After watching this video I had my best 18 holes played ever. I never realized how much I was swinging past my control. I went from struggling to make under 90 to an 84. Had a putt for par or birdie on every hole.
Great video! Astute, coherent, easy to understand and well demonstrated. I would enjoy a companion video where you work with two or three students to determine the appropriate swing speed for each to maintain control and balance based upon their individual hand-eye coordination, age, and athleticism. Thanks so much!
Away back in 1960, when I was 13 years old my dad bought me Arnold Palmer's golf book, I was thrilled and I still have it. The title was "Hit it Hard!" One of Arnie's quotes in the book was 'Hit it high and watch it fly!'
for the past several rounds of golf, I have been doing the Peter Finch golf swing. When I analyze his swing on the driver, he has a smooth, fluid swing when he is trying not to bomb the driver. I have found that technique to work better for me. In to conclude, I'm driving the ball father, and more accurate.
I agree totally. I have the range in club head speed you do. I also believe its how the extension is in the release of the club. If I'm holding hard on my grip I can't let my club extend at all. Then I'm very inconsistent.
Rick, I grew up learning golf from my Father as many of us have. I was taught to have two speeds and swing. I was always taught to stay within your self and have good control with a 80 percent shot. Also to have a 100 percent shot when needed. K
That club head wind up and release is what was messing up my swing at the driving range yesterday. I didn’t realize I could get more distance and control by winding back slower the way you did. Thank you for this tip
Hey Rick. Thank you so much from Alberta, Canada 🇨🇦 for all of your tips and advice. You're a top shelf instructor and you break every aspect down so well. Your videos have definitely given more drills and tips to implement into my golf game. Take care!
Its hard to play in your wheel house but what I find most effective is using the balance piece first. I practice swing, maintaining and finding the feel for my balance more than anything, and making sure I finish with the classic pose (weight on left leg, right knee touching left knee, club parallel to the ground behind my neck with my hands as far away (on the club) from the back of my neck (tells me my arms swung through fully extended and not chicken winged). This tells me I made the right swing within my "wheelhouse " of power. Then I do it again and hit the ball, actually let it get in the way, so that I still finish with the correct follow through pose and the golf shot rockets out on the perfect path! Try it. Not easy to do. You have to make compromises to your power effort. But better ball striking should be your goal and result :). You need to finish like the pros in a balanced, posed, position if you did everything right to get there.
Love these experiments and the technicalities around it. Usually find I hit better shots when hitting hard (within control) than when trying to control speed (and thus loose control). Cheers!
Congratulations on the 150k !!! :) RS think the issue for many golfers having difficulties is that, the thinking of, and the intention to swing hard engages the wrong muscle groups, too much tension in the hands, forearms transfers upwards into the upper body and shoulders.
Thanks Rick! "Don't swing so hard" is something I always hear from friends trying to help me when I'm slicing or topping the ball so I always wondered if that was true. Do you have any tips for for things to practice when at the range? I go every day on my lunch break but I don't think I'm getting anything out of it. Thanks Rick!
I think if your swing is solid, you can swing pretty much 100 percent and not worry about losing control, where the harder you swing, the straighter it goes. I can go all out and not have an issue with accuracy, in fact it is more accurate the more effort I put in. Sound swing mechanics are required to do so, as coming over the shoulder plane and swinging all out will increase slice spin, whereas staying below the shoulder plane will allow for extra speed without costing accuracy.
Rick Shiels; if you are still checking out these comments, I have a question. Has anyone determined where the ideal clubhead swing weight is for a club? Human muscle has a particular power curve, and the kinetic energy formula is KE = mass X velocity(squared) So that being the case, if I can swing a E2 or E3 club at about 100 mph. How fast should I be able to swing a D3 or D4 club? And will that increase in clubhead speed make for longer drives or iron shots, or will it make little difference?
hi rick, good vid as always. swing is getting better, well done. is there any chance you can do a video on the takeaway, on how & why its start the swing. thanks & take care
I'm 53 been at this since I was 5. I've always went as fast/hard as I could. Back in the 70's and 80's that was not the thing to do. My Sr. year is high school I average 285 yds (persimmon heads). They all thought I was nuts for going all out. Now its the thing. Good of you all to catch up with me. LOL When I was about 35 with the more modern tech I was averaging 126mph but could only crank at 138mph. Don't know what my speed is now a days. Not been tested for sometime.
hey dude, I'm using your videos to improve my driver as that's my big problem. I've noticed in ur videos u seem to use the orange taller tees, i use the purple slightly shorter tees. is the tee size a must or just prefence?
