Most golfers are seeking extra distance in the game of golf.
However, there are times when it could be an advantage to hit a less than full club.
Most golfers find the ongoing battle of accuracy vs distance. While speed vs accuracy doesn’t have to be an either or situation, often times swinging slower can help the golfer straighten his or her shot out.
Golfers seeking to slow their golf swing down are usually doing so for the following reasons:
- They are trying to hit a fairway finder with their driver.
- They are between distances with their irons.
- They want to be smooth with their wedges.
- Their extra hard swing is causing accuracy issues.
- Someone told them they were swinging too fast.
If you want to swing slower, we have some tips below. Go ahead and test them out and see what works for your game. Golf is ultimately a game of building different feels you can use throughout the 4 hour journey that is your round of golf.
How To Slow My Golf Swing Down?
The golfer has several options if they are trying to slow their swing down. These include starting the swing slower, keeping the arms connected to the body and trying to stay smooth through the shot.
Below, I will dive into each of the 3 options above to help you take the game to the next level.
Option #1: Start Slower
If you want to increase your swing speed, one of the best ways to do so is to swing with a faster tempo. This includes starting your backswing quicker and maintaining a 3:1 ratio with your tempo.
So to slow our swing down, we will want to start back slower and allow the arms and body to move away from the golf ball together. This slower tempo will reduce your swing speed, which may be needed for a variety of reasons.
To test this, head to your local driving range and do the following:
- Hit 5 drivers with your normal swing.
- Hit 5 drivers and intentionally create a slower backswing.
Do you notice a difference? You might feel more controlled with the slower backswing, but might lose some distance. For some golfers, the increased accuracy might be worth the loss in distance.
Option #2: Keep The Arms and Body Connected
At some point the faster swingers of the golf club have a separation between the body and the arms and as the arms go flying past the body. This can create some excellent speed.
If you are trying to slow your swing down to flight a wedge into a pin placement or simply make solid contact and ensure the ball stays on the correct line, you will want to keep a more connected feeling in your swing.
I find this swing very helpful with shots under 110 yards with my wedges as distance control and accuracy are the key here. A nice smooth swing where you stay connected can be highly efficient for the wedge game.
To test this, head to your local driving range and do the following:
- Hit 5 shots with your normal wedge swing.
- Hit 5 shots with a connected feel.
It may take some time to adjust to the feeling and make solid contact, but they key here is enough practice and then dialing with the distance with your wedges on a variety of swing lengths.
Option #3: Stay Smooth
Many golfers try to give it a little extra at or just before the golf ball. This can lead to some wild inconsistencies, but creates plenty of potential extra speed.
The golfer trying to slow their swing down will want to stay smooth through the shot. Thinking smooth and good tempo is a great way to slow the swing down. You will maximize your ball speed by more than likely hitting the center of the face, but your swing speed might slow down.
Next Steps: Measure Your Swing
I would highly recommend testing out these different options and getting some data on what is taking place in your swing. There are really simply swing speed radar devices on the market that are affordable and can give some decent feedback.
If you want to step your game up to the next level, I would highly recommend a Skytrak Launch Monitor which will give you the following data:
- Carry and Total Distance
- Swing and Ball Speed
- Spin Rate
- Launch Angle
- Spin Axis
Building a swing that will last a lifetime starts with getting feedback during your practice sessions. With the different swings you might be building you will want to know the following:
- How far did the ball fly?
- What was your ball speed and swing speed?
- Did your adjustment cause extra curve or were you more accurate?
I have found my Skytrak Launch Monitor to be a great addition to my game and I can use in my golf simulator setup, at the driving range and I have taken it to the golf course on occasion!
My Secret To Golf Improvement
Let’s face it, in order to get really good at golf, we must practice frequently. About five 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: