CONGRATULATIONS! With the purchase of your new SPEED STIK you are now just 15 days away from launching long drives, shooting better scores and deriving more enjoyment from your golf game. YOUR SPEED STIK is an amazing golf training aid that will empower you to hit the ball farther by increasing the speed of your golf swing. FASTER = FARTHER. The faster you swing the club, the farther you will hit the ball! The SPEED STIK also provides you with a means to measure your progress, thus greatly accelerating your learning process. In addition to faster club head speed AND INCREASED DISTANCE, performing the SPEED STIK drills correctly, will produce the following residual benefits: Enables you to EXPERIENCE the power of a swing motion that is CONTROLLED BY CENTRIFUGAL FORCE. Enables you to EXPERIENCE the feeling of DYNAMIC MOTION IN BALANCE. Strengthens all the muscles used in the golf swing. Improves overall flexibility, which leads to maximum range of motion in the swing. Improves your sense of balance, which is a critical factor in improving swing speed. Promotes a sense of dexterity and coordination between the upper and lower body. Promotes a feeling of explosive power. Improves the overall efficiency of your golf swing. Enables you to develop the inferior side of your body (left side, if you are right handed and vice versa) in terms of strength, flexibility, dexterity and coordination. Promotes and develops an AGGRESSIVE and CONFIDENT mindset. Mitigates the intimidation factor related to using longer clubs. Knowing your swing speed enables you to purchase equipment with correct specifications as related to shaft length, flex, kick point, torque and correct club head loft. Each and every aspect of your SPEED STIK was carefully designed to contribute to its primary objective-increased clubhead speed, which in turn, enables you to fulfill your ultimate goal-more distance. The successful results are a product of 7 years of extensive research conducted with golfers of all levels of ability on golf courses and driving ranges all across the country. THE SPEED GAUGE The speed gauge is calibrated in easy-to-read miles per hour (mph). Simply swing the SPEED STIK and view the top of the indicator in the gauge. The speed gauge provides IMMEDIATE, ACCURATE & RELIABLE FEEDBACK. NO GUESSWORK INVOLVED. This info will make your workouts FUN, EXCITING and VERY REWARDING! Your SPEED STIK SPEED STIK is simple to use, yet extremely effective. You can train with it INDOORS as well as outdoors. You can also take it with you when you travel, as it will fit inside 1
most golf bag travel covers. Although the SPEED STIK is very durable the measuring device, which is an 2
integral and important component of the unit, is sensitive. Therefore, when swinging the SPEED STIK, be careful! Avoid hitting the ground. Also, in the interest of safety to yourself and others, be vigilant and exercise extreme caution when swinging the SPEED STIK. GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPEED STIK DRILLS 1. It is not necessary to utilize a standard golf grip when swinging the SPEED STIK. A ten finger, baseball type grip is recommended. 2. Some of the drills require that the SPEED STIK be swung around the body, horizontal to the ground, as in a baseball swing. 3. In order to develop maximum SPEED, STRENGTH AND FLEXIBILITY, swing the SPEED STIK in a CONTINUOUS MANNER, backward and foward, increasing speed with each and every swing. (The swing, in the direction of the target, should be more aggressive). 4. In general, you must allow the weight and length of the SPEED STIK to create a dynamic and uninterrupted swinging force around your body. Do not interfere with the centrifugal force being created. Gather momentum with each swing until, finally, you feel as if the SPEED STIK is swinging you and that the body is merely responding to the swinging motion of the SPEED STIK. 5. Allow the lower body to move in response to the swinging force as it rotates around the body (avoid flat footedness and/or straight legs). 6. Allow your arms to naturally fold around your body in response to the swinging force (do not attempt to keep either arm straight or stiff). 7. Allow your wrists to hinge naturally in response to the swinging force. 8. The swing speed that you generate with the SPEED STIK will be very similar to the swing speed of your regular (driver) swing. 9. To measure or clock your swing speed, make one complete swing from a static position (as opposed to making numerous, continual swings) then read the measuring device. The top of the red indicator provides the correct reading in miles per hour. 10. To reset the measuring device for the next reading lightly tap the grip-end of the SPEED STIK into the ground. THE SEVEN SPEED STIK DRILLS Drill #1 - Horizontal, continuous swing drill. (Dominant side) Drill #2 - Horizontal, continuous swing drill. (Non-Dominant side) Drill#3 - Golf swing drill. Drill#4 - Stop and review backswing drill. Drill#5 - Stop and review follow-through drill. Drill#6 -ESP (Extra Sensory Perception) drill. 3
Drill#7 -Overload/Underload drill. 4
