SHiC Talk: Can flexibility really increase swing speed?

Hi all,

We have all heard that flexibility is important in golf, and that increasing flexibility can have a direct positive impact on swing speed.

I found a set of exercises designed to increase flexibility (see link below)

http://www.menshealth.com/fitness/flexibility-exercises

Apparently, if you can commit to doing these exercises 3-5 times a week for 30 days, you'll see a difference on the course.

I am going to try out these exercises religiously for a month and see if it really translates into increased swing speed.

Anybody else wants to join me?

i dont think flexibility increases swing speed by much, but the key is that flexibility allows for a wider arc which could translate to longer distances...

I think you can compensate human flexibility with getting a club with very flex shaft.

You are better off than trying to make the body more flexible..

I am currently using a very flexible shaft..
Try it... and you know what i mean..

With very flex shaft club..
You can gain more distance in a very easy and effortless way..
But there is also a drawback..
Your swing must have mastered till rather straight as any incorrect swing movement will also result in the ball going to places that you don't want to go..

i'm going to assume that you are not a very experienced golfer...

any golfer worth his or her salt would understand the concept that an overly flexible shaft would cause a greater dispersion and there is really no point in driving the ball 300m to the left or right is there?

Your not really compensating flexibility per se. But your probably just using your arms more in your golf swing which is probably why it benefits you to use a softer shaft! Hope it helps

Lisy wrote:

I think you can compensate human flexibility with getting a club with very flex shaft.

You are better off than trying to make the body more flexible..

I am currently using a very flexible shaft..
Try it... and you know what i mean..

With very flex shaft club..
You can gain more distance in a very easy and effortless way..
But there is also a drawback..
Your swing must have mastered till rather straight as any incorrect swing movement will also result in the ball going to places that you don't want to go..

This is something unheard of... But wow.. mind boggling. Maybe I can understand if it works on most lady amateurs , but men ? I dun think so.. most of us like loading the shafts when we transit to our downswing. Be it at 85 or 115 mph, there will be quick change in direction...

Nobody wants a too flexible shaft ..the head will go all over the shop. It's like playing toto , u.dunno where the face is going to end up on impact.

BTW were u a ballerina before ? If u did maybe u can get the grace and tempo and apply it to the swing... Most of us guys here are not so graceful la... Coz we play our marbles instead...

shamusan wrote:

i dont think flexibility increases swing speed by much, but the key is that flexibility allows for a wider arc which could translate to longer distances...

That's the fun part of doing experiments. Theory is well and good ... I mean we have all heard so much about the importance of flexibility in golf, and it is clear that Tour players are much more flexible that the average golfer. But does it mean that if an average golfer like myself were to increase his flexibility, would it really benefit i.e. increase swing speed?

However, a larger sample size normally translates to a more meaningful experiment, so if more members of SHiC (or any other club) would like to join in this experiment as well, I would really appreciate it. We can also encourage each other to keep up with the exercises.

Just did my first session last night. Everywhere is really tight, but the hamstrings are really bad. Also, the sides of my torso can't seem to stretch much either. Skipped the dumb bell exercise and swiss ball exercise cos I was doing it on my bed. Actually very relaxing.

Let's see if stretching gets easier tonight.

flexible shaft = more distance??



i think we went through this a few times liao...

I think it's just about being able to load the shaft for maximum kick. Then it boils
Down to how efficient your swing is. I'm sure someone like Ernie els Could easily load a softer shaft and maintain reasonable dispersion. Tiger woods however...

if you want increase swing speed & club head speed try strengthen your core , gluts and increase stability with your legs . To be able to increase swing speed you need to have a swing with the correct sequence which is lower body , upper body and then arms ,but most of us will use upper body , lower body and arm which slow the club-head speed and decrease the X- Factor which is all the power source in the swing. the x-factor in simple way is the stretch between lower body and the upper body and arm during the downswing. I'll advice to go on K-vest this is were all the data during your swing is gather from posture to follow through and will tell you what you need to improve to get more consistency and power in your swing.

here is the website : http://www.k-vest.com/ , i'm not sure there is availibility in singapore


Another way is to go see a physiotherapist specify in golf so he will give you excercise routine to improve your body strength and flexibility adapting on your swing .

Day 2 of experiment:

Some of the stretches are getting easier, especially the hamstring one. Amazing what a difference a day makes, however, still pretty tight overall.

Let's see what happens after a week.