That sprinter running with a parachute behind him. Or the sprinter who is running uphill or even through sand. Sweat and tears all over the place. Yes, exactly what just all sports- Hollywood movies put into scene. Training that looked like enhancing something sport specific, speed or strength. We all know those images...
But what if Hollywood just tricked us?
What if this is just how the producers wanted to express perseverance, resilience & intensity?
What if this was all just for mental toughness put into action?
What if for real athleticism this training method actually slowed athletes down?
Made them more prone to injuries?
And what if the golf culture just copied this Hollywood like & Navy Seal type training and developers saw a chance to create tools that were sold to enhance (fake) speed?
But, what if you knew there was a different effective scientifically proven method to achieve speed gains in your swing?
Would you still prefer to run uphill with a weighted vest?
Or make swings with heavy kettlebells?
A lot of golfers still would.
And I totally get it.
Training for speed isn’t something that you just happen to do without a full process (think of the TPI screening) of movement development involved, great recovery strategies and highly qualified professional coaching in place.
And even more so, perhaps you still get instructed to swing with a weighted medicine ball, weights attached to clubs or one of those fan clubs so you believe it doesn't make any difference.
Let me ask you this...
If I would make you play a round of golf in a tournament with a set of clubs and ball, back from the 70's...you would call me crazy and definitely old fashioned! Well, the ones who still instruct to "swing heavy" for clubheadspeed gains are actually the old fashioned ones. Just like the technology of the game and clubs have extremely evolved over the past decades, so has the research about speed training.
And to be clear:
- I'm not talking about the weight of the club
- there's sometimes a different purpose when good coaches make you use a weight on the club during a swing lesson, but then they are CLEAR about the intent of it
- heavy strength training DOES have fantastic benefits for golfers
There is so much to gain from leaving this old fashioned misinterpretation behind. And to really tap into the latest new research on speed training. This method by the way is called overspeed training.
The definition of overspeed training is:
overspeed training works to increase the neuromuscular reaction speed of a known motor program by reducing the load during the movement allowing the body to move faster than normal.
Earlier this year I already published THIS article about the NEED FOR SPEED (Dutch).
But I’d rather you make true impact by deciding to act on this best-known strategy that is at your disposal to enhance your swing speed, create more distance with your clubs, feel lighter in your swing and truly play to your full potential. Because without action, nothing changes.
One immediate action golfers can start to take is by letting go of swinging with 2 clubs during a warming up in an attempt and (unconscious) good intention to gain speed.
To simplify the overspeed training principle:
Want to run faster? Sprint downhill.
Want to run slower? Sprint uphill.
Want to swing faster? Swing faster.
Want to swing slower and increase overuse injuries? Swing with heavy weights.
One of the ways I like to train speed for the golfswing with my clients are sprints & superspeed clubs.
Finally:
Not every successful golfer needs to focus on speed training. It all depends on the unique situation the body is in.
Don't do anything you don't like if you don't want to.
But please ask yourself: Am I sabotaging myself and game here?
Is there a fear of going against old rooted golf fitness ideas?
How can I intensify & clarify my training intention of speed?
The modern game does require full athletic capacity for golfers to be successful.
And...
How many rounds played with back pain do I still want that myth to cost me?
Are you ready to learn how to play effortlessly and raise your results to the next level?
My exclusive one on one remote coaching program opens new spots for 2021!
Email info@lpgolfperformance.nl if you’re serious about creating a change and I can’t wait to help you to the best of my abilities :)
From Golfers Magazine Golf Fitness Instructions: June 2020.
Liesbeth Pauwels
B. Kinesiology, University of British Columbia
Titleist Performance Institute certified
SuperSpeed Level 3 certified
Registered Yoga Teacher
