Tip #1: Focus on Speed First, Accuracy Later

In his YouTube video, Harrington advises that it is much easier to go from a fast swing speed and improve accuracy while maintaining swing speed. He warns that it is almost impossible when you try to pick up swing speed later on.

This runs counter to traditional instruction but recognizes a critical truth: it's easier to add control to a fast swing than to add speed to a controlled one.

Tip #2: Big Swing = Big Speed is a Myth

Many golfers believe a bigger swing automatically creates more speed. Harrington busts this myth by suggesting players "think more Jon Rahm than John Daly."

Rahm, despite having a relatively short backswing, generates tremendous club head speed through efficiency and proper sequencing. Shorter, more efficient swings can provide just as much power as longer ones, with better control.

Tip #3: Use Your Wrists Effectively

Your wrists are crucial speed generators in the golf swing. Harrington offers two approaches:

Option 1: Simply focus on your wrists snapping through impact.

Option 2: Let your hands pause briefly at the top while your lower body starts moving downward

The second technique creates "lag" – a delayed release that stores energy until impact. This lag effect is one of the biggest differences between amateur and professional swing speeds.

Tip #4: Master the "Up, Down, Up" Head Movement

Many amateurs struggle with head movement. Harrington explains that the common advice to "keep your head down" is actually problematic for many golfers.

Instead, he recommends an "up, down, up" sequence:

1. Allow your head to rise slightly on the backswing

2. Drive down into impact

3. Then let it rise again through the follow-through

This natural movement helps maintain balance while maximizing speed.

Tip #5: The Monitor Advantage

"I would rather see a player with 20-year-old clubs and a monitor on the range than a player with brand new clubs and no monitor," Harrington says.

A launch monitor provides immediate feedback about your clubhead speed and helps you identify what works for your swing, allowing you to make faster progress.

Keys to a Faster Swing & Lower Scores

Now that we understand the fundamentals, let's explore specific technique changes that can add significant speed to your golf swing. These adjustments focus on creating a more efficient swing that maximizes power without sacrificing control.

Body Rotation: The Engine of Speed

Proper rotation creates a bigger swing arc, giving you more time to build speed. The key is turning your shoulders fully on the backswing until your back faces the target.

Tour players generate massive clubhead speed through efficient body turn, not just arm strength. This full rotation stretches the muscles in your torso, creating a "loading" effect that releases through impact.

Grip Pressure: The Silent Speed Killer

One of the most common speed blockers is excessive grip pressure. Squeezing the club too tightly restricts wrist hinge and prevents the natural release that creates clubhead speed.

Try maintaining a grip pressure of around 4-5 on a scale of 1-10. This "Goldilocks zone" gives you enough control without restricting your swing speed.

Release Pattern: The Speed Multiplier

How and when you release the club dramatically affects your swing speed. The optimal release for maximum speed involves maintaining lag into the downswing, then releasing the clubhead through the impact zone.

This creates what instructors call a "late hit" – where the energy stored during your downswing releases precisely at impact, rather than being wasted before you reach the ball.

Swing Speed Training: Drills to Help You Generate a More Powerful Swing

Ready to put these concepts into practice? These six speed-building drills will help you make immediate gains in your swing speed. For best results, practice these drills for 15 minutes, three times weekly.

Drill 1: Maximize Body Rotation

Goal: Increase your swing arc for more speed.

How to do it:

1. Set up to the ball normally

2. Focus on turning your upper body fully until your back faces the target

3. Feel the stretch in your torso as you create a complete shoulder turn

4. Make 10-15 swings, focusing only on maximizing your turn

This larger arc gives your club more time to accelerate, directly increasing your clubhead speed.

Drill 2: Faster Backswing Tempo

Goal: Create momentum with a quicker takeaway.

How to do it:

1. Make a few "wiggle" movements before starting your swing

2. Start the club in front of the ball and pull it back quickly to generate a "swish"

3. Focus on a livelier, more athletic backswing tempo

4. Practice 10-15 swings with this enhanced tempo

A more dynamic backswing helps create the momentum needed for a powerful downswing.

Drill 3: Sudden Stop Drill

Goal: Transfer more energy to the clubhead.

How to do it:

1. Hit a ball with a short iron

2. After impact, try stopping your club as quickly as possible

3. This forces your hands to slow down, sending more energy to the clubhead

4. Gradually work up to longer clubs as you master the feeling

This drill mimics what long-drive champions do naturally – slowing the handle after impact to transfer maximum energy to the clubhead.

Drill 4: Vertical Line Swing Drill

Goal: Create a simpler, more efficient swing.

How to do it:

1. Practice taking the club straight back and up vertically

2. Keep your arms working in a straight line

3. Maintain a quiet lower body during this drill

4. Make 10-15 swings focusing on this vertical motion

This vertical approach simplifies your mechanics, reducing strain while boosting speed through efficiency.

Drill 5: Wide Takeaway to Late Lag Drill

Goal: Develop proper wrist lag and positive shaft lean.

How to do it:

1. Make a short backswing with straight arms and minimal wrist set

2. Begin your downswing by rotating your body while letting the club lag behind

3. Release fully through the ball, keeping the clubhead low and extended

4. Practice this sequence 10-15 times

This drill forces you to maintain lag and whip the golf club through impact like a tour player, improving your speed and compression.

How to Structure Your Speed Training

For best results, follow this simple training plan:

1. Practice these drills for 15 minutes, 3 times weekly

2. Always warm up properly before speed training

3. Start with lower-intensity drills and progress to higher intensity

4. Use a launch monitor when possible to track your progress

5. Be patient – most golfers see significant speed gains within 4-6 weeks

Remember, consistency is key. Short, frequent practice sessions will produce better results than occasional marathon sessions.

The Right Gear Makes All the Difference

When you're training for more swing speed, control and consistency matter just as much as raw power. That’s where BRUCE BOLT premium golf gloves give you the edge. Engineered for a snug, secure fit and exceptional feel, our gloves help you maintain a steady grip through every rep, without added tension.

As you focus on drills to improve wrist action, body rotation, and release timing, having the right glove gives you the confidence to swing freely while staying connected to the club. The result? Faster swings, cleaner contact, and more distance where it counts.

Want to unlock more distance off the tee? It starts with a better connection to your club. Build speed the smart way—with comfort, control, and BRUCE BOLT on every swing.