What is Club Speed?
Measured as the speed the club head is traveling immediately prior to impact, Club Speed determines a golfer’s potential distance.
Increasing Club Speed is the equivalent to adding more potential distance.
In fact, adding 1 mph (about 1.6 kph) of Club Speed can increase your distance by up to 3 yards (about 2.7 meters) with the driver.
The highest recorded Club Speed is 169.6 mph (272.9 kph)! This was accomplished by Seb Twaddell in late 2023.
In case anyone is wondering, his ball speed on that monster effort was a whopping 240.8 mph (387.5 kph).
Check out Twaddell’s record-setting Trackman-measured swing here.
Technical Definition:
Club Speed – The linear speed of the club head’s geometric center just prior to first contact with the golf ball
Tour Averages
PGA Tour
Driver – 115 mph
6 iron – 94 mph
LPGA Tour
Driver – 96 mph
6 iron – 80 mph
For a full list of Tour averages, visit Trackman PGA and LPGA Tour Averages
Trackman Combine Averages
Male Amateur (Driver)
Scratch of Better – 110 mph
5 HCP – 101 mph
10 HCP – 95 mph
Average Golfer (14.5) – 94 mph
Bogey Golfer – 92 mph
Female Amateur (Driver)
Scratch or Better – 90 mph
5 HCP – 87 mph
10 HCP – 83 mph
15 HCP – 79 mph
The standard assumption for Club Speed is based on the average male golfer. When Club Speed is not specifically stated within the Trackman University Game Room, then the following values are used depending on the club type.
Driver – 94 mph
6-iron – 80 mph
Pitching Wedge – 72 mph
What our Trackman Masters say about Club Speed…
“This is a parameter I monitor very closely when working with players who are developing their power output or ‘engine’. To do this my students work hard on improving their kinematic chain (the sequencing of the pelvis first, thorax second and club third on the downswing). Trackman enables me to record the increases in Club Speed as a result of the improved efficiency of the student’s kinematic sequencing.”
Chris Brook
PGA International Golf Coach, UK
“First, I use Club Speed to determine a golfer’s potential distance for the short-term, both potential carry and total. I also use Club Speed to help identify a player’s best playing speed. Too often I see golfers try to increase distance by swinging faster. Even when their Club Speed increases a few miles per hour, they lose 15-30 yards due to poor contact or control. Monitoring and keeping track of Club Speed allows me to track progress when working on the kinematic sequence or when using golf specific fitness to train for speed.”
Dom Dijulia
Dom DiJulia School of Golf, US
“I put Club Speed first on my tombstone list — not because it is the most important, but to gauge what the player is capable of as far as carry and distance. Also, I look to see once we are in the lesson if the students’ speed changed from their warmup speed. If it is slower, then I realize that the golfer is still a little protective while making changes. It is hard to see the finished results of a swing change until full speed is reached.”
James Leitz
Pinewood Country Club, LA, US