increase swingspeed

[idrive400yards]

stumbled across new weight trainer

Hello everyone,

I joined a gym recently after surgery to start a weight training program so that I can build up more ss to be able to compete at a more consistant rate with these guys and against these kids that will be competing in my division shortly(not getting any younger you know). As I was checking out the different areas of the gym, I came across a bunch of bars standing there of different weights, so I picked one up and started to use this as a stretch bar behind the shoulders mimmicking my takeaway and follow thru.(used a 22lb'r). when I put the bar back I picked up the 9lb'r and started to swing it like a golf club(little thicker than a regular shaft and hard to control) so I went down to the 6lb'r, same length and size as a driver and easier to control, went home afterwards to swing the driver to keep loose and not tighten up when the driver felt like a feather and could swing it like it was nothing. Went on a launch monitor and picked up 4mph. Not bad for a start. It took me a couple of weeks to do this but I feel if I can keep up with this it could only get better right. So instead of keeping this a secret I will share to my fellow wrx'rs the name and company of this bar because I feel it is better than any weighted club out there because the weight is evenly distributed across the bar instead of just the head which could cause a jerky motion when swinging. It is called the TROY BAR, comes in 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 22, 27lb weights, is 44" long(driver length), nice soft padding thruout the bar, and can be used as a stretching bar also. Company website is www.troybarbell.com, # is 1-800-872-7767. They will not sell to the public but will give you a place to purchase from, or a local fitness equiptment store may have one.(no sporting goods store) It is alot cheaper than a weighted club also. I recommend that to not go over than 6lb because of the controllability. As you swing this you can actually feel the golf muscles working as it targets them because your swinging like a club, a workout program doesn't hurt either. I would highly suggest getting one, the 6lb'r costs $26.95 at my store and I have already picked one up and will put it in my bag to use as a warmup before I hit and when the days I can't get out will swing this to keep loose and build up my golf muscles. Sorry this is so long but I felt that I needed to get this out to you guys! Good luck and remember to tee it high and let it fly! :(

[AcesAZ]

I want to increase swingspeed and strength too so I hope it works, I just bought one on fleabay for 34 shipped.

 

The seller has two left for others interested.

 

http://search.stores.ebay.com/Net2Fitness-...6907970QQsofpZ0

[idrive400yards]

If you use this religiously and increase reps and speed in which you swing this with it should work for you and like I said it also helps to have a work out program also, and it's only around $30. instead of $99 or $69 for some other weighted club and is the length of a driver!

[AcesAZ]

I have a Momentus and swing fan already so I thought this might be the next progression. I can already swing my 40 ounce Momentus at close to full speed. :(

 

I did notice the one I bought off of fleabay is listed at 48 inches? You say your 6 pounder is 44"? Maybe I'll have to modify mine, cut it down to 43-44 and add some weight back on.

[idrive400yards]

that # length came striaght from their website as I wrote the description of their product almost word for word, wanted to give as much info about product as possible. your right the 6lb is 48 in and it goes higher in 1in. increments the heavier you go. Still nonetheless 48in is the max length the usga allows for a club. If your swinging the momentus at almost full speed at 40 ounces, just wait until you get your hands on 6lbs! The swing fan you have is great for resistance training and to strengthening up wrists but really nothing else. I hope you enjoy your Troybar.

[300_yard_drives]

or you can use a piece of rebar and put a grip on the end. it is 45" long and it has helped me gain a higher top swing speed and more control at how i used to swing

[AcesAZ]

Thanks, I might have to take it easy at first like I did with my Momentus. I remember swinging the Momentus the first time and was a little scared :( of injury like I've heard. Now I can swing it as hard as I like without a problem!!! :( I know I've gotten more flexible and stronger. :(

 

I'll give an update after I've had a chance to work with it a little bit. ;)

[idrive400yards]

Give it time, building ss takes a while, don't expect miracles right away. and the most to gain I would say is 6-10mph depending on where your at now. Measure yourself for before and after results, ok?

[AcesAZ]

I know I'm at 115 max right now (Swinging out of my shoes) 110-112 comfortably. My goal is to get 120 plus by the springtime. Hey I'm only 5-10 and 160.

 

I do play with players that swing in the mid to upper 120's so I'd like to narrow the gap a little bit. It totally sucks when I catch one real nice in the 300-310 range and these guys still blow by me by 30 yards :(.

