T-Time Podcast // Ep. 67: (Part 2) Distance Series: WHAT Does Gaining Distance & Speed Really Look Like with Andrew Hannon
Andrew graced us with an illuminating exploration of his unique 8-step strategy for boosting distance and speed, uncovering fascinating insights that will intrigue and challenge your assumptions about golf and fitness.
He digs deep, asking the tough questions that most shy away from, providing us with a fresh perspective on how to approach golf, fitness, and the strategies for optimizing performance.
Who will benefit from Andrew's philosophy? ANYONE! Join us in this dynamic discussion, as Andrew breaks down the complexities of gaining speed into manageable, comprehensible parts. From the first consultation, through rounds on the course and gym sessions, he neatly decodes what gaining momentum translates to for each person.
Step 1: Establish a Technique Plan and a Baseline with Your Swing Coach
Kick-starting your journey to stronger drives and longer distances begins, not in the gym or on the track, but in a meeting with your swing coach. Your coach's knowledge and insight will be invaluable as you formulate a customized technique plan tailored to increase your personal swing speed. Whether it involves enhancing your swing path, adjusting your club face angle at impact, or learning entirely new skills, your coach will guide you in mastering the requisite techniques.
More than just offering professional advice, your coach will help you establish a baseline, a measurable starting point to gauge your progress. This typically features numerical data gleaned from your coach's swing monitor system or a similar tracking tool. In this way, you can benchmark your present performance (including factors like smash factor), providing a clear-cut, quantifiable goal to strive for. With a better understanding of your current abilities and a tailor-made plan for improvement, you can confidently start on this exciting, game-changing venture. The more you know about where you are now, the better you'll be able to plan and measure your path to gaining more golfing distance.
Step 2: Setting Goals and Expectations
The second step is setting tangible goals and establishing realistic expectations. This involves working closely with your swing coach and reflecting on what's important to you in terms of your golfing performance. It's essential to consider how long this journey will take - you might see an increase in distance in around four to six weeks, but significant changes may take up to six months or even a year. So, patience is a virtue!
This process also requires an in-depth understanding of the time you're willing to invest in improving this part of your game. It's all about, planning and commitment - knowing your schedule for the next three to five weeks is crucial, so you can allocate enough time to work on your swing speed and accuracy. For instance, it's unrealistic to expect noticeable results after one lesson and a week's practice if you're going out of town for two weeks afterward. Planning your sessions and setting goals provide a roadmap, allowing you to adjust your strategy along the way. Remember, consistency is key – dedicating at least three to five weeks can make a noticeable difference and lay a solid foundation for further improvement.
Step 3: Monitor Progress Using Radar or Re-Testing
On your journey, harnessing technology as a tool for measuring and tracking your progress is paramount. This is why step three involves finding access to a radar tool or frequently meeting with your swing coach to periodically re-test your numbers. Don't be a golfer who steps into the field blindly and attempts to gauge progress based on feeling alone. As Andrew suggests, establish an optimal time for either purchasing a monitoring system that you can use for weekly testing, or make a regular appointment to visit your coach. This way, you will gather vital data that will give you insight into where you're headed and the adjustments you need to make.
How do you go about this? Well, he recommends that you always reach out to your instructor if you're interested in using a launch monitor to measure your swing speed. Besides, inexpensive pocket launch monitors such as the PRGR exist. These tools are great for continuously re-checking your swing speed.
With your radar at hand and monitoring in place, you're primed to move to the next stage. Here we place all our discussions into actual practice - this is where everything we've talked about takes on real meaning.
Step 4: Empower Yourself to Swing as Fast as Possible
The fourth step to gaining distance in golf is learning to swing as fast as you can. This might sound counter-intuitive given golf's focus on technique and precision The fact is that to increase distance, you must increase speed. A simple way to think about it is this - the faster you can swing your club, the further the ball can potentially travel.
