The Stack System Review and Progress Thread

[GolfSpy AFG]

When you say "Sasho told me"...how did you actually engage with him?  I've got some concerns/questions about what seems to be long period of stagnation or a lack of progress, and I was thinking about posing the question.  Did you send a DM on IG, or some other means?

[AndySP]

Nothing fancy, I just sent an email to the general inbox and Sasho responded. I used info@thestacksystem.com.
 

I was honestly surprised that he is the one who took the message, but I think they have a triage because a different person responded when I needed to replace some hardware. 

[GolfSpy AFG]

I was poking around the Stack System site and found this video from Sasho McKenzie explaining why there are no non-dominant swings included in his Stack protocols.  Pretty convincing stuff actually...

 

[MrKSTOKES]

On 4/22/2021 at 5:14 AM, BMart519 said:

3mph slower today compared to baselining. Was hungry after a light lunch but did the same stack warmup. 
Consciously thinking about “full” on course swing effort versus all out “max” is confusing when you are swinging a weight on stick. Definitely could swing harder...

Sad my grit was 97%, I guess I shouldn’t have waited 2 days after baseline test since it didn’t tell me to take rest days... either that or it was based on my speed throughout the session. 
I will likely add full driver swings to finish the stack warmup protocol prior to the foundations swings with the stack. If for no other reason than to get a feel for full driver effort versus just going into stack swings which you would want to swing as hard as possible. Again found that I am on the verge of yelling for the app to pickup the speed number. 

Narrowed my stance for last couple swings with the lightest weight and picked up 5mph. Going to experiment with that moving forward. 
 

 

 

[MrKSTOKES]

My personal experience of the Stack System has been amazing.

I was sceptical at first because it's one thing for an app to suggest what your distance potential is and that you're making gains but that needs to be backed up with reality.

At every jump in speed I've managed to hit a ball almost the exact distance the app has suggested is my new distance potential, so it's hard to find any fault with either the training or the info the app gives you.

I'm currently halfway through the first foundation phase and the results are pretty spectacular!

Swing Speed has increased from 93mph to 108mph (+15 mph)

Distance has increased from 257 to 302 yards (+45 yards - total distance not carry)

These gains almost look ridiculous but this is backed up with actual shots.

After 3 sessions the app suggested my speed had increased to a distance potential of 273 and that night I hit a drive 271.

After 8 sessions and reaching a distance potential of 302 I hit a drive that carried 279 and rolled out to 302.

All shots have been recorded on a GC Quad so I have no reason to disbelieve the numbers.

I've tried Super Speed in the past and whilst the training is similar in terms of trying to swing something as fast as you can, it's the app and info you receive that makes the Stack System stand out for me, down to the applause you get from a PB swing that makes the training almost addictive, especially as it schedules your next training session and you can set reminders if you need a prompt.

My golf has shut down for winter now (UK based) so will give this a solid 6 months and see where I am for next season, it's fair to say I'm pretty excited already to see where I end up, speed wise.

Edited October 21, 2022 by MrKSTOKES
tried to correct spacing to make it easier to read

[edingc]

My order showed up last week, I unboxed it the other night and went through the baseline yesterday evening. 

It took me a few swings to get comfortable swinging the Stack, but overall these numbers are spot on. The last two rounds I played my best drives would have been about 310 total when adjusted for how the Stack determines distance potential.

The algorithm recommended the Foundations program to start (no surprise), so I'll be starting that on Saturday. My goal is to train M/W/F throughout the winter. Not sure how much more I can get out of my swing as I've gained quite a few MPH this year just from technique improvements, but here's hoping. 

[MrKSTOKES]

1 hour ago, edingc said:

My order showed up last week, I unboxed it the other night and went through the baseline yesterday evening. 

It took me a few swings to get comfortable swinging the Stack, but overall these numbers are spot on. The last two rounds I played my best drives would have been about 310 total when adjusted for how the Stack determines distance potential.

