pga tour golf swing speed

Swing Speed and Distance Chart for Every Club

Find out exactly where your swings speeds with each club stack up

• DESCRIPTION Golf driving range with distances measured
• SOURCE Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH
• PERMISSION Shutterstock license

The more data we collect about our golf games, and the games of the best players out there, the more we realize how important distance is. No matter what the club manufacturers tell you, the best way to increase your distance is to increase your club head speed. Here’s a club head speed chart that shows you swing speeds for every club from every type of player, from PGA and LPGA tour players, to high-handicap amateur men and women.

Whether you are embarking on a swing speed mission, or you’re simply seeking some context to see how your swing speed with a certain club stacks up, this chart shows average club head speeds for each type of player.

Tour Player Swing Speed and Distance Chart

Here are the average swing speeds of PGA Tour and LPGA Tour players with each full-swing club, along with their average carry distances, in yards, for each club. This data comes directly from Trackman , which captures dozens of metrics from countless professional and amateur golfers every day.

What Is the Average Distance With Each Golf Club?

Amateur Golf Swing Speed Chart by Gender and Handicap

Trackman measures and publishes actual swing speed data for tour players with every full swing club. Additionally, Trackman has published driver swing speed data for amateur men and women by their handicap range. Given that the handicap index of the average male golfer is around 14.5, Trackman used that as one of its handicap benchmarks, in addition to a category that Trackman calls the “Bogey Golfer.”

Using Trackman’s measured swing speeds for amateur and professional golfers, we can estimate the average swing speed with each club for amateur golfers, both men and women, by handicap.

Combining Trackman’s measured data and these estimations, here is the club head speed chart for amateur golfers.

8 Clubhead Speed Drills to Help You Hit More Bombs

Male Amateur: Average Club Head Speed Chart

Over the years, we’ve collected a ton of data from professional and amateur golfers alike. With access to this data, we can match actual average distances with each club for each type of player with their swing speeds.

Here is the average club head speed chart, with actual and estimated swing speeds, paired with actual average distances from male amateur golfers, according to data provided by Shot Scope, an industry leader in on-course distance measuring devices and stat-tracking. Distances are in yards and are adjusted to remove outlier shots.

Bogey Golfer Official Handicap and Stats

Female Amateur: Average Club Head Speed Chart

While we don’t have big data on the average distance female amateur players hit each club, we can still give you solid estimates on how fast they swing each club. Here’s the swing speed chart for female amateur golfers, broken down by handicap.

Golf Swing Speed Chart: Averages By Age, Skill, and More

Swing speed charts can tell you the average speeds by age, skill, gender, and more. You can also compare how club head speeds compare to distance.

As a PGA-certified golf coach, I know I am not alone in being a numbers and statistics geek. Many of my students are hungry to compare their numbers with their favorite pro golfers using charts, graphs, and other visual representations.

Many swing speed charts exist today. Some break down clubhead and ball speed by a golfer’s handicap, gender, age, years playing, and many other areas. What many may find surprising by some of the data is that most golfers do not swing as fast as they think nor hit the ball as far as they claim to.

My goal in this article is to share all of the latest information and statistics regarding swing speed in golf. I’ll also share other related information, such as the distance at which golfers hit the ball. Other information relevant to this topic will be shared as well.

Here is a breakdown of what you can find if you read on:

• Average Swing Speed By Age and Gender
• Average Swing Speed By Handicap
• Average PGA TOUR Club Head Speeds and Distances
• PGA TOUR Average Club Head Speeds and Carry Distance Per Club
• Average LPGA TOUR Club Head Speeds and Distances
• LPGA TOUR Average Club Head Speeds and Carry Distance Per Club
• The Fastest Swingers In Golf

Tips To Improve Your Swing Speed

So get ready, and make sure to buckle up. Things are going to get fast!

Average Swing Speed Chart By Age and Gender

Average swing speed chart by handicap, pga tour fastest 10 driver swing speed averages.

• PGA TOUR Slowest 10 Driver Swing Speed Averages

Fast Swing Speed Does Not Always Equal Longer Drives

Swing speed and driving distance matters, but you can win without them, pga tour average clubhead speed and carry distance per club, lpga tour fastest 10 driver distance averages, lpga tour average clubhead speed and carry distance per club, the fastest swing speeds in golf, traditional tips for getting faster swing speeds, non-traditional tips for getting faster swing speeds, what is the mach 3 speed training system, final thoughts.

*Estimates due to a lack of participants in this age and gender group

** The data in the chart was compiled from a Titleist Performance Institute  (TPI) study conducted in 2019.

Club head swing speed contributes to the distance a golfer can hit a golf ball. Countless factors contribute to how fast a golfer can swing, such as age, flexibility, strength, gender, and the efficiency of their swing mechanics.

The first factor I wanted to chart concerning swing speed is age and gender. The following chart represents the average swing speeds with a driver for several different age groups and by male and female golfers within them.

Age significantly affects how much clubhead speed a golfer can produce on average.  Here is the main observation about swing speed versus age and gender:

• As you age, swing speed generally gets slower

However, as you can see from the chart, age does not necessarily have to slow you down completely. Some golfers in the 50 – 59 and 60+ age groups can still swing significantly fast. It all depends on how flexible someone can stay as they age.

Check this out: What Are the Golf Club Distances for Each Club? (Charts for All Skill Levels)

*Data from PGATour.com  as of 7/9/23  

**Data from PGATour.com  as of 7/9/23

Average swing speeds by handicap data from TrackMan

Let’s look at average swing speeds by handicap level for male golfers.

A golfer’s playing ability and how efficiently they swings the club also directly impact how fast their swing speed is. When golfers understand how the swing is supposed to work and can execute those fundamentals correctly, the result is a much more efficient swing. That efficient swing will lead to an increase in swing speed.

Read on: What Driver Loft Should You Use? (Full Chart Based On Swing Speed)

Average PGA TOUR Club Head Speeds

PGA TOUR professionals are among the best golfers in the world, so many golfers look to them as guides to playing the game correctly.

Note: Even though these speeds happened on a specific date in 2024, they’re still applicable today since swing speeds don’t rise significantly over time.

*Compiled through Rocket Mortgage Classic, 7/2/23

• Tour Pro Golfer Average Swing Speed – 115.24        
• Tour Pro Golfer Average Driving Distance – 299.40

PGA TOUR Slowest  10 Driver Swing Speed Averages

*All data from PGATour.com

**Compiled through Rocket Mortgage Classic, 7/2/23

As you may have noticed, some of the PGA TOUR pros in the top 20 in swing speed with the driver are outside the top 20 in average driver distance. This is because of a stat called Smash Factor, which measures the efficiency of a swing.

Smash Factor  is calculated by dividing the ball speed by the clubhead speed. Additionally, where the ball comes in contact with the clubface matters quite a bit as well.

Here are some examples of players with fast swing speeds who are outside the top 20 in driving distance.

Of those short knockers in the bottom 10 on the PGA TOUR this season in swing speed, and many of whom are very near the bottom in driving distance, all but two have a PGA TOUR victory on their resume.

*Data compiled from TrackMan’s 2017 PGA TOUR Data Points

I use data from TrackMan all the time with my students as a reference for what peak performance stats look like.

Above, I have pulled out the club head speed and carry distances for each club, on average, on the PGA TOUR.

TrackMan notes that these AVERAGE stats from 2017 have mostly stayed the same over the last six years.  The top players on the PGA TOUR have gotten faster and carry the ball longer, but, on average, the chart above still holds close to today’s average.

Average LPGA TOUR Club Head Speeds

The LPGA does not keep data on swing speed. However, the average swing speed with the driver hovers around 95 mph, per TrackMan. As we noticed in the statistics above for the PGA TOUR, there is somewhat of a correlation between swing speed and driver distance, but not necessarily always.

The current top drivers on the LPGA Tour shake out as follows:

Driving Distance Averages from LPGATour.com

Swing Speed Estimates Via TrackMan

Data compiled through 7/9/23

As noted previously, TrackMan is a go-to source for swing and club data for many coaches and players. I use data from TrackMan with my students all the time. For my female students, as well as slower-swinging male students, one of my go-to charts is TrackMan’s 2017 LPGA TOUR Data Points .

Compiled data from TrackMan

As noted previously, TrackMan notes that these AVERAGE stats from 2017 have mostly stayed the same over the last six years. The top players on the LPGA TOUR have gotten faster and carry the ball longer, but, on average, the chart above still holds close to today’s average.

In 2012, Ryan Winther set the world record for swing speed at 167 mph, and that swing produced a ball speed of 225 mph.

Recent long-drive phenom, Kyle Berkshire, has come close to Winther’s record, recording a swing speed of 160. Berkshire does however have the highest ball speed ever recorded at 236.8 mph… Say What?!?