The wisdom in this approach is not in simply swinging recklessly, but in gradually increasing your swing speed in a controlled manner. This gives you the chance to find your new '100%,' which means your fastest possible swing speed that you can control. As you get better at this, your '80%' or '85%' swing (what you use during a regular round of golf) will consequently get faster, equating to more distance.
Keep in mind that this is a gradual process. It’s not recommended to jump into it without properly consulting with a coach or golf fitness professional and establishing a baseline swing speed. Having a safety-minded approach is key, as swinging aggressively without proper preparation could lead to injuries. A health and fitness routine will help ensure that your body is conditioned and ready to take on this new approach.
Step 5: Implementing Physical Tools and Strength Training
Reaching step five, it's now time to start incorporating physical tools into our game plan. Once you've established your first four steps and your plan is firmly in place, it's time to discuss with your trainer about the added benefits of strength training, power, and rotational exercises in your workout regime.
If you don't have access to a trainer or are based in a remote location where such services aren't readily available, don't worry. There is a wide array of workouts and exercises, with more than 400 posts available to guide you. Many golf trainers have a deep sense of community and can be easily found, even if they are spread across different parts of the world.
Remember, you don't necessarily have to work with someone specifically experienced in golf. Should that be the case, merely mention to them that you wish to start adding rotational movements and strength-building exercises to your regimen. Even if your current exercises lean more towards HIIT-style circuit training, you'll find the additional specific focus on strength and power beneficial in preparing your body for the intensity of training you'll be doing on the course. It might seem like a different approach, but trust me, it will yield the results you want!
Step 6: Integrating the progress you've made into actual gameplay
As a golfer, it's critical to know beforehand which holes you plan to tackle with the newly developed power and speed from your training. Rather than hoping that something will miraculously happen, it's a good idea to identify short par fours or par fives on the scorecard before the round. Consider these holes your opportunity to test out your enhanced swing on the course.
Whether you're playing in a competitive setting or just with friends, these carefully chosen holes will be your playground to really let loose and see the results of your rigorous training regime. This does not mean you should abandon the technique, but rather not hold back - commit to seizing this opportunity with a little extra force.
When choosing these holes, try to pick the ones that you are most comfortable with. For instance, if you are playing at a familiar course, it may be more strategic to select a par five that has a wider fairway for you to attack. Don't burden yourself with the pressure of outcome here, the goal is simply to put your improved swing into practice and observe the result. The results you obtain, whether they are successes or learning opportunities, will help to inform and further enhance your training regimen.
Think of step 6 as a fun experiment – it's about taking the training wheels off and seeing how far you can go!
Step 7: Implement Speed Tools With Consistency and Regular Tracking
After a focused four to six weeks of adhering to the key strategies, it's time to move on to Step 7, which is the implementation of speed tools. But the effect of speed tools will only reflect if you've been consistent with the previously mentioned strategies and your swing technique has not been compromised. The use of a radar system or a tracking device becomes indispensable at this stage, as you don't want to merely swing blindly and risk fatigue or potential injury.
You'll need to make sure your physical conditioning is good and tailor your training schedule around your daily life and any potential health issues, such as back or neck pain. For example, you can dedicate specific days for training in the gym and working on short game. It's also important to include days dedicated to normal practice and speed session days at the range with optimum recovery time in between. This will ensure you're always at your physical peak and not risking fatigue or injury.
You also need to be practical and keep in mind other priorities such as health, lifestyle, seasons, and your personal comfort. An effective implementation of speed tools requires a smart and thorough plan, a keen understanding of your body's condition, and strategic scheduling. Rest, recovery, sleep, and hydration are equally important aspects that can't be ignored for the successful execution of this module in your golf training. As you advance in this stage, continue to keep track of progress and adjust as needed for optimal results.
What is the Effective Way to Train Fast Twitch Muscles?
Fast twitch muscles can be effectively trained through intense activities that require explosive force. Andrew explores this concept, explaining the misconception that certain gym activities, such as quick movements with a heavy rope, are primarily targeting fast twitch muscles. He clarifies that while these exercises could be beneficial at first, they quickly turn into mere cardio exercises due to the ensuing fatigue factor that hinders progress.
