Seb Twaddell Breaks the Ball & Club Speed World Records

A few weeks ago, the USGA and R&A jointly upset the entire golfing world when they announced the Proposed Model Local Rule (MLR) that would require the use of a reduced-flight golf ball in “elite competitions.” When supporting its finding, the USGA and R&A conducted ball testing 127 MPH club head speed—more than 12 MPH faster than the average clubhead speed on the PGA Tour.

Among numerous other criticisms, many commented how the MLR would punish, rather than reward, golfers who’ve made fitness a priority, and could easily be circumvented by just pushing club head speeds higher and higher in order to hit the ball further and further—disproportionally punishing slower (and shorter) golfers in the process. And to help emphasize that point, I present to you, Seb Twaddell.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by TrackMan (@trackmangolf)

Long driver golfer Seb Twaddell just hit 169.6 MPH club head speed on a Trackman, with 240.8 MPH ball speed—courtesy of a 47.75 Inch Shaft, Stock Off-The-Shelf Callaway LD Head, and Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash Ball. For anyone who’s still struggling to conceptualize how hard Twaddell is hitting the ball, this is a formula for 400 yards of carry and more than 40 MPH of club head speed than Cameron Champ—the fastest guy on the PGA TOUR—averaged during the 2021-22 season (it’s worth noting that Champ’s peak speed during the season was 129 MPH).

Twaddell doesn’t offer much insight into his workout routines, but it’s obvious there’s more than good genetics and speed training going on here.  And sure, guys like him and Kyle Berkshire aren’t competing on the PGA TOUR (yet), but the bottom line is that recent advancements in technology and fitness have (and continue to) push golfers’ physical abilities further than was ever imagined.

Cover Image Via Instagram