More from Golf Span: The 10 Best Drivers for Slow Swing Speed

Swing speed and distance have become one of the most talked about topics in the game over recent years. It seems that everyone in golf has a need for speed! There is no denying that swing speed is a hot topic in golf.

Golfers are always looking for tips and tricks to improve their swing speed. I will break down my tips for you in two different ways. The first is the more traditional ways we, as instructors and coaches, point students toward when working on improving their swing speed.

The second will come from my friend, Michael Romatowski, founder and creator of the revolutionary Mach 3 Golf Speed Training System. Mike’s system is really helping 1,000’s of golfers get faster with their swing.

Some of the more traditional tips for golfers to help them increase their swing speed include the following:

• Train Your Body to Get Faster-  If you can increase your flexibility and mobility, reaching faster swing speeds will be more realistic. How a golfer moves their body, in terms of how much they can rotate their hips and upper torso, will play a big part in their production of swing speed. Getting yourself into the habit of stretching your body regularly will help your ability to swing faster.
• Equipment can make a difference- Having the right equipment for you can make a big difference in your ability to swing faster. Some of the critical things you need to consider in terms of equipment include:
• The overall weight of the club-  The lighter the club, the faster you can swing it. That is straight-up science, folks.
• The type of shaft you use-  The shaft matters in golf. From the length, to the flex, and where the kick-point is, all of these things equate to your ability to swing at your maximum speed.
• The head of the club-  Golf equipment technology has made massive gains over the last two decades. The clubheads on today’s drivers can offer maximum forgiveness and create a “trampoline effect” with the ball coming off the face. Test different drivers, and you may be surprised at what gains you can make by simply having the right club.

I have recently become a massive fan of a speed training program called the Mack 3 Golf Speed Training System . It was developed by Michael Romatowski. Mike is a multi-certified personal trainer, golf fitness expert, and post-rehab exercise specialist. I have spent a lot of time talking with Mike recently; he was a recent guest on my Quite Please Golf Podcast. You can listen to that episode here.

Mach 3 is a year-round speed training protocol that has produced an average gain in clubhead speed for program participants of 11.5 miles per hour. The tools used in Mach 3 are dynamic and unique, allowing golfers to experience the sensation of “Speed Out in Front,” which is the hallmark of Mach 3.

Some of the critical points of Mach 3 that I like include:

• It’s Open To All –  The Mach 3 program is for golfers of all ages, genders, and playing abilities.
• It’s Fun & Safe –  Workouts are fun, non-exhausting, safe, and athletic in nature.
• It’s Accessible to All –  Speed training workouts can be held indoors or outdoors.
• It’s Optimized –  Train for golf without “bulking up” and using natural golf body motions.

The overarching theme of Mach 3 is the “Speed out in front” concept. “Speed out in front” means that a golfer needs to become much more target-oriented when swinging. Anything after impact and up to the end of your swing is “out in front.”

Because the golf swing is such a fast movement, taking roughly only 1.25 seconds, it is essential to think in your mind to be a few steps ahead. Golfers often think of the ball and impact with the ball as the finish line when, in reality, it is only the mid-way point. If you focus on the ball as the ultimate goal, you will move slower into it at impact.

Mach 3 trains golfers to think of the finish line of the swing as being the top of your finish. You become hyper-focused on the target, the finish of the swing, and getting all of your energy, momentum, and speed “out in front” and past the point where the ball is at impact…well past it.

Mach 3 will help any and all golfers that give this concept a try. As mentioned earlier, program participants’ average gain in clubhead speed is around 11.5 miles per hour. That is significant!

If you’re a golfer seeking to improve your game, understanding the insights a golf swing speed chart can provide is invaluable. These charts break down swing speeds by various factors such as age, gender, and skill level, offering a wealth of data that helps golfers understand where they stand. My extensive experience as a golf coach has shown me that these statistics are crucial for those aiming to improve their performance. Surprisingly, many golfers discover they don’t swing as fast or hit as far as they initially thought.

The charts reveal that factors like age, gender, and skill level profoundly impact your swing speed and, subsequently, your driving distance. However, it’s important to note that age doesn’t necessarily have to slow you down. Many golfers in the 50 – 59 and 60+ age brackets can still generate impressive swing speeds, particularly if they maintain good flexibility and employ proper swing mechanics.

To boost your swing speed, you can rely on tried-and-true methods and cutting-edge techniques. On the traditional side, improving your body’s flexibility and selecting the right equipment can make a significant difference. For instance, lighter clubs and the right shaft type can notably increase your swing speed. On the innovative front, training systems like the Mach 3 Golf Speed Training System have helped thousands of golfers achieve faster swings by focusing on functional training tailored to golf performance.

To wrap up, a golf swing speed chart is an essential tool for anyone serious about upgrading their golf game. Combining this data with top tips for improving your swing speed can set you on the path to becoming a more formidable golfer. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to fine-tune your skills, a strategic approach backed by sound data can help you reach new heights in your golf career. Stay tuned for the latest updates and trends in golf statistics and training techniques.

More from me on Golf Span: How to Increase Swing Speed: 10 Tips

Brendon Elliott

Brendon is Class A PGA Professional and founded Little Linksters, LLC, and its nonprofit arm, the Little Linksters Association for Junior Golf Development. He won 25+ prestigious industry honors, including the 2017 PGA National Youth Player Development Award. He graduated from the PGA of America Management Program and has a handicap index of 7.8.

He has played golf for over 40 years and currently plays twice a month at the Eagle Dunes Golf Club near Sorrento, Florida. He loves Srixon clubs and plays a ZX5 driver with Z 585 irons. He's written over 60 articles on GolfSpan and specializes in sharing tips to improve your golf game. You can connect with Brendon at  LinkedIn , X , IG , FB , his website , or [email protected] .

• Brendon Elliott https://www.golfspan.com/author/brendon-elliott The Birdie Mat Pro: Pros, Cons, and Verdict
• Brendon Elliott https://www.golfspan.com/author/brendon-elliott GolfKicks Review: Pros, Cons, Verdict
• Brendon Elliott https://www.golfspan.com/author/brendon-elliott USGA's Ball Rollback: Will It Save Golf or Spark Backlash?
• Brendon Elliott https://www.golfspan.com/author/brendon-elliott 10 Longest Drives in PGA Tour History

You might also like these

CONNECT WITH US

Trackman Tour Averages

At Trackman, we're dedicated to providing the most accurate and up-to-date data to enhance your golfing experience. That's why we're excited to announce the release of our new Tour Averages, reflecting the latest insights from leading professional golf tours.

How We Gathered the Data

Our team has been hard at work collecting data from a wide range of pro players, utilizing Trackman technology to capture every swing and shot with precision.

Explore the New Tour Averages

Discover the latest numbers for both PGA and LPGA Tours, now presented in a redesigned format for easy reference. To see how the game has progressed over time, check out this link to see what’s changed compared to the last Tour Averages.

What's Changed Since Last Time

Since Trackman last revealed the Tour Averages, certain areas of the game have changed. When driving, for instance, players are now hitting further, with greater ball speed and less spin rate. See how your figures compare to the pros.

The Impact of Trackman

Trackman's role in driving performance gains cannot be understated. From influencing club manufacture to revolutionizing training methods and making data more accessible, Trackman continues to shape the future of golf.

Stay Informed

Whether you're a seasoned pro or a weekend warrior, Trackman is here to help you reach new heights on the course. So stay tuned for more updates and insights from Trackman as we continue to push the boundaries of golf technology.

Get the New Tour Assets

The updated Tour Averages data is available for download here in various formats (incl. in meters or yards), whether you're a coaching professional or simply want them handy on your phone when you're on the range.

Key Insights:

Male data is captured across 40+ different events and 200+ different players.

Data is captured at both PGA TOUR and DP World Tour events with majority coming from PGA TOUR events.

Female data is captured across 30+ different events and 150+ different players.

Data is captured at both LPGA and LET events with majority coming from LPGA events.

Averages are based on data from competition as well as on the range.

There are multiple processes in place to eliminate shots hit with a non-driver during competition.

There could be a small number of non-driver shots in the dataset (less than 0.5 percent).

Official stat holes are picked going in opposite directions to reduce any effects from wind.

How to Increase Swing Speed: Five Exercises for More Power

Decline Chest Flys to Triceps Extensions

Cross-Body Lat Pull Downs

Incline Chest Flys

We also recommend

Get More Distance & Power With These Three Medicine Ball Moves

Add These Two Moves to Your Next Workout to Gain More Distance

quick coaching

How to train like tour player maria fassi.

PGA of America

The PGA of America is one of the world's largest sports organizations, composed of PGA of America Golf Professionals who work daily to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.

Golf Club Distance Chart

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This golf club distance chart will help provide you with a guide to how far you should hit your golf clubs. You’ll also be able to tell what level you’re at compared to the pros and how increasing your swing speed will impact your yardage.

Table of Contents

Golf Club Distance Chart by Swing Speed

This table from Trackman shows the average distance for golf clubs based on the swing speed of a driver. Of course, your distances will vary based on how well you’re striking the ball, but this cheat sheet should give you a good idea of how far you can expect your clubs to go when hit well.

Note that these are carry numbers. So you might expect from 0-10 yards of extra distance depending on the club, how it’s struck, and where it lands.

Printable Golf Club Distance Chart

If you’d like to print this chart out, click on the image below or download this golf club distance chart pdf .

Average Swing Speed by Player Type

Here are the average swing speeds by type of player. These numbers vary widely, especially among amateurs, but they can give you an idea of where you stand among your peers.

Average Swing Speed by Handicap

The distance you can hit your clubs directly correlates with your potential handicap. Of course, your actual handicap number will vary based on all the factors of your game, but these are the expected averages for males and females.

Average Driver Distance by Age

The table below shows the average driving distance by age. Your actual numbers will vary based on your fitness and skill. As people age, they tend to lose fast twitch muscle fiber and flexibility unless they’re actively working to maintain them.

How to Find Your Driver Swing Speed

There are several ways to find your swing speed to place yourself on this chart.

The simplest way is to get the yardage for one of your clubs, such as the driver, and match that yardage to the chart. You should find one of the columns closely matches your yardages. Ensure you’re tracking average yardage and not your best drive to get accurate numbers.

Here are several other ways:

• Use a golf simulator to get an accurate swing speed number. A device like a Trackman or a Skytrak should be able to provide you with this data. If you don’t have a simulator, you may be able to find somewhere nearby where you can rent time in a simulator bay.
• Use a launch monitor like the PRGR (around $200), which accurately measures speed.

How to Make Your Own Club Distance Card

To make your own club distance card, you’ll need to start by measuring each club’s carry and/or total distance. There are several ways to get this data:

• A golf simulator (you can rent simulator time if you don’t have access)
• A launch monitor (such as the PRGR mentioned above)
• A golf tracker (such as the Arccos Caddie )
• A range finder and some time at the driving range (this approach is less precise and takes extra effort)

Choose which data is most helpful. For example, carry distances are useful for hitting a green or ensuring you can get over trouble, and the total distance helps you know your range. You can also track distances for partial swings (like a 1/4, 1/2, or 3/4 wedge).

After you’ve gathered all the numbers, there are several ways you can use them to make your club choices easier on the course:

• Paper – the most basic way is to write them down on some note paper; you can use the templates below for an idea of what to write down.
• Phone – you can save these numbers as a note or document for reference if your phone is easily accessible during your golf round. Apps like the Arccos Caddie (mentioned above) will also track this for you.
• Print Out – we’ve included some sample templates below to give you ideas on how to design a card.

Once you have your distance card, you can laminate and carry it, put it in a scorecard holder, attach it to your bag with a bag tag holder , or tape it to your push cart.

You should expect to hit a 7-iron between 130 and 160 yards. Each iron should vary by about 8 to 10 yards (e.g., if your 7 goes 150, your 8 should go around 140). This will change depending on your swing speed, which is related to your technique, flexibility, fitness, and height.

An average male swings the driver at 94 mph, traveling around 240 yards. However, most amateurs don’t hit the ball perfectly, so this will often fall short of this potential yardage when mishit. A PGA Tour player hits the driver an average of 295 yards (some are much longer, like DeChambeau at 320 yds). An LPGA player drives the ball around 240 yards in total.

In 2021 Kyle Berkshire hit a ball speed of 233.4 mph with a swing speed of 153.3 mph. His swing speeds have been slightly higher, but ball speed ultimately factors most into the distance.

• https://blog.trackmangolf.com/club-speed/
• https://blog.trackmangolf.com/trackman-average-tour-stats/

Share this post

Kyle J. Larson

Comments cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Same my info for the next time I comment.

JOHN T. HARTMANN

Last check, my golf swing speed has been around 98 to 100mph. So as a reference I hit my 7-Iron about 165yds on average, pitching wedge would be 130 to 140yds and driver 230 to 260yds depending upon contact and degree of flight. I can handle tee spots up to 6700 to 6800yds. However, my wife thinks I should “play-up” because my scores are “mid 90’s on challenging course, but my issues have always been the short game, not distance. What do you suggest?

Regarding John Hartmann’s comment….play the tees where you have the most fun. If all your buddies are playing from the same tees as you maybe you want to just keep playing those same tees with your friends. Most of us are just playing for fun. Play where you have the most fun but if I were you I’d at least give it a try moving up. 6800 yards is a lot of golf course for weekend golfers. Who knows, you might have more fun making lower scores from closer tees.

Yeah, play whichever tees you like, but like SS said 6800 is probably a lot if you’re not hitting a driver at least 260+… if you take a look at the par 3 distances, and shots you may have to hit into greens on a 2nd or third shot (after subtracting your avg driver distance) it’ll help you figure out what to play. I’m going to have a lot more fun hitting irons into a green and having some birdie chances then if I’m always trying to crank a fairway wood in and missing or having long putts.

I’m 80 years old and hit my driver pretty consistently 200-210. Since moving to the up tees I have had so much more fun. Now it’s driver and a medium iron rather than driver, fairway wood, pitching wedge. Having a chance to make some birdies makes all the difference in enjoyment for me.

Analytics 101

Here is the average swing speed for each skill level of golfer.

Swing speed, also referred to as clubhead speed, is a term you hear pretty often as golfer.

It refers to how fast the clubhead is travelling at impact with the golf ball..

Being able to record this data can help guide your golf swing training and measure your improvement. It can also be useful to see how you stack up against golfers of a similar ability. If you are lacking speed compared with similar handicappers, it might be a sign to focus on this area of your swing.

It will perhaps not surprise you to learn that lower handicap golfers tend to have a faster swing speed. After all, the quicker you can swing the golf club, the greater distance potential you have.

When discussing swing speed, it is worth keeping in mind that ball speed is an equally important statistic in distance . Want to hit longer drives? Find out your 'smash factor' first. This is ball speed divided by clubhead speed. You want this number to be as close to 1.5 as possible. As a guide, PGA Tour players average 1.49. Single figure handicap golfers should be aiming to average above 1.45.

That being said, a faster swing speed will give you a better opportunity for more distance. It is one of the major reasons why modern PGA Tour golfers spend so much time in the gym. Good technique is obviously vital, but strength and mobility play more of a role here than in any other area of your game.

The Bryson DeChambeau Effect

The body transformation of Bryson DeChambeau has been well documented over the last few years and he is an excellent example of how putting in the work off the golf course can impact your driving distance.

By bulking up in the gym and making adjustments to his golf swing, he transformed his driver clubhead speed from 118 mph to a staggering 132 mph in just a couple of years. Perhaps most impressive was his maximum speed of 138.39 mph during the 2021 season. For a PGA Tour golfer, not a specialist long driver, that is serious speed.

To highlight the importance of swing speed and driving distance, let's look at DeChambeau again. He led the PGA Tour in strokes gained off-the-tee in 2021 and had the fourth-best overall scoring average. This is despite having only the 178th best driving accuracy.

We are not suggesting you need to add on 30 pounds like DeChambeau. There are plenty of simple drills and exercises that can help give your swing speed a boost.

Swing Speed Benchmarks

It is worth noting that as a general rule of thumb, every additional 1mph of clubhead speed equates to roughly 2.5 yards more driver distance. That is assuming additional factors, such as strike and weather conditions, are equal.

The point remains though. If you can improve your clubhead speed by 10 mph, and hit the ball exactly the same, you could add 25 yards to your drives.

Here at Graff, we're developing the most accurate and affordable at-home golf simulator. Read more on our homepage.

Swing speed vs handicap.

The trend between swing speed and handicap is fairly self-explanatory. Hitting the golf ball farther allows you to hit shorter approach shots to the green. Less club into the green equals better accuracy. Ergo, lower scores.

Research conducted by Trackman a few years ago showed that the average driver swing speed for average male golfers was 93.4 mph. Approximately 45 percent of golfers tested averaged between 91-100 mph swing speeds. If you fall within this category, it is safe to say you are around average. The average male handicap is approximately 14, so if you fall within this speed bracket your handicap most likely ranges anywhere from 6 to 20.

Scratch golfers and top amateurs will be looking to get their driver swing speed over 105 mph.

Comparatively, the average clubhead speed on the PGA Tour for the 2021 season was 114.2 mph. The vast majority of PGA Tour golfers sit between 110-125mph.

On the LPGA Tour the average driver swing speed is approximately 94 mph. For the average female golfer there is less research available, but from experience it is typically around 65-70 mph.

Swing Speed vs Age

Low handicap equals quicker swing speed. High handicap equals slower swing speed. Overall, that is probably true the majority of the time. But, it is not always that simple.

