How I Gained 4 MPH of Swing Speed in 10 Minutes and 49 Seconds
A Tale of Swing Speed and the Power of Warm-ups
As a seasoned golfer, I've always been a bit of a swing speed enthusiast. In my younger days, I could blast my MacGregor Tourney a mile and a half, but Father Time has been a thief, stealing my swing speed and leaving me with a mere 94.5 mph average. But here's where it gets controversial... I decided to take on the GolfForever swing speed challenge at the PGA Show's Demo Day, and the results were astonishing.
GolfForever and the Swing Speed Challenge
I've been a loyal GolfForever user for two years, and their swing speed challenge was a no-brainer. The idea was simple: after a warm-up, I'd take five swings at the GolfForever booth and get a baseline swing speed. Then, I'd go through a guided 10-minute warm-up routine on the GolfForever app and take five more swings. The expectation was that my swing speed would increase, and I was ready to put Father Time in his place.
The Value of a Good Warm-up
The warm-up routine is readily available on the GolfForever app, and it's not earth-shattering or proprietary. You can use any club, but the weighted GolfForever swing trainer is a handy tool. I went through the paces, and it was a more elaborate warm-up than my usual routine, which usually consists of stretches and less comprehensive mobility attempts.
Results and Controversy
After the warm-up, I took five more swings, and the results were astonishing. The first couple were a bit faster, but the last couple made me go 'whoah'. I gained 4.1 mph of swing speed in just 10 minutes and 49 seconds! The stats say that much of an increase can yield nine to 10 more carry yards with the driver. However, my numbers weren't that dramatic, but the smash factor decrease was significant.
Final Thoughts
You don't need to buy or subscribe to GolfForever to use this warm-up routine. The abridged version is available for free on YouTube. GolfForever is an excellent investment, offering golf-specific workouts that are well-narrated and explained. The basic GolfForever swing trainer package runs $349.99 and is HSA/FSA reimbursable. Annual subscription renewals are around $200. So, in the end, I'm glad to have learned firsthand what a proper warm-up can do, and I'm ready to celebrate my newfound swing speed, even if Father Time has the last laugh.