I found that being relaxed produced the best distances. When you try to hit a ball hard typically your muscles are tense or tight which actually makes for slower swing speeds. The real length producer is accelerating the club through the ball.
I find that when I swing the club at about 70% I hit the ball higher and farther, because I make better contact (higher smash factor). I will normally swing my driver about 95, mostly close to the center, but when I swing over 100 mph I often get poorer contact.
great vid Rick! someone correct me if I'm wrong but this season I learned to hit a draw. i can now cut or draw the ball at will (not like the pros!) but my latest issue when trying to"jump on one" has been a pull hook. this video made me realize I'm likely getting my hands in front of my body. can anyone give some additional insight?
Visited Ushuaia golf course last Feb during a cruise, did not play but dying to go back and play the furthest south course in America. Incredible scenery surrounding the course, great wine and beef.
Great job! I swing around 100 mph. I’m sixty six years old and I crank it out around 230 roll out. The only way for me to gain swing speed is to reach back further. I’m also just 5’ 9” us short guys have a little disadvantage than a 6’2” tall man. I’m just saying. Love your videos stay safe!
I start slow from the top of my downswing let the momentum build and swing hard about 1 or 2 inch from the ball(or what i think is inch or 2) and i feel like im throwing the club down the fairway. I average 290s but, i drove my longest drive at 340 yds 3 weeks ago (no wind and with witnesses). I'll tell you that swing felt slower than any swing i have ever done.
The problem is that above a 6i, my swing speed is not consistent. For example with a 6i, I consistently get 100mph and 139-141 ball speed. Then with a 3i, my swing speed get can 97-114, so as low as my 7i when I block my swing and averaging my 3W when releasing my wrist. My 3w is between 110-118 and my driver 112-120 with the same intensity (feel). Maybe these inconsistencies with the low irons and woods are due to the fact I'm currently changing my swing so not confortable enough yet. Rick can you make a video on how many delta mph ( club head speed/ ball speed) should we have between each iron ?
Yeah spot on! I found that starting my downswing at 50% capacity but then accelerating smoothly so upon impact I'm at 100% swing speed I gained 25-40 meters with each club and I'm hitting the ball out of the middle of the club way more often. Also keeps my swing in sync, I maintain my posture as well as having so much more control over the ball!
Mark Krstitovic yeah I find its ironic because I feel like I hit it straighter when I try and murder the ball but when I take it easy I seem just leak it out right
Yeah I get that sometimes also, I know with myself its generally because I didnt follow through fully which then leaves the club face slightly open, or my club lag is too far behind
kingcharlesXIII I've began slicing everything lol (10 hcp) I can blame it on my elbow being hurt and not having any proper practice in the last 4 weeks
you don't necessarily need to grip the club harder to swing harder, very firm grips do have a tendency to promote slicing so perhaps try easing off on the grip pressure.
A relaxed grip pressure will allow for better contact as well as not having the tension in your wrists and forearms which allows your club to really get through the ball upon impact oppose to having no whip which will cause the club face to remain open upon impact rather than closing back to square, also it's a direct lose of club head speed with the same paced swing
Practice turning your body further on the back swing. Get someone to video you. I swear it works, takes time but the muscle memory kicks in eventually.
I have like a 110 club head speed with my driver. I tried to swing more relaxed to control my drives better and I picked up 20 yards of carry. Blew my mind
Mike Malaska had a pretty good video on how to increase your swing speed. One thing he mentioned was not flexing all your muscles/being tense because you were trying to kill the ball. He stated flexed muscles inhibited the club from whipping properly and to keep relaxed muscles while swinging. Great advice IMHO
"In control" but hits the ball to the right and left of the fairway! ;-) Isn't keeping the ball in the short grass the idea of the game? Seems I'm actually in control and not a hacker! Love your videos Rick!!!
Ive almost watched all the videos on Ricks channel and never hit a ball. No, i'm lying i hit some balls once in a driving range with my teacher and classmates. Some 20 years ago. I remember hitting a 100vyards but slicing way to the right. Some even went over the fence. Its 2 january now and i didnt know it but I'll be playing some golf in 2020. Its so addictive and i still have to start hitting some clubs and balls. Its weird actually!
Hi Rick, is there a way to measure my speed without having a flight simulator. I'm finding it hard to get feedback without really knowing how fast my clubhead speed is going. Cheers
Creating more speed to hit the ball further is different from “hitting the ball hard”. Hitting the ball hard created tension, subsequently minimizing ball speed.
Without access to a launch monitor I have no freakin' idea how hard I'm swinging . . . but I know every single time I try to step on the gas my ball ends up somewhere I don't like! I'm getting older (67) and losing flexibility. My drives average around 225 but I feel like I'm just barely swinging. Any suggestions?
Usually I love these videos, but really, this one is from Captain Obvious. When people say "I tried to hit the ball too hard," duh, they're not saying that the club head was traveling too fast to hit a good shot. They're saying that they lost control of the movement, the sequence, what have you, while trying to focus too much on increasing that club head speed.
Exactly. Golfer hits bad shot. Golfer says "I tried to hit that too hard." Golfer means "I lost control/balance because I tried to hit it harder than I'm able to control..."
![[UNCUT] The Loyal Pin ปิ่นภักดิ์ EP.15 (3/4)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/IVwR87OH0_A/mqdefault.jpg)
Coming from the future and always a shock to see beardless rick
beardless Rick and Peter Finch with glasses are cursed
Wearing stuff that isn't Nike as well!
Late puberty
:O
I come even farther in the future
After watching this video I had my best 18 holes played ever. I never realized how much I was swinging past my control. I went from struggling to make under 90 to an 84. Had a putt for par or birdie on every hole.
If you had a putt for par or birdie on every hole and shot 84 your the worst putter on the planet
Great video! Astute, coherent, easy to understand and well demonstrated. I would enjoy a companion video where you work with two or three students to determine the appropriate swing speed for each to maintain control and balance based upon their individual hand-eye coordination, age, and athleticism. Thanks so much!
Away back in 1960, when I was 13 years old my dad bought me Arnold Palmer's golf book, I was thrilled and I still have it. The title was "Hit it Hard!"
One of Arnie's quotes in the book was 'Hit it high and watch it fly!'
for the past several rounds of golf, I have been doing the Peter Finch golf swing. When I analyze his swing on the driver, he has a smooth, fluid swing when he is trying not to bomb the driver. I have found that technique to work better for me. In to conclude, I'm driving the ball father, and more accurate.
I agree totally. I have the range in club head speed you do. I also believe its how the extension is in the release of the club. If I'm holding hard on my grip I can't let my club extend at all. Then I'm very inconsistent.
Rick, I grew up learning golf from my Father as many of us have. I was taught to have two speeds and swing. I was always taught to stay within your self and have good control with a 80 percent shot. Also to have a 100 percent shot when needed. K
That club head wind up and release is what was messing up my swing at the driving range yesterday. I didn’t realize I could get more distance and control by winding back slower the way you did. Thank you for this tip
July 2021. Great timeless advice for everyone. Thanks Rick.
Well done on 150k well deserved mate , keep up the good work rick love the content at the moment congrats
This comment aged well 🙂
1.2 mil*
Hey Rick.
Thank you so much from Alberta, Canada 🇨🇦 for all of your tips and advice. You're a top shelf instructor and you break every aspect down so well. Your videos have definitely given more drills and tips to implement into my golf game. Take care!
Its hard to play in your wheel house but what I find most effective is using the balance piece first. I practice swing, maintaining and finding the feel for my balance more than anything, and making sure I finish with the classic pose (weight on left leg, right knee touching left knee, club parallel to the ground behind my neck with my hands as far away (on the club) from the back of my neck (tells me my arms swung through fully extended and not chicken winged). This tells me I made the right swing within my "wheelhouse " of power. Then I do it again and hit the ball, actually let it get in the way, so that I still finish with the correct follow through pose and the golf shot rockets out on the perfect path! Try it. Not easy to do. You have to make compromises to your power effort. But better ball striking should be your goal and result :). You need to finish like the pros in a balanced, posed, position if you did everything right to get there.
Love these experiments and the technicalities around it. Usually find I hit better shots when hitting hard (within control) than when trying to control speed (and thus loose control). Cheers!
thanks dude..you really help me improve my game a lot..
Thanks Rick. Carly Booth is a great example of speed and staying in control. MikeE
Congratulations on the 150k !!! :)
RS think the issue for many golfers having difficulties is that, the thinking of, and the intention to swing hard engages the wrong muscle groups, too much tension in the hands, forearms transfers upwards into the upper body and shoulders.
Yeah. I like to think "fast but not hard"
Well done mate!! Watching this in 2020.
Thanks Rick! "Don't swing so hard" is something I always hear from friends trying to help me when I'm slicing or topping the ball so I always wondered if that was true. Do you have any tips for for things to practice when at the range? I go every day on my lunch break but I don't think I'm getting anything out of it. Thanks Rick!
Thank you very much Rick is a real pleasure to watch your videos!
I think if your swing is solid, you can swing pretty much 100 percent and not worry about losing control, where the harder you swing, the straighter it goes. I can go all out and not have an issue with accuracy, in fact it is more accurate the more effort I put in. Sound swing mechanics are required to do so, as coming over the shoulder plane and swinging all out will increase slice spin, whereas staying below the shoulder plane will allow for extra speed without costing accuracy.
"I never swing with more than 80% power, even at the range" - Dustin Johnson
As my grandfather would say, "dont try and hit the ball, just hit it."
Rick Shiels; if you are still checking out these comments, I have a question.
Has anyone determined where the ideal clubhead swing weight is for a club? Human muscle has a particular power curve, and the kinetic energy formula is
KE = mass X velocity(squared)
So that being the case, if I can swing a E2 or E3 club at about 100 mph. How fast should I be able to swing a D3 or D4 club? And will that increase in clubhead speed make for longer drives or iron shots, or will it make little difference?
hi rick, good vid as always. swing is getting better, well done. is there any chance
you can do a video on the takeaway, on how & why its start the swing. thanks & take care
I'm 53 been at this since I was 5. I've always went as fast/hard as I could. Back in the 70's and 80's that was not the thing to do. My Sr. year is high school I average 285 yds (persimmon heads). They all thought I was nuts for going all out. Now its the thing. Good of you all to catch up with me. LOL When I was about 35 with the more modern tech I was averaging 126mph but could only crank at 138mph. Don't know what my speed is now a days. Not been tested for sometime.
Great video Rick, what for you is the difference between hitting it solid to hitting it hard?
My problem is I rush the downswing I don't get the speed I the right spot this there is a way to fix this I really like your channel
hey dude, I'm using your videos to improve my driver as that's my big problem. I've noticed in ur videos u seem to use the orange taller tees, i use the purple slightly shorter tees. is the tee size a must or just prefence?
You're the best youtuber ever rick
Ronaldo Isgreat I don't know about that. Some of those cute cat videos are pretty good.
I found that being relaxed produced the best distances. When you try to hit a ball hard typically your muscles are tense or tight which actually makes for slower swing speeds. The real length producer is accelerating the club through the ball.
Hi Rick, thanks for your videos. Are their any exercises to increase the swing speed?
I find that when I swing the club at about 70% I hit the ball higher and farther, because I make better contact (higher smash factor). I will normally swing my driver about 95, mostly close to the center, but when I swing over 100 mph I often get poorer contact.
great vid Rick! someone correct me if I'm wrong but this season I learned to hit a draw. i can now cut or draw the ball at will (not like the pros!) but my latest issue when trying to"jump on one" has been a pull hook. this video made me realize I'm likely getting my hands in front of my body. can anyone give some additional insight?
Very good video! you speak slowly this time. The spanish golfers thank you for that!
Greatings from Patagonia!
Stay there.
