use discount code  GOLFINGFOCUS20  for 20% off annual subscriptions!)

Average Driver Swingspeed by Handicap. Speed It Up to Get Lower!

When it comes to comparing golfers with each other the standard and simplest measure with which we are most familiar is of course handicap.

So when it comes to judging how your average driver swingspeed matches up with others seeing how the averages range across different handicap categories is a good and logical place to start.

As a whole lower handicap golfers have faster swingspeeds than higher handicappers. The average male 14.4 handicapped golfer has a driver swingspeed of 93.4mph according to Trackman while 10 handicappers driver speeds measure about 97mph. 5 and scratch players record 103mph and 106mph average speeds respectively.

A female amateur golfer by comparison has a slower driver swing speed and according to master club maker and industry leader in the research of golf club design Tom Wishon, the average driver swingspeed for women is around 65mph.

A scratch or better woman golfer meanwhile averages 90 mph; a 10-handicapper averages 83mph; and a 15-handicapper swings their driver at an average of 79mph.

Clubhead/swing speed is the key factor for determining a golfer’s potential distance and Trackman, arguably the leader in golf launch monitor technology, estimates that each 1mph increase can add between 2.5 and 3 yards of distance.

Their map below of the driver swingspeeds for amateurs with handicaps from +5 through to 15 also neatly illustrates the clear link between higher clubhead speeds and lower handicaps.

When you further note that the average swingspeed on the PGA Tour is higher yet again – 114.6mph over the course of the 2021-22 season, compared to the 110mph speed recorded by Trackman for +5 handicapped golfers here – the evidence for that link becomes yet more unarguable.

And why does swingspeed matter?

Put simply as a general rule increased swingspeed means more distance and the stats gurus are also crystal clear on the correlation between hitting the ball further and lower scores.

An extra 20 yards of driving distance is worth nearly 3 strokes to the typical 115-scoring golfer for example, 2.3 strokes to the 100-scoring player, 1.6 strokes to 90-scorers, 1.3 strokes to 80 scores, and 0.8 strokes to the pros.

What it is vital however that amateur golfers understand is that while the link between higher swingspeeds and lower handicaps (via increased distance) is obvious and clear they should not be pursuing ever-increasing clubhead speeds above all else.

For example, when you consider that the average swingspeed on the LPGA Tour is almost identical to that of the average male amateur (94mph vs 93.4mph) you may expect because of this that they will hit the ball similar distances.

But while the average man drives the ball around 219 yards typically the top pros in the women’s game average a total distance of 257 yards. That’s an enormous 38 yards extra with essentially the same driver swingspeed.

So increased distance is clearly not solely about increased swingspeed.

Therefore if you are really serious about hitting the ball further you will need to marry increased swingspeed with all the other elements that determine driver distance and you can find out what the key ones are in our in-depth look at this topic here .

Average Driver Clubhead Speed by Age. Maintenance is Key

Another interesting category to break down driver club/swingspeed is by age.

Looking at average driver swingspeeds by handicap is all very well but golfers often play most regularly with their age group peers and are therefore are frequently most concerned about how their driver clubhead speed matches up to others of a similar age.

As a whole 17 to 29 years old men have the highest median driver swingspeeds of close to 113mph according to a test of 600 golfers. 30 to 50-year-old median swingspeeds measure 103mph by comparison while 50 to 60-year-olds and the over-60s have mid-point swingspeeds of 98.9 and 93.3mph respectively.

This data is taken from Par4Success – a Golf Digest Top 50 Golf Fitness Trainer in the US – and their testing of over 600 junior, amateir and senior golfers over a 4 year period, and it is the best publicly available data when it comes to breaking down driver swingspeeds by age.

However the smallness of the sample size and the almost identical 113mph median swingspeed recorded for 17 to 29 years compared to PGA Tour pros – who average 114mph – suggests that these numbers are high and are not a perfect benchmark for those looking to compare their swingspeed with players of a similar age.

Further given that Par4Success used Flightscope launch monitor technology for their testing, which will typically give you a 3-4mph higher swingspeed measurement in comparison to Trackman, we would put forward the below estimated median swingspeeds for different age groups as potentially more realistic.

What is undoubtedly helpful though, and makes perfect sense when considered alongside Golfing Focus’ previous deep dive into the average driving distances across age groups from 20 all the way up to 70+ , is that these numbers back up the assertion that golfers lose swingspeed and therefore distance as they age.

That the average golfer is statistically most likely to swing at their fastest up to the age of 29 correlates with the data collected from countless millions of golf shots by Arccos and Shotscope users that show 20 to 29 years olds average the highest driving distances.

The positive news also is that the decline in swingspeeds and distances is gradual and only starts to accelerate as players head over the 60-year age mark.

Further given the expanding availability of fitness/training programs and systems specifically targeted at helping golfers maintain swingspeed and therefore distance as they age there is a lot of help out there to ensure you keep up with your peers.

[Editor’s note – For those who are interested here are the entirely of the results from Par4Success’ clubhead speed study.]

Average Men and Women’s Driver Swingspeeds

Another category to analyze driver swingspeeds is simply by looking at the average speeds for both men and women.

While golf as we all know is a game of almost infinite variables, and each golfer’s swing is as unique to them as their own fingerprints, players often consider at a basic level how they compare against the ‘average’.

The average male amateur golfer has a driver swingspeed of 93.4mph according to Trackman that delivers an average total driving distance of between 219 and 226 yards. Titleist estimates women golfer swingspeeds are over 20% slower than men by comparison producing average driver clubhead speed of 65mph.

That the driver swingspeeds of female golfers are much less than men is of course not surprising simply because of the fact that with their comparatively less upper body power they tend to swing slower, especially on the downswing.

For all golfers however the opportunities to increase or at least maintain their swingspeed have never been more numerous and by increasing upper body and core strength, improving posture, or alternatively simply getting fitted for the correct clubs players can aim to increase the potential distance they can drive the ball.

Given the above averages can include everyone from the world-long driving champion to your grandparents however comparing yourself to the average of all men or women golfers is perhaps not the most useful.

For those regular golfers though who are interested in where they fit into the overall distribution of driver swingspeed across the amateur men’s game Trackman’s chart below will let you see where you fit.