There are always some noticeable outliers to this rule. These exceptions are typically down to age. Young or old.

Athletic golfers can posses lots of power but lack basic swing fundamentals and have minimal control. This could relate to any golfer aged between 16-50 that would be considered above average for physical fitness.

The opposite can be true for junior or senior golfers. Juniors might be extremely talented but not yet have a fully developed physique. Seniors can have years of experience and skill, yet diminishing strength as they age. This could be true for any golfers aged under 16 or over 50. The younger or older, respectively, either side of these brackets, the slower the swing speed is likely to be.

Final Thoughts

Having the ability to measure your swing speed and understanding the impact of it changing is important for golfers as they look to improve their overall game. Equally, it is important to note that swinging faster is not the only way to hit the golf ball farther.

Are you already around average for your skill level? If so, swinging over 10 mph faster might be a difficult challenge without large changes to your swing technique or physique. Instead, you want to combine improvements in speed with better strike efficiency.

Similar posts

Pierce Reiten

Pga tour stat leaders off the tee in 2023 so far.

Brendon R. Elliott

How much spin should each golf club produce, the optimal max height when hitting your driver, reserve today..

The Swing Speed Charts – Which One You Fall In?

Swing speed is actually an essential thing for consideration as ball distance in golf is concerned. But, attaining a quick clubhead speed doesn’t happen overnight. This will actually require time, practice , and knowing your target velocity that falls on the swing speed charts. Having an idea on that will allow you to practice with confidence on the driving range and help you to increase your speed.

As we go along with this post, we will show you the different charts for the swing speed. Moreover, also stated here are the suitable strategies intended to elevate the rate of speed swing into the golf course. Let’s check them out below!

Various Swing Speed Charts

Generally, through the use of the right golf gears and equipment, you can have a higher chance of enhancing the golf swing speed. For you to be guided accordingly with this, here are some of the swing speed charts that you must look at to give you an idea about your target swing speed.

Swing Speed Chart Based on Age and Gender

The swing speed chart below basically shows the required speed men and women should exert depending on their age.

Swing Speed Chart Based on Distance

This next swing speed chart primarily reveals the relationship of the speed to the ball distance. Keep in mind that various speed golfers possess distinct abilities that have a direct connection with the speed and golf ball distance.

The swing speed chart above shows that the swing speed of pro golfers during PGA Tours is generally faster compared to those average golf players. Aside from that, they also achieve greater distance as well. Looking at the chart, you may also wonder why professional golfers usually hit the golf ball for amazing distances.

Most of the time, they can hit distances not only by using their golf driver but also the other golf clubs. This will also lead to thinking about how players can able to elevate the speed of the golf club head. Actually, they come up with this question as they notice that it is one ideal way in cutting shots within their golf game.

Factors Affecting the Swing Speed

In order to create a perfect speed with every golf club swinging, you basically needs to check on these following factors:

1-Right Equipment

Putting your hands on the appropriate golf clubs that are highly suitable for your height, agility, and ability in playing golf is very important. Getting older generally contributes to losing the speed of the golf club heads. With that, the driver with more angles within the clubface is worth having. Here is the other essential golfing equipment that you need to acquire so that swing speed can be elevated as well as increasing the distance.

*GOLF CLUBS

For the purpose of increasing the swing speed, you need to have a good golf driver for distance. Usually, this equipment aims to have great distance together with consistency. This is generally an ideal addition if you want to elevate the distance of the driver.

Aside from that, it is a great help in practicing the drills for clubhead speed enhancement. Moreover, also look for golf clubs that offer optimal benefits in providing distance within the tee shots. It is also perfect golfing equipment in gaining more confidence in your swing.

*GOLF SHAFTS

The first good pointer in elevating the speed of the clubhead is to come up with the best golf driver shaft intended to give better distance. The function of the golf shafts is to fasten the speed of the clubhead and seem to be far better in terms of flexibility. Another helpful pointer to keep in mind is ensuring the measurement of the length of the driver shaft.

Knowing that is highly crucial in achieving a good swing speed and ball distance as well. Additionally, the golf club shafts are also advantageous in the development of more confidence.

2- Appropriate Technique

The next thing to consider when you decide to increase the swing speed is the employment of the appropriate techniques in playing golf. If you tend to follow the inappropriate technique, then completeness of any drills and use of the best golf equipment may not really help. So, the best solution here is to equip you with a concrete foundation for the improvement of the swing speed within the golf course.

Initially, rotation is an essential technique in golf that allows players in generating the speed of the golf club head. A smooth full rotation generally focuses on the mobility of the shoulders and hips. This will permit the production of a quick swing speed.

The next technique in generating the speed of the golf club head is emphasizing the downswing. Hitting the ball on a usually hard approach is the most common technique that plenty of golfers are using. This will eventually lead to achieving a wild combination of backswing and downswing.

Another important pointer here in terms of generating the acceleration is during the time the downswing achieved to the level of the hip. This is in comparison with the actual golf ball impact.

Friendly Tips:

Here are more helpful reminders that you should keep in mind in relation to the execution of the appropriate techniques in increasing the swing speed. When executing the golf club head speed, it is always important to be very mindful of the grip, stance, and timing.

• Firmly grip the golf club, but do it not in a choking grasp position. This will basically allow the players to observe the correct torso, hips, and shoulder rotation.
• Giving off a wider stance will offer great stability that also permits the weight distribution from the inner leg or hip going into the outer lower extremities. However, also keep in mind that a wider stance also limits you to exert movement in rotating the hips.
• It is also very important to time the swing speed of the highest golf club head with the moment of impact or MOI. Always observe the whooshing sound and maintain your head down while playing.  

3-Bodily Movement

Generally, the movement of the golfer may also have a great impact on the swing speed. In case the golfers elicit poor body movement, chances are, they can acquire golfing injuries as well as reducing their athletic performance. Good to know that implementing the appropriate stretches may be of big help in elevating the bodily movement for golf.

Stick Mobility is actually a special golfing device intended for mobility as a great channel in knowing that you maintain on the right track. Moreover, the required bodily movement in performing on an enhanced level within the golf course is also measured.

Moreover, flexibility is also crucial here which pertains to the wider motion coverage our body performs. In terms of increasing the swing speed in golf, the more muscle flexibility we exert, it will ultimately elevate swing speed.

Additionally, the balance is also as essential as flexibility. This actually really helpful on maintaining the proportion of the body in a more stable approach all throughout the entire swing.

4-Body Strength

Another factor that helps in increasing the velocity based on the swing speed chart is the strength of the golfers. Maintaining body fitness is a good idea here and can generally work wonders. Generally, you will notice skinny golfers having great distances as they hit the ball. Yet, the PGA Tour as of these times usually involves golfers following a strict workout regimen.

*ESSENTIAL MUSCLES FOR SWING SPEED

In the field of golf, there are body muscles that are generally working hard compared to others. These muscles are in extreme determination in increasing the swing speed. Overall, complete body strength and fitness are highly crucial. But, the following are the most important muscles that need to be strengthened to achieve an elevation on swing speed:

• Abdominal muscles
• Back muscles
• Muscles in the forearms
• Glute muscles
• Muscles in the wrists

You may be wondering why these muscles are highly essential. Well, for some reason, they are the muscles generally involved in the rotation of the swing. Aside from that, they are also the main ones responsible for creating the power that will generate the downswing afterward.

*EXERCISES TO INCREASE THE SPEED OF THE CLUB HEAD

Below are the suitable exercises that will help in the elevation of the club head speed:

• Bench Press – this exercise is highly crucial for the improvement of the upper extremities and the body strength
• Bench Side Steps – one of the exercises that helps in enhancing the hip muscles and glutes
• Medicine Ball Ab Rotation – generally, a good way to improve the muscles of the abdomens
• Rotational Lunges – the back muscles, glutes, and hips are the main concern of this exercise
• Squats – this exercise routine is perfect for the development of the muscles within the back and glutes

Different Trainings in Increasing the Clubhead Speed

So, aside from addressing the different factors that affect the elevation of swing speed, there is also available training that will help you in achieving the potential increase in the clubhead swing. Moreover, the training here is also ideal to give emphasis on separated parts of the golf game. The various games in golf that need training are driving and putting together with targeting the speed of swing.

Aside from that, this training can be done at home for practicing using a golf simulator. Here is the speed swing training that you can practice within the driving range. Strictly following the steps below will generally help better in achieving longer golf shots along with speedy swings.

Club Head Speed Swing Training #1

Initially, the number 1 training for the clubhead speed swing generally entails no golf club at all. The training aims to achieve a better feel during the swing at a quicker velocity compared to normal swing speed.

• Basically, start by performing the regular driving stance.
• Make sure that your hands are free from grasping any golf driver.
• Hold the hands in the front position resembling the grip of the driver.
• Generally, swing the arms backward.
• Immediately follow this step by resembling a golf swing as you are also focusing on the speed and rotation.

