Golf Swing Speed Slow Is Fast

Golf swing speed to get your rhythm and timing right seems to elude the average golfer. Speed equals faster which is meant more power and distance. We see it, hear it, and read it, build club head speed. Which is true, but not true for the average golfer. You may get more distance, the downside is you lose control then you lose rhythm and tempo in your swing. You will hit the ball all over the place.

Let me give you the full story.

Simply put, building speed in the wrong part of your swing will create an inconsistent swing. It’s the puzzle of golf swing speed.

Most average or beginner golfers suffer from let’s smash the ball. They think golf is a game of strength. In reality the golf swing is all about rhythm and timing. Hitting the ball on a swing path where the golf club head hits the ball squarely at impact, on line to your intended target.

By the time the average golfer gets to the top of their backswing they have lost control of the clubhead. Over playing, swinging back too fast and breaking their wrists. Losing control of the club, arms and hands. Sequence, timing and rhythm is all over the place.

By the time the club head comes into the downswing it is going in all sorts of directions with the golfer’s body trying valliantly to make corrections to stay on line.

For whatever reason as a golfer gets frustrated, they swing faster. As a golfer gets more and more frustrated they tend to get upset with themselves. From frustrated for some to downright angry. Frustrated golfers get into a pattern of swinging faster without noticing. And faster. What do you notice? Their striking of the ball gets more wayward and hazardous. Literally!

Bunkers, water, trees, other fairways, the rough becomes a magnet.

The ideal ratio for rhythm and timing between slow and fast. So, here is something counter intuitive to consider for golf swing speed. The slower your backswing the better. Let’s look at the overall golf swing. The ideal percent of time in the backswing, the perfect ratio is 62% with 38% in the downswing and follow through. You might have heard it called the golden ratio in geometry. Or the golden sprial.

It might sound odd but slow is fast. Low and slow takeaway and backswing will set your swing up right in several ways.

You can swing back to a point that feels right, like only to shoulder height. Try a three quarter swing to start with. Think of it as shoulder to shoulder. Moe Norman was a genius who advocated this. I have coached many golfers this way too. The funny thing is you won’t lose much distance for a lot less effort. Much more accuracy, consistency for less energy. Hmmm.

The golf swing has everything to do with rythm and timing rather than strength.

So, where do you build speed then. Obviously from the top of the swing into the downswing and follow through with maximum speed at impact. If you are swinging properly there is tranference of energy from your hips and torso around your spine, out through your shoulders, arms and hands. Along the club shaft to the clubhead in a centrigal force striking through the ball to your target.

Sweet as. You just know when you hit a ball really right. That sweet spot sounds, looks and feels fantastic and to see that ball fly long, straight and on target.

Golf swing speed can be tricky when your head says “hit it.” If you want to get out of your head, simply breathe. Breathe in on the backswing and out through the downswing through the ball into your follow through. Slowing down you will find a natural rhythm, timing to get your golf swing speed right at the right time.

Slow is fast and another path to your golfing excellence.