How to Calculate Golf Club Swing Speed

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"Fore!" The golfer warns the players on the course that he's driving a golf ball their way. His swing speed is an essential element in a successful drive. While professionals determine the club's swing speed with special machines, amateurs can calculate their club swing speed based on the distance their golf balls travel. In general, a golf ball will travel 2.3 yards for every mile per hour of club speed. By measuring the distance you drive, you can readily figure out your club speed.

Drive 10 golf balls at a driving range or golf course. Determine the distance the ball travels in yards before hitting the ground. In other words, do not count rolling distance into the total distance. You may find it helpful to enlist the aid of a friend to watch and mark the spot your ball hits.

Omit the longest and shortest drive from your set of data. This will help to reduce the effect of any unusually long or short drives that may have been caused by other factors such as wind.

Average the remaining drive distances by adding them together and dividing by eight. This number is your average drive distance in yards after 10 shots.

Divide your average drive distance by 2.3. This will give you your average club head speed in miles per hour. For instance, if your average drive distance is 202 yards, your average club head speed is 202 divided by 2.3, or approximately 87.8 mph.


Increasing your drive swing speed will increase the distance of your drives. Golf balls roll approximately an additional 0.7 yards for every mile per hour of club speed.