Visited Ushuaia golf course last Feb during a cruise, did not play but dying to go back and play the furthest south course in America. Incredible scenery surrounding the course, great wine and beef.
Lap it up...
What’s the best way to get club speed? My max is 95 with driver and I feel comfy around 88 be good to get max to 110 so feel comfy around 100
Found this video very helpful Rick, much appreciated
Great vid, will def try that tomorrow. Thanks Rick.
nice video rick buddy wish i had your footwork but i will get there
Your videos have changed my game for the best, inspiration 👌🏻
Great job! I swing around 100 mph. I’m sixty six years old and I crank it out around 230 roll out. The only way for me to gain swing speed is to reach back further. I’m also just 5’ 9” us short guys have a little disadvantage than a 6’2” tall man. I’m just saying. Love your videos stay safe!
Feel ya, 5’1 myself shorter arms less arc , less speed ,distance.
Thank you Ricky. Good content.
What kind of shaft is that ur using? Is that an Adilla One??
Feeling you with being in the rough after every drive Rick!
I start slow from the top of my downswing let the momentum build and swing hard about 1 or 2 inch from the ball(or what i think is inch or 2) and i feel like im throwing the club down the fairway. I average 290s but, i drove my longest drive at 340 yds 3 weeks ago (no wind and with witnesses). I'll tell you that swing felt slower than any swing i have ever done.
The problem is that above a 6i, my swing speed is not consistent. For example with a 6i, I consistently get 100mph and 139-141 ball speed. Then with a 3i, my swing speed get can 97-114, so as low as my 7i when I block my swing and averaging my 3W when releasing my wrist. My 3w is between 110-118 and my driver 112-120 with the same intensity (feel). Maybe these inconsistencies with the low irons and woods are due to the fact I'm currently changing my swing so not confortable enough yet.
Rick can you make a video on how many delta mph ( club head speed/ ball speed) should we have between each iron ?
Trackman posted Tour averages a few years ago. That's a good benchmark to look at: www.johnhellstrom.com/trackman/pga-tour-averages-trackman-data/
What a great explanation thanks Rick
would this apply to irons as well?
Beardless Rick feels weird!!
Hit it hard on the downswing, not the back swing
Bomb the hips, shoulders and arms and boom
patrik streng agreed. Don't waste your speed on the way back. Just let f**k at the thing on the way down!
Yeah spot on! I found that starting my downswing at 50% capacity but then accelerating smoothly so upon impact I'm at 100% swing speed I gained 25-40 meters with each club and I'm hitting the ball out of the middle of the club way more often. Also keeps my swing in sync, I maintain my posture as well as having so much more control over the ball!
Mark Krstitovic yeah I find its ironic because I feel like I hit it straighter when I try and murder the ball but when I take it easy I seem just leak it out right
Yeah I get that sometimes also, I know with myself its generally because I didnt follow through fully which then leaves the club face slightly open, or my club lag is too far behind
patrik streng
Whenever I grip hard, I slice hard... I just can't swing fast
kingcharlesXIII I've began slicing everything lol (10 hcp)
I can blame it on my elbow being hurt and not having any proper practice in the last 4 weeks
you don't necessarily need to grip the club harder to swing harder, very firm grips do have a tendency to promote slicing so perhaps try easing off on the grip pressure.
A relaxed grip pressure will allow for better contact as well as not having the tension in your wrists and forearms which allows your club to really get through the ball upon impact oppose to having no whip which will cause the club face to remain open upon impact rather than closing back to square, also it's a direct lose of club head speed with the same paced swing
Practice turning your body further on the back swing. Get someone to video you. I swear it works, takes time but the muscle memory kicks in eventually.
Great vid Rick are you ever going to play at Marsden park golf course??😀👍🏻🏌⛳️
I have like a 110 club head speed with my driver. I tried to swing more relaxed to control my drives better and I picked up 20 yards of carry. Blew my mind
Mike Malaska had a pretty good video on how to increase your swing speed. One thing he mentioned was not flexing all your muscles/being tense because you were trying to kill the ball. He stated flexed muscles inhibited the club from whipping properly and to keep relaxed muscles while swinging. Great advice IMHO
what tees are you yousing rick
Rick what length do you play your driver?