Average PGA and LPGA Tour Driver Clubhead Speeds

Although it is more often than not the best idea amateur golfers freqenrly can’t help but compare themselves with the pros.

And the same is true when it comes to the average swingspeeds on the PGA and LPGA Tours for the simple reason that the best players in the world are continually hitting the ball so far off the tee and regular players want to know what it would take to match them.

The average driver swingspeed on the PGA Tour is 115.13mph according to the latest Shotlink stats. This is 2.76mph more than the average in 2007 when Shotlink began to track this metric and the average swingspeed has risen in 11 out of the last 15 PGA Tour seasons. The average driver swingspeed on the PGA Tour is 94mph.

What these numbers clearly show is that the best pros in the world have been focusing on increasing their driver swingspeed consistently over the years and the straight forward reason behind this is that more swingspeed is a gateway to let them drive the ball further.

And more distance means lower scores.

Unlike us regular amateurs the top pros are consistently striking the ball near the sweet spot of their driver and therefore are experts at maximising the transfer of the swingspeed they generate into ball speed which is the single biggest determing factor in the distance a golf ball actually carries.

PGA Tour players are therefore well aware that whatever work they do to increase their driver swingspeed will pay dividends and as a result in the modern game you are as likely to find them in the gym or using speed training programs, with a focus on generating more clubhead speed, as you are on the range.

A quick search of the Internet also and you will consistently see the baseline 114mph average PGA Tour driver swingspeed cited.

But so dedicated are pros now to increasing their driver swingspeed you need only look at the change in the number of them averaging a speed of more than 114.0 mph over the last decade or so.

While only 38% the players on Tour in 2010 averaged more than 114.0mph nearly 60% of them average that over that speed today and while distance continues to be such a big factor in the modern game this trend is likely to continue.

Further when you look at the average driver clubhead speeeds below of some of the very best PGA and LPGA Tour pros today – including Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Nelly Korda and veterans such as Adam Scott – it is no suprise that they are well above that 114mph baseline mark!

[Note – Just so you know, and we are upfront as an affiliate program participant, Golfing Focus, at no cost to you, earns from qualifying purchases made through links on this page.]

Other top articles related to this topic:

• How Far Should Your Driver Swingspeed Go? 60 to 120 mph Guide
• How Far Should You Hit a Driver? FULL GUIDE By Age, Handicap etc.
• How Far Should Your Ball Speed Go? 100mph All the Way to 210mph!
• What Should Your Driver Attack Angle Be? Try Not to Be Negative
• Why Don’t Your Drives Go Far? Slow and Steady Loses the Race
• Where is the Sweet Spot on the Driver Face? Take the High Road
• Should Beginners & High Handicappers Use a Driver? Yes & Yes
• What Determines Driver Distance? Skill Triumphs Over All!
• Do Distance Golf Balls Go Further? Marketing Matters
• Do All Golf Balls Go the Same Distance? Physics First
• What Affects Golf Ball Distance? Beware ALL the Uncontrollables!
• Are Driving Range Distances Accurate? Golf Balls are a Problem
• How Do Pros Hit the Ball So Far? It’s Not About the Equipment!
• How Often Do Pros Hit Driver? Not As Much As You Think!
• How Far Do Pro Golfers Hit Each Club?
• The PGA Tour’s Rising Driver Ball Speeds Mean One Thing – $$
• What Driver is Most Used On the PGA Tour? Top 100 Player Analysis
• What Shafts Do Pros Use? Top 100 PGA Tour Player Breakdown
• Most Popular Driver on LPGA Tour? Top 50 Player Guide

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Golf Club Distance Chart

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This golf club distance chart will help provide you with a guide to how far you should hit your golf clubs. You’ll also be able to tell what level you’re at compared to the pros and how increasing your swing speed will impact your yardage.

Table of Contents

Golf Club Distance Chart by Swing Speed

This table from Trackman shows the average distance for golf clubs based on the swing speed of a driver. Of course, your distances will vary based on how well you’re striking the ball, but this cheat sheet should give you a good idea of how far you can expect your clubs to go when hit well.

Note that these are carry numbers. So you might expect from 0-10 yards of extra distance depending on the club, how it’s struck, and where it lands.

Printable Golf Club Distance Chart

If you’d like to print this chart out, click on the image below or download this golf club distance chart pdf .

Average Swing Speed by Player Type

Here are the average swing speeds by type of player. These numbers vary widely, especially among amateurs, but they can give you an idea of where you stand among your peers.

Average Swing Speed by Handicap

The distance you can hit your clubs directly correlates with your potential handicap. Of course, your actual handicap number will vary based on all the factors of your game, but these are the expected averages for males and females.

Average Driver Distance by Age

The table below shows the average driving distance by age. Your actual numbers will vary based on your fitness and skill. As people age, they tend to lose fast twitch muscle fiber and flexibility unless they’re actively working to maintain them.

How to Find Your Driver Swing Speed

There are several ways to find your swing speed to place yourself on this chart.

The simplest way is to get the yardage for one of your clubs, such as the driver, and match that yardage to the chart. You should find one of the columns closely matches your yardages. Ensure you’re tracking average yardage and not your best drive to get accurate numbers.

Here are several other ways:

• Use a golf simulator to get an accurate swing speed number. A device like a Trackman or a Skytrak should be able to provide you with this data. If you don’t have a simulator, you may be able to find somewhere nearby where you can rent time in a simulator bay.
• Use a launch monitor like the PRGR (around $200), which accurately measures speed.

How to Make Your Own Club Distance Card

To make your own club distance card, you’ll need to start by measuring each club’s carry and/or total distance. There are several ways to get this data:

• A golf simulator (you can rent simulator time if you don’t have access)
• A launch monitor (such as the PRGR mentioned above)
• A golf tracker (such as the Arccos Caddie )
• A range finder and some time at the driving range (this approach is less precise and takes extra effort)

Choose which data is most helpful. For example, carry distances are useful for hitting a green or ensuring you can get over trouble, and the total distance helps you know your range. You can also track distances for partial swings (like a 1/4, 1/2, or 3/4 wedge).

After you’ve gathered all the numbers, there are several ways you can use them to make your club choices easier on the course:

• Paper – the most basic way is to write them down on some note paper; you can use the templates below for an idea of what to write down.
• Phone – you can save these numbers as a note or document for reference if your phone is easily accessible during your golf round. Apps like the Arccos Caddie (mentioned above) will also track this for you.
• Print Out – we’ve included some sample templates below to give you ideas on how to design a card.

Once you have your distance card, you can laminate and carry it, put it in a scorecard holder, attach it to your bag with a bag tag holder , or tape it to your push cart.

You should expect to hit a 7-iron between 130 and 160 yards. Each iron should vary by about 8 to 10 yards (e.g., if your 7 goes 150, your 8 should go around 140). This will change depending on your swing speed, which is related to your technique, flexibility, fitness, and height.

An average male swings the driver at 94 mph, traveling around 240 yards. However, most amateurs don’t hit the ball perfectly, so this will often fall short of this potential yardage when mishit. A PGA Tour player hits the driver an average of 295 yards (some are much longer, like DeChambeau at 320 yds). An LPGA player drives the ball around 240 yards in total.

In 2021 Kyle Berkshire hit a ball speed of 233.4 mph with a swing speed of 153.3 mph. His swing speeds have been slightly higher, but ball speed ultimately factors most into the distance.

• https://blog.trackmangolf.com/club-speed/
• https://blog.trackmangolf.com/trackman-average-tour-stats/

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Kyle J. Larson

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JOHN T. HARTMANN

Last check, my golf swing speed has been around 98 to 100mph. So as a reference I hit my 7-Iron about 165yds on average, pitching wedge would be 130 to 140yds and driver 230 to 260yds depending upon contact and degree of flight. I can handle tee spots up to 6700 to 6800yds. However, my wife thinks I should “play-up” because my scores are “mid 90’s on challenging course, but my issues have always been the short game, not distance. What do you suggest?

Regarding John Hartmann’s comment….play the tees where you have the most fun. If all your buddies are playing from the same tees as you maybe you want to just keep playing those same tees with your friends. Most of us are just playing for fun. Play where you have the most fun but if I were you I’d at least give it a try moving up. 6800 yards is a lot of golf course for weekend golfers. Who knows, you might have more fun making lower scores from closer tees.

Yeah, play whichever tees you like, but like SS said 6800 is probably a lot if you’re not hitting a driver at least 260+… if you take a look at the par 3 distances, and shots you may have to hit into greens on a 2nd or third shot (after subtracting your avg driver distance) it’ll help you figure out what to play. I’m going to have a lot more fun hitting irons into a green and having some birdie chances then if I’m always trying to crank a fairway wood in and missing or having long putts.

I’m 80 years old and hit my driver pretty consistently 200-210. Since moving to the up tees I have had so much more fun. Now it’s driver and a medium iron rather than driver, fairway wood, pitching wedge. Having a chance to make some birdies makes all the difference in enjoyment for me.

Rardie Leahy

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The Swing Speed Charts – Which One You Fall In?

Swing speed is actually an essential thing for consideration as ball distance in golf is concerned. But, attaining a quick clubhead speed doesn’t happen overnight. This will actually require time, practice , and knowing your target velocity that falls on the swing speed charts. Having an idea on that will allow you to practice with confidence on the driving range and help you to increase your speed.

As we go along with this post, we will show you the different charts for the swing speed. Moreover, also stated here are the suitable strategies intended to elevate the rate of speed swing into the golf course. Let’s check them out below!

Various Swing Speed Charts

Generally, through the use of the right golf gears and equipment, you can have a higher chance of enhancing the golf swing speed. For you to be guided accordingly with this, here are some of the swing speed charts that you must look at to give you an idea about your target swing speed.

Swing Speed Chart Based on Age and Gender

The swing speed chart below basically shows the required speed men and women should exert depending on their age.

Swing Speed Chart Based on Distance

This next swing speed chart primarily reveals the relationship of the speed to the ball distance. Keep in mind that various speed golfers possess distinct abilities that have a direct connection with the speed and golf ball distance.

The swing speed chart above shows that the swing speed of pro golfers during PGA Tours is generally faster compared to those average golf players. Aside from that, they also achieve greater distance as well. Looking at the chart, you may also wonder why professional golfers usually hit the golf ball for amazing distances.

Most of the time, they can hit distances not only by using their golf driver but also the other golf clubs. This will also lead to thinking about how players can able to elevate the speed of the golf club head. Actually, they come up with this question as they notice that it is one ideal way in cutting shots within their golf game.

Factors Affecting the Swing Speed

In order to create a perfect speed with every golf club swinging, you basically needs to check on these following factors:

1-Right Equipment

Putting your hands on the appropriate golf clubs that are highly suitable for your height, agility, and ability in playing golf is very important. Getting older generally contributes to losing the speed of the golf club heads. With that, the driver with more angles within the clubface is worth having. Here is the other essential golfing equipment that you need to acquire so that swing speed can be elevated as well as increasing the distance.

*GOLF CLUBS

For the purpose of increasing the swing speed, you need to have a good golf driver for distance. Usually, this equipment aims to have great distance together with consistency. This is generally an ideal addition if you want to elevate the distance of the driver.

Aside from that, it is a great help in practicing the drills for clubhead speed enhancement. Moreover, also look for golf clubs that offer optimal benefits in providing distance within the tee shots. It is also perfect golfing equipment in gaining more confidence in your swing.

*GOLF SHAFTS

The first good pointer in elevating the speed of the clubhead is to come up with the best golf driver shaft intended to give better distance. The function of the golf shafts is to fasten the speed of the clubhead and seem to be far better in terms of flexibility. Another helpful pointer to keep in mind is ensuring the measurement of the length of the driver shaft.

Knowing that is highly crucial in achieving a good swing speed and ball distance as well. Additionally, the golf club shafts are also advantageous in the development of more confidence.

2- Appropriate Technique

The next thing to consider when you decide to increase the swing speed is the employment of the appropriate techniques in playing golf. If you tend to follow the inappropriate technique, then completeness of any drills and use of the best golf equipment may not really help. So, the best solution here is to equip you with a concrete foundation for the improvement of the swing speed within the golf course.

