TEST YOUR SWING SPEED POTENTIAL

Test your mobility and ability to generate swing speed with these tests. If you pass, you've got the green light to gun it. If you fail one or more, I'll provide you with links to some exercises that will allow you to swing faster than ever. —Chris Finn, one of Golf Digest's Best Fitness Trainers

Before you take the tests, it’s important to find out how fast you currently swing a driver. While your “all-out” speed is nice to know, pay more attention to your “gamer” speed. That’s the speed you typically swing at while playing golf. Have a look at this chart (above). These are other amateur golfers’ gamer swing speeds by percentile versus all-out speeds. For example, if you’re in the 50-59 age group and get 95 mph on a normal swing and 98 when you're giving it all you've got, you’re in the 50th percentile.

While sitting, rotate your lower legs outward (one at a time)
Using a mirror, measure the amount of degrees your hips internally rotate
You failed if you can't rotate either leg at least 40 degrees. Didn't pass? These exercises will help.
If you passed, move on to the next test

In your golf posture, bend one arm at 90 degrees at shoulder height
Rotate your forearm upward as much as you can
You failed if you can't rotate both forearms at least 10 degrees past your spine angle, just sort of vertical. Didn't pass? These exercises will help.
If you passed, move on to the next test

Sit with your arms crossed, pinching a yoga block between your knees
Rotate your torso in either direction
You failed if you can't rotate at least 60 degrees in both directions without leaning. Didn't pass? These exercises will help.
If you passed all three tests, you've got the green light to train to swing faster