I’m a World Long Drive star: Here’s 7 things I’m doing to boost my speed

This year, I want to increase my club speed. Chances are, you probably want to do the same. Here’s seven things you can copy from my routine. 

I’m always looking for new ways to get faster, hit the ball longer and increase my ball speeds. 

Even though I am a professional long driver, I’m still looking for ways to get faster. In fact, if I don’t keep up my training, then I’m going to lose speed and I definitely don’t want that. 

Over the years I’ve done things differently and found certain things which work better for me. This year, I’ve found a few things that are helping me crank up the speed. Here’s how it’s going.

I’m using my lunch breaks to work on my swing

The majority of us have full time jobs and finding the time to get to the range is always difficult. But, the beauty of speed training is you can do it anywhere. I’ve been spending two lunch breaks a week swinging in the warehouse at work with my Speed Toad (more on that later!) for 20-30 mins. Then, I spend the next 30 minutes eating my lunch, full of protein, then it’s back to work.

If you have the space to do something similar at the office, at home, in a warehouse, car park, park or garden, those sessions make a can big difference. 

What does a world long drive competitor do on his lunch break? The grind never stops! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/hRTWNY7YGm

— Lewis Fraser (@lewisfras98) March 4, 2025

I’m employing some training aids

I swear by training aids as they can help you understand the timing and sequencing of your swing.

There are loads of options out there and I’ve tried several of them, with many working well. But, the one I’ve been using for the last four weeks has impressed me, this is called the Speed Toad.

It’s a weight that attaches and screws into the hosel of your driver shaft, weighing 140g. It allows you to understand the loading and unloading of that golf shaft that’s in your driver and with it being lighter your body will move faster without feeling sore. It’s a great way to train your central nervous system and fast twitch muscles to swing faster. 

I’m keeping a close eye on my progress

The great thing about the Speed Toad is it comes with an app which gives you a plan to follow. It will put you through a warm-up and then take you through a session which you can follow easily.

What’s great about the app is you can monitor your swing speed for each exercise you do, keeping a track of the fastest swing for each one. After the session you can log your swings, and you can keep a track of your progression week-to-week to see the increases in speed. You can also manually enter ball speed data, so when you are at the range hitting balls, when you see those increases you can track them as well. 

Trending 📈🔥 pic.twitter.com/UhCLgZEeph

— James Tait (@jamestait89) March 5, 2025

I’ve got some new tech to keep tabs on my speed

I use a number of different ways to measure speed. Trackman, Foresight, FlightScope and other units. I also use a PRGR, which is really good, as it’s very small, easy to travel with and doesn’t take up much room.

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It’s very reliable for speed training and it’s what I’ll use when I’m on my lunch breaks in the warehouse. I will use the FlightScope Mevo+ when outside as well as the ball speeds are accurate and when I’m in the simulator at Golf It! I’ll use the Trackman Speed Training option. 

I’m hitting the gym hard

I currently train three times a week in the gym, as well as doing three speed sessions during the week. One of those is at the weekend and I check to see what progress I’ve made that week. I’m well aware that’s at an extreme level, but if you’re not going to the gym, that’s okay, you can still continue with your speed sessions and train your body to move quicker. 

The driver is getting plenty of use

If you are doing your speed sessions at the range, that’s great. Just make sure when you’re hitting balls, you’re hitting more drivers and working on the technical side of the golf swing, so when your speeds increase, you’re in control.

Leaving golf balls at the end of your range session to hit with driver is great. If you usually leave ten, next time you’re at the range, leave 20.  

I’m setting big goals

For me this is massive. If you don’t set goals then you can’t properly measure success.

This year I want my club speed to be 160mph and my ball speed to be 230mph. It gives me the motivation to make sure I don’t miss a session but also track my numbers to see if I’m getting close, or if speeds are dropping.

Then, I can look at what’s working well or what needs to change.

Hopefully all this will pay off and I’ll start seeing those numbers go up, and that ball flying further.

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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