The algorithm recommended the Foundations program to start (no surprise), so I'll be starting that on Saturday. My goal is to train M/W/F throughout the winter. Not sure how much more I can get out of my swing as I've gained quite a few MPH this year just from technique improvements, but here's hoping. 

you're off to a great start!

the training sessions are much shorter than the baseline test so quite easy to fit in.

best of luck with the training 

[GolfSpy AFG]

6 hours ago, edingc said:

My order showed up last week, I unboxed it the other night and went through the baseline yesterday evening. 

It took me a few swings to get comfortable swinging the Stack, but overall these numbers are spot on. The last two rounds I played my best drives would have been about 310 total when adjusted for how the Stack determines distance potential.

The algorithm recommended the Foundations program to start (no surprise), so I'll be starting that on Saturday. My goal is to train M/W/F throughout the winter. Not sure how much more I can get out of my swing as I've gained quite a few MPH this year just from technique improvements, but here's hoping. 

Cody, can’t wait to see your updates.  Remind me again what radar device you’re using?

[edingc]

54 minutes ago, Getoffmylawn said:

Cody, can’t wait to see your updates.  Remind me again what radar device you’re using?

The blue/gray Swing Speed Radar. My opinion is that it reads 8-10 MPH high but it generally pretty consistent.

I was surprised to see what numbers I put up with my driver. I've had that radar since 2019 and remember when I started my driver speed on it was 108-109 at the top end.

[AndySP]

On 10/21/2022 at 7:35 AM, edingc said:

My goal is to train M/W/F throughout the winter. Not sure how much more I can get out of my swing as I've gained quite a few MPH this year just from technique improvements, but here's hoping. 

M/W/F has worked pretty well for me, but I’ve found over time that on days when I do a workout right after I tend to need more than one day between to keep up. Now I try to be more flexible going back and forth between 1 day off and 2 days off. 

I’m sure you’ll be seeing some progress. I figure if the pro’s keep getting faster, so can we. I think I’ve learned more about what creates speed doing the stack because of the bigger weight differences. 

[edingc]

Late October warm spell allowed me to get out to the range today to do a quick baseline with my FlightScope Mevo+. I loosened up for a bit with irons and worked my way up to driver to record a few swings. Best effort was below. This was a full swing, probably as quick as I'd try to swing on course as I was just able to stay in balance.

It'd be really cool to see 120 MPH next spring...

[AndySP]

45 minutes ago, edingc said:

It'd be really cool to see 120 MPH next spring...

Do it! I went from 115 to 119 after my first foundations. My gains are slower now, but it now takes me much less effort to get to 120 than it did in August, which is a big motivator that doesn’t show up in the data. 

[revkev]

I'm happy when my ball speed gets to 120.  

 

Not really but some days it seems like it.  I stopped training in early August because it was too hot and too rainy and too busy to keep going.  Now that it has cooled off I've decided to get back into it - I did do some step training whenever the opportunity presented itself (which was never in September - our wettest September in history.)  I was uncertain of where to resume so I emailed and Sasho replied with a couple of questions, in less than 24 hours!  Long and short of it is that I'm going to do a new baseline on Weds and then resume where the app recommends that I start back up.  

 

Looking forward to getting back into it.  Next year I will do some indoor training during the summer months rather than being totally off.  

[edingc]

Five workouts in and this is going to have to be one of those, "Trust the process," things. 

Adjusting to the shorter length of the Stack takes some getting used to with the Sports Sensors radar. I've used my driver and driver-length speed sticks for so long I'm struggling a bit to get the optimal positioning figured out with the Stack. I think sometimes I miss the radar field and that leads to some funky readings.

My results so far reinforce what I've seen with my previous two systems - DIY SuperSpeed and Rypstick. I've very fast with lighter head weights but am abnormally slow (in comparison) with heavier head weights. It's an interesting, and frustrating, contrast.