They will be in for a surprise next year :( !!!!!!!!!!

[idrive400yards]

Better get to it then. or better yet move up a couple of tee boxes. lol.

[AcesAZ]

Better get to it then. or better yet move up a couple of tee boxes. lol.

 

:( Hey now, Be nice. :(

[idrive400yards]

just take steroids like bigbopper1 says that we do and pretty soon you can join me on the LDA tour!

[AcesAZ]

Are roids going to make me grow 8 inches taller and put on 120 pounds? :(

 

I know I can't compete with the LDA guys. You have to be 6-3 to even start to think about it. I think alot of the guys are like 6-6 plus. I dont have a chance against you guys :( .

 

It is pretty sick to think that I can hit it 310 in stock conditions and still get airmailed. My last few rounds I've been picking up some yards though. 330+ with a light backwind. Even one in the 355 range with a 20 mph tailwind :( .

[idrive400yards]

great #'s for standard clubs, maybe also try a longer shaft, that may help out a little more. I'm only 5'10-11"

Zubak is only 5'9" avg height i would say is around 6'1.5", 220, so 60lbs and 3in. is all you need, put yourself inbetween two trucks and tie your hands and legs to bumpers, have them pull away in opposite directions and wala, theres the 3in. eat McD's every meal for 6 months and just sit around and do nothing and wala theres the 60lbs you need, now your ready!

[IHFN]

eat McD's every meal for 6 months and just sit around and do nothing and wala theres the 60lbs you need, now your ready!

 

Do I know you? Are you following me around and posting my life??? :(

[idrive400yards]

well, if the shoe fits.......lol

[rok78]

I'd be interested in knowing what reps you use, and if you kept the descending weight order for your workouts. Right now I do some plyometircs and weight training, but anything that may be golf specific would be great to throw in.

[idrive400yards]

In terms of my workout, being that I don't want to get bigger only stronger, I do more reps with about 70% of my max weight and do them more quickly at a steady pace, I have been at this point just lifting and not specifically targeting any specific area, 1 day upper body 1 day lower body and midsection, always do 20 minutes on bike to warm up and 10 min after workout to cool down then use troybar to keep from getting to tight. my workouts last about almost 2 hrs, also do rehabbing excersises on the knee everyday. Eventually I will see a personal trainer to help me out with the workouts, but for now just me and whoever goes with me to the gym. I do not do any free weights only machines at this time. sorry I cant give you specific excersises, but if you want to target golf muscles, I would say arms, shoulders, neck, back, stomach, wrists. You want to build speed not bulk. Forgot to add that inbetween sets I ALWAYS stretch out on some kind of extension pole or a machine that I have to reach up high and be able to keep feet on the ground.

[rok78]

I hear you about not getting bulky. I actually have a weight training workout from a friend who coaches minor league baseball and he put together something for me that is not golf specific, but helps with explosion and core. I was actually interested in more details about how you use the troybar. Like do you swing it so many times, and are you sticking with one weight or using more than one bar...I'm curious because I've heard of some benefits of varying the weight when you swing weighted clubs and stuff.

 

My baseball friend says there's camps in baseball that believe the same thing with weighted bats and super light bats, but he doesn't think there's any real benefit in it. Just wanted to get your opinon and what works for you.

[AcesAZ]

I hear you about not getting bulky. I actually have a weight training workout from a friend who coaches minor league baseball and he put together something for me that is not golf specific, but helps with explosion and core. I was actually interested in more details about how you use the troybar. Like do you swing it so many times, and are you sticking with one weight or using more than one bar...I'm curious because I've heard of some benefits of varying the weight when you swing weighted clubs and stuff.

 

My baseball friend says there's camps in baseball that believe the same thing with weighted bats and super light bats, but he doesn't think there's any real benefit in it. Just wanted to get your opinon and what works for you.

 

 

I read an older golfdigest with Jim Mclean and he said to swing a heavier club to build strength and flexibilty and also a lighter club to get the feeling of speed.

 

For the last 3 months I have been swinging my Momentus, Swing fan, and then a shaft without a head daily. I also have been strength training the same sort of way as Idrive400yards It HAS made a difference. My power is much easier now. The ball just sails when I swing smoothly.

