In this foundational video, World Long Drive Champion Justin James teams up with Mike Malaska to reveal the true path to gaining distance off the tee—and it’s not what most golfers think. Rather than chasing speed through brute force or endless gym sessions, Justin breaks down the Five Gears for Swing Speed, a structured progression that builds a fast, repeatable swing from the hands up.

The conversation begins with Gear 1: Hands, where Justin explains how small, chippy driver swings help players develop feel, path control, and proper face contact. Many golfers swing hard while delivering the club poorly—producing slices, ballooning shots, and even injuries. But when players start with simple hand-focused swings, they build real control over launch and spin. Once the hands are working, the swing progresses through Gear 2 (hands and arms), Gear 3 (shoulders), Gear 4 (hip pivot), and finally, Gear 5: Ground Force, where full-body power is applied without losing structure or control.

Mike uses visual aids like a large-faced club to show how central face contact is the key to distance—and that accuracy of contact matters more than swing speed alone. Justin reinforces that most amateurs try to jump from first to fifth gear, stalling their development, just like a car stalls if shifted improperly.

The video also addresses misconceptions around speed training. Justin often slows players down before speeding them up—focusing on hands, wrists, face control, and sequencing. That’s where real gains in distance come from, not just lifting weights or using speed sticks.

Whether you're a high-swing-speed player or a weekend golfer looking to hit it farther, this video will change how you approach distance. It’s a blueprint for sustainable power and a perfect introduction to the Director of Distance series.