Lots of things compounding on some less than stellar feels so far - it's fall so I spent all Saturday raking leaves before doing my training at night. And then tonight I was sore from pushing myself hard in the gym last night (still trying to up my strength, too).

I do really enjoy the app and the weights are simple enough to use. Not as quick as Rypstick but the app is super nice.

[GolfSpy MPR]

On 10/31/2022 at 6:33 PM, edingc said:

Adjusting to the shorter length of the Stack takes some getting used to with the Sports Sensors radar. I've used my driver and driver-length speed sticks for so long I'm struggling a bit to get the optimal positioning figured out with the Stack. I think sometimes I miss the radar field and that leads to some funky readings.

Quick question: is there a reason you wouldn't use the Mevo+ for this?

Kirke and I just got our Stacks today. We're going to have a bit of contest to see which of us can gain the most speed this winter.

 

[WaffleHouseTour]

I've got $20 on Kirke.  Any takers?

[edingc]

1 hour ago, GolfSpy MPR said:

Quick question: is there a reason you wouldn't use the Mevo+ for this?

Setup time, mostly. Though I may need to break down and use the Mevo+. Probably more accurate.

[GolfSpy MPR]

15 hours ago, WaffleHouseTour said:

I've got $20 on Kirke.  Any takers?

I'm trying to work out the criteria to evaluate the winner. Simple mph gain would likely favor me. If we do percentage gain, that is probably fairer. Kirke has a significant potential advantage: only one of the two of us has the possibility of growing taller this winter

I shot a DM to Sasho MacKenzie on Twitter, asking him for his way of measuring.

Literally as I was composing this post, he replied with a formula for calculating "speed training score."

[ejgaudette]

2 hours ago, GolfSpy MPR said:

I'm trying to work out the criteria to evaluate the winner. Simple mph gain would likely favor me. If we do percentage gain, that is probably fairer. Kirke has a significant potential advantage: only one of the two of us has the possibility of growing taller this winter

I shot a DM to Sasho MacKenzie on Twitter, asking him for his way of measuring.

Literally as I was composing this post, he replied with a formula for calculating "speed training score."

We actually have a thread start for an off seasons speed challenge. This might be a good was to score, we were just going for % increase in speed. Feel free to join in, all are welcome including Kirke, even if he does grow 6 inches this winter.

 

[bgolfing]

Can you only benefit from Stack if you have a radar?  Gets expensive 

[GolfSpy_APH]

PRGR are pretty cheap. Maybe $100 or so USD.

 

[GolfSpy AFG]

6 hours ago, bgolfing said:

Can you only benefit from Stack if you have a radar?  Gets expensive 

The Stack is the only one that requires it, but I'd argue you can really only benefit from the training with a radar from any program.  Take it from me...I'm infamous here for toiling away over half a year with SuperSpeed and no radar, and when I finally got one I learned I had gone absolutely no place.

It's not just about motivating you and tracking progress.  The radar teaches you what swing feels are actually producing speed.

[MrKSTOKES]

On 10/21/2022 at 10:16 AM, MrKSTOKES said:

My personal experience of the Stack System has been amazing.

I was sceptical at first because it's one thing for an app to suggest what your distance potential is and that you're making gains but that needs to be backed up with reality.

At every jump in speed I've managed to hit a ball almost the exact distance the app has suggested is my new distance potential, so it's hard to find any fault with either the training or the info the app gives you.

I'm currently halfway through the first foundation phase and the results are pretty spectacular!

Swing Speed has increased from 93mph to 108mph (+15 mph)

Distance has increased from 257 to 302 yards (+45 yards - total distance not carry)

These gains almost look ridiculous but this is backed up with actual shots.

After 3 sessions the app suggested my speed had increased to a distance potential of 273 and that night I hit a drive 271.

After 8 sessions and reaching a distance potential of 302 I hit a drive that carried 279 and rolled out to 302.

All shots have been recorded on a GC Quad so I have no reason to disbelieve the numbers.

