So, I got curious about this whole ‘average tour swing speed’ thing a while back. Wasn’t trying to become a pro or anything, just genuinely wondered what those guys on TV were actually swinging like compared to, well, me and my buddies.
My first step was pretty basic. Just sat down with my laptop, typed it into the search bar. Got a bunch of numbers, sure, but they felt kinda dry. You know, just stats spit out by websites. Said stuff like 113 mph for PGA Tour guys, maybe 96 mph for LPGA. Okay, cool, but didn’t really feel real.
Trying to See it Myself
I figured I needed to see it, or at least get closer to the source. My local club sometimes has decent amateur events, not pros obviously, but some strong players. I went down one Saturday, just watching guys tee off on the first hole. Didn’t have one of those fancy radar guns – way too much cash for my liking. So I was just watching, trying to feel the speed. Honestly? It was tough to tell just by eye. Some looked smooth and slow but the ball just exploded off the tee. Others looked like they were swinging out of their shoes, but the ball didn’t go much further than the smooth guys. Bit confusing.
Then I thought, maybe the driving range? Some ranges have those launch monitor bays now. I booked one for an hour, not just for myself, but also hoping someone really good might be in the next bay. Cost a bit more than just hitting balls, but hey, curiosity costs money sometimes.
- Hit my own shots first. Saw my numbers. Let’s just say they weren’t exactly ‘tour average’. Definitely not. More like ‘average weekend golfer trying not to hurt his back average’.
- Kept an eye on the bay next door. A young fella came in, looked like he played college golf or something. Smooth swing, effortless power.
- His numbers popped up on his screen. Driver speeds were consistently up there, around the 110-115 mph mark. Wow. Okay, now those online numbers started to make more sense. Seeing it happen right there was different.
What I Reckon Now
So after poking around, watching, and hitting a few myself next to a big hitter, what did I figure out? Well, first off, those tour averages you read about? They’re legit fast. Like, seriously fast in person. It’s not just brute force though, it’s timing and technique that makes the ball go miles.
Second, comparing yourself to them is mostly pointless unless you’re actually trying to compete at that level. My 90-something mph swing speed (on a good day!) gets me around the course just fine, most of the time. It was interesting to see the difference, kind of like watching a Formula 1 car when you drive a regular sedan. Impressive, but different worlds.
The biggest thing? Don’t get hung up on raw speed numbers you see online. Watching someone generate that speed smoothly, right next to you, that gives you a better appreciation for the skill involved. It’s not just swinging hard, it’s swinging well. Made me focus more on my own timing rather than just trying to smash the ball harder, which usually ends badly for me anyway.
