Golf Tip of the week - The Ideal Swing Speed

The Ideal Swing Speed
by Jim Wagner

There has been much talk in the past several years about the clubhead speed generated by the "long hitters" on the professional tour—Tiger Woods, John Daly, Fred Couples, etc. While all these gentlemen swing at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour, the other thing they all have in common is terrific balance. With this in mind, let's see if we can find your ideal swing speed.

To find your ideal swing speed, you must concentrate on a balance point. After impact, and into the follow through, this point should be on your lead foot (left foot for right handed players, right foot for left handed players). Your weight should now be on your lead foot with your trailing shoulder over that point. This position should allow you to stand there all day without falling off balance (it also makes a great pose for pictures).

In order to strike the ball solidly and consistently, you must achieve this balance point. If you can not maintain this position, then you are swinging too hard. So remember: balance, balance, balance . . .


Jim Wagner is the Golf Professional at the Spring Hollow Golf Club in Spring City. He is a graduate of the PGA Professional Golf Management program at Ferris State University located in Michigan. He has also worked at various courses in Naples, FL, Morgantown, WV, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, and Ambler, PA. For individual lessons, please call Jim at (610) 948-5566.