Initially, rotation is an essential technique in golf that allows players in generating the speed of the golf club head. A smooth full rotation generally focuses on the mobility of the shoulders and hips. This will permit the production of a quick swing speed.

The next technique in generating the speed of the golf club head is emphasizing the downswing. Hitting the ball on a usually hard approach is the most common technique that plenty of golfers are using. This will eventually lead to achieving a wild combination of backswing and downswing.

Another important pointer here in terms of generating the acceleration is during the time the downswing achieved to the level of the hip. This is in comparison with the actual golf ball impact.

Friendly Tips:

Here are more helpful reminders that you should keep in mind in relation to the execution of the appropriate techniques in increasing the swing speed. When executing the golf club head speed, it is always important to be very mindful of the grip, stance, and timing.

• Firmly grip the golf club, but do it not in a choking grasp position. This will basically allow the players to observe the correct torso, hips, and shoulder rotation.
• Giving off a wider stance will offer great stability that also permits the weight distribution from the inner leg or hip going into the outer lower extremities. However, also keep in mind that a wider stance also limits you to exert movement in rotating the hips.
• It is also very important to time the swing speed of the highest golf club head with the moment of impact or MOI. Always observe the whooshing sound and maintain your head down while playing.  

3-Bodily Movement

Generally, the movement of the golfer may also have a great impact on the swing speed. In case the golfers elicit poor body movement, chances are, they can acquire golfing injuries as well as reducing their athletic performance. Good to know that implementing the appropriate stretches may be of big help in elevating the bodily movement for golf.

Stick Mobility is actually a special golfing device intended for mobility as a great channel in knowing that you maintain on the right track. Moreover, the required bodily movement in performing on an enhanced level within the golf course is also measured.

Moreover, flexibility is also crucial here which pertains to the wider motion coverage our body performs. In terms of increasing the swing speed in golf, the more muscle flexibility we exert, it will ultimately elevate swing speed.

Additionally, the balance is also as essential as flexibility. This actually really helpful on maintaining the proportion of the body in a more stable approach all throughout the entire swing.

4-Body Strength

Another factor that helps in increasing the velocity based on the swing speed chart is the strength of the golfers. Maintaining body fitness is a good idea here and can generally work wonders. Generally, you will notice skinny golfers having great distances as they hit the ball. Yet, the PGA Tour as of these times usually involves golfers following a strict workout regimen.

*ESSENTIAL MUSCLES FOR SWING SPEED

In the field of golf, there are body muscles that are generally working hard compared to others. These muscles are in extreme determination in increasing the swing speed. Overall, complete body strength and fitness are highly crucial. But, the following are the most important muscles that need to be strengthened to achieve an elevation on swing speed:

• Abdominal muscles
• Back muscles
• Muscles in the forearms
• Glute muscles
• Muscles in the wrists

You may be wondering why these muscles are highly essential. Well, for some reason, they are the muscles generally involved in the rotation of the swing. Aside from that, they are also the main ones responsible for creating the power that will generate the downswing afterward.

*EXERCISES TO INCREASE THE SPEED OF THE CLUB HEAD

Below are the suitable exercises that will help in the elevation of the club head speed:

• Bench Press – this exercise is highly crucial for the improvement of the upper extremities and the body strength
• Bench Side Steps – one of the exercises that helps in enhancing the hip muscles and glutes
• Medicine Ball Ab Rotation – generally, a good way to improve the muscles of the abdomens
• Rotational Lunges – the back muscles, glutes, and hips are the main concern of this exercise
• Squats – this exercise routine is perfect for the development of the muscles within the back and glutes

Different Trainings in Increasing the Clubhead Speed

So, aside from addressing the different factors that affect the elevation of swing speed, there is also available training that will help you in achieving the potential increase in the clubhead swing. Moreover, the training here is also ideal to give emphasis on separated parts of the golf game. The various games in golf that need training are driving and putting together with targeting the speed of swing.

Aside from that, this training can be done at home for practicing using a golf simulator. Here is the speed swing training that you can practice within the driving range. Strictly following the steps below will generally help better in achieving longer golf shots along with speedy swings.

Club Head Speed Swing Training #1

Initially, the number 1 training for the clubhead speed swing generally entails no golf club at all. The training aims to achieve a better feel during the swing at a quicker velocity compared to normal swing speed.

• Basically, start by performing the regular driving stance.
• Make sure that your hands are free from grasping any golf driver.
• Hold the hands in the front position resembling the grip of the driver.
• Generally, swing the arms backward.
• Immediately follow this step by resembling a golf swing as you are also focusing on the speed and rotation.

Although very simple, the main thing to consider here is to give emphasis on the form and strategy while elevating the swing speed. Moreover, with this specific training, four sets of 6 to 8 repetitions and elevating speed for every set is highly recommended.

Club Head Speed Swing Training #2

Well, the difference between this clubhead speed swing training from the first training is that this does not include the utilization of a golf driver. But, hitting a golf drive by performing this drill is not also achieved.

• Make sure that your hands are free from grasping any golf ball and prepare with a practice swing position.
• Concentrate on swinging the golf club while creating a ‘whoosh’ sound. Observe this normally via the air amidst the position where you would strike the golf ball and where the golf driver comes in.
• Keep eyes on more repetitions guaranteeing that you are targeting on form and elevating the speed swing.

Club Head Speed Swing Training #3

This third training requires the purchasing of an economical weighted golf trainer. It generally aims to permit the practicing of the tempo of the swing. Moreover, it will be available handy most likely when you are performing the previous training.

Club Head Speed Swing Training #4

The final training has the objective of returning on the golf grip. As you go on along the performance of the speed swing training, you will able to find the advantages of the appropriate golf grip. This is generally due to the outcomes of the practice . Moreover, the right grip permits the achievement of optimal performance and swing.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: WHAT SWING SPEED REQUIRES A STIFF SHAFT?

A: Okay, here’s the catch, swinging the driver more than 105 mph highly indicates the best time to acquire the X stiff shafts within the set. When we said stiff, this actually pertains to the distance range that is considerably fast. The good thing about this is that you wouldn’t get out of the Tour at any particular time. Moreover, setting around 97 to 104 mph through the driver requires you to have a stiff flex.