I've tried Super Speed in the past and whilst the training is similar in terms of trying to swing something as fast as you can, it's the app and info you receive that makes the Stack System stand out for me, down to the applause you get from a PB swing that makes the training almost addictive, especially as it schedules your next training session and you can set reminders if you need a prompt.

My golf has shut down for winter now (UK based) so will give this a solid 6 months and see where I am for next season, it's fair to say I'm pretty excited already to see where I end up, speed wise.

 

[MrKSTOKES]

Just now, MrKSTOKES said:

 

Keep seeing steady gains, moved onto the Full Speed Spectrum protocol and have seen another jump to 114mph club head speed and max potential distance of 321 yards. 

So from October 1st this year club head speed is up 24mph and total distance is up 64 yards. 

Have found it takes a week or two to actually hit a shot at the speed the app suggests is possible whenever there's an increase but it's been extremely accurate so far.

[edingc]

On 11/24/2022 at 6:36 AM, MrKSTOKES said:

Have found it takes a week or two to actually hit a shot at the speed the app suggests is possible whenever there's an increase but it's been extremely accurate so far.

I was a little skeptical of the "eSpeed" calculation at first (especially since it adjusts based on radar device used), but it's been wickedly accurate so far. I think my "eSpeed" has topped out at 114-115 (Stack measurement with the blue/gray Sports Sensors radar) and that's usually the absolute fastest I see when hitting balls measured on my Mevo+.

Impressive to say the least.

[revkev]

Fastest workout yet this morning which is extremely unusual for me.  I'm normally faster in the afternoon, strike that always faster in the afternoon.  I only did the session because I have to work this afternoon.

 

I'd say the espeed is very accurate, particularly on full swings.  My SS on those is almost identical to what I see when I take the Rapsodo out for shots on the range or use my radar device for drives into the hitting net.

 

Also put me in the camp of those who believe you need to have a radar device to get any real benefit from overspeed training.  I've been doing some type for 4 years now.  I know that I can't always tell how fast I'm swinging - can't tell you how many times I've been surprised when I looked at the radar.  

[edingc]

I finished the Foundation program on Saturday and did my progress check-in last night:

Couple of observations:

• Although my driver speed hasn't changed, during my initial baseline my driver was abnormally fast that evening. Additionally, my baseline was completed outside in 60 degree weather, while the progress check was completed in my garage with 40-ish degree weather (more layers last night). Overall, last night my swing was "slow." I was about 2 MPH slower hitting balls after my session than I was over the weekend.
• I'm slightly faster across all weights (with exception to the trail arm swings - and that's just a comfort thing). 
• The 1 MPH increase at the 195 gram weight seems to align well with my Mevo+ measurements that show I'm roughly 1 MPH faster with my driver than during my baseline tests with the Mevo+.

The app recommended Full Speed Spectrum as my next protocol. For this protocol I will be switching to using my Mevo+ as my measurement device as it now has full integration into the Stack app. While I love the simplicity of the Sports Sensors blue radar, it's far too sensitive to positioning.

Not the progress I hoped to see, but overall I can tell I've been speed training again. While my ceiling hasn't increased much, my floor has. It is much easier for me to hit 114 MPH with the driver on the Mevo+ than it was before training, and I've seen my 6 iron creep toward 100 MPH more often.

[GolfSpy AFG]

26 minutes ago, edingc said:

I finished the Foundation program on Saturday and did my progress check-in last night:

Couple of observations:

• Although my driver speed hasn't changed, during my initial baseline my driver was abnormally fast that evening. Additionally, my baseline was completed outside in 60 degree weather, while the progress check was completed in my garage with 40-ish degree weather (more layers last night). Overall, last night my swing was "slow." I was about 2 MPH slower hitting balls after my session than I was over the weekend.
• I'm slightly faster across all weights (with exception to the trail arm swings - and that's just a comfort thing). 
• The 1 MPH increase at the 195 gram weight seems to align well with my Mevo+ measurements that show I'm roughