Knowing your golf swing speed is one of the most effective ways to pick the right equipment and make smarter choices on the course. While you might hear a lot about elite speeds on TV, the medium range is where most amateur golfers actually play. This guide will define what a medium swing speed is, help you figure out where you stand, and show you how to use that information to play better golf, starting today.
Before we define "medium," let's be clear on what swing speed is. Quite simply, it’s the speed of your clubhead as it makes contact with the golf ball, measured in miles per hour (mph). Think of it as the engine of your golf shot. While factors like solid contact and club path are incredibly important for accuracy, raw clubhead speed is the primary component that determines your potential distance.
Why should you care? Because your swing speed is the master key to unlocking a number of critical decisions, including:
Mistaking a medium swing speed for a fast one (or vice versa) is a common error that leads golfers to buy the wrong clubs and play the wrong shots, creating a ton of frustration. Recognizing and embracing your swing-speed profile is the first step toward building a more consistent, enjoyable game.
“Medium” isn't a single number but rather a range where most recreational golfers fall. While professionals on the PGA Tour average over 113 mph with their driver, a medium swing speed for a male amateur is considerably different. Let’s break down the common ranges to give you some context.
The driver is the club most commonly used to measure swing speed because it’s swung the fastest.
As you can see, if you’re a male golfer swinging a driver between 90 and 100 mph, you are soundly in the "medium" category. This is often referred to as the "average golfer" demographic. For female golfers, that medium range is closer to 75-85 mph. Falling into this bracket is not a bad thing, it simply means you need to match your equipment and expectations to your output.
Your iron speed will naturally be slower than your driver speed. As a general rule of thumb, your 7-iron swing speed will be about 15-20 mph slower than your driver. Here’s a rough idea of what a medium speed looks like with a 7-iron:
Knowing the numbers is one thing, but finding your *own* number is where the magic happens. Ignoring this step is like driving without a speedometer. Here are a few ways to measure your swing speed, from the most accurate to the more accessible.
The most precise way to find your swing speed is to use a high-end launch monitor like a TrackMan, GCQuad, or FlightScope. You can find these at most dedicated club fitting studios, golf performance centers, and some retail shops like PGA TOUR Superstore or GolfTec. During a fitting or a practice session, you will get precise readings of your swing speed, ball speed, launch angle, and more. This is the best option if you're serious about getting properly fitted for new clubs.
In recent years, affordable personal launch monitors have become extremely popular. Devices like the Rapsodo MLM, FlightScope Mevo, or Garmin Approach R10 provide reliable swing speed data for a fraction of the cost of their enterprise-grade counterparts. They connect to your smartphone and offer a fantastic way to track your speed over time in your own practice sessions.
Don't have access to technology? You can still get a very close estimate based on your driver's carry distance (how far the ball flies in the air before it starts to roll).
Use this simple formula: Your Swing Speed (mph) ≈ Your Carry Distance ÷ 2.3
For example:
This method isn't perfect because it's influenced by the quality of your strike, but it’s a brilliant starting point for most golfers.
Okay, so you've figured out you have a medium swing speed. What now? This information is your roadmap to smarter equipment choices and better GOLF course management.
This is arguably the most important application of knowing your speed. The "flex" of a shaft refers to its ability to bend during the swing. Matching the flex to your speed allows the shaft to properly "load" and "unload," delivering the clubhead to the ball with maximum efficiency and consistency.
Using a shaft that's too stiff (like a Stiff or X-Stiff) for your medium speed will typically cause you to hit the ball lower and lose it to the right (for a right-handed golfer), as you can't unload the shaft properly. A shaft that's too whippy can lead to unpredictable hooks and shots that balloon into the air.
The marketing around premium golf balls like the Titleist Pro V1 or TaylorMade TP5 often convinces golfers they need the "best" ball. However, these are high-compression balls designed for the highest swing speeds. A player with a 95 mph swing simply cannot compress these balls fully at impact and won't reap their benefits.
A medium-speed player should look for a ball with mid-range compression. These are often 2-piece or 3-piece balls that offer an excellent balance of distance off the tee and asoft feel around the greens. Models like the Titleist Tour Soft, Callaway ERC Soft, or Srixon Q-Star Tour are built for this exact player profile.
Most golfers in the medium range don't need a complete swing overhaul. Instead of chasing pure speed, the goal should be to maximize efficiency - getting the most out of the speed you already have. This comes down to solid mechanics and making center-face contact.
Here’s what to work on:
Discovering that you have a medium swing speed isn't a limitation - it's empowering. It gives you a clear direction on choosing the right clubs and golf ball, helping you build a simple, repeatable swing that gets the most out of your physical abilities. Rather than fighting equipment designed for a Tour pro, you can build a bag and a playing style that is perfect for you.
Understanding these concepts is the first step, but applying them on the course brings its own set of timely questions and tough decisions. To help with that, we created Caddie AI to serve as your personal on-demand golf expert. If you find yourself stuck between clubs, unsure of the strategy on a new hole, or facing a tricky lie, you now have a 24/7 caddie in your pocket ready to analyze the situation and give you smart, simple advice and personalized answers, allowing you to play with more confidence and clarity.
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