Q: WHAT IS A GOOD SWING SPEED?

A: Generally, 93.4 miles per hour is the average swing speed for an amateur male golfer. This is typically for an average distance of 214 yards. Moreover, at an optimal distance, the swing speed of 93.4 mph, gives an average golfer to land on a distance of 255 yards.

Q: WHAT IS CONSIDERED A HIGH SWING SPEED IN GOLF?

A: The average swing speed of most PGA Tour pros is more than 110 mph. Meanwhile, a scratch golfer will fall on an average of about 106 mph swing speed and an average golfer may fall on 93 mph. Finally, at 97 mph, the high solo-digit handicaps move over this swing speed rate.

Final Words

In terms of the golf ball distance, the swing speed is generally an essential factor to consider. Based on the swing speed charts, there is a direct relationship between distance and scoring within the golf course. Moreover, strictly following the tips and strategies in increasing the swing speed and the distance will also give you an improvement in your score once you step inside the golf course.

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• 2021 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings

by Swing Man Golf Staff | Sep 6, 2021 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

Are you curious what the club head speed rankings are on the PGA TOUR for 2021?

Who posts the fastest swing speeds?

Who has the slowest swing on PGA TOUR?

Click HERE to Learn How to Increase YOUR Average Golf Swing Speed

Click to Learn How to Increase YOUR Average Golf Swing Speed

PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings By Year

• 2024 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings
• 2023 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings
• 2022 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings
• 2020 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings
• 2019 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings
• 2018 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings
• 2017 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings
• 2016 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings
• 2015 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings
• 2014 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings
• 2013 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings
• 2012 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings
• 2011 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings
• 2010 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings
• 2009 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings
• 2008 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings
• 2007 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings

Swing Speed Charts for Male & Female Amateurs, LPGA Players, and World Long Drivers

Ever wonder how your swing speed compares to the top (or average) golfer? This swing speed chart will serve as a guide, displaying the range of swing speeds for various player groups. From weekend warriors to touring professionals, compare average driver swing speeds between male and female amateurs, LPGA players recognized for their consistency and power, and the World Long Drive Champions, the world’s most elite distance hitters. This chart will not only provide you with an estimate for your swing speed, but it will also throw light on the extraordinary clubhead speeds required to reach those mind-blowing long ball lengths that leave the golfer stunned.

For detailed charts and further analysis, visit the page here .

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Ready to swing faster and drive further? Discover how with Swing Man Golf All-Access , featuring Golf Fitness Association of America (GFAA) award winning swing speed training programs that have helped golfers gain 10, 20, 30, and even 40 mph!

Get a power boost with In-person swing speed training sessions by Jaacob Bowden, PGA, a pioneer in golf fitness and swing speed.

Whether you’re aiming for longer drives or llower scores, our tailored programs and power boost sessions will rapidly and drastically transform your performance. Start your journey to a more powerful game today!

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Tee Precision

What is The Average Club Head Speed of A Pro Golfer?

Watching the pro’s play live or on TV, it seems like they are swinging the club at a ridiculous speed when compared to the average player down at your local course. 

So how fast is the average clubhead speed of a pro golfer? We’ve looked at this and will also provide tips to help you increase your own clubhead speed!

Table of Contents

Average club head speed on tour, fastest swing on tour, how fast should your swing be, swing big for speed, setup for success, fast swing, fast equipment, the takeaway…what is the average clubhead speed of a pro golfer, average club head speed for pro golfers.

In golf, clubhead speed is directly proportional to distance. With this in mind, it is not surprising that pro golfers – especially the big hitters – can swing the club at speeds much higher than amateurs. 

The PGA Tour is where the best golfers in the world compete weekly to prove themselves as the top players in the world. Being at the top of any statistic list on the PGA Tour is impressive, especially when it is something as crucial as clubhead speed.

The PGA Tour has a statistics section online which is updated after every tournament. At the time of writing, Cameron Champ has the fastest average clubhead speed at 126.98mph, which is hard to comprehend when you consider the normal male amateur golfer swings with an average speed of 93.4mph.

Across the board, the average swing speed on the PGA Tour is 113mph with a driver compared to 94mph on the LPGA Tour.

While it’s not one of the leading tours, the World Long Drive Championship showcases the world’s longest hitters. While the average on the PGA Tour sits around 113mph, the average clubhead speed for a world long drive competitor is a colossal 150mph plus!

Coming from 2019 into the 2020 season, Bryson DeChambeau has gained some notoriety as the biggest hitter on the PGA Tour. His success is down to an intense offseason training plan which saw him gain 40 pounds since September – all of which seems to be muscle. 

This new, bigger and improved Bryson is smashing driving records this season. He currently holds the fastest swing speed on tour with a recorded 137.14mph. Not only does he have one of the fastest swings on tour, but he also has the highest driving average with a massive 324 yards.

Despite him crushing the ball off the tee this season, DeChambeau doesn’t get close to the fastest swing on record. During the 2012 World Long Drive Championship, Ryan Winther set the world record with an incredible 167mph clubhead speed. 

Not only this, but he also set the world record for ball speed with this swing at 227.6mph.

Increasing Your Club Head Speed

If you’re looking to increase your driving distance , increasing your clubhead speed is an essential step towards this. 

Before you look at increasing your clubhead speed , you need to know where you’re starting and what you should be aiming for. 

Trackman is a leading manufacturer of golf radar systems used to analyze every part of your shot. Trackman’s reputation and experience make them an ideal and reliable source of information when it comes to statistics for average golfers. 

According to the USGA (United States Golf Association), the average male handicap is 14-15 in the US. For this handicap range, Trackman has stated the average clubhead speed is 93.4mph. 

Trackman has also given a figure of 78mph as the average clubhead speed off the tee for female amateur golfers .

Now that we know what speed to aim for, it’s time to work towards achieving or surpassing these speeds!

Get in the Gym

The first place to start increasing your swing speed is training to improve your physical strength. Weight training is only beneficial to your game if you train the correct muscle groups. 

