Posted by Bryce Mooney - Cofounder of Speed Toad on Jun 17th 2026
Rick Shiels YouTube Channel Tests Speed Toad: 8 MPH Ball Speed Gain in Just 30 Days of Training!
Can a golfer really gain meaningful swing speed in just 30 days?
That was the question posed in a recent challenge featured on the YouTube channel of Rick Shiels, one of the largest golf content creators in the world. (video embedded at the bottom of this blog)
The challenge followed a Ben Wright's journey using Speed Toad for 30 days while attempting to dramatically increase his driver speed and compete in a head-to-head ball speed challenge at the end of the video with Rick himself.
The results surprised even him.
Why Rick Shiels Featured the Speed Toad Challenge
The challenge began after we met Ben and Rick's team at the PGA Show this past January. They learned that golfers gain an average of 5.4 mph of driver speed during their first month of training with the Speed Toad.
Rather than simply discussing the product, the golfer decided to put it through a real-world test.
The goal was simple:
Train with Speed Toad for 30 days and see how much speed could be gained.
Along the way, he documented every training session, every setback, and every breakthrough.
Starting Numbers
Before beginning the Speed Toad program, his max launch monitor speeds were:
- Club Head Speed: 118 mph
- Ball Speed: 167 mph
These aren't beginner numbers.
At this level, every additional mile per hour becomes increasingly difficult to achieve.
That's what makes the final results even more impressive.
What Makes Speed Toad Different?
One of the first things highlighted during the challenge was Speed Toad's unique design.
Unlike traditional speed training sticks, Speed Toad allows golfers to train using their actual driver shaft.
The process is simple:
- Remove your driver head
- Attach the Speed Toad
- Follow the training program in the Speed Toad app
Because golfers train with their own driver shaft and grip, the speed gains found via speed training transfer much more seamlessly to a golfer's driver and onto the course.
Throughout the video, the Ben repeatedly mentioned how simple the setup was and how easy it was to fit sessions into daily life.
Training Through Real-Life Obstacles
One reason this challenge resonated with so many golfers is that it wasn't perfect.
During the 30-day process, the golfer dealt with:
- Poor weather
- Limited access to speed tracking equipment
- Scheduling challenges
- A two-week illness that interrupted training
Yet despite these obstacles, he continued the program and completed the challenge.
That's important because most golfers aren't training in ideal conditions either.
They have jobs, families, travel schedules, and unpredictable weather.
This challenge reflected what speed training looks like in the real world.
The Speed Toad App
Another aspect highlighted in the video was the Speed Toad app.
The app includes:
- Structured speed training programs
- Multiple progression levels
- Golf-specific fitness training
- Progress tracking
- Calendar scheduling
- Launch monitor data tracking
The purpose isn't simply to swing harder.
The goal is to train the nervous system to move faster and improve sequencing and swing efficiency to increase a golfer's swing speed ceiling over time.
The Results After 30 Days
After completing the challenge, his numbers had increased to:
Starting Numbers
- Club Head Speed: 118 mph
- Ball Speed: 167 mph
Final Numbers
- Club Head Speed: 122 mph
- Ball Speed: 175 mph
Total Gains
✅ +4 mph Club Head Speed
✅ +8 mph Ball Speed
Those are significant improvements.
An 8 mph increase in ball speed translates to an estimated 16 yards.
The Final Head-to-Head Challenge
The culmination of the video featured a long drive-style challenge with Rick Shiels.
Ben produced multiple drives north of 330 yards and in the mid-to-upper 170 mph ball speed range, showcasing the gains achieved during the training period.
He also reported his normal on course swing speed increased from 111 mph to 114 mph in those 30 days, this equates to an estimated 9 yards seen on course!
By the end of the challenge, it was clear that the Speed Toad program had delivered measurable results.
Rick himself acknowledged the significant improvements and congratulated him on the progress made throughout the challenge.
Final Thoughts
One of the most impressive aspects of this challenge is where it started.
Going from 118 mph club head speed and 167 mph ball speed isn't the same as helping a beginner gain speed.
These are already high-level numbers.
Yet after just 30 days of Speed Toad training, Ben increased his speed to:
- 122 mph club head speed
- 175 mph ball speed
Despite weather interruptions, scheduling difficulties, and a two-week illness.
For golfers looking to hit longer drives, increase swing speed, and unlock more distance, this challenge provides another real-world example of what's possible with structured speed training.
If you're ready to see what your speed potential really is, Speed Toad gives you the same system used by thousands of golfers worldwide—all while training with your own driver shaft.