Unlock Greater Distance: Xander Schauffele’s Proven Keys to More Club Speed
Long Irons or Fairway Woods?
If you’ve ever wondered how the pros generate incredible club speed while staying perfectly in control, Xander Schauffele offers an inside look.
In a recent interview, the Olympic gold medalist, 2-time Major Champion and 10-time PGA TOUR winner explained how he transformed his swing and gained measurable distance, all thanks to a refined technique, focused training, and smarter sequencing.
Whether you’re a beginner hoping to add a few extra yards or an experienced player wanting to fine-tune your power, Schauffele’s insights show how a combination of physical conditioning and refined technique can make all the difference.
Building a Foundation for Speed and Strength
After years of consistency, Xander made a major shift, bringing in new eyes to refine his swing and body mechanics.
“I switched swing coaches for pretty much the first time in my life,” he shares. “I started working with Chris Como and hired a new trainer, David Sundberg.”
That partnership focused on two key pillars:
- Strength training - Building a stronger lower body and core to generate more ground force.
- Swing efficiency - Cleaning up the club path to move faster with less effort.
The results showed up quickly. Gains in the gym translated directly into increased clubhead speed across his entire bag, and a more on-plane backswing gave him better control through ball contact.
If you want to build more strength and speed like Xander, the right training tools can help you move with more power and create tempo for a faster, more efficient swing.
Cleaning up Swing Mechanics for Consistency
Xander admits his swing once got “a little too laid off” at the top. This made it difficult to consistently hit his preferred draw.
From 2018 to 2022, his shoulder turn became too flat, and the club started to drift behind him, leading to inconsistent contact and difficulty controlling trajectory.
“I would have to tip way back… laterally lunge to get the club sort of on plane… and the club would move too drastically. ”
Working with his new swing coach, Schauffele focused on getting his golf club more on plane, which included:
- A slightly more “across-the-line” position at the top
- Better rotation through the downswing
- Allowing the club to “drop into the slot” for a more natural release
The key takeaway? Clean mechanics don’t just improve accuracy, they unlock greater speed. When the club is in a stronger position, the body can rotate freely, creating more efficient energy transfer through the ball.
If you’re looking to improve your swing, you can get help applying Xander’s tips with a 1:1 golf lesson from the expert instructors at PGA TOUR Superstore.
One of Xander’s favorite ways to gain instant speed is surprisingly simple - a small left heel lift during the backswing.
“Whenever I’m trying to pick up more speed on a single shot, I like to pick up my left heel off the ground,” he explains.
But it’s not just about lifting the heel, it’s about how you do it. Many golfers lift their heel incorrectly, losing rotation and balance. Xander emphasizes turning fully into the right hip while the heel comes up, just like you would in a throwing motion or baseball swing.
This move allows you to:
- Load properly into your trail side
- Generate more torque and ground reaction force
- Transfer energy efficiently through impact
When done right, the heel plant becomes the trigger for a powerful, well-sequenced downswing.
Staying fit is a simple way to make it easier on your body when adjusting how you swing and your mechanics. Check out our essential fitness and training tips to learn how you can adjust your mechanics as efficiently as possible.
Schauffele’s improvements didn’t just show up on launch monitors, they showed up on the course.
“My 9-iron went from 155 to 160 yards. My 6-iron went from around 200 to 205, sometimes even 210 when I really go after it.”
For a tour professional who is already known for consistency with irons, those are massive gains. But Xander also points out that extra distance requires recalibration. Suddenly, his “stock” shots flew farther than expected, forcing him to adjust his yardages and course strategy.
That’s an important reminder for any golfer: when your speed changes, your setup, club selection, and distances change too. Regularly measuring how your swing is altering your performance ensures your equipment and performance stay aligned.
Improving club speed isn’t just about swinging harder, it’s about moving better, training smarter, and playing with equipment that matches your swing.
At your local PGA TOUR Superstore, our certified fitters and instructors can help you:
- Analyze your swing path and tempo
- Match you with the right driver shaft and flex
- Identify gaps in your distance progression
- Build a strength and mobility plan that supports speed safely
A professional custom club fitting can help you unlock similar distance gains by optimizing launch angle, spin rate, and clubhead efficiency. If you’ve added distance or changed your swing, it’s time for a new club gapping session or custom fitting to ensure every club in your bag is dialed in.
Take inspiration from Xander Schauffele’s experience to kickstart your journey to more power and precision!
Visit any PGA TOUR Superstore location to improve your game with a custom fitting led by one of our Certified Teaching Professionals, and explore our full lineup of drivers, training aids, and performance gear to help you play your best.