Although very simple, the main thing to consider here is to give emphasis on the form and strategy while elevating the swing speed. Moreover, with this specific training, four sets of 6 to 8 repetitions and elevating speed for every set is highly recommended.

Club Head Speed Swing Training #2

Well, the difference between this clubhead speed swing training from the first training is that this does not include the utilization of a golf driver. But, hitting a golf drive by performing this drill is not also achieved.

• Make sure that your hands are free from grasping any golf ball and prepare with a practice swing position.
• Concentrate on swinging the golf club while creating a ‘whoosh’ sound. Observe this normally via the air amidst the position where you would strike the golf ball and where the golf driver comes in.
• Keep eyes on more repetitions guaranteeing that you are targeting on form and elevating the speed swing.

Club Head Speed Swing Training #3

This third training requires the purchasing of an economical weighted golf trainer. It generally aims to permit the practicing of the tempo of the swing. Moreover, it will be available handy most likely when you are performing the previous training.

Club Head Speed Swing Training #4

The final training has the objective of returning on the golf grip. As you go on along the performance of the speed swing training, you will able to find the advantages of the appropriate golf grip. This is generally due to the outcomes of the practice . Moreover, the right grip permits the achievement of optimal performance and swing.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: WHAT SWING SPEED REQUIRES A STIFF SHAFT?

A: Okay, here’s the catch, swinging the driver more than 105 mph highly indicates the best time to acquire the X stiff shafts within the set. When we said stiff, this actually pertains to the distance range that is considerably fast. The good thing about this is that you wouldn’t get out of the Tour at any particular time. Moreover, setting around 97 to 104 mph through the driver requires you to have a stiff flex.

Q: WHAT IS A GOOD SWING SPEED?

A: Generally, 93.4 miles per hour is the average swing speed for an amateur male golfer. This is typically for an average distance of 214 yards. Moreover, at an optimal distance, the swing speed of 93.4 mph, gives an average golfer to land on a distance of 255 yards.

Q: WHAT IS CONSIDERED A HIGH SWING SPEED IN GOLF?

A: The average swing speed of most PGA Tour pros is more than 110 mph. Meanwhile, a scratch golfer will fall on an average of about 106 mph swing speed and an average golfer may fall on 93 mph. Finally, at 97 mph, the high solo-digit handicaps move over this swing speed rate.

Final Words

In terms of the golf ball distance, the swing speed is generally an essential factor to consider. Based on the swing speed charts, there is a direct relationship between distance and scoring within the golf course. Moreover, strictly following the tips and strategies in increasing the swing speed and the distance will also give you an improvement in your score once you step inside the golf course.

TheGolfingPro

6 Cheapest Golf Balls – Our Recommended List!

14-way stand bags – our buying guide 2021.

Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions

Average Swing Speed For Golf: Plus how to increase your speed!

The average male swing speed will range between 91 and 101 miles per hour with the driver, producing between 210-235 yards of distance with the driver.  For comparison, the average swing speed on the PGA Tour is 113 miles per hour (275 yard carry) and 94 miles per hour (218 yard carry) on the LPGA Tour.

Swing speed matters in golf!

There is a direct correlation between a golfer’s swing speed and his or her handicap.

If your swing speed is not up to certain levels you are going to have difficulty reaching certain levels of handicap in the game of golf.  Here are some examples:

• If you want to be a 10 handicap golfer, you should average around 95 miles per hour with the driver.
• If you want to be a 5 handicap golfer, you should average around 100 miles per hour with the driver.
• If you want to be a scratch golfer, you should average around 105 miles per hour with the driver.

We have all seen the importance of distance on the PGA Tour.  The top money leaders are often in the 10% in total driving distance.  The old saying, “drive for show, putt for dough” has been challenged in the past decade.

While the numbers above are averages, there is always the chance you can overcome certain levels with a superior short game, as short game remains a key to the success of any golfer and one of the quickest ways to lower your score in golf.

What is the average swing speed for golf?

Here is a chart that breaks down the averages based on your driver swing speed:

As you can see from the chart, the higher the swing speed, the better distance you will get.  Distance is important because even on the PGA Tour, the proximity to the pin from 100 yards is only 18 feet on average.

If you take the average golfer and put them 175 yards away from a hole, the chances of hitting the green are significantly reduced.

However, take that same golfer and put them at 125 yards and they have a better chance of hitting the green.

Overall, it has become very clear that the closer the shot left into the green, the closer the proximity to the pin will be on average.  This leads us to the improtantance of gain speed in the game of golf.

How to measure your swing speed!

Can a golfer increase their swing speed?

Yes, with the right overspeed training, technique and time the golfer can improve his or her overall swing speed.  When the overspeed training continues, the speed can become more permanent.

Update: I increased my swing speed from 98mph to 108mph over a 3 year period of time. The extra 10 miles per hour helped me improve my birdies from round from 2.0 to 4.0 on average. The extra distance is a true game change and the great news is that just about every golfer has some potential speed somewhere inside!

Here is our number one recommendation on improving swing speed:

#1 Recommendation: OverSpeed Training

I spent many years wondering how I can increase my swing speed.  When I was playing junior golf, we weren’t fortunate enough to have some of the training aids and knowledge that is now available.  Smart people have studied the golf swing and have created training aids and protocols to help all golfers increase their distance!

At around the same time, the statistics from the PGA Tour have become more clear and the importance of speed is acknowledged by many to be a key to being the best on the PGA Tour.

Within the past several years, there have been several products hit the market to make speed gains possible.  While many people for many years waited for the latest driver to come out to gain an additional 5-10 yards, you can now do this even with your current clubs.

Did you know that with the SuperSpeed Training System you can gain 5-8% increase in swing speed as early as the first training session?  This would allow you to gain somewhere between 10 and 30 yards depending on your current swing speed.

SuperSpeed Golf – Use Discount Code Golfjourney365 for some savings!

The SuperSpeed Training System is based on three different swing speed sticks all weighing at different weights.  There is a green club that is 10% lighter than the average driver, the blue club which is 5% lighter and the red club which is actually 5% heavier!

Following their prescribe protocols (see video below) the golfer completes the training every other day.  The total time to complete most of their protocols is between 10-15 minutes.  Most people can find the time to make this happen.  The golfer will also need a swing radar to measure their progress. 

How to increase ball speed in golf!

The science behind the SuperSpeed Training System is based on overspeed training.  Overspeed training has been around for several decades now and has been used by olympic athletics in the sport of Track and Field.  

The science behind this overspeed training is based on the premise that your brain will only allow your body to move as fast as it feels it can stop safely!  So, you get to work and swing the clubs as fast as possible, retraining your brain to allow you to swing your driver faster.

For more permanent results, the golfer should continue these training protocols for several months.  The initial 5-8% is great and can become more permanent with the right length of training.  The golfer can expect to continue to break down barriers every several months at a 1-2% increase.

My own experience has been an increase of 7-10 miles per hour on average from between 98-101 all the way up to 106-109.  My goal is to hit the PGA Tour average of 113 mph in the coming months.  I will continue to train every other day and watch in amazement as I am hitting drivers longer now than ever before!

Phil Mickelson has been known to increase his swing speed in the past year or so and is close to 120 miles per hour in his swing speed.  There are potential results for golfers of all ability levels and age!  

Check the current price on SuperSpeed Golf System, here!

Average Golf Swing Speed by Age?

Generally speaking, as someone reaches their 40s and their 50s, typically the golfer will start to lose speed if he or she is not training for speed.  This loss in swing speed can be prevented from using overspeed training and staying in decent shape.

The most recent example of a golfer that has gained distance and swing speed when he reached 50 is Phil Mickelson.  He was able to win the 2021 PGA Championship by leading the tournament in total driving distance.

You will often find his SuperSpeed Swing Sticks with him during his warm ups and during the practice rounds.  Many golfers used to just settle for the loss of distance as they aged, but now there is hope for the future for these aging golfers.

Related Post: How to hit a 5 iron 200 yards

Average Swing Speed for 7 iron?

The average swing speed for a 7 iron will be in the mid to low 80s.  The PGA Tour golfer averages 90 miles per hour, while the LPGA average is 76 miles per hour.  This leaves a range of carry distance between 172 on the PGA Tour and 141 on the LPGA Tour.

Once again, the golfer does not need to settle for their current carry distance and can benefit from the overspeed training with a system like SuperSpeed golf with every club in the bag.

The best example of this is Bryson Dechambeau who now hits a 7 iron around 215 yards, while just in 2017 his carry distance was around 174 with a 7 iron.

Tension free golf swing: how and why

Final Thoughts: Practice Faster to Swing Faster

Practice speed to swing with additional speed!  In order to push the limits, you must train at fast speeds.  In addition to the SuperSpeed protocols above, spend 15 minutes at least once a week hitting max speed drivers.  The key is to swing fast, not hard.  Make sure you are using a device to help measure your swing speed and try to reach new records high at least once every two weeks.  Keep training and push your speed to new limits.