View this post on Instagram The hard work never stops. Wearing my new limited edition Gold Nike Lunar Caldra training shoes @Niketraining #TodayIGetStronger A post shared by RORY (@rorymcilroy) on Jan 19, 2016 at 8:52am PST

While many assume that the main requirements for a quick swing and long drive are big chest and biceps, you need to focus on your core, hips, and forearms instead to support your faster swing.

There are many benefits provided by strength training for golfers. Here are a few exercises which can help improve your swing speed:

• Russian Twists
• Side Planks (Also helps with hips!)
• Squats (In Any Form)
• Romanian Deadlifts
• Pullups/Deadhangs
• Spring Grip Trainers

Strength is no good without the flexibility which you will need to swing effectively. There are many ways to promote flexibility. 

For example, always remember to stretch before and after every workout and before every round of golf or practice session. Taking up yoga can make a massive difference to your flexibility while also promoting additional strength in areas that, during regular weight training routines, are typically overlooked. 

Tiger Woods has sworn by Pilates for years; this is another regular exercise that can help your game.

Looking at your swing itself, there are a couple of tweaks that can be made to help speed it up by making it bigger. Firstly, look at extending your lead arm on your backswing. 

Extending your lead arm will increase the arc of your swing, increasing the clubhead speed due to the distance traveled by the head relative to your body. 

As you begin your downswing, you need to extend your back arm to continue that big arcing swing as you make contact with the ball.

Stability is a big issue when you start to swing the club faster. Consider starting with your feet slightly further apart than usual to create a more stable base. If you are having issues with weight transfer from the point of contact to your follow-through, flare your front foot out towards the target. 

Pointing your front toe towards the target rather than straight will allow you to swing through easier and complete your swing efficiently. Concentrate on keeping your posture upright and tight, as swinging faster will make it easier for things to come loose and cause havoc for your game.

Now that you have the fundamentals there to increase your swing speed, it’s time to hit the range or course to get the practice in! But remember, when practicing at the range, there’s a right way and a wrong way to go about it. 

Here are four key tips for practicing at the driving range . 

Weighted clubs can also be an excellent investment as a training aid for speed. Use them to practice your swing and train it for speed or to warm up before your round or range session.

Once you start to swing faster, you need to make sure you are using the correct equipment for your swing speed.

Your club reacts very differently once you start to swing faster. The main point of focus here is your shaft flex. 

For slower swings under 80mph (based on a 6-iron), a regular flex will work fine. Over this and up to around 92mph, you should consider switching to a stiff shaft. 

If you are swinging a 6-iron over 92mph, you should look at Extra-Stiff shafts.

The best thing to do here is to get a custom club fitting with your local pro shop or golf store. Personally, a custom club fitting slashed my handicap by 7 points over the first season with my new clubs! 

I was using a set of clubs with regular flex shafts . My swing speed measured up around 92-95mph, so I was set up with a custom fit set of stiff shafted irons. The difference in not only distance but accuracy and control was fantastic! 

After seeing the difference made by the stiff shafts on my irons, I promptly changed out my fairway woods and driver for stiff shafts too. 

Since making the switch over five years ago, I have gotten down to and maintained a handicap 10 points under my previous plateau I was stuck at after being limited by incorrect clubs!

The professional golfers we see on television each week make their swings look effortless. They regularly hit average speeds of 113mph with some even reaching speeds over 135mph!

If you want to improve your clubhead speed, then there are a few areas where you can concentrate. For example, you could consider strength training to increase your core, hip, and forearm strength. When training or playing, remember to stretch to aid flexibility to help use your increased power. 

Consider taking up yoga or pilates to increase your flexibility further. While there are several exercises to help improve your strength, look at investing in a weighted club to train your swing for extra power, and they also make a fantastic tool for warming up before your practice or round.

Concentrate on keeping your posture correct through your swing, not letting the faster movement throw you off balance or loosen off. Ensure you are extending your arms properly to make a bigger swing arc and widen your stance if you need a more stable base.

If you don’t know your swing speed and are curious, look for a range with radar systems set up or book a session with your local pro shop. It is a worthwhile investment to get the correct clubs for your swing, especially if you are serious about improving your game! 

Having the right shaft on your clubs can make or break your rounds.

I hope that this has helped to understand the importance of clubhead speed and you can improve your own!

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• Biomechanics

Club Head Speed By Age Group: What Percentile Are You In?

Over the past four years at Par4Success, we have been working with and testing juniors, amateurs, professionals and senior golfers in the state of North Carolina and throughout the country.  Our mission has been to collect information and data on all of these “average” golfers to better understand how to help the 99 percent of us that love and play the game of golf.  

From all of this testing, over 600 data points at this time, we have been able to identify a number of top metrics in the physical realm that you should be striving for if you want to play at your highest level.  While we have identified over 10 critically important metrics for golfers, today we wanted to share the one that is most asked about...club head speed.  

If you are in the golf industry, you have no doubt worked with a golfer who swings, looks at his/her speed and then turns to you to ask, “is that good?”  If you are like us before we had this data, you likely pull from your memory bank of other golfers you have worked with to compare the person in front of you to them...not the most scientific or accurate approach.

This is one of the most important questions to answer as most of the data out there is on PGA and LPGA tour averages.  To have 13 and 65 year olds comparing themselves to the 113 mph PGA Tour average or the 98 mph LPGA Tour average is silly (and, in some cases, potentially dangerous).  It is like the average person comparing their wealth to Warren Buffet...let’s be serious and come up with a realistic and helpful comparison of where you are today and where you want to be in a few months and even decades from now.

On the LPGA and PGA Tours, it is very clear that length matters with most of the top money earnings belonging to the longer hitters.  It is a reasonable assumption to make that the same would be true with amateurs, juniors and seniors around the world.  The longer you hit it, the easier it should be for you to score better.  You will have a shorter approach and hopefully avoid hitting a hybrid into every green.  

Before we go any further, however, please do not mistake the previous statement to mean that you "have" to be a super long hitter to play on a professional Tour or to play at a high level.  You can clearly make a living on Tour not swinging 120 mph and play at a very high amateur level not hitting it 300 yards.  The stats clearly show, however, that length helps a ton when it comes to earning dollars on Tour. 1

When children are little, all parents reading this remember being told by the physician what percentile your child's height and weight were.  While this is a fun metric, it doesn't tell you how tall they will be, how good of an athlete they will be or anything else predictive of their future. It does, however, give you an objective metric to be able to understand where your child stands at that moment compared to other children of the same sex and age. 