SPECIFIC DETAILS ABOUT THE DRILLS Begin with drills 1 & 2 only, which can be performed in just 4-6 minutes (6-10 continual swings from the dominant side and then 6-10 continual swings from the non dominant side do two reps or a total of about 24-40 swings). After 15 days, incorporate drill number 3 into your routine and the others after one month. If you are faithful in doing the drills, you will notice an improvement in strength, flexibility, balance and swing speed within 7 days. In 15 days you will experience significant improvement and within 30 days very SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT. To achieve successful and maximum results with your SPEED STIK do the drills on a daily basis and, if time permits, do them twice daily - morning and evening. It is also important to do the drills correctly and with good form. Do not neglect any of the drills in the routine. Prior to beginning your very first workout clock your swing speed in both directions (right side and left side both). For more instruction on this follow the directions as listed under point s number 9 and 10 in the section entitled, General Information. This critical piece of information will be the feedback you need in order to evaluate future performance. Also, at the end of each practice session, clock your swing speed and log it so that you can keep track of your progress. This routine, and the progress you are experiencing, will stimulate and encourage you to work hard in your practice sessions. Your practice sessions are of short duration for a reason - to allow you to perform the drills with full intensity and complete concentration. Drill #1 Horizontal, continuous swing drill. This drill is the key that unlocks the door into the world of speed, power and distance. REMEMBER, Faster =Farther. The faster you swing the club, the farther you will hit the ball. Any increase in swing speed that you achieve doing this drill will manifest itself in your golf swing! Drill Objectives 1. Experience the power of a swing motion controlled by centrifugal force. 2. Experience the feeling of dynamic motion in balance. 3. Increase specific (golf) muscle strength. 4. Improve overall flexibility of body and thereby increase range of motion. 5. Improve balance. 6. Promote a sense of dexterity and coordination between the upper and lower body. 7. Promote a feeling of explosive power. 8. Develop an aggressive and confident mindset. 9. INCREASE THE SPEED OF YOUR GOLF SWING! As you can see by these illustrations, this drill requires you to swing the SPEED STIK around your body in a continual manner, back and forth, maintaining the SPEED STIK 5
horizontal or level with the ground (a good image to visualize is a baseball or softball swing). The correct sequence to perform this drill is as follows: 1. Assume a fairly upright or baseball type stance (with about a 10 tilt forward from the waist) with your knees slightly flexed and feet comfortably spread apart. 2. Hold the SPEED STIK using a ten finger grip (also called a baseball grip). It is ok, if you prefer, to use a standard golf grip. 3. Begin the horizontal, continuous swing drill with small, soft feeling, relaxed swings. Increase momentum and speed until you are swinging as fast as your physical strength and sense of balance will allow. The pace or speed of the forward swing and backswing should be similar, however, the forward swing should be the more aggressive of the two. 4. At issue here, as well as strength, is balance. Without adequate balance you will not be able to reach your maximum potential for speed. Both physical strength and balance will improve with each and every practice session. 5. Allow the weight and length of the SPEED STIK to create a dynamic and uninterrupted swinging force around your body. Do not interfere with the centrifugal swing force being created. Gather momentum with each swing until, finally, you feel as if the SPEED STIK is swinging you! 6. Allow the lower body to move in response to the swinging force as it rotates around the body (avoid flat-footedness and/or straight legs). 7. Allow your arms to naturally fold around your body in response to the swinging force (do not attempt to keep either arm straight or stiff). 8. Allow your wrists to hinge naturally in response to the swinging force. As previously indicated, the swing speed that you generate with the SPEED STIK during this drill will be very similar to the swing speed of your regular driver swing. Your ultimate goal in doing this drill is to swing as fast and as aggressively as you can, while yet maintaining perfect balance. Do not sacrifice speed in an effort to maintain balance but, rather improve balance in order to support increased swing speed. This thinking will enable you to achieve a positive and confident mindset that will propel you into the world of speed, power and distance. WHAT YOU ARE AFTER IS SPEED, SPEED AND MORE SPEED!!!!! In order to accomplish this, you need to feel powerful, be aggressive, feel confident, be well balanced and feel coordinated. The horizontal, continuous swing drill will accomplish all this for you and your newfound feelings will soon become reality. Drill #4 Stop and Review backswing drill. 6