I will spend 15-30 minute sessions hitting drivers as fast as I can.  I try to reach new speeds.  I then back down and hit “game” like drivers and have found that my speed has increased over the past year from the SuperSpeed Training and these 15-30 minute practice sessions.

How to increase driver swing speed (3 options)

My Secret To Golf Improvement

Let’s face it, in order to get really good at golf, we must practice frequently.  About three years ago, I made the leap and invested in a golf simulator build for my garage.  I went with a SkyTrak Launch Monitor and the TGC software and can now play over 100,000 courses including Augusta, Pebble Beach, Bethpage Black, Whistling Straits. St. Andrews and many other of the top 100 courses in the world.

This golf simulator setup, which is more affordable that you might imagine, has been a game changer.  I can now play golf everyday of the year regardless of rain, snow, cold weather or time of day.  I can practice or play rounds of golf.  I can stand in the 11th fairway at Augusta and with the auto-rewind feature I am able to practice my approach shots from various differences.

It is worth checking out through Rain or Shine Golf as they offer some incredible packages along with financing offers that are difficult to beat.

Some direct links to Rain or Shine Golf for pricing and financing:

• Rain or Shine Golf
• Rain or Shine Golf Financing Offers
• Rain or Shine Golf Packages

Take Action – What You Can Do Today to Get Better

What does this mean for you?  I believe in the following recipe to get better:

1 – Improve your motion in the golf swing by identifying a golf instructor.  Here are some options:

Here is a list of golf instructors that we have reviewed:

• George Gankas
• Bobby Lopez
• Shawn Clement
• Mike Malaska
• Jim Venetos
• Monte Scheinblum

2 – Train to swing faster and improve your swing speed.  Here are some options:

Looking to gain more Speed and Distance in your swing. Two Options:

• SuperSpeed Golf – Read our Full Review
• Gain 30-40 yards in 30 Days – Swing Man Golf

3 – Understand course strategy and work to break through your next barrier.  Here is a series on breaking through:

We have provided guides on how to break 100, 90, 80 and 70. Check out more below, if interested.

• How to Break 100
• How to Break 90
• How to Break 80
• How to Break 70

4 – Practice Frequently

Did you know that I build a golf simulator in my garage and have played over 500 rounds of golf on my SkyTrak system?  It has been a game changer and one worth checking out. Here are some of my other posts on golf simulators frequently asked questions:

• Is a Golf Simulator Worth It?
• How to Build a Golf Simulator?
• What is the Best Golf Simulator?
• Golf Simulator Accessories?
• How to Build a Golf Simulator for under $7000
• Top 11 Reasons to Buy a SkyTrak
• How to Build a Golf Simulator for Under $1000
• Why Build A Golf Simulator?
• What Space is Needed?
• Can A Golf Simulator Improve My Game?
• How Much Does A Golf Simulator Cost?
• Don’t Forget to Check out our 15 best golf swings of all time.

Recent Posts

Ball Speed vs Swing Speed: Get Better Today!

Distance is king in today's golf world! As a golfer, you're always striving to hit the ball further and maximize your distance off the tee. One crucial factor that impacts how far the ball...

Putting Tips for High Handicappers: Top 5

Are you a high handicapper struggling to improve your putting skills on the golf course? Look no further! In this post, we will share the best putting tips specifically tailored for players...

Miles Russell’s rocket-like trajectory leads to PGA TOUR debut at 15

Tour Insider

‘We’re looking at a young Tiger Woods’

Change Text Size

It took one chip for Miles Russell to turn Ramon Bescansa into a believer. 

Russell was just 6 years old, and Bescansa, who also works as a putting coach for PGA TOUR players like Chris Kirk and Harris English, wasn’t looking to add a kindergartener to his stable of students. But that one shot convinced Bescansa that this kid was different. Russell’s technique was sound, the contact crisp, as he cleanly picked the ball from the turf.  

“I can work with this,” Bescansa said. 

Catching others by surprise has become a theme with Russell. He has seemingly skipped years and steps with every passing accomplishment. He broke par for the first time at age 6, and finished second in the Drive, Chip and Putt finals at Augusta National Golf Club when he was 9. He played from the tips before he was a teenager and made his high school golf team in sixth grade. He won both the Junior PGA Championship and Junior PLAYERS at 14, then won the AJGA’s Player of the Year Award a day after turning 15, supplanting Tiger Woods as the youngest to win AJGA Player of the Year.

Many kids become dominant juniors because of early growth spurts that leave them looming over their peers, hitting drives that sail well past those of their competitors. This is not the case for Russell. He looks like your average high-school sophomore, standing 5-foot-7 and weighing 135 pounds, but he has separated himself with a skill set that includes the same elite short game that impressed Bescansa years ago.

Miles Russell, 15, discusses final-round 66 at LECOM Suncoast Classic

Now he’s making his PGA TOUR debut at this week’s Rocket Mortgage Classic after receiving a sponsor exemption into the field.

“Korn Ferry was pretty cool,” said Russell. “So I can only imagine what a PGA TOUR event is.”

Miles Russell on making first PGA TOUR start at Rocket Mortgage

Russell is the latest in a run of phenoms on the PGA TOUR this year. Kris Kim and Blades Brown , both 16, made the cut at THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson and Myrtle Beach Classic, respectively.

Russell’s debut is more anticipated, given his stature as the No. 1-ranked junior in the world before becoming an upperclassman in high school. He is the youngest winner of both the Junior PGA Championship and the Junior PLAYERS. He won the former by seven with a score of 18-under par, then shot 70-66-71 to win by three at TPC Sawgrass.

Miles Russell bounces a ball with his club on the driving range at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on June 11, 2024, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Ben Jared/PGA TOUR)

Miles Russell talks during an interview on the driving range at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on June 11, 2024, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Ben Jared/PGA TOUR)

Miles Russell practices on the driving range, at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on June 11, 2024, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Ben Jared/PGA TOUR)

He already has signed name, image and likeness deals with TaylorMade and Nike, relationships that led to him walking inside the ropes with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler at this year’s PLAYERS Championship.

Russell’s travel schedule already imitates that of a TOUR pro, as well. He took a scouting trip to Michigan earlier this month to see Detroit Golf Club, the site of the Rocket Mortgage, and Oakland Hills, which will host the U.S. Junior Amateur, a tournament where he first made match play as a 13-year-old (making him the third-youngest player ever to do so). A few weeks ago, he traveled to the Northeast to play Pine Valley and Baltusrol. 

A native of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, Russell rubs elbows with TOUR players who call northeast Florida home. He plays with PGA TOUR player Raul Pereda, another of Bescansa’s students, and LPGA winner Mel Reid, who admits that she gets short-game tips from the teenager.

“I don’t think he needs any tips from me,” Reid, a former Solheim Cup participant, said. “He’s so good. I ask him for tips.”

Miles Russell swing breakdown

Pereda called him “a top-notch player” and said, “We’re looking at a young Tiger Woods right here.”

It’s a lofty, and likely unreachable target, but such pronouncements are the result of such incredible achievements. There’s more talent left to see, especially as Russell grows bigger and stronger. He already possesses a TOUR-level short game, according to Pereda.

Miles Russell poses for a portrait on the driving range at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on June 11, 2024, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Ben Jared/PGA TOUR)

Miles Russell practices on the driving range at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on June 11, 2024, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Ben Jared/PGA TOUR)

Russell’s gifts are preternatural, Bescansa said. He points to a moment early in their partnership, when Bescansa was showing Russell how to hit a flop shot. Bescansa, a former All-American at North Carolina, did well to leave himself a 10-foot putt. Without taking a practice swing, Russell opened the blade, threw his hands at the ball, and produced a high-arched pitch that landed softly, 2 feet from the hole. 

“He's got the nippers,” Pereda said, “the big flop shots. He's got the high-and-soft shot, the perfect sound out of the bunker shots. The bump-and-runs, the one-hop-stop. I've seen it all with him.”

Pereda sheepishly admits Russell has outdriven him, as well. Once, upon Pereda demonstrating his 116-mph swing speed, Russell delivered this retort: “Oh Raul, that’s my cruising speed right there.”

It was less of a flex from the younger player than good-natured ribbing amongst friends.

“And I’ve been working out so hard,” Pereda said with a laugh. “He turns around and gives me some crap. I wish I could give him some back.”

There are obvious concerns when an athlete shines so bright this soon. Pereda has considered this with Russell, but he doesn’t see the warning signs of burnout.

Russell’s drive is intrinsic. He’s always been the one insisting on going to the course, always asking to hit just a few more putts as his parents patiently waited in the car. They have never intervened in a lesson, Bescansa said. They drop him off at the course and pick him up when he’s done without comment or critique, a rare trait from parents of prodigiously talented juniors.

