Speed Training is the rage right now. Indeed, everyone is chasing the 300 yard drive unicorn and who doesn’t want to hit wedges from 120 yards out with tons of spin (because, in case you didn’t already know, you need spin to generate the tour, rip back spin).
As a result, speed training aids have become increasingly popular recently, with overspeed training being the most effective methodology. Truspeed Speed Golf, which was developed by Level 3 TPI Fitness Experts, Hunter Gathright and Derek Loebbecke, is the newest entry into this field.
The TRUSpeed system is fairly straight forward. First, determine which system best aligns with you:
- Standard — For the golfer who uses a driver shaft that weighs more than 60 grams and has a swing speed over 90 MPH
- Long Drive — For long drive competitors with club head speeds in excess of 130 MPH
- Junior Elite/Ladies/Senior — For the golfer who uses a driver shaft that weighs less than 60 grams and has a swing speed over 75-90 MPH
- Junior Lite — For golfers using a Junior Driver
Regardless of which system you pick, TRUSpeed is based around using one shaft that, at the very end, is equipped with a short cable and connector clip. The connector clip opens and closes for easy and quick switching between the Light (Yellow), Medium (Red) and Heavy (Blue) weights.
The reason why matching up with the appropriate TRUSpeed system is the fundamental principle underlying overspeed training: to Swing at a meaningfully higher speed would be possible under normal conditions (i.e., with your gaming driver).
However, what makes TRUSpeed unique is the Pliant Tip Technology, which helps reinforce that sought after lag position from the top of your backswing all the way through impact as you feel the weight trail behind your hands throughout the downswing.
To help you maximize your gains using TRUSpeed, simply turn to their website which is packed with Warm Up dynamic exercises, the Speed Protocols (ranging from regular swings to Happy Gilmore power steps) and Functional Movements to build strength, mobility and range of motion.
My training experience focused on the Speed Protocols since my goal is simple: Hit Bombs.
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Specifically, I trained the first 6 weeks from Speed, which included Protocol 1 (Weeks 1-4) and half of Protocol 2 (Weeks 5-8). The TRUSpeed Speed training is straight forward: a certain number of power steps and standing with a pause at the top (depending on what week you’re on) using the light, medium and heavy weights from both the dominant and non-dominant sides. Weeks 1-4 calls for 3 swings (3 light, 3 medium, 3 heavy on both sides), 5-8 calls for 4 and 9-12 gets 5. Every week ends with 5 swings on your dominant side with the light weight.
While it was a bit clumsy at first, switching weights was simple and only required you to remain mindful of which color corresponded with each weight and then make sure the fastener was locked.
My experience with the TRUSpeed was generally positive. My normal driving club head speed (using TrackMan) hovers between 105 and 108 MPH (hoping to break 110 by spring), and with the TRUSpeed light weight I was seeing mid-120s on my Sports Sensors Swing Speed Radar (on a separate but related note, a swing speed radar is essential and necessary to effective speed training so you can accurately benchmark your starting point and monitor progress).
Unfortunately, this turned out to be slower (~5 MPH on average) than my swing speed with the SuperSpeed Golf Green (Light) training club. That said, the alternative option is slightly more expensive and requires you to carry around 3 clubs (as opposed to TRUSpeed’s one) with you whenever you plan on using it. Naturally, carrying the additional clubs can be a bit of a hassle, especially if you’re storing them in your golf bag alongside your clubs.
In sum, if you’re interested in swing speed training, there are a lot of options out there. While TRUSpeed is one of the newer entries into this field, it shouldn’t be looked over as it provides a straightforward system that’s complemented with some very useful training, fitness and warm-up protocols that could help you expose a little more power in your game. And with the USGA and The R&A complaining about distance, extra power is something we can all benefit from.
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