[Yoda]

Can anyone give me some ideas on how to increase my clubhead speed? I'm already long, but I'm fairly sure that's due mostly to muscling the ball. I'm currently working on my fitness, which I know will help. But I want to know what types of things create more speed with the swing itself. I know about trigger delay, swing radius, and accumulator overlap (I read the book a lot). But I sometimes go overboard in applying what I think the book is trying to tell me.

You have asked only for ideas relating to increased Clubhead Speed. However, I think what you really want is increased Clubhead Power. And Power is a product of not only Clubhead Speed, but also Effective Clubhead Mass.

There are two ways to vary each of these components. Clubhead Speed is affected by (1) the length of Stroke (the time you allow for Acceleration) and (2) the sharpness of the Release Interval (Sweep versus Snap). Effective Clubhead Mass is determined by (1) Lag Pressure (the rate of Acceleration into Impact) and (2) Swing Radius (length of the Primary Lever, i.e., the Left Arm and Club). This last item -- Swing Radius -- can be further extended to the Feet via the 'gear train' effect of Pivot Lag.

Now to your question. Regarding Clubhead Speed, since I rarely see a Stroke that is too short, I am going to assume that your Stroke is long enough. That leaves only the Release Interval as a source of additional Velocity. You have stated that you understand the Power Accumulators and Trigger Delay. Check each of the employed Power Accumulators -- #2, #3 and #4 (Swinging) and #1, #2, #3 and #4 (Hitting) -- and make sure you are actually achieving the Maximum Power application (6-B-1/2/3/4-A) and also the Maximum Delay of each (6-B-1/2/3/4-C).

Regarding Effective Clubhead Mass, work first on your Timing. You want to make contact just before you reach Full Extension (of the Left Arm and Club via the Full Uncock of the Left Wrist) and with the Clubhead moving as fast as it can and still be Accelerating. Then, make sure you have plugged that most insidious of all Power leaks, the Bent Left Wrist through Impact.

Contrary to what most people think, when the Club is thrown past a Bending Left Wrist, it does pick up Speed (due to the Law of Conservation of Angular Momentum). However, that increased Speed comes with a high price tag. Namely, a dramatically reduced Swing Radius (now only from the Wrist to the Clubhead) and a similar reduction in Effective Clubhead Mass and Momentum. This results in a much greater slowdown of the Clubhead during the Impact Collision and a proportionately lower Ball Speed at Separation. So, make sure you are keeping your Left Wrist Flat through Impact and using your Pivot Lag to extend your Swing Radius to the Ground.

Bottom Line: For increased Clubhead Speed, work on Maximum Power and Trigger Delay of the Accumulators. For increased Effective Clubhead Mass, work on Timing, the Flat Left Wrist and Pivot Lag. When these items have been successfully integrated into your Total Motion, you will have achieved your maximum Clubhead Power and Ball Speed at Separation.