Have you changed from your m1 to xr sub zero?
Good stuff Rick, all makes a lot of sense!
Awesome advice Rick
Is there any specific reason you've been using the xr for videos like this as opposed to your M1?
i heard hit every shot like a wedge.. jasper parnevik said that and he turned out well
Excellent video, Rick, thank you
is there a reason why you use the xr in some of these videos rick? great work getting to 150k btw. You and Pete are my favourite youtubers!
Rick, as a complete beginner I have to ask , does a persons height play a factor also?
At a Medium Pace - great song 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Baby faced Rick 😃
Will think more on this topic next time I'm out.
Great advice Rick, thanks.
"In control" but hits the ball to the right and left of the fairway! ;-) Isn't keeping the ball in the short grass the idea of the game? Seems I'm actually in control and not a hacker! Love your videos Rick!!!
Good video. I have tried to hit the ball hard and usually my form just breaks down.
Any reason your doing your latest tip videos with an XR driver Rick?
Just curious
Ive almost watched all the videos on Ricks channel and never hit a ball. No, i'm lying i hit some balls once in a driving range with my teacher and classmates. Some 20 years ago. I remember hitting a 100vyards but slicing way to the right. Some even went over the fence.
Its 2 january now and i didnt know it but I'll be playing some golf in 2020.
Its so addictive and i still have to start hitting some clubs and balls.
Its weird actually!
The most relevant difference is that they are Rory McIlroy, Jason Day, Dustin Johnson and me I’m not 😂
rick shield is an absolute legend
Hi Rick, is there a way to measure my speed without having a flight simulator. I'm finding it hard to get feedback without really knowing how fast my clubhead speed is going.
Cheers
Is the XR in the bag Rick? Been in a few videos now. Snapchat crew here. Love your vids
Make sure to stretch and warm up before hand, otherwise you may pull a muscle. Feels like i've broken a rib lol.
solid shots m8!
Another great video great. Perfect succinct message easily understood. :-)
Greg Norman's first coach ((Charlie Earp) used to get Greg to hit the ball as hard as he could first then taught him how to control it.
The Snapchat squad here. Awesome video this really helped me.
Love the vids Rick keep it up👍
Curious rick when you start down from the top does it feel like your snapping the club through impact??
We have always heard 80 %
I am 12 and 7 handicap and I hit the ball 260 yards. Is this good?
Oh my this is such a throwback rick doesn’t have a beard!
you change your driver?
Why do i never lose my balance on my practise swings but often lose balance when hitting the ball?
When you look down on the driver how do you know you have it centred.
Creating more speed to hit the ball further is different from “hitting the ball hard”. Hitting the ball hard created tension, subsequently minimizing ball speed.
good stuff.
Without access to a launch monitor I have no freakin' idea how hard I'm swinging . . . but I know every single time I try to step on the gas my ball ends up somewhere I don't like! I'm getting older (67) and losing flexibility. My drives average around 225 but I feel like I'm just barely swinging. Any suggestions?
Take two weeks off...then quit.
ass
Hey Rick, are you thinking of putting the Sub Zero in your bag? cause you have been using a lot more in your more recent vids haha
another good example of effortless power like Ernie Ells is Joe Miller world long drive champ. silky smooth power.
So how do you get faster with the driver without using 100% power?
Love the videos. Almost didn't recognize you without the beard.
To celebrate the 150k mark Rick brought in special guest *Ken Bone*. Adorable :-)
Good call on the beard
Great advice. Makes sense to me. :) Good video Rick. Spider Dubiel
"David leadbetter" swing easy, hit it hard.
Usually I love these videos, but really, this one is from Captain Obvious. When people say "I tried to hit the ball too hard," duh, they're not saying that the club head was traveling too fast to hit a good shot. They're saying that they lost control of the movement, the sequence, what have you, while trying to focus too much on increasing that club head speed.
Exactly.
Golfer hits bad shot.
Golfer says "I tried to hit that too hard."
Golfer means "I lost control/balance because I tried to hit it harder than I'm able to control..."
hehe this video tells me the faster the swing the less fairways you hit :)
This Rick would kick your ass