The ONSZN Ep 1: Speed
Audio Brief
Show transcript
This episode of Chasing Scratch covers hosts Eli and Mike's quest to reverse declining club head speed using The Stack System.
There are three key takeaways from this discussion. First, dedicated off-season training is essential for significant gains in areas like swing speed, distinct from regular swing practice. Second, effective speed training requires focusing on pure speed, not perfect swing mechanics. Third, a structured, data-driven system combined with friendly competition can drive motivation and progress.
Dedicated off-season training is essential for significant gains in areas like swing speed. Trying to make fundamental changes mid-season is often less effective. This approach allows golfers to focus solely on conditioning their bodies for maximum velocity.
For speed training, the mindset must shift from perfecting a controlled golf swing to simply moving the training tool as fast as possible. Biomechanist Sasho Mackenzie emphasizes that many good golfers instinctively hold back, hindering true speed gains.
The Stack System, an app-guided program with a weighted club, provides a progressive and data-driven approach to increasing swing speed. Coupled with a competitive wager between the hosts, this structure helps maintain consistency and track measurable improvement.
The episode concludes by establishing initial speed baselines, setting the stage for their competitive off-season training.
Episode Overview
- The hosts of the "Chasing Scratch" podcast, Eli and Mike, aim to reverse their declining club head speed from the previous year.
- They commit to using "The Stack System," a specialized speed training program, throughout their off-season.
- Before starting, they interview The Stack System's co-founder, biomechanist Sasho Mackenzie, for key advice on proper training.
- To add motivation, they establish a friendly wager where the winner receives a large, framed canvas of a humorous, custom-made painting.
- The episode concludes by revealing the initial speed results after their first session, setting the baseline for their competition.
Key Concepts
- Off-Season Improvement: The episode highlights the importance of using the off-season for dedicated training to make significant gains in areas like swing speed, rather than trying to make changes mid-season.
- Speed Training vs. Swing Technique: A core theme is the mental separation required for effective speed training. The goal is to condition the body to move as fast as possible with the training tool, not to replicate a perfect, controlled on-course golf swing.
- The Stack System: The video introduces a specific, app-guided system that uses a weighted club to progressively train a golfer's body to increase its maximum swing speed.
- Motivation through Competition: The hosts use a wager and the app's ability to track each other's progress as a tool to stay motivated and consistent with their training regimen.
- Biomechanics of Speed: The interview with Sasho Mackenzie touches on the biomechanical principles of generating speed, emphasizing that good golfers often hold back in an attempt to maintain control, which can be a barrier to speed gains.
Quotes
- At 01:46 - "I'm surprised you're not shooting lower already." - Sasho Mackenzie, co-founder of The Stack System, humorously comments after seeing the hosts' swings, suggesting their technique looks better than their scores might indicate.
- At 02:35 - "...allow yourselves to think 'swing stick fast' and not 'swing my driver'." - Sasho Mackenzie explains the most important mindset for speed training is to focus on the physical act of moving fast, rather than trying to perfect golf swing mechanics.
- At 04:50 - "That picture needs to be blown up and framed, and the winner needs to get that." - One of the hosts proposes the prize for their speed competition: a large, framed canvas print of a humorous, AI-generated painting of the hosts.
Takeaways
- To increase swing speed, you must train your body to move faster than it currently does, which requires dedicated speed-focused exercises.
- Separate your speed training sessions from your regular swing practice to avoid confusing the two different objectives (raw speed vs. controlled technique).
- Using a structured, data-driven program can provide clear guidance and make it easier to track progress and stay motivated.
- A full, proper backswing is a fundamental component of generating maximum club head speed.
- A little friendly competition can be a powerful motivator to stick with a training program.
