Golf Speed Training: 5 Proven Tips to Add 10-15 Yards

Are you ready to outdrive your buddies, lower your handicap, and play more consistently? If so, you need to focus on golf speed training! 

Otherwise, you’re going to make golf a lot harder. Here’s the thing, there is a direct correlation between lower handicaps and longer drivers.

When you add speed and hit it longer, golf gets a lot easier. But how should you go about it? Bulk up like Bryson, swing faster, use apps, get lessons, or something else?

I’ll share what I’ve learned and used in my own game to swing at 113 mph consistently. 

Golf Speed Training - 5 Proven Strategies 

While speed training is important, you also need the right equipment and practice habits. To help guide you in your quest for more speed, here are five strategies from my book, Wicked Smart Golf II: The Blueprint to Breaking 80 Consistently. 

1. Dial in Your Driver

Your driver is one of the most important clubs in your bag when it comes to maximizing distance. Let me ask, is your driver fit for you? 

Instead of blaming your technique, you might be surprised how small tweaks to your driver can dramatically improve both your distance and accuracy off the tee. Here are some actionable ways to hit your driver longer: 

Adjust Loft

Many golfers don’t play with enough loft on their driver, leading to poor launch angles and insufficient spin. The goal is to achieve high launch with low spin for maximum carry and roll. 

If your ball tends to fall out of the air or lacks carry, you might need to increase your loft. Experiment on a launch monitor or work with a club fitter to find the sweet spot where you maximize your distance potential.

Fine-Tune the Shaft

The shaft is often referred to as the engine of the club, and for good reason. A properly fitted shaft can dramatically enhance consistency and clubhead speed.

If your drives are inconsistent, consider working with a club fitter to evaluate the flex, weight, and length of your shaft. A better-fitted shaft can improve swing mechanics, increase speed, and make your drives more effortless.

Shorten the Shaft

While it may seem counterintuitive, a slightly shorter driver shaft can actually help you hit the ball farther. Why? 

A shorter shaft improves your ability to strike the center of the clubface, which is critical for maximizing ball speed. Even if you lose a fraction of swing speed, better contact often results in longer, more consistent drives.

Remember, the driver is your distance weapon, and dialing it in is one of the fastest ways to lower your scores. Experiment with these tweaks, work with a fitter if needed, and you’ll soon see big gains in your game!

2. Test Out Speed Trainers

The second strategy is to add speed with a speed trainer. Speed trainers like Rypstick, SuperSpeed, and The Stack System are specifically designed to help you swing faster by conditioning your body and nervous system to move at higher speeds. 

These tools rely on overspeed training, a proven method where lighter and heavier clubs are used to rewire your brain and body for faster swing speeds. Over time, this type of training not only increases your speed but makes your normal swing feel more natural and powerful.

By training with lighter and heavier clubs, your brain adapts to faster swing speeds, making your regular swing feel easier and more powerful. After testing them all out, I firmly believe that Rypstick is the best golf speed trainer.

Why?

• Portable. 
• Simple to use.
• Designed for all skill levels. 
• Options for men, women, juniors and seniors. 
• Has adjustable weights and a driver-length design, it provides a seamless transition to your regular swing.

Using a speed trainer just 20 minutes a few times a week can lead to significant distance gains in as little as 30 days. Use the code “WICKEDSMART” to save 10% on your Rypstick speed trainer. 

3. Speed-Only Practice Sessions

Having the right driver and a speed trainer like Rypstick is key, but now you need to practice swinging faster with your club. This is why you want to add in some speed only sessions. 

The goal is simple - swing harder and don’t worry about accuracy. These sessions involve swinging as hard as possible for 10–15 balls to train your body to move faster.

Here’s how:

• Warm up properly from wedges to irons, woods, and drivers. 
• Dedicate a certain number of balls (start with 15) and swing hard without worrying about accuracy.
• Use a speed radar or launch monitor to track progress.
• Work up to hitting more balls (it’s been said Bryson was doing 150-200 at a time during his peak speed session, but I don’t recommend this)!

Incorporate 1–2 speed-only sessions per week into your practice routine, and you’ll see steady improvements in clubhead speed.

4. Turbocharge Your Tempo with Tour Tempo

Tempo is the glue that holds your golf swing together, and the Tour Tempo app is one of the best tools for improving it. I recommend the app to all my mental golf coaching students and podcast listeners as it can transform your game.

Here’s the thing, after doing extensive research, it’s clear that amateurs swing the club too slowly. Most pros swing the club in one second, while amateurs are 1.5 to 3.0 seconds. Unless you have perfect mechanics like Colin Morikawa, you likely need to swing it faster.

When I started swinging faster and having better tempo, my sequencing improved and increased swing speed. Using the app to train a 3:1 tempo will do wonders, but you can also use it for speed training specifically.

• After warming up, use the app to hit drivers at your 3:1 timing (I like 24:8).
• Change timing to 18:6 or 21:7 to feel a faster swing.
• Don’t worry about the results, just focus on speed. 

Use Tour Tempo during speed training sessions to refine your rhythm and add speed without sacrificing control.

5. The 12-Ball Blast Off Drill

The final golf speed training strategy is a simple yet effective drill that is perfect for ending your range sessions with a focus on speed. I learned about this technique from Scott Fawcett of DECADE Golf, who got it from PGA Tour player Max Greyserman. 

Here’s how it works: 

• Warm up and go through a normal driving range or SIM session.
• At the end of your session, hit 10 drivers as hard as possible. 
• Then finish with two controlled swings to reset your tempo.

The drill pushes your limits, helping you develop speed naturally while reinforcing balance and accuracy. Incorporate this drill into your practice regularly for sustained speed and distance gains.

The 12-Ball Blast Off Drill is easy to implement and doesn’t require extra equipment, making it an excellent addition to any practice session.

Don’t Forget About Fitness

While I know the tips above will help you gain speed and hit it longer, don’t forget about proper fitness. You don’t need to bulk up like Bryson, but you want to make sure to avoid injury and allow your body to add more speed.

Here’s how:

• Strength train 2-3x a week using a full body split, focusing on big muscles like legs, chest, back, and shoulders.
• Spend a majority of your time on compound movements like squats, deadlifts, bench press, rows, and presses. 
• On the other days, focus on mobility and stability. The Golf Forever app makes it easy to focus on golf specific exercises and a great way to warm up for the round. 

Closing Thoughts 

Golf speed training is one of the most effective ways to transform your game, and the strategies outlined above prove you don’t need hours of practice or complex swing changes to see results. Whether you’re fine-tuning your driver, using a speed trainer like Rypstick, or incorporating speed-only drills, consistent effort will lead to longer drives and lower scores.

Ready to unlock your full potential? Start by getting the right driver and train with Rypstick. Remember, all it takes is 20 minutes a few times per week to see massive improvements. 

Paired with the practice drills above, you’ll add speed faster than ever. Don’t forget to read Wicked Smart Golf II for even more strategies to play better without technical swing changes.