Gain 20 Yards: Swing Speed and Distance Training for Every Golfer
More distance off the tee means shorter approaches, lower scores and more fun on the course. Yet many amateurs swing too hard and see only a few extra yards, or worse, lose accuracy. The secret to gaining serious yardage is improving swing speed without sacrificing control. In this guide you’ll learn why speed training works, how to implement it safely and how to use proven drills and training aids to add 20 yards or more to your drives. We’ll also plug the best tools from FinalPutt: each designed to accelerate your progress and convert speed into yardage.
Why More Distance Matters
Distance is more than bragging rights. Adding 10 yards off the tee helps most golfers gain strokes. A longer drive means a shorter approach shot: even from the rough, hitting wedge instead of a mid-iron makes it easier to hit the green. Overspeed training, teaching your muscles to move faster, helps generate clubhead speed, which in turn produces more ball speed and longer shots. The good news is that distance training isn’t just for elite players, everyday golfers can follow simple protocols to see gains.
Understanding Swing Speed and Distance
Swing speed refers to how fast the clubhead travels during your swing. Each additional mile per hour (mph) of swing speed generally produces 2–3 yards of extra distance. Speed is influenced by three factors:
Technique: Grip, posture and sequencing all affect how efficiently you transfer energy to the ball. A smooth, fluid motion maximises clubhead speed.
Fitness: A strong core and flexible muscles allow you to rotate faster and maintain balance.
Equipment: The right shaft and club head help you load and unload speed efficiently. Properly fitted clubs and training aids ensure you’re using the right tools for your ability.
Optimising all three areas will help you unlock speed safely, and the drills and tools below will accelerate the process.
Perfect Your Foundation: Technique & Mechanics
Before swinging harder, fix the fundamentals. Many golfers lose speed because of inefficient movement: proper mechanics allow you to swing faster without getting out of control. Focus on these basics:
1. Grip and Wrist Angles
A neutral grip lets you hinge the club properly and release it at the right moment. If your grip is too weak or strong, you’ll fight the clubface and lose power. To build the correct grip instantly, use the Perfect Grip Pro. This mould clips onto any club and positions your hands so you can see two to two-and-a-half knuckles on the lead hand and have the V’s pointing toward the trail shoulder. Because grip is the foundation of every swing, correcting it can immediately unlock more speed and consistency.
👉 Fix your grip with Perfect Grip Pro.
Proper wrist hinge is equally important. A flat/bowed lead wrist stores energy on the backswing, while a cupped wrist opens the face and robs power. The Wrist Trainer Pro gently guides your wrist into the correct positions from takeaway to impact. This leads to more clubface control and a powerful release.
👉 Master wrist angles with Wrist Trainer Pro.
2. Stay Connected & Sequence from the Ground Up
Power comes from sequencing your body correctly. Start the downswing with your legs and core and let your arms follow. If your arms “fly” away from your body you’ll lose lag and speed. The Connection Band keeps your elbows tucked against your torso and encourages proper rotation. It’s perfect for preventing the dreaded “chicken wing” and creating the unified motion Tour players use.
👉 Feel connected with the Connection Band.
3. Build a Strong, Balanced Setup
Swing speed starts with a solid setup. Distribute your weight over the balls of your feet, hinge at the hips (not the waist) and keep your spine straight. Use a slightly wider stance when you want more power and angle your trail shoulder lower with longer clubs. The Foldable Alignment Sticks are a simple way to check your foot, hip and shoulder alignment as well as ball position. Proper alignment lets you swing freely and efficiently.
Speed Training: How to Add 20 Yards (or More)
Adding distance isn’t about swinging out of your shoes. It’s about training your body and brain to move faster through overspeed protocols, tempo drills and sequencing exercises.
Overspeed Training Explained
Overspeed training is a form of neuromuscular conditioning. By swinging a lighter club faster than normal, you teach your brain and muscles to move at higher speeds. The concept, popularised by tour-level programs, is now available to everyday golfers. Key benefits include:
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More clubhead speed = more distance: Faster swing speed produces higher ball speed, which adds yardage.
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Score improvement: Players who add 10 yards or more off the tee are far more likely to gain strokes.
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Efficient practice: Speed sessions take just 15–20 minutes, 3–4 times per week, and within 8–12 weeks you should see noticeable improvements.
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Better swing mechanics: Overspeed training not only increases swing speed but also improves consistency and ball flight.
Drills to Build Speed
These drills combine overspeed concepts with other speed-building techniques. Incorporate them into your practice routine 3–4 times per week.
Step-and-Swing Drill: Stand with your feet together, step toward the target with your lead foot and then swing. This drill improves weight transfer and teaches your legs to lead. Use the Velocity Grip to monitor tempo; its audible click occurs at top speed, helping you time your transition perfectly.
👉 Train tempo and speed with Velocity Grip.
Speed Stick / OverSpeed Drill: Use a lighter swing trainer or even your driver with the head removed. Make 3–5 rapid swings focusing on speed, rest for 30 seconds and repeat. Overspeed swings train your neuromuscular system to move faster. Add resistance with the Connection Band or Swing Signal to keep your arms connected and posture stable.