Miles Russell’s golf bag is seen on the driving range at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on June 11, 2024, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Ben Jared/PGA TOUR)

Russell doesn’t idolize athletes in other sports. He never played anything seriously other than golf. Asked what he does when it’s raining outside and practice isn’t possible, Russell said, “I just hope it doesn’t rain.” But when it does, Bescansa says, Russell uses it as an opportunity to test rain gloves, see how his swing holds up in the wet weather and get accustomed to playing in the elements. 

Russell is home-schooled and his golf schedule determines his school schedule. If it’s nicer in the morning, he will start with golf. If the weather is poor, he’ll work on school before heading to the course later. His life revolves around golf. It’s helped him become the best 15-year-old in the world. He’s acutely aware that doesn’t mean he’ll be the best at 16, 26 or 36, so he isn’t interested in doing much else while the good golf is flowing.

“I don't think it would feel like a job because I love it so much,” Russell said. 

He is still developing his personality and place in the world, as befitting a 15-year-old. He’s got some humor, Pereda said, but it never crosses into cockiness. Russell has every reason to feel himself as the next phenom but never goes there. Although Pereda argued that a touch more bravado may be beneficial as Russell grows, why change? His startling modesty and maturity is partly why Pereda is so confident in his prospects.

Pereda, a rookie on TOUR, has tried to “mentor” Russell as best he can, though he’s unsure how much Russell needs it, given how acclimated he already is to top-level golf. And it was Russell who sent Pereda an encouraging text after the latter endured a recent string of missed cuts. They plan to play a practice round in Detroit this week, and rest assured Pereda will be there for anything Russell needs in the Motor City. 

“That kid is a prodigy,” Pereda said. “How he's developed as an athlete in such a short period of time that I've gotten to know him, I'm amazed. I want to be around his life for a long time, not because of what he’s going to do, but how he’s going to carry himself as he does it.”

Travelers Championship

TPC River Highlands

Instruction

The confusing case of Rory McIlroy's golf swing, explained

Jared C. Tilton

The gutting loss that will forever haunt Rory McIlroy has nothing to do with those missed putts.

Rory is a good putter who runs hot and cold, and the two short putts he missed on the 70th and 72nd holes of the U.S. Open are indicative of a small glitch McIlroy himself says he fights under pressure.

But it's not the most important question facing McIlroy now. The more interesting, and frankly, confusing one is about his golf swing.

Whether it's better or worse is subjective, but what is a fact is that Rory's golf swing is different now. Different from the last time he was winning majors. Different, even, than a year ago.

Swing-watchers know it. People close to Rory's world know it. Rory, himself, even knows it.

"My technique is nowhere near as good as it used to be," an exasperated Rory said after his T-7 finish at last year's PGA Championship, caught by Netflix cameras as part of Season Two of Full Swing. "I almost feel like I wanna do a complete reboot. I do, I do. Because I feel like it's the only way I'm going to break through. It feels so far away."

The question is, how much does it matter? That's what I can't figure out.

Getting to the Xs and Os, back in 2014, the key difference was that Rory's arms stayed a little closer to him, and moved more vertically up on the backswing.

The clubhead tracked outside his hands, too, and the combination of these two things meant that at the top of his backswing, the clubhead and shaft were pretty much in line with his hands, when looking down the line.

This stayed the case until about 2020, coincidentally the year of Bryson DeChambeau's first U.S. Open victory. Rory admitted he got "sucked into" swinging for more speed following Bryson's Winged Foot win, and by that measure, it worked: 2024 Rory is about three miles per hour faster, on average, than 2012 Rory, with the second-best Power Percentage on the PGA Tour.

Editor's Note: The cameras angles aren't perfect. I tried my best to match, but take every video comparison with a grain of salt.

2019 Wells Fargo Championship vs. 2021 PGA Championship

That's the clearest point when Rory's golf swing began to change into what we see today. His arms began stretching further out and away from his body on the takeaway, and the clubhead tracked less outside his hands.

2013 PGA Championship vs. 2024 Players Championship vs. 2014 PGA Championship

At the top of his backswing, Rory's arms can often appear flatter these days—more around his body, as opposed to up. His club is tends more across the line now, too (meaning it's pointing to the right of his hands), which can affect his wrist angles.

2014 PGA Championship vs. 2024 PGA

2014 PGA Championship vs. 2024 PGA Championship

But again, how much does this matter? Golf's Hall of Fame, which lives a 7-iron away from the most heartbreaking moment of Rory's career, is littered with less-than-perfect backswing positions. Rory's body is also different now than it was. What worked for him in 2014 might not be best for him now.

"It's not that people can't play good golf," one coach told me. "It's that not everyone can play good golf that way.”

Walter Iooss Jr.

The main reason why many coaches like to see the clubhead in line with the hands at the top is because it aligns the weight of the club with the direction your arms pull on the downswing.

Think of it like a water tube behind a turning boat. The further away the tube is from the boat when the boat turns left, the more the tube will swing out to the right before re-aligning with the direction of the boat.

When the club gets across from the hands, you'll often see good players fling the weight of the club behind their hands and body. Usually they get the club stuck so far behind their hands that they never get it around in front of them, and miss out to the right. This is happening a lot to Rory these days: This season, he's missing fairways to the right about 60 percent more than he's missing them to the left, and they were a common theme during his final round at Pinehurst.

But players who do this tend to throw in some wicked left misses, especially under pressure, because they'll overcorrect with an aggressive roll of their wrists. Think about where Rory started missing on the closing stretches of his final two rounds. He yanked his approach left of the 16th green on Saturday, then did the same on Sunday, then missed his driver left on 18.

So, does it matter? And should he change it?

There are some stats to suggest there’s room for improvement, but categorical answers are admittedly hard to find.

• Rory's about 0.7 strokes worse in SG: Off The Tee his past four years on tour than his first four years as a full-time PGA Tour player, but that may be explained by an influx of young, athletic bombers who can get closer to Rory off the tee than in the past.
• His proximity to the hole is worse, but within a paltry two feet.
• Rory's about 0.07 shots worse from SG: Approach these days, though his last two seasons he's finished above his 12-season SG: Approach average.

As Paul McGinley rightly pointed out to Brandel Chamblee when he made a similar point after the final round on Golf Channel's Live From broadcast: Rory has all the tools to win, and was two short putts away from lifting the trophy. This a year after falling short to a career performance from Wyndham Clark, which followed a career performance from Cameron Smith a year before that.

It's scary to say that a great golfer should make some changes because he could get even better, but in Rory's case, my gut reaction is that the race car needs some minor tuning. It's not the biggest change, as far as golf swing changes go. We're talking tweaks here, not overhauls.

Besides, if anecdotes count for anything, Rory's actions suggest he thinks there's room for some technical improvement, too:

• The aforementioned Netflix quote
• Putting coach Brad Faxon’s revelation that he had “figured out” his swing
• The lesson with Butch Harmon earlier this year
• Rory's new waggle which disappeared as quickly as it arrived
• The drive-by tinkering with different training aids
• The “two swing” thought problem he explained at this year's Players Championship.

It’s a problem of abundance, both of talent and potential. It's a quintessentially Rory one, too. He’s an impossibly good ball-striker by any objective metric; the No. 3-ranked player in the world with the most consistent major record of any player of his generation. Only with Rory could we wonder if he’s leaving even more on the table.

More from Golf Digest

Trending now.

Tour Average’s PGA TOUR Club Head Speeds: Boost Your Own Speed with Swing Man Golf

Introduction

Listed below are all his historical average speeds by year as reported by the PGA TOUR. For comparison’s sake, the PGA TOUR’s average low, average overall, and high average are shown as well. Also listed is his corresponding age, in order that you can make age related observations .

There’s that old saying in golf, “Drive for show. Putt for dough.” However, statistical analysis reveals that this isn’t accurate. Club head speed plays a crucial role in golf, even more so than putting.

A well-struck drive with higher club head speed leads to increased ball speed and greater distances off the tee. This advantage allows for shorter irons into greens, which you also hit farther, increasing greens-in-regulation percentages, and reducing scoring averages at both amateur and professional levels.

Historically, it was believed that club head speed couldn’t be trained. Tiger Woods, playing alongside long-hitter Bubba Watson, was once quote on the PGA TOUR’s website, Either you have speed, or you don’t. This notion has been proven incorrect. The importance of fitness on the PGA TOUR has escalated over time, with athletes like Gary Player, Greg Norman, and Tiger Woods emphasizing physical conditioning. However, fitness alone doesn’t equate to speed. For instance, despite Camillo Villegas superior fitness, John Daly outpaced him in swing speed, highlighting that speed also involves mechanics.

