Welcome to Play Smart, a regular GOLF.com game-improvement column that will help you become a smarter, better golfer.
If you want to hit longer drives, understanding how power is created is crucial. If you don’t understand the “how,” you’ll never be able to execute a powerful swing efficiently.
This is something I’ve learned through my own speed-training journey. I’ve had to not only train my body to swing faster, but also train my mind to understand how to do so efficiently.
It’s pretty fun when you have one of those lightbulb moments. All of a sudden, your speed will jump a couple of ticks on the radar — all from trying a new swing feel.
One such swing feel is explained below, courtesy of GOLF Top 100 Teacher Josh Zander.
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Understand this for more power
Swinging faster isn’t simply a product of moving your body faster. It’s also a result of how fast you can slow down. It sounds confusing at first, but in practice, it starts to make more sense.
“The most powerful hitters in golf are the ones who are the best decelerators,” Zander says. “They’re the ones who can take their lead side, push into the ground so hard that they use it as a brake in order for the club to go flying by.”
Think of it like you are snapping a towel. When you do it, you flick the towel head at the target, then stop it as quickly as you can by pulling back on the front end. When you do it correctly, the tip of the towel races by with tremendous force, creating that satisfying POP! sound.
“The front of the towel is the brake I’m talking about,” Zander says.
The same principle applies in the golf swing. In order to get the force from your body out to the clubhead, you need to throw on the brakes. This will send the force out to the clubhead, snapping at full force right as the clubhead impacts the ball.
A great drill to feel this is one that legendary LPGA pro Mickey Wright used.
“She liked to do a drill where she would make a full backswing and then a partial follow-through,” Zander says. “With all that power coming through, to be able to stop it right there means that they had to be a brake in the lead leg.”
If you’re trying to learn how to generate more speed, give this drill a try. It’ll teach you how to hit the brakes properly in your golf swing and send all that force out to the clubhead to send long drives down the fairway.
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Stack Radar is a great multi-purpose launch monitor that packs into your golf bag easily, making it perfect for speed training with TheStack, Stack Wedge practice on the range or indoors, and measuring your speeds on the course.
TheStack App – Speed Training, Wedging, and Putting
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Includes 1-Year Membership to TheStack App
Now on iOS, Android (Beta), and Chrome Web (Beta)
Adaptive speed training formulated by Dr. Sasho MacKenzie
Guided workout timer for reps, sets, and rest intervals
Custom speed metrics to track your gains
Bluetooth Connectivity to integration devices. Hands-free data entry using voice entry technology for non-integrated devices
Membership includes Bundled access to Stack Putting (iOS), Stack Wedging (iOS), and the Learning Library (All Platforms)
Train and track up to twenty local (i.e. family) users under one login. App works with Family Sharing so the entire family can train easily on separate devices
Connect to any other Stacker using Share Codes
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TheStack Hardware
5 milled Stack weights enable 30 weight combinations between 0g and 300g
Dual-purpose weight case / phone stand
Precisely engineered training club – Adult (41.5″). For Junior sizing, see Fitting Juniors
Stack training requires a speed device that can measure swings without ball contact. This bundle includes our own Stack Radar. View all compatible devices here.
Stack Radar
Measures Swing Speed and Ball Speed. Calculates an estimated Carry Distance and Smash Factor. Can capture swing speed without ball contact
Powers Stack Wedging (iOS), our newest gamified practice feature. Enjoy Seriously Fun wedge practice indoors or outdoors and get accurate feedback regardless of range ball quality or practice environment conditions.
Pairs with TheStack App via Bluetooth to enable advanced features. Adjust for temperature and altitude while fine-tuning ball speed and launch angle for the most accurate feedback
Set speed trigger threshold at 25, 35, 45, or 55 mph to avoid false triggers from fast backswings
Includes a stylized carry case to protect the screen while stored (available exclusively for purchases from our website)
Platform Availability
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