This clever training aid helped me hit a 462 yard drive

As a professional long driver, I know a thing or two about hitting the ball a long way. In fact, I recently hit a 462 yard drive. A clever little training aid played a big part in that.

The majority of golfers want to gain distance off the tee, but what’s the best way to do it?

Getting lessons will of course make a difference but no matter your level, doing what I do will help you increase your ball speed and your distance off the tee, too.

As a long driver, speed training is essential when trying to hit the ball as far as possible but it’s massively beneficial for golfers of all levels.

• I increased my swing speed by ten miles per hour. Here’s how.

• Rory McIlroy: This is how I hit 330 yard drives

I recently hit my longest drive in competition, which clocked in at 462 yards, this is what I do every week which helped me achieve that. 

The swing that set a new European Long Drive Record at 462 yards 🚀 #golf #longdrive #golfing #GolfSwing pic.twitter.com/o5VbDAKpb4

— James Tait (@jamestait89) June 8, 2025

Every week I plan two-to-three sessions where I will hit 40 drivers as hard as possible. I will leave 48, sometimes 72, hours between speed sessions so my body recovers, and I feel 100%.

Hitting more drivers at maximum effort helps to improve timing and sequencing, but it also makes you realise you have a lot more speed to unlock as you don’t always swing your fastest out on the course. 

The Speed Toad training aid

What I will also do the day before each speed session is use a training aid called a Speed Toad. This is a weight that can be screwed into the bottom of your driver shaft, which is great for a number of reasons.

This is slightly lighter than your driver, allowing your body to move faster than you would with your regular driver.

Not only that, because the Speed Toad sits in the shaft of the driver you actually play with, you’ll get a better understanding of the loading and unloading of the shaft profile which will help improve your timing. 

• Original Penguin toasts 70th anniversary with special collection

• Ecco launches fashion forward range of golf shoes

These sessions only need to last about 15 minutes, but there is a Speed Toad app that you can follow which gives you a structured programme where you can also track and input your numbers. 

I will stretch and dynamically warm-up for between 20 and 30 minutes before each session, but I will also have three sessions in the gym a week working on strength, speed, power and mobility. 

You don’t need to do all of these, but I guarantee if you were to even do one of these things, you’d see an improvement in your speeds and distance in your drives on the golf course. 

Want to know more about all the latest equipment? Subscribe to our YouTube channel!

James Tait is bunkered’s Gear Editor. Want to know how the latest Callaway driver, Vokey wedge or Scotty Cameron putter performs? He’s the guy to ask. Better yet, just watch his videos on the bunkered YouTube channel. One of the biggest hitters in the UK, James also competes on the World Long Drive circuit and is a descendent of former Amateur champion Freddie Tait.

Gear Editor