Speed Toad Speed Training System

Historically, “How can I increase my swing speed?” is one of the most asked questions on golf forums. It seems like even faster swinging golfers aren’t immune to the desire for more speed, but it’s especially sought after by your typical amateur. After all, an additional 20 to 30 yards off the tee has the potential to change one’s game. It can easily be the difference between using a 7 iron or a pitching wedge for an approach shot into the green. Sure, we can move up tee boxes to offset slower swings, but that doesn’t change the simple fact that almost every golfer would like to hit the ball a little further.  

Getting more speed isn’t exactly easy though. Technique certainly comes into play, as do a myriad of other factors like age, physical fitness, and mobility. However, it can be done with disciplined work. In recent years, several different speed building products have come to the market, and they’ve produced varying results. The concept of overspeed training has become particularly popular and it’s been introduced to consumers in varying ways. The idea behind overspeed training is simple: by taking the ball away and using some sort of weighted club replacement in conjunction with a specialized program of swinging, you can train both the mind and muscles to swing faster. Different companies have different approaches to this, but in general most rely on using shafts with varying weights at the end. Some are lighter than a driver head and some are quite a bit heavier.  

Speed Toad

After extensively using the products that were on the market, two long drive enthusiasts, Dr. Sam Attanasio and Bryce Mooney, weren’t really pleased with their results. They found that these systems worked well for adding speed when using the training aids, but those speed gains didn’t fully translate to real swings with a driver. Over time they began to believe that the primary disconnect was related to the fact that they weren’t using their actual golf shafts with these other overspeed systems. As we all know, driver shafts are all very different and every golfer tends to have a shaft that works best for their swing. Shafts are primarily timing mechanisms, so it does make sense that spending a great deal of time using a training aid unlike your actual driver shaft would cause some issues.  

The two set out in a quest to build a better overspeed system and from that effort Speed Toad was born. Originally not intended as a commercial product, but rather one that the two long drivers could use to improve their own performance, it was eventually brought to market. 

Speed Toad

Speed Toad connected to shaft

As you might have guessed, the thing that really sets Speed Toad apart from its competitors is the fact that it can be attached directly to your golf shaft. In fact, it comes with four different screws that make it compatible with nine different driver adapters, including Callaway, TaylorMade, Titleist, Ping, Cobra, PXG, Srixon, Mizuno, and Krank. Speed Toad attaches via the same torque wrench that you already use with your adjustable driver, so there are no additional items needed to make it compatible other than what comes in the box.  

A deep dive into Speed Toad reveals another key difference. Rather than a system that relies on multiple weights, it only comes in a single weight – 140 grams to be exact. This is actually lighter than a typical driver head by about 50 grams. Yes, this does seem counterintuitive when we look at it from the frame of reference that other overspeed products have created. The team at Speed Toad eventually settled on the 140-gram weight because it was what produced the best results for them over six months of testing prototypes. Not only did Speed Toad train their bodies and brains to swing faster, it encouraged proper sequencing by incorporating the shaft they used on the golf course.  

Speed Toad list of drivers it works with

Of course, we could just leave the explanation at that, but the reality is that it really did produce results for the two. Attanasio ended up breaking the world record for fastest ball speed at a blistering 245mph after using the system he built, and along with it recorded a swing speed at 172.5mph. Mooney was able to produce over 220mph of ball speed. While 99% of us will not ever approach those types of numbers, it does show that there is the potential to make meaningful gains with the Speed Toad.  

Speed Training Program

You can buy all the training aids in the world, but they aren’t going to do much for you without a structured program. As long drivers, the Speed Toad team was well aware of this and set out to create a program they felt would deliver results to every golfer. Their program features four levels and a maintenance routine that is included with the purchase of the product.  

Customers are given access to the Speed Toad app, which contains a variety of different features to guide you along the way. Most important is the actual 8-week program, with each completed level unlocking the next step. In addition to a structured swing routine, the program highlights a variety of exercises to both build strength and prepare your body for training. A handy calendar makes it clear exactly what you should be doing every day, whether that is training or rest.  

We’ve used overspeed training products in the past and believe that they are most effective when used with a speed tracking device. The PRGR Portable Launch monitor is cost effective solution for this and can be purchased separately. We can’t emphasize this enough – if you are going to go to the trouble of starting a program like this you need to have a way to measure your progress.  

Speaking of progress, the Speed Toad app allows both logging and performance tracking over time, so you have an easy way to see how far you’ve come. It tracks not only training performance (how fast you swing the training aid), but also how fast you’re swinging your actual golf clubs. You can choose to display your results to others in the program or keep them to yourself. In all, it’s a very useful addition to the Speed Toad trainer and should provide just enough information to keep users motivated along the way.

Details

Speed Toad

Stay tuned to the THP Forums as we test Speed Toad out over the upcoming winter. In addition, several of our forum members have begun the program with promising results.  

The company notes that Speed Toad will not harm your driver shaft, as the screws hold it securely in place on the end of your driver. In addition, since it’s lighter than a driver head it will not put undue stress on your shaft.  

More information, including ordering, can be found at the company’s website, thespeedtoad.com. Speed Toad is priced at $124.99 and includes four screws that enable it to fit nine different driver adapters, a soft carrying bag, and access to the Speed Toad training program.  

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Editor and writer Ryan Hawk lives in northwestern Illinois with his fiance and son. He's been a writer for The Hackers Paradise for two years and has been involved with a number of THP events.