The “Road to 180” series follows Cordie’s journey to increase his on course ball speed to 180 mph. He tackles challenges like limited practice time, inconsistent workouts, and injury, all while focusing on speed training, swing technique changes, and gear upgrades. The series documents his year-long pursuit of this ambitious goal, offering insights into the dedication required to achieve speed.
The pursuit of speed is truly fascinating.
I’m starting right now hitting shots during around with club head speed around 112-114 that can get me ball speeds of 170mph if I’m lucky but typically around 165-168mph.
That means I need to get my “gaming” club head speed up to at least 121-123 mph to get 180mph. This would be the minimum I’d be looking at if I’m able to hit it pretty solidly and get a decent smash factor.
So we’re looking at nearly a 8 mph club head increase and a 10+mph ball speed increase while on the course during a tournament.
What I’ve learned is I’m going to need to increase my speed ceiling.
When I push it right now I can get my CHS up to 120 mph during training in the simulator. It takes some time and it is HARD work (we’re talking drenched in sweat afterwards).
I’ll probably need to get that “top level” speed up to 130 mph during speed sessions to achieve the gaming speed of 122mph.
If you know anything about speed training. That’s a big task in front of me.
There’s probably not going to be a big overnight jump but slow steady increase over a long period of time.
I’m going to give myself the year to accomplish this. I think it’s totally doable.
The biggest risk I see along the way is injury. I hurt my knee about a year ago playing soccer which hasn’t recovered fully still. I need that to heal and get better along the way and avoid other injuries.
Follow along on Youtube and Instagram as we share stories from along the way.
Episode 1: The Perfect Backswing Technique for Speed & Power!
Flare the Right Elbow: To prevent power leaks and increase swing speed, Luke suggests flaring the right elbow during the backswing. This adjustment can help create more range and power in the swing.
Extend the Backswing: Luke advises extending the backswing, getting the club more “across the line” at the top, which helps generate additional speed without compromising control.
Focus on Hip Rotation and Ground Force: Luke emphasizes the importance of good hip rotation and using ground force effectively during the swing. Proper hip movement can significantly contribute to speed and power.
Speed Training with High Intensity: He recommends conducting speed training sessions with high intensity, hitting a large number of drives with maximum effort to push speed boundaries. Maintaining intensity is crucial, and caffeine or energy boosts can help.
Monitor Technique with Video Analysis: Luke suggests regularly using video analysis to monitor your swing technique. This helps ensure that changes are effective and that the swing remains efficient as speed increases.
Episode 2: Secrets to Speed with #1 Instructor Mark Blackburn
Use Force Plates for Analysis: Utilize force plates to analyze where force is being applied during the swing. Understanding how and where you’re applying force can help in optimizing your swing for speed.
Unweighting and Ground Reaction Forces: Work on unweighting properly during the transition of the swing. This means moving up during the backswing and then applying vertical force during the downswing to maximize speed.
Timing is Crucial: The timing of applying force is as important as the amount of force. Proper timing ensures that the energy is effectively transferred into the club for maximum speed.
Optimize Deceleration: Effective deceleration of the handle is necessary to accelerate the clubhead. Think of it like a Formula 1 car needing strong brakes to make sharp turns at high speed; similarly, your swing needs to decelerate at the right moment to maximize speed.
Episode 3: This Drill Will Skyrocket Your Speed and Ground Reaction Forces
Push Down and Pull Up: To increase clubhead speed, it’s crucial to push down with your legs and pull up with your arms simultaneously. This movement helps to decelerate the handle while speeding up the clubhead.
Synchronize Jump and Arm Motion: When performing a jump in the golf swing, it’s essential to synchronize the downward arm motion with the upward jump. This coordination maximizes energy transfer and enhances speed.
Apply Force Early: The force you apply should happen earlier than you think. By applying force sooner in the swing, you give yourself more time to maximize speed and energy transfer.
Use the Vertical Component: Incorporating a strong vertical component, or “chop,” in your swing helps generate more power. The higher you lift your hands, the more vertical force you can apply.
Get Aggressive: Mark emphasizes the need to get aggressive with your swing, particularly by “getting angry” and focusing on snapping the clubhead off the shaft and jumping around. This aggression translates to higher energy and better speed output.
Episode 4: Here’s why I’m struggling to gain club head SPEED
Improve Kinematic Sequence: Focus on creating better separation between the pelvis and torso during the swing. The pelvis should lead, followed by the torso, shoulders, and then the club. Improving this sequence can significantly enhance energy transfer and increase club head speed.
Enhance Core Strength: A key finding is that core strength, particularly the ability to transfer power from the lower body to the upper body, is crucial. Strengthening the core will improve energy transfer and help achieve higher club head speeds.
Refine Deceleration: Work on smoother deceleration of the body segments, especially the torso. A more efficient deceleration sequence will allow better energy transfer to the club, resulting in more speed.
Focus on Power Generation: Mark suggests that increasing the overall power generated by the body is essential. This can be done through targeted exercises like the sit-up and throw, chest pass, and vertical jump to build a stronger “engine.”
Optimize Wrist Release: Improving the wrist release during the swing can help in achieving better impact and optimizing smash factor. This will contribute to more consistent and higher club head speeds.
Address Core Weaknesses: Mark identifies that the golfer’s core weakness, particularly in the sit-up and throw test, is a limiting factor. Addressing this through specific core training exercises will be key to unlocking more speed.
Episode 5: This Drill Will Teach You to Swing HARDER and STRAIGHTER
Maximize Strength Gains: Mark emphasizes the importance of building physical strength to increase speed. Strength training leads to quick improvements initially, but sustained gains require continuous effort.