The objective of this drill is to allow you to review all your positions at the top of a completed backswing to insure that you are doing the backswing correctly. With this in mind, please note the following: 1. Build up maximum speed through CONTINUAL SWINGING, then during the course of this procedure, come to a sudden and full stop in the backswing. Freeze for a moment in this position in order to allow yourself time to evaluate your positions. 2. As you view the illustration, the first position you evaluate is that of your right knee. Check to make sure that your knee and right leg have not straightened. 3. Check to make sure that your right knee has not bowed outward. 4. Check to see that your body weight has transferred from its starting point, over to the right side. If the correct weight transfer has occurred, you will feel as though 70-80% of your weight is planted squarely on top of the right foot. 5. Check to see if both your back and shoulders are facing the target. 6. Check to insure that the hips have rotated or turned less than the shoulders. 7. Check to make sure that both arms have folded around the body, as a natural response to the force of the swinging motion. If either the left or right arm is in a straight or stiff position, you are interfering with the centrifugal force that you are attempting to create. Relative to this, your right arm should be in a bent position, simulating the letter L in form. 8. Check to see that your wrists have hinged naturally, in response to the swinging motion. Also, the back of the left hand should be in a straight-line position, relative to the left wrist and forearm, facing straight up towards the sky. (The left wrist should neither be in a convex nor concave position). 9. Finally, review the position of the left heel. If you are a flexible person, you will be able to keep the left heel planted squarely on the ground, regardless of the speed you generate. If you are not a flexible person your left heel should rise up off the ground as a natural response to the swinging force around your body. Drill #5 Stop and Review follow-through drill. The objective of this drill is to allow you to review all your positions in the completed followthrough of a swing to insure that you are doing the forward swing correctly. With this in mind, please note the following: 1. Build up maximum speed through CONTINUAL SWINGING, then during the course of this procedure, come to a sudden and full-stop in the follow-through. Freeze for a moment in this position in order to allow yourself time to evaluate your positions. 7
2. As you view the illustration the first position you evaluate is that of balance. Have you swung as aggressively as possible yet maintained good balance? 3. Check to see if the majority of your body weight is planted squarely on the left foot (at least, 80%). 4. Check to see if your arms are relaxed and folded around your body as a natural response to the swing force. If either the right or left arm is in a straight or stiff position, you have interfered with the centrifugal force of the swing. Relative to this, your left arm should be bent in the shape of the letter L. 5. Check to see if your wrists have hinged naturally, in response to the swinging motion. 6. Check to see if your stomach, chest and hips are all facing in the direction of the target. 7. Check to see if your right heel is raised up off the ground. Flexibility is not an issue here! Regardless of whether you are flexible or not, the amount of speed that you generate, as you transfer weight from the right side to the left side of the body, should cause you to lift the right heel up off the ground. If this has not occurred, it indicates that the legs, knees and feet are not responding correctly to the swinging force being created, which is most likely a result of the legs being too straight, rigid and/or inflexible. DRILL #2 Non-Dominant side, continuous swing drill. GOLF IS A TWO SIDED GAME UTILIZING BOTH THE DOMINANT AND NON- DOMINANT SIDES OF THE BODY. The more skilled, coordinated, balanced and strong a person becomes with the non-dominant side of the body (left side, if you are right handed and vice versa) the better athlete and/or golfer he or she will be. In addition, developing the nondominant side of the body creates a muscle balance between the right and left sides, which ultimately reduces the risk of injury to the back, neck and shoulders. (Unless a person is ambidextrous there inherently exists a disparity between the inferior and superior sides that ranges anywhere from minimal to extreme). This simple, yet extremely effective drill will help to bridge this disparity gap. Initially you may feel awkward and inept when performing this drill. PERSEVERE! If you do this drill on a daily basis you will be surprised how quickly you will improve. EVERYTIME you do this drill you will become stronger, feel more coordinated and your sense of balance (a critical factor in any athletic endeavor) will improve. As you increase the swing speed of the inferior side, the swing speed of the superior side will increase, as well. The procedure is identical to Continuous, Horizontal Dominant Side Drill. In addition: 1. Do not swing cross-handed, but reverse the position of your hands for this drill. 2. The objective of this drill is to improve the overall functionality of the non-dominant side of the body thereby minimizing the disparity that exists between the two sides. 8
