Speed Before Impact – Act Early and Vertically

Most golfers try to create speed at the golf ball.

That’s too late.

If the speed isn’t already present before impact, you’ll start manipulating the strike.

You’ll tighten up.
You’ll guide it.
You’ll compensate.

Speed needs to exist early.

And in this pattern — it needs to be vertical.

The Trail Power Hitter Protocol

This is very much connected to the Trail Power Hitter protocol that I teach.

This pattern is trail-arm dominant.

It doesn’t wait for the club to “fall.”

It doesn’t rely on passive transition.

It powers the downswing.

But here’s the key:

You’re not hitting at the ball.

You’re stimulating the pendulum early and vertically — so that the club is already moving when it reaches impact.

Early Action Creates Stable Speed

If you delay everything and try to add speed late, you overload the impact area.

But if you stimulate vertically early in the downswing, the pendulum becomes alive.

Momentum builds before the ball.

Now impact is a byproduct — not a forced event.

This is why this pattern can feel powerful without feeling violent.

Verticality Makes Sense

There are loads of vertical elements in this protocol.

And from a brain perspective, it makes sense.

The ball is on the ground.

So the intention of acting vertically in the downswing creates clarity.

But here’s the nuance:

You need space.

If you don’t create room for the club to travel, vertical intention turns into steep chopping.

If the base pendulum and ground support are correct, vertical input becomes speed — not chaos.

The Difference

Acting early and vertically:

• Moves the speed before impact
• Reduces manipulation at the strike
• Stabilizes the release
• Makes the body reactive

Waiting and “holding angles” often does the opposite.

This pattern is not about delay.

It’s about decisive early stimulation.

Achievable Power Again

The Trail Power Hitter protocol works because the action is clear.

You’re not trying to manufacture lag.

You’re not trying to freeze positions.

You’re powering the pendulum in a defined direction.

When it fits, it’s one of the most natural ways to create speed.

The Point

Speed at impact is unreliable.

Speed before impact is sustainable.

Act early.
Act vertically.
Give the pendulum life before the ball.

That’s the Trail Power Hitter way.

Swing Development for Real

If you’re serious about swing development, the best question you can ask yourself is this:

Which pattern fits you?

Take the quiz below. It only takes two minutes.

START THE JOURney – FIND YOUR OLD SChool PATTERN

Your inspirations and your subconscious view of the golf swing matter more than anything when it comes to making a lasting swing change. The goal is to find the pattern that fits you best. Take the quiz and check out the best choice for you below:

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