How I Gained 4 MPH of Swing Speed in 10 Minutes and 49 Seconds
As a seasoned golfer, swing speed is a crucial aspect of my game, and it's a topic that often sparks debate among players. In my younger days, I could consistently hit my MacGregor Tourney a mile and a half, but Father Time has had a detrimental effect on my swing speed. I haven't seen my driver reach 100 mph in over a decade, with my average swing speed hovering around 94.5 mph when I'm playing well. When I'm off my game, it drops to the high 80s, and my mind often wanders to thoughts of XXIO.
When the team at GolfForever (https://golfforever.com/?promocode=BE15) invited me to participate in their swing speed challenge at the PGA Show's Demo Day, I saw it as an opportunity to reclaim my swing speed. The challenge involved a simple process: after a series of swings at various booths, I would visit GolfForever, take five swings to establish a baseline, and then go through a guided 10-minute warm-up routine on the GolfForever app, followed by another five swings.
The expectation was that my swing speed would increase, and I was eager to test this theory.
GolfForever and the Swing Speed Challenge
I've been a loyal user of GolfForever for two years, although my usage has been sporadic. However, over the past four months, I've been consistent and feel surprisingly energetic for my age (65). When GolfForever proposed the swing speed challenge, I eagerly accepted.
The challenge's structure was straightforward: after a day of swinging at various booths, I would visit GolfForever, take five swings to establish a baseline, and then go through a guided 10-minute warm-up routine on the GolfForever app, followed by another five swings.
The expectation was that my swing speed would increase, and I was curious to see the results.
The Value of a Good Warm-Up
The warm-up routine, available on the GolfForever app, is a comprehensive guide to preparing for a golf session. While it's not groundbreaking, it's a well-structured routine that can be adapted to various clubs. The weighted GolfForever swing trainer is a valuable tool for enhancing the warm-up experience.
My personal warm-up routine, as demonstrated in the video, involves a series of exercises designed to increase flexibility and mobility. This routine is more elaborate than my usual pre-game stretches, which are less comprehensive in creating mobility.
After completing the warm-up, I took five more swings, and the results were impressive. The first few swings were slightly faster, but it wasn't until the last couple that I truly noticed a significant increase in speed. The before-and-after comparison revealed a 4.1-mph increase in swing speed, achieved in just 10 minutes and 49 seconds.
The stats indicated that this increase could yield an additional 9 to 10 carry yards with the driver. However, my actual results were more modest, adding only three more yards of carry and two more yards of total distance. Despite this, the increase in swing speed more than made up for the less efficient smash factor, which decreased by 0.05 smashes.
Considering that the test was conducted with an OPTM driver borrowed from COBRA, I was satisfied with the outcome. I look forward to harnessing my newfound testosterone to improve my swing.
Final Thoughts
It's important to note that you don't need to purchase or subscribe to GolfForever to benefit from this warm-up routine. The abridged version is freely available on YouTube. GolfForever offers a comprehensive solution for golfers, providing workouts that are golf-specific, well-narrated, and explained. The basic GolfForever swing trainer package runs $349.99 and is HSA/FSA reimbursable, making it an affordable investment for serious golfers.
As for me, I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn firsthand about the impact of a proper warm-up. I'm determined to defy Father Time and continue improving my swing speed. I may be getting older, but I'm not going down without a fight, and I'm ready to celebrate every yard I gain.
So, to Father Time, I say, 'Pucker up, buckaroo. Get ready to plant one on my lower set of cheeks because this old man hit 98.6!'
