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Why Mobility Matters for Clubhead Speed
A golfer’s ability to move can influence their ability to create speed. One reason is hand-path length.
Research by Dr. Sasho MacKenzie identified average force applied along the hand path as the strongest predictor of clubhead speed among the factors studied. But the distance the hands traveled during the downswing also showed a meaningful relationship with speed. A longer hand path gives a golfer more distance over which to apply force, increasing the potential to transfer energy to the club and generate speed.
We often refer to this as “ramp time.” If you’ve watched our content, you’ve probably heard Dave or Greg use a rolling chair analogy. Imagine pushing a rolling chair across an open room. With only two feet to push, there’s limited opportunity to build speed. Give yourself 20 feet, and you can apply force over a longer distance, getting the chair moving much faster.
That’s where mobility becomes relevant. Restrictions in the pelvis, torso or shoulders are common among golfers, and can limit the backswing and shorten the hand path. Addressing those limitations may help a golfer access a larger turn and create more opportunity to accelerate the club.
How a golfer uses their available movement matters, too. Peter Kostis’s three-piece-suit analogy offers a useful way to think about this: if a golfer’s body is that restricted, they may benefit from a mobility program, more freedom to move during the swing, or both. Tour players like Adam Scott and Michael Brennan can keep their feet planted and make a shoulder turn of more than 100° because they have exceptional mobility. Most golfers in your gym or on your lesson tee don’t share that physical capability. Allowing the lead heel to lift can help those golfers turn more freely and create a longer hand path.
For coaches, the practical question is whether a golfer has the movement available to support the swing they’re trying to make. Assessing their physical capabilities can help determine whether improving mobility, changing how they move, or combining both could help unlock more speed.