SuperSpeed Golf – this stuff works

I never met a golfer who wished they could hit the ball slower — except perhaps for some putts.

Nonetheless, there was a long-held belief that swing speed talent was innate. You could not improve it with weightlifting or other types of training unless you were also gifted with more than your fair share of fast-twitch muscle fibers.

That’s not actually true, and never really was. The folks at SuperSpeed Golf were among the first to prove that point. With thousands of satisfied customers after opening for business in 2014, the company continues to adjust training protocols and product offerings for continued improvements.

I met company President Mike Napoleon at the 2023 Demo & Fitting Day for the PGA Show at Orange County National Golf Center in Orlando, Fla., home of one of the largest practice ranges in the United States. A former teaching professional and golf coach, Napoleon said SuperSpeed “really helps everyone. There was no prior dedicated speed training protocol before this came out.”

The SuperSpeed system uses three near-driver-length shafts, with normal grips at one end and differently weighted metal cylinders at the other. Two sticks weigh less than a driver, while the third one is a bit heavier. Depending on age and overall speed potential, the stick options are geared toward juniors, women, seniors and men.

The concept is called overspeed training. According to Napoleon and his kinesiology advisers, going all out with these sticks in a predetermined method eventually convinces the users to break through a perceived barrier and increase their overall swing speed. Recent collegiate studies using control groups show a typical 5% speed gain, with some doing better and others seeing more modest improvements. 

The company’s training protocols have changed over time. Napoleon said, “The three-weight system remains unchanged, but how they are used in training has altered as data develops from the user experience.”

To help customers keep track of progress, the company also sells PRGR mini-launch monitors and other devices that measure swing speeds. “We sold 12,000 PRGRs last year with the sticks. We’re very pleased with their acceptance by our customers,” Napoleon said.

I used a PRGR monitor for my workouts with the Speed Stick. My measured driver speed began at 89 mph and has gone above 100 mph. That said, in my experience, regular use is required to maintain the higher speeds.

The company branched out to other products in the search for speed. New items include a SuperSpeed Squeeze foam grip that slides over the normal golf grip, as part of a new grip strength improvement protocol. Napoleon said PGA pros tend to produce 62 PSI on grip strength measuring devices, while using 32 to 34 PSI during their swings. 

Normal male amateurs produce 30 to 40 PSI when tested, but still need 28 to 29 PSI to hold onto their clubs during the swing. He said the foam tubes help increase grip PSI to make it easier to keep muscle groups more flexible, leading to increased club swing speed.

We also discussed the increasing recognition of the role ground forces have in producing efficient swings. For this purpose, the company also sells Force Pedals, round raised discs that fit under your feet to help sensitize users to learn how to push off with their feet at the correct swing moments — or not, for some of us.

Sponsors and players sought for Elks fundraiser

Cape Henlopen Elks Lodge 2540 is seeking sponsors and players for its annual fundraiser tournament Wednesday, Oct. 4, at The Rookery near Milton.

The scramble format event benefits Sussex County veterans. The $500 entry fee for each foursome includes range time, greens and cart fees, on-course water, soft drinks and snacks, along with a post-round dinner and award ceremonies at the Elks Lodge on Beaver Dam Road near Lewes. There are several prizes available, and both mulligans and 50/50 tickets will also be sold.

For more information, email CapeElksGolf@ icloud.com.

Local club competition results

The Mulligan’s Pointe Ladies played a scramble event July 4, won by Diane Braver, Kathy Hudak, Pam Pichola and Barb Willin.

Maxine Ansbach, Karen Feuchterbeger, Wendy Michaelson and Bonnie Quesenberry took second.

The Kings Creek CC Ladies 18-Hole group played a T & F game June 29, where only the scores from holes that begin with those letters are counted. 

Lisa Lekawa won the first-flight gross, with Ruth Lauver taking first gross in the second flight and Joanne Yurik winning first gross in the third flight.

Jen Flinchbaugh won first-place net in the first flight, with Gale DiBona in second and Erin Reid in third. 

In the second flight, Angela Strano won first net, with Carol Simon in second and Jeannine Doane in third. 

Linda Eicher won first-place net for the third flight, with Arlyce Dubbin in second and Alicia Polsky in third.

The Kings Creek CC Ladies 9-Hole group played a team 3 Clubs and a Putter game June 27.

Susan Julbe, Lisa Gercenstein, Beth Cohen and Kaye Allison won first place. Margie Moore, Marie Murray, Nathalie McGregor and Juanita Wilson took second. Darci Whitehead, Deb D'Orazio, Ann Bailey and Brenda Schilli finished third.