[idrive400yards]

I hear you about not getting bulky. I actually have a weight training workout from a friend who coaches minor league baseball and he put together something for me that is not golf specific, but helps with explosion and core. I was actually interested in more details about how you use the troybar. Like do you swing it so many times, and are you sticking with one weight or using more than one bar...I'm curious because I've heard of some benefits of varying the weight when you swing weighted clubs and stuff.

 

My baseball friend says there's camps in baseball that believe the same thing with weighted bats and super light bats, but he doesn't think there's any real benefit in it. Just wanted to get your opinon and what works for you.

 

 

I use the troy bar just like I'm swinging a regular club, building up speed slowly so that I won't throw out my back or shoulders, I only use the 6lb'r, because it resembles more of a driver than the heavier ones because the heavier ones are much thicker. I swing 25 reps each 3x for 9 times for a total of 225 swings. at the gym, then will swing during anytime that i'm not doing anything at home.

[idrive400yards]

hey wannabepro, did you get the troybar yet? and if so how do you like it?

[AcesAZ]

hey wannabepro, did you get the troybar yet? and if so how do you like it?

 

 

Just got my 6 pound Troy Bar today and I'm lovin it!!! ;)

 

Let me say first that it is 46 1/2 inches long tip to tip which is obviously about the same length as drivers. It is not 48 inches like I thought.

 

So I got it in the mail and opened it up. Caution!!! This thing is heavy!!! I am used to working out and swinging the swing fan and 40 ounce Momentus but this is on another level. This trainer is for those people who are already in good shape and can swing Momentus/other weighted club with ease, not for beginners IMO. So I picked it up started swinging it very slowly to make sure I don't injure myself. After a couple minutes I was able to pick up speed a little. One nice thing I noticed is you can grip down 6-8 inches to make it lighter and a little shorter. This thing works the muscles better and harder than the other swing trainers :crazy: . It really makes you use the big stabilizing muscles to control the bar. It also forces you to swing on 1 plane and connected because of the momentum/weight of the bar(I already have a 1 plane swing so I think it's perfect). So after I got done swinging it I picked up my driver. Holy crap it felt like it was as light as a feather. I could swing it very hard/fast and in control/on plane :D .

 

Thus far I couldn't be happier and will add it to my workout routine.

[idrive400yards]

very glad you like it. Before you get seriously into it though, go to a launch monitor, get before specs, then work out with it then in 3-4 weeks go to launch monitor again and compare.

[AcesAZ]

very glad you like it. Before you get seriously into it though, go to a launch monitor, get before specs, then work out with it then in 3-4 weeks go to launch monitor again and compare.

 

 

I've already done that a couple weeks ago. We'll see if I can make a big improvement.

[idrive400yards]

I'm going tomorrow, hopefully I can find my video camera to tape the session, let's see if I improved on the 4mph gain.

[AcesAZ]

I'm going tomorrow, hopefully I can find my video camera to tape the session, let's see if I improved on the 4mph gain.

 

 

Did you get tested yet? I'm curious to see if you are improving?

 

 

Do you swing your Troy Bar every day? I'm not sure if I should do it every other day or every day. Thanks

[idrive400yards]

yes i went, tweaked the knee, hurts now, guess i'm trying too soon, doc says 6months to heal, I'm swinging 8wks after surgery, should have listened to the doc, but yes I do(used to) swing it everyday, but not now, maybe cut it back to every other day. good thing is only after hitting 12 balls, got the ss to 130 and ball speed to 196mph, then oops, after that trying to compensate, over the top move and no drive thru the ball, stopped after that. will try again in 4wks, best part of year for rest, plenty of time to work on swing, do have a video, will set up later. it used to take alot longer to get to and pass that ss before the troybar and working out so i would say its working. gonna tape a lazer pen to bottom of troybar and try to keep light in proper swing path.

[AcesAZ]

Injuries suck!!!! I have what I believe is a stretched or partially torn rotator cuff. It still hasn't healed after 6 months. After I started working out regularly the last 3 months I have built up my the strength in it and it does feel alot better. Some days I don't even feel it.

 

It is nice to see that the troy bar is helping. I can't see how it wouldn't. Maybe if I can get over 120 I'll shoot for 130 by springtime. LOL

[IwillFlyU]

I've hit balls with Idrive400yards before. Don't let his injury fool you...he's an animal...