The landscape is evolving. In 2019, Phil Mickelson increased his club head speed by 6 mph . Bryson DeChambeau, during the COVID-19 lockdown, ramped up his speed dramatically from 118.24 mph in 2019 to 132.25 mph by 2021. Training aids like Super Speed Golf, the Stack System, and Rypstick have gained in popularity…and the PGA TOUR average broke the 115-mph barrier in 2023.

Boost Your Golf Game: Swing Speed Training Online & Personalized Training

Ready to swing faster and drive further? Discover how with  Swing Man Golf All-Access , featuring Golf Fitness Association of America (GFAA) award winning swing speed training programs that have helped golfers gain 10, 20, 30, and even 40 mph!

Get a power boost with  in-person swing speed training sessions  by Jaacob Bowden, PGA, a pioneer in golf fitness and swing speed.

Whether you’re aiming for longer drives or lower scores, our tailored programs and power boost sessions will rapidly and drastically transform your performance. Start your journey to a more powerful game today!

Become a Certified Swing Speed Trainer with Swing Man Golf

Led by Jaacob Bowden, PGA, a multiple Golf Fitness Association of America (GFAA) award winner, our Swing Speed Trainer Certification equips golf, fitness, and medical professionals with the knowledge to teach industry-leading swing speed training protocols.

This 1-day comprehensive, online, self-paced course covers everything from power development to training aid utilization, enabling you to design tailored programs that enhance player performance at all levels.

Darren DeMaille, PGA

“I had three students gain over 30 mph using your system.”

Greg DuCharme, PGA

“My club head speed increased by 23 mph over a 10- week period! The exercises also improved my stability, allowing me to hit straighter.”

Bob Bigonette, PGA

“Thanks to your training, I competed again and shot a 70 in the US Open qualifier, gaining 18 mph in just 10 weeks.”

Special Offer: Register now and get 25% off with promo code: 25off

Enhance your professional offerings and increase your market value today!

PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings By Year

• 2023 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings
• 2022 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings
• 2021 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings
• 2020 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings
• 2019 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings
• 2018 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings
• 2017 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings
• 2016 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings
• 2015 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings
• 2014 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings
• 2013 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings
• 2012 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings
• 2011 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings
• 2010 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings
• 2009 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings
• 2008 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings
• 2007 PGA TOUR Club Head Speed Rankings

The best golf watches in 2024 from Garmin, Bushnell, more

T he best golf watches are like having a caddy on your wrist. They can factor in data like wind speed, distance, hazards and more to help you choose the right golf club  and plan your shot no matter what course you're on or what the weather conditions are.

While there's no shortage of options on the market right now, not all golf watches are created equal. Not only do golfers  need to check which features a golf  watch offers, but also how accurate its data is. To help you find the best golf watch with the features you want and the accuracy you need, we've rounded up the top golf watches in 2024 for every budget.

Best golf watch overall: Garmin Approach S70

The Garmin Approach S70 isn't your ordinary watch. It's a golfer's best friend, with cool features like automatic course detection that uses GPS to accurately detect which of the over 43,000 course maps to display on your watch. So you won't have to waste a second searching through the database for the right map.

While playing, it automatically delivers accurate distances to the hole as well as bunkers, trees and hazards. It provides regular weather updates (when paired with the smartphone app). It tracks your shot distance, analyzes your swing, and acts as a digital scorecard.

From your wrist, you can check wind speed and direction, green contour data, elevation, environmental conditions and more to help make the best decisions about each shot. Use the "Plays Like" feature to let your watch automatically account for how all of those factors will affect your shot. It can even give you personalized golf club  recommendations based on your swing data and the detailed "Plays Like" data.

Off the course, it's also a fully functional smartwatch  with text and email alerts, Garmin Pay, health monitoring, activity tracking, sleep tracking and more. For the golfer  who also has a life off the course (we've heard they exist), this is the golf watch that does it all.

Get the powerful Garmin golf watch while it's on sale at Amazon for $658. You can also order it from the PGA Tour Superstore for $700.

Top features of the Garmin Approach S70 :

• This watch features more than 43,000 golf course maps.
• The touchscreen offers superior brightness even on sunny days.
• Get on-wrist course analysis, shot tracking, hazard info and precise green distances.
• It can also analyze your swing and give you personalized golf club  recommendations.
• As a smartwatch, the Garmin Approach S70 tracks blood oxygen levels, stress and energy levels, while also monitoring sleep and HRV status.
• This smartwatch is lightweight and can help track wind conditions to establish the perfect shot.

Best alternative to the Garmin Approach S70: Bushnell Ion Elite

The Garmin Approach S70 is feature-packed and versatile, but it's also $700. If you want comparable functionality on the course without the price tag, try the Bushnell Ion Elite. It offers almost as many golf  features as the Garmin on an easy-to-read display.

You'll get access to maps of over 38,000 golf courses around the world and the ability to assess slope-adjusted distance with almost the same accuracy as a rangefinder . You'll also be able to check hazards, hole maps, and track your score--all from your wrist.

The tradeoff is that the Bushnell Ion Elite is light on non-golfing features that other smartwatches (including the Garmin) have. Aside from telling the time, it's not going to do much for you off the course. But if your top priority is accurate and detailed mapping, measuring and tracking, this golf watch does it all, does it well and does it for hundreds less than the Garmin Approach S70. 

You can get the Bushnell Ion Elite for as low as $189 at Amazon or buy it at the PGA Tour Superstore for $200.

Top features of the Bushnell Ion Elite:

• With moveable pins and slope functionality, this golf watch is the closest thing to a rangefinder that fits on your wrist.
• Use HoleView to see the layout of the hole as well as any upcoming hazards.
• Auto course recognition uses GPS to automatically detect which course you're on so you don't have to search for the right map.
• Scorekeeping, shot tracking, and tons of other features are accessible from the watch while even more detailed analysis is available in the app on your phone.
• You can toggle the slope functionality off as needed to make this golf watch competition legal.

Best golf watch for training: Voice Caddie Hybrid T9

The Voice Caddie Hybrid T9 is like having a rangefinder and golf simulator packed into one lightweight watch on your wrist. With automatic shot and putt tracking, this golf watch keeps track of your score so you don't have to. You'll also get precision rangefinder features like touch pin placement and slope-adjusted distance. And don't worry, there's a tournament mode you can toggle on to disable the slope functionality when needed.

At home or the driving range, you can turn on swing tempo practice to hone a consistent swing tempo. When the watch face turns red, you're swinging too fast. When it turns yellow, you're swinging too slowly. When it's blue, your swing tempo is just right.

In the Voice Caddie app, you'll be able to review a log of past scorecards, shot tracking data, round statistics and more to review your performance and figure out what you need to work on.

This is a great golf watch for the golfer  whose main goal is gathering data they can use to optimize their practice sessions. While it's useful during a round, it's not as robust as the Garmin or Bushnell golf watches on this list. But its powerful tracking and analysis features are accurate and detailed enough that you can definitely use this to improve your swing and identify the skills that need work.

Get the Voice Caddie T9 for $350.

Top features of the Voice Caddie Hybrid T9:

• With a responsive touchscreen, it's easy to place pins where you need them.
• It offers accurate slope-adjusted distance to the pin.
• It's easy to turn Tournament mode on and off to disable the slope and GPS functionality as needed.
• Swing Tempo Practice mode helps you hone a consistent and controlled swing tempo.
• Robust shot and putt tracking data is stored in the app so you can review past games to pinpoint what skills you need to practice.

Best golf watch on a budget: Shot Scope G5

The Shot Scope G5 is the best golf watch you'll find under $150. It's lightweight, easy to navigate and packs just enough features to help golfers  improve their game. More than 36,000 golf course maps are preloaded on the watch. Though, there's no automatic course detection so you'll have to select the right map yourself.

During the game, you'll get an on-wrist scorecard and detailed shot tracking so you'll have all the data you need for a post-mortem after the game. You'll also be able to see hazard information, distance and other essential data to help you plan your shot.

While it's a bit more basic than the other golf  watches on this list, all of the essentials are there and the price point is hard to beat. So if you want a budget-friendly option that still packs enough features to be useful, the Shot Scope G5 is the golf watch for you.

Right now, the budget-friendly watch is on sale at Amazon and the PGA Tour Superstore. Get it for $130 instead of $150.

Top features of the Shot Scope G5:

• More than 36,000 golf course maps are preloaded onto the watch.
• This golf watch has all the essential features golfers need, like hazard information, distance, shot tracking and a digital scorecard.
• It's lightweight and sporty enough to wear as your off-course watch.

More top-rated golf watches

• A large screen and rangefinder-like accuracy: Skytrak LX5, $250 (reduced from $300)
• Detailed shot-tracking for post-game analysis: Shot Scope X5, $300
• A budget-friendly Garmin golf watch: Garmin Approach S42, $300
• Ultra-stylish and ultra-advanced luxury golf watch: Tag Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition, $1,950