Instead, he advocates for activities designed to stimulate explosive force production to effectively train the fast twitch muscles. These include different kinds of activities that engage the muscles dynamically, such as throwing a medicine ball against a wall, and jumping exercises. He emphasizes the importance of correct form and controlled speed, using common gym equipment like dumbbells, kettlebells, and barbells. These activities, according to Andrew, are more beneficial in developing the fast twitch muscle fibers over time.
The Three Strike Method
Andrew outlines the "three-strike method," an exercise meant to improve swing velocity through a process of trial and error. The essence of the method involves pushing your limits with each swing, tracking your speed, and understanding when you need to take breaks or adjust your technique. Keeping track of your swing speed and its progression is critical, and Andrew suggests applying this method at the beginning of a training session for the best results.
Progression through Practice
Moving into more specific training advice, Andrew provides a detailed guideline for driving swing practice. He suggests beginning the session with five warmup swings, followed by five moderately competitive swings, and finally five all-out swings. This phased approach allows you to incrementally increase the intensity of your swing while monitoring your speed. Andrew likens this process to strength training, emphasizing the need to start from a baseline and gradually raise the bar, both in terms of speed and the strength displayed in each swing.
Importance of Progression and Intent in Increasing Speed
Andrew emphasizes the significance of intent and progression in enhancing speed during an interview. He stresses that there's no quick-fix approach. It requires a strategic plan and effective implementation to achieve this goal.
He uses a sprinting example to illustrate his point, noting that randomly choosing to do stretches after waking up won't automatically make someone faster. Instead, a consistent habit should be established, like doing squats for a few minutes after waking up, gradually evolving into more advanced exercises like jumps. This progression is critical, as the body needs to adapt to the increasing strain.
Andrew also mentions that there's no single exercise or workout that can improve speed. It requires a comprehensive plan that might even entail focusing on your swing rather than hitting the gym. The goal is to produce output and this demands a substantial amount of intent. He also draws attention to the fact that other beneficial routines such as stretching, mobility routines, and daily walks do contribute to overall health, but they won't necessarily contribute significantly to speed and force production.
Role of TPI Trainers in Speed Training
Not every TPI trainer focuses on speed training. Different trainers hold a variety of philosophies and methods, contributing to their unique training approach. This versatility equips trainers to work constructively based on the needs of the player in front of them.
Some TPI trainers indeed specialize in speed training and go to great lengths to help golfers enhance their swing speed. These professionals possess different certification levels, with higher levels suggesting expertise in power and speed development. Thus, golfers looking for speed enhancement specifically could consider the certification level of potential trainers. However, personalities and vibes also matter - if a golfer doesn't feel comfortable with a highly-certified trainer, the collaboration may not be fruitful, and it might be better to seek another professional.
Importance of Working with a Swing Coach
A comprehensive training program should combine workout and skill development, involving both a TPI trainer and a swing coach. It's essential for a golfer to understand that working solely with a TPI trainer may have limitations unless supplemented with a swing coach's expertise. The collaboration between the swing coach and the trainer ensures that the golfer's physical capacity is correctly aligned with their swing mechanics.
This collaborative training does not necessarily need to be every week but should be consistent, perhaps monthly or bi-monthly. By doing this, golfers can ensure that the physical training and swing technique are interlinked, and the overall performance benefits from this symbiotic relationship.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Andrew's 8-step solution to enhancing distance and speed in golf presents an eye-opening perspective that challenges traditional notions of golf and fitness. Drawing a clear line from establishing a technique plan and setting realistic goals, to continually tracking progress, practicing speed, incorporating strength training, and integrating improvements into gameplay, Andrew's steps are detailed and methodical. He emphasizes the need to think outside the box, embracing technology and incorporating physical tools into the mix, ultimately highlighting the importance of working with essential golf team members such as a swing coach and TPI trainer to refine and perfect the game. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a novice in the world of golf, this dynamic discussion is sure to inject fresh strategies and innovative insights into your gameplay.
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