DRILL #3 Golf swing AFTER PERFORMING THE HORIZONTAL SWING DRILLS FOR AT LEAST TWO WEEK begin golf swing drills in the following manner: 1. Assume a more normal golf posture (additional tilt forward from the hips). Hover the SPEED STIK about 8-10 inches above the ground. 2. From this starting point, perform the continuous swing drill. Naturally, because you have assumed more of a golf posture, this swing will no longer move around the body horizontally to the ground. 3. BE CAREFUL not to hit the ground with the SPEED STIK. 4. Next, repeat the same procedure as above, but lower the swing point to 4-6 inches above the ground. 5. Finally, after you have developed confidence, repeat the same procedure but lower your swing point to just 2-3 inches above the ground (equivalent to the height of a tall tee). 6. BE CAREFUL not to hit the ground with the SPEED STIK! 7. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DO THIS DRILL WITH NON-DOMINANT SIDE OF THE BODY. DRILL # 6 ESP (extra sensory perception) DRILL This drill involves doing all the routine drills with your EYES CLOSED. It is a simple concept that is extremely effective and serves to shorten the learning curve. This drill allows the mind to internalize exactly what all the muscles, nerves, etc., are doing every micromilli second of the swing process. Perform these drills at variable speeds: very slow normal speed faster than normal maximum speed DRILL # 7 OVERLOAD/UNDERLOAD DRILL This is a SPECIFIC BALL HITTING DRILL that needs to be performed on the practice tee and is therefore, not related to, or to be done in conjunction with the other routine drills. As you will note in the instructions, this drill is accomplished by utilizing both a lighter and a heavier SPEED STIK. However, a variation of this drill (requiring a shorter time frame) can be performed by using your SPEED STIK as the overload and then using your driver as the underload. In this case, eliminate Step l of the instructions and go directly from overload 9
swings with your SPEED STIK (as stipulated in Step #2) to hitting 4-5 balls with your driver (which in this case functions as the underload ). STEP 1: Swing the heavier SPEED STIK in a continual manner with the dominant side (no non-dominant side swinging when doing this drill) for 15-20 seconds until you build to a comfortable speed. These swings can be taken in either a horizontal manner or in a golf swing type mode. STEP 2: When the 15-20 seconds has passed, revert to the lighter SPEED STIK and swing for 10-15 seconds, swing aggressively but on balance. Go for speed on balance. This part of the drill is designed to program the mind for speed. The mind internalizes, through all the senses, the speed that is being produced and, in turn, will direct the correct muscles of the body to reproduce this speed during the ball-hitting part of this drill. STEP 3: Hit 4-5 balls with the club you normally tee off with (preferably a driver). DO NOT try to swing harder or faster. Doing so will override and delete the program in the brain. Make a normal swing. The mind will direct the muscles, etc., to respond to the perceived stimuli and produce increased swing speed. IT WORKS!!!!! STEP 4: Repeat this drill 2-3 times. Total balls hit will be 12-15. The more you do this drill, the faster you will increase your swing speed. Once daily would be ideal. NOTES ON WARMING UP 1. On the practice range, use the SPEED STIK to stretch and warm up prior to your practice sessions. Two beneficial stretching exercises you can do are pictured below. 2. If you do not have time to go to the range prior to teeing off, use the SPEED STIK SPEED STIK to warm up. Doing the continuous swing drill for just two or three minutes will prepare you, both physically and mentally, to hit that first, all important tee shot. 10
3. To maximize your opportunity to get in a daily 5-10 minute training session, keep a SPEED STIK at home. However, if you are pressed for time, even a good 2-3 minute workout will be beneficial. In such case, swing hard RELIEVE STRESS! AN INVALUABLE PRACTICE IDEA Unfortunately, golfers do not pay enough attention to alignment during practice sessions yet this aspect of practice is VERY IMPORTANT! If you aim the ball 20 yards right of target (thinking that you are aiming correctly) you cannot make a perfect swing because if you do you will hit the ball 20 yards to the right! Any error in misalignment requires some form of compensatory move within your swing in order to attempt to hit the ball back on target. If you continue in this mode (consistent misalignment) you will soon grove this errant movement into your golf swing and it will be a VERY DIFFICULT habit to break. Golf is a difficult game. Poor alignment makes it much more difficult. Poor alignment greatly increases your margin for error while the converse is true. If you aim exactly at your target you provide yourself maximum opportunity to, in fact, make a perfect swing and in the process, greatly reduce your margin for error. THEREFORE, WHETHER YOU ARE PRACTICING ON THE RANGE OR ON THE GOLF COURSE, USE THE SPEED STIK AS AN ALIGNMENT TOOL OR AID. Place the SPEED STIK adjacent to the ball, with the directional arrow aimed at a specific target, assume your stance with your feet, hips and shoulders parallel to the SPEED STIK, and swing. This provides you with an exact frame of reference for perfect set up and alignment. THE UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION (USGA) The United States Golf Association, in DECISION 2001-496, deemed that the SPEED STIK is permissible under the rules of golf. As a result, keeping the SPEED STIK in your golf bag during a round of golf is not a violation of the rules! ENJOY YOUR S PEED STIK AND I HOPE TO MEET YOU ON THE PAR 5 s IN TWO 11