Stop Losing Clubhead Speed with This Simple Pre-Shot Trick
Introduction
We’ve all been there. You’re halfway through a round, the driver comes out of the bag, but the body feels a little stiff. At 46, I know that feeling all too well. The challenge is simple: how do you keep your speed up and stop losing those extra yards as the round goes on?
The good news? There’s a quick, simple trick you can use on the tee box to “prime” your body and central nervous system for speed. No long warm-up required. Just two or three swings, and you could find yourself gaining 3–5 mph of clubhead speed instantly.
Let’s break it down.
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Chapter 1: The Mid-Round Struggle
Most golfers don’t have the luxury of a long warm-up before their round. Many of us come straight from the car to the first tee, often in cold conditions, and expect to swing freely right away. Even with gym work and functional training, stiffness sets in — especially on the back 9.
That stiffness makes it harder to move the club fast, and speed naturally drops off. The result? Drives that don’t go as far and frustration creeping into the round.
Chapter 2: The Power of Priming
If you’ve ever watched Padraig Harrington on the Champions Tour, you might have noticed his little pre-shot routine: fast, explosive swings before pulling the trigger. What he’s doing is priming the central nervous system (CNS).
Think about sprinters before a race — they’re bouncing, shaking, and firing their muscles to get ready. Priming works the same way for golf. A couple of fast, exaggerated practice swings send a clear message to the brain: “We’re moving fast now.”
This not only wakes up the body but also sharpens sequencing, meaning your swing often becomes more efficient and controlled rather than wild.
Chapter 3: Putting It Into Practice
Here’s how you can use priming on the course:
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Step aside from the ball.
Before you take your actual driver swing, grab the club and make 2–3 fast, powerful swings without hitting a ball. Really feel the body fire. -
Don’t overthink it.
The goal isn’t mechanics. It’s about speed and energy. Swing harder than you think you need to. -
Step back in and play your shot.
Keep the same swing feel, but your body is now primed and ready to move faster.
On my PRGR launch monitor, I saw my clubhead speed jump from 115 mph to 119 mph after just three primer swings — without even warming up. Over the last few months, I’ve built this into my pre-shot routine, and the difference is huge.
Chapter 4: Why It Works (and Why It Lasts)
Priming works because it keeps your nervous system accustomed to moving fast. If you only ever swing slowly on the course, your body forgets what “fast” feels like.
I combine this with two mini speed sessions each week at the range, and my “cruising speed” has steadily climbed into the 120–122 mph range. On a good day, I’ve hit as high as 128 mph.
The best part? Once primed, my sequencing improves, dispersion doesn’t widen, and I often hit the ball straighter because my body is moving more freely.
Conclusion
Adding speed doesn’t always require more strength or endless hours in the gym. Sometimes, it’s as simple as giving your body a reminder before you swing. Priming — just two or three fast practice swings — can unlock extra clubhead speed, improve your sequencing, and stop you from giving away distance on the course.
I’ve fully adopted this into my game, not just with the driver but also with longer irons and fairway woods off the tee. If Padraig Harrington is doing it in his 50s, and I’m using it at 46, there’s a good chance it will work for you too.
So next time you’re stiff on the tee box, don’t settle for losing speed. Prime your body, fire up your nervous system, and unleash the Big Dog.
Because if we don’t use it, we’ll lose it.