With our data, we have done exactly that for club head speed.  The percentiles that follow below are meant to help you in a few ways depending on where you are in your golfing life.  

If you are a junior golfer, the hope is that this data allows you to see where you stand compared to others in your age range and the older golfers at the next level.  For example, if you are 10-16 years old and want to see how fast the college kids you will be playing against will be swinging, take a look at the 17-30 age group. The hope is that this gives you a target of where you may want to get to in order to be most competitive with the other players you are competing against.  

If you are a working amateur in your 30-50’s, hopefully this gives you a realistic expectation of what is actually good for your age and how much your peers are losing on average over the years when it comes to speed.  Use this data as a barometer to identify losses in power that would be abnormal for your age.

If you are 50+, the hope with this data is that you gain a realistic understanding of where you are vs where you could be.  In fact, a 90 mph club head speed when you are 65 years old is not that good and there is likely lots of room for improvement!  

Utilizing this data, industry professionals should be able to tell golfers who have forced themselves to accept that they are just getting old, that in fact, they are wrong.  There is ample opportunity to improve and get better well into your 60’s if you have an organized and sport science based plan.  

The next logical question for everyone not in the 99th percentile, of course, is probably "how do I get more club head speed?" That answer lies in science and one of the four quadrants of speed. The four quadrants that a player can gain speed in are improving technical efficiency, improving equipment to match the player’s needs of speed with consideration for accuracy, improving mobility to allow full rotational capacity and improving power. Power is the simple sum of how much force a player can generate plus how fast they can produce that force. Simply put, Power = Strength + Speed.

Depending on where a player is in their golf lifecycle, the solutions to speed may vary in order of importance.  For example, if we have two players, a senior with poor mobility and a junior with hypermobility and compare them, their increased club head speed solutions will be very different.  For this example, let’s assume that equipment and technical efficiency are equal in both players.  The senior player will see greater improvement in club head speed with mobility improvements.  The junior player will likely see greater improvements in their club speed with a focus on improving strength and control of their mobility.  

This isn’t to say that both players should ignore the other areas of the four quadrants, but rather, that the greater majority of their time should be spent addressing the low hanging fruit first.  For example, the hypermobile junior will still work on mobility, but instead of trying to increase it, they would work on better control of their end ranges and throughout their entire range of motion.  This might happen during active rest breaks between strength and power training.  This will have the added benefit of injury prevention as well.  

The senior player will not ignore strength and speed training, but likely use eccentric strength training periods throughout the year.  This will help further their mobility gains while also working on strength.  See my earlier mytpi article on the benefits of eccentric training here.   The senior player will also work on speed and deceleration drills  (sport specific, vertical, horizontal and torsional) to increase their speed.  This will all be done, however, after a significant focus on soft tissue work, mobility drills and attention to golf specific rotary centers.

Knowing what percentile you are in for your age/sex can be the starting benchmark for you and help you set goals to shoot for.   It is important you utilize a sports science based plan designed to maximize your return on the your time spent as demonstrated above.  Seek out the guidance of a golf fitness/medical and teaching professional who can help you assess where you are and identify the quadrants of speed that you need to focus on most.  

A note about the data.  It is important to note that the age groups with the larger sample sizes can be extrapolated out much more than those with smaller ones.  This is just the beginning of the database we are collecting and numbers will only grow and become more helpful.  If you are a 30-50 year old female, please reach out so we can fill your age group’s numbers in as there is clearly a gap in our data for your age group. 

Be on the lookout for the upcoming article on the top tests that we found related to identifying your low hanging fruit when it comes to producing club head speed based on your age.  These tests have a very high correlation to club head speed and can shed light for you as to which quadrant you should be focusing on to improve your club head speed. If you’d like to see our full full free research report with all of the numbers from age 10-65+ You can download the full free report here.

At Par4Success, our speciality is helping golfers play better golf, swing faster and hurt less.  The average golfer based on our research and in our programs, will see over 3 mph gain (~10 yards) in less than 12 weeks and many see much more; 50% more when they use the specific type of power and strength training most dialed in for their age and developmental level. Let us know if we can help you reach your goals!

Chris Finn is a Licensed Physical Therapist, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Titleist Performance Institute Certified Medical Professional, Certified Precision Nutrition Coach, and trained to perform Trigger Point Dry Needling in North Carolina. Since starting Par4Success in 2012, Chris has and continues to work with Touring Professionals, elite level juniors & amateurs as well as weekend warriors. He has contributed to numerous media outlets including GolfWRX, is a published author, works with many of the nation’s leading coaches and instructors to improve their players and presents all over the country on topics such as Golf Performance, Junior Golf Athletic Development, Injury Prevention and Power/Speed improvement for golfers.

References:

• https://golfweek.com/2018/04/22/golf-by-the-numbers-distance-off-tee-pays-dividends/

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How fast are PGA Tour clubhead speeds? The answer has changed a LOT in the past decade

Ross Kinnaird

How fast are PGA Tour clubhead speeds? Obviously, this depends on which PGA Tour pros you're talking about. But it's also an answer that's changed a lot in the past decade.

RELATED: You won't believe how much farther senior players are hitting it than in their primes

This interesting graphic using official PGA Tour stats comes from fitness coach Ross Eves and shows how much swing speeds have increased on tour since 2007:

As you can see, last season's average clubhead speed of 114.13 mph is only up slightly from 112.78 mph in 2007. However, among the highest and lowest averages, there has been an increase of nearly 4 mph. And there are also more players swinging really hard today as evidenced by the number of tour pros with 120-mph-plus clubhead speeds doubling during this time period.

So why the increase in clubhead speeds? Eves argues it's due to improved athleticism and fitness on tour. But while that's certainly had an effect, there are also other factors, including technological advancements in golf equipment since 2007 (most notably, lighter shafts and overall clubs). It's those equipment improvements that would seem to be a bigger reason for why current PGA Tour Champions players like Bernhard Langer and Fred Couples are hitting the ball much farther than they did during their primes . Check out this graph we put together a couple months ago:

It should also be noted that much like with driving distance, clubhead speed stats also have a small sample size that can be greatly affected by what club players use off the tee of the hole that happens to be measured at that event. However, that hasn't changed in the past decade.

Back to the PGA Tour guys, here's a little more info on those with the fastest clubhead speeds -- because we know you all want to compare your swing speed from that club fitting session you had earlier this year. Ryan Brehm is the man with that ridiculous 128.18 mph average. Although, he might not lead that list for much longer. Recently turned pro Cameron Champ registered a 129.79 mph average in his debut last week at the OHL Classic at Mayakoba.

How about some bigger names from last season in this stat? Brooks Koepka (124.28) was fourth, Bubba Watson (121.46) was 13th, Dustin Johnson (121.17), somewhat surprisingly was only 14th, Rory McIlroy (120.03) was 18th, and Jason Day (119.47) was 22nd. And Jhonattan Vegas was sixth on the list, but he recorded the fastest clubhead speed of the year for a single swing at 134.33(!) mph.

You can check out the full list on the PGA Tour's website . And then you can go ask Santa for a few more mphs this Christmas.

RELATED: Our favorite holiday gifts for golfers

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What you can learn from average pga tour ball speed.

While they may sound similar, swing speed and ball speed are two very different metrics .

A high ball speed is far more valuable than a high clubhead speed. here's why: .

Swing speed, also known as clubhead speed, is all about how fast a club is traveling when it reaches impact. It's not easy to maximize clubhead speed, but anyone with the strength and flexibility — or the desire to work on those two things — can have a relatively high swing speed. For instance, a professional baseball player could have a high clubhead speed on the golf course. That speed may be well above what the average PGA Tour player generates.

This is why ball speed is so important. Ball speed, which is the measure of velocity the ball travels at just after impact, takes coordination into account. Yes, clubhead speed greatly impacts ball speed. But someone swinging a golf club as fast as they can without hitting the center of the clubface is not transferring much power to the actual ball itself.

In that case, a golfer's ball speed is relatively low compared to the their clubhead speed. This ratio is measured in smash factor , a centeredness of contact metric that divides ball speed by clubhead speed.

Said another way: If you can increase your ball speed while maintaining the same clubhead speed, it's proof that you are hitting the ball better. You are getting cleaner contact closer to the center of the clubface.

This is what separates a PGA Tour player or elite amateur golfer from the rest of us. The best players are maximizing the swing speed abilities they have so they can be as efficient as possible. Rarely does a PGA Tour player have to swing outside of their comfort zone. In the end, getting solid contact will often make up for a lack of swing speed.

What are Average PGA Tour Ball Speeds? 

The average PGA Tour ball speed with a driver is about 171 mph. This has gone up about 4 mph in the past five years.

The highest ball speed this past season was Cameron Champ at 188 mph. There were 21 players above 180 mph or better. You can contrast this with the lowest ball speed on the PGA Tour last season, which was Brendon Todd at 158 mph. There were only five players below 160 mph.

Keep in mind, that players are often not swinging to their max. Many players estimate that they are swinging around 80-90 percent effort in an attempt to have better control on the ball. A few players over the years have shown practice shots where they are over 200 mph of ball speed, but it's difficult to control a shot like that.

And how about with other clubs? Ball speed continues to fall because clubs get progressively shorter, which means it is harder to generate speed. Higher lofts can also reduce ball velocity.

The average 3-wood ball speed is around 161 mph. A higher-lofted fairway wood like a 5-wood is going to fall to around 155 mph.

As you get into the irons, one good rule of thumb is that each iron is roughly 5 mph apart.

This isn't a hard and fast rule, but it's something to keep in mind. Just like a player has yardage gaps in between each club — hitting an 8-iron 155 yards vs. a 9-iron 145 yards — there should be a fairly consistent gap in ball speed between irons.

On the PGA Tour level, a 3-iron is about 145 mph, and you can start subtracting about 5 mph for the next few irons on the list.

It is normal to have a slightly larger gap as you get lower in your bag. For instance, a PGA Tour player's 9-iron is about 113 mph in ball speed, which is 7 mph ahead of their average pitching wedge.

This happens for two main reasons. One is that the loft gaps of wedges is slightly larger than other irons. A pitching wedge is around 46 degrees of loft and a gap wedge is around 52 degrees, making a 6-degree difference. This is in contrast to say, a 5-iron (24 degrees) and a 6-iron (28 degrees) that are only separated by four degrees of loft. Naturally the ball speed gap widens as well.

The second reason is that professionals are usually not trying to hit wedges and short irons as hard as other clubs. In fact, PGA Tour players almost never take a full swing with a wedge, because it imparts too much spin on the ball and becomes too difficult to control.

How Do PGA Tour Ball Speeds Relate to Average Golfers? 

Now you know roughly where a PGA Tour player stands when it comes to ball speed. Why is that relevant information for an average golfer? 

First of all, it is unrealistic to think you have to match these averages. The vast majority of players won't produce the kind of clubhead speed and coordination to reach these numbers on a consistent basis.

Still, these numbers can be a benchmark. If you hit a 6-iron at 121 mph of ball speed, you can tell you are about 10 mph behind an average PGA Tour player. It provides some sort of boundaries for what is attainable.

But the most important message is to understand that ball speeds are the most important measure of speed. If you have the chance to watch a PGA Tour player warm up on the range while using a launch monitor, you will notice how consistent their ball speed numbers are. They are creating speed by prioritizing efficiency. You should never sacrifice efficiency for speed.

Make sure to keep track of your ball speed numbers if you have access to that data. As you improve, you can notice ball speeds going slightly up over time.

Ball speed monitoring can also help indicate issues. For instance, if you are trying new clubs and you test a 6-iron with a noticeably lower ball speed, it's likely that you are using the wrong shaft for your game. Also, if you are warming up for a round and see a drop in velocity, that is evidence that you aren't making as good of contact as you previously were. It's something you can plan for during a round by playing slightly more club. Remember, 1 mph of ball speed equates to over 2 extra yards.

No matter what, keep in mind that a "slower" swing with good contact can produce a lot more ball speed than a faster swing with poor contact.

Sean Fairholm

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