Use the Ground Effectively: Nick highlights that many golfers don’t apply force into the ground at the right moment. Properly timed ground reaction force can significantly boost clubhead speed.
Train Explosive Power: Short, powerful swings like driver punch shots help train explosive force application. Practicing stopping quickly after impact also builds better control over speed.
Optimize Swing Timing: Swinging harder doesn’t necessarily mean losing accuracy. When golfers commit fully, sequencing often improves, leading to cleaner strikes and more efficient power transfer.
Separate Clubhead Speed from Strike: Focus on improving clubhead speed independently from ball strike location. Measuring speed without worrying about precision initially can lead to better long-term gains.
Episode 6: I Gained 20 Yards with This Driver Fitting
Optimize Launch & Spin: Working with expert club fitter John Sinclair, we discovered that optimizing launch angle and reducing spin can turn speed gains into real distance gains. Lower spin loft and proper impact height help squeeze out extra yards.
Shaft Matters More Than You Think: I learned that torque and flex play a huge role in controlling dispersion and maximizing speed. A lower torque shaft tightened up my dispersion and allowed for more aggressive swings.
Two Driver Setup: We built two drivers—one for control and one for max speed. The control driver (45.5″) gives me confidence on the course, while the longer speed driver (46″) is perfect for training and chasing speed gains.
Longer Shaft for Speed, Shorter for Control: Testing revealed that while a longer shaft increased clubhead speed, it also made it harder to square the face. The shorter shaft offered more consistency and better face contact.
Test & Adjust: Every golfer is different. Testing multiple combinations of shaft flex, torque, and club length revealed the best setup for my current swing and speed journey.
The journey to 180 mph ball speed is as much about equipment as it is about technique. Finding the right driver setup is a game-changer. Stay tuned for more breakthroughs in the next episode!
Episode 7: This Ground Force Trick Will Unlock More Clubhead Speed
Push Back for Power: John Sinclair introduces me to the importance of pushing back and away from the target with the lead leg. This helps generate vertical force earlier and allows for better hand deceleration, transferring more energy to the club.
Vertical Force Timing: My peak vertical force was happening too late—at impact. We work on shifting that peak earlier in the downswing to unlock more clubhead speed and better efficiency.
Hand Speed & Deceleration: The goal is fast hands early, then slowing them down at impact to create a whip-like effect. This deceleration moves energy into the clubhead for maximum speed.
Drill It In: We practice pushing back with the lead foot, feeling the hands release, and focusing on timing. These drills are tough but crucial for sequencing speed correctly.
Feel the Chaos: Speed work can feel chaotic and uncoordinated at first. That’s normal. The key is to experiment with different feels and embrace the mess—eventually, it will click.
Episode 8: Why Every Golfer Needs This Speed & Mobility Routine
Hip Mobility Unlocks Speed: Colby Tuer at Hit It Great identifies limited hip mobility as a major speed blocker. Improving internal and external hip rotation is key to getting deeper into the trail hip and allowing for a bigger, more efficient turn.
Glute Activation Matters: Weak glutes were forcing my hamstrings to compensate, limiting power and stability. Activating the glutes unlocks hip mobility and creates a stable base for speed.
Vertical & Rotary Power: My vertical jump test highlights an imbalance, favoring my right side, while rotational power showed good numbers. Balancing strength on both sides will create more efficient force application.
Fast, Athletic Movements: We drill explosive, rotational movements to connect ground force with rotation. Training speed is about moving fast and teaching the brain to fire quicker.
Daily Mobility Work: After just one session, my hip mobility increases from 30° to 50°. Integrating these mobility and activation drills into my daily warm-up will set the foundation for long-term speed gains.
Strength + Speed = Power: Building strength while improving mobility and explosiveness is the formula for speed. This gym work is the missing link to unlock my full potential.
Episode 9: 10 Golf Swing HACKS that got me to 180 MPH Ball Speed
After a year chasing speed, I realized it was more about mindset than drills or gear.
1. Change Your Intent
You’re not out here trying to hit a fairway.
You’re trying to break your own speed record every time you train.
You’re thinking “I’m going to swing out of my shoes and not care where it goes.”
It feels weird at first… because it is. But that’s the whole point. You’re training your body to move faster, not to play a round of golf.
Distance and dispersion will come later. For now, it’s about one thing: intent to smash.
2. Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
Speed training is chaos. You will feel like you’re out of control swinging like a drunk octopus 😂.
That’s the point.
You’ll miss the center of the clubface. You’ll question everything.
And at first… you are.
But that’s how your body learns to organize new, faster movements. It’s messy before it’s efficient.
3. Always Get Feedback
Your “feel” is lying to you.
Every major breakthrough I had came when I watched video and realized I was nowhere near the exaggerated position I thought I was hitting.
Whether it’s a swing change or a pressure shift, what felt “crazy” on the inside barely looked different on the outside.
You have to be using video and the sponsor for this video, V1 Golf app, is something you should be using!
You need that visual checkpoint to make real changes stick.
Otherwise, you’re guessing. Don’t guess
Episode 10: Golfer w/ Knee Pain? Here’s my plan to get stronger and FASTER
- My body is definitely holding me back from hitting 190 ball speed. My focus is going towards getting stronger so I can get there. The path seems clear. Just not as fun as hitting 180 last year though. 😩
- If you have some pain… Dry Needling might be a great option. It’s not painful and has been super helpful. We talk about how it works and show you what it looks like
- My knee pain has absolutely come from me having no strength in my legs. We go through the exact workout plan that’s getting me stronger. Here’s a link to the pdf with what Chris has me doing.
- The speed training session breakdown (70 swings, full workout warmup, and hitting 129 mph clubhead speed for the first time).
