How Fast?

[Baraethon]

Of a swing do I need to get a 200 yard drive (190 yards+roll)

THis is one of my goals for the end of winter.

I've got an 11* Big Bertha 460cc Driver, and currently max at about 80-85 mph, usually around 7 mph.

What do I need to get it to for 200 yds?

[golf rules]

like 65 to 75 mph with a good launch angle, you may want to get your launch angle measured. Something isn't right of you swing 80-85 mph with a driver.

[Baraethon]

I hit it really low - usually around 11-15* launch... on a good shot.

Working on that with a pro now.

[JCDot33]

I think iacas posted on here somewhere that your distance should be 2 to 2 1/2 times your swing speed. So that is easy to figure out ...

X = swing speed, solve for x if: 2.5(X) = 200 ... probably going to need to get your swing speed up to around a minimum of 85 mph consistantly.

[Baraethon]

I have hit 85 mph a couple times, without it going 200...

[picrig]

The (2.5*club head speed = distance) assumes that you strike the ball perfectly (or near perfectly). For example, my swing speed is typically right around 100 mph. Do I ever carry the ball 250? Rarely. Maybe a couple times a round I'll get a ball (including roll) over 260. I average around 240 (including roll) w/my clubhead speed of around 100.

[tonyy]

Are you getting good contact? Your distance seems kind of low with your 80-85 mph swing. I was swinging at around 90 mph and got a carry of about 240 yards, give or take.

[Baraethon]

KInd of varies...

The only place I hit where I can accurately measure is in a indoor driving range, and I think it calculates a bit short.

In there I get around 150-160 with roll...

Out on the course I have gotten to around the 150 marker on a 350 yard hole...

And Yes, I am getting solid contact.

[LongballGer]

Get fitted.

Get a weighted club. The Power hitter is great. I gained about 10mph of swing speed in two weeks.

Hit the gym and work on flexibility and strength.

[Baraethon]

Does swinging with just say, 2 irons, work as well as the power hitter you mentioned?

[LongballGer]

Does swinging with just say, 2 irons, work as well as the power hitter you mentioned?

The difference is that you are actually supposed to hit balls with the power hitter. The power hitter also helps you with your tempo and you can correct swing flaws with it. It's relatively expensive, but it's worth every penny.

[Stacey_E]

If you are swinging with an 80-85 mph swing, 11-15* launch angle and relatively good contact there is no reason you shouldn't be hitting 200 including the roll. If the launch angle is too low, especially with a swing speed under 90mph, there is no reason to be hitting a driver with less than 12* of loft. 13-15* might even be ideal.

Check your clubface with some impact tape to make sure you are centering the face. Also I notice you listed a Big Bertha as your driver. I have to ask which model? If it is one of the older ones in the 200CC range I'd say you might consider a larger headed driver. Missing by a little on those 460 heads won't hurt you on ball speed as much as with a small driver.

Check your ball speed and spin rate as well. With 85 mph a centered shot should go about 128 mph on the ball speed. As for RPMs I can't remember, but somewhere around 3000+ for your clubhead speed? Someone else could tell you better.

Good luck!

[Baraethon]

I'll check those next time in the store, see if something is wrong.

I'm pretty sure I have more RPM, and less ball speed than you said though.

The Bertha is the newest model, it is 460 cc.
The club is centered with impact tape, maybe a bit towards the top occasionally.

[picrig]

I'd say 128mph for ball speed with club head speed of 80-85mph is asking a bit much. 85*1.5 = 127.5. A smash factor of 1.5 is about the highest you can get (I've read some sources that say it's basically the highest theoretical value you can get with a conforming ball and club). If anybody can get 128 mph ball speed out of 85 mph club head speed, they've got one of the most efficient swings in the world. I would say 1.4 is a more realistic smash factor, which would give a ball speed of about 120 w/a club head speed of 85.