Resistance Band & Sequence Drill: Attach resistance bands (or use the Connection Band) to simulate the feel of heavier clubs. Swing slowly against resistance, then remove the resistance and swing normally, you’ll feel lighter and faster.
Explosive Hip Rotation Drill: With a slightly wider stance, take a short backswing and rapidly rotate your hips through impact. This teaches you to generate power from the ground and core. Combine this drill with the Impact Stick so your hands stay ahead of the clubhead at impact, ensuring all that extra speed compresses the ball.
Tempo Rope Sessions: The Tempo Rope helps you feel where maximum speed should happen: just before impact. Training with the rope optimises timing, boosts swing speed, eliminates early casting and over-the-top swings, protects your joints and muscles and suits all skill levels.
👉 Boost speed and sequence with the Tempo Rope.
Turner Pro Tune-up: If you’re struggling to coordinate your backswing and downswing, the Turner Pro can help. This device trains a perfect backswing and ideal impact position while boosting clubhead speed; users report gaining 10–20 yards off the tee. Incorporate a few Turner Pro swings into your speed sessions to reinforce the correct positions and add immediate speed.
A Simple Speed-Training Schedule
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Warm-Up (5 minutes): Dynamic stretches and a few swings with the Velocity Grip.
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Step-and-Swing Drill (5 minutes): 10–15 repetitions to engage lower-body speed.
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OverSpeed Swings (5 minutes): 3 sets of 5 swings with a light club or training stick.
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Resistance + Impact Drill (5 minutes): Practice with the Connection Band and Impact Stick to maintain proper sequence and compress the ball.
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Tempo Rope Finisher (5 minutes): 10 swings focusing on releasing speed at the right moment.
Repeat this program three times per week. You’ll build speed gradually and minimise risk of injury.
Strength & Mobility: Build Your Power Source
Raw speed comes from muscles and mobility. A strong core, glutes and shoulders allow you to rotate faster while maintaining balance. Incorporate exercises such as medicine-ball throws, rotary planks and squats into your off-course routine. Flexibility work, stretching hips, thoracic spine and shoulders, allows a bigger coil and faster uncoil. For golfers who need help staying connected and building muscle memory, the Unity Ball provides an instant power boost: this inflatable aid sits between your arms and ensures perfect arm, body connection while fixing the “chicken wing” and building unstoppable consistency. Another excellent training aid is the FlexClub, a flexible shaft you can swing 10–15 times per day to build strength and flexibility, correct rhythm and fight slices; its moulded grip provides instant feedback and positions your hands correctly. Combine strength and mobility work with overspeed training and you’ll amplify your gains.
👉 Train connection and consistency with Unity Ball
👉 Build strength and rhythm with the FlexClub
Equipment & Ball Flight: Optimise Your Gear
Even with more speed, poorly fitted clubs can rob you of distance. A driver with too little loft or the wrong shaft flex can cause excess spin or launch angle issues. Visit a club fitter to ensure your driver matches your swing speed, attack angle and desired ball flight. FinalPutt doesn’t sell drivers, but we do offer aids that help you deliver the club correctly:
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Impact Stick: Forces your hands ahead of the clubhead at impact, ensuring you compress the ball and maximise energy transfer.
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Divot Tutor: Provides instant visual feedback on your swing path and low point. It shows whether you’re hitting ball first and can help you optimise strike for maximum distance.
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Swing Hinge: Trains the perfect wrist hinge and prevents casting, letting you retain lag longer and release speed at the right time.
Put It All Together: Your Distance Blueprint
To truly gain 20 yards, approach your training holistically:
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Fix your fundamentals: Perfect your grip, wrist hinge and posture using the Perfect Grip Pro, Wrist Trainer Pro, Connection Band and Foldable Alignment Sticks.
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Implement speed drills: Follow the weekly program outlined above using the Velocity Grip, Tempo Rope, Turner Pro and Impact Stick. These tools work together to increase speed, sequence your swing and reinforce ideal backswing and impact positions.
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Strengthen your body: Commit to two or three strength and mobility workouts per week; strong muscles swing faster. Use aids like the Unity Ball to maintain arm-body connection and develop a powerful coil and the FlexClub to build strength and rhythm with just a few daily swings.
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Monitor your strike: Use the Divot Tutor to ensure you’re striking the ball first and compressing it; combine with the Swing Signal for audible feedback on arm position.
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Stay consistent: Speed training requires patience. Most golfers see gains in 8–12 weeks. Keep sessions short but frequent and trust the process.
👉 Shop the training aids here>>
Final Call to Action
Adding 20 yards doesn’t happen by accident: it’s the result of purposeful practice, proper mechanics and the right tools. The training aids from FinalPutt are designed to accelerate your progress and make every practice session count. Whether you’re fine-tuning your grip with the Perfect Grip Pro, mastering your wrist angles with the Wrist Trainer Pro, or building lightning-fast speed with the Tempo Rope and Velocity Grip, our products will help you achieve your goals faster.
👉 Ready to start hitting it longer? Explore our full swing-speed collection now>> and pick up the tools that will unlock your distance potential. Your best drives, and your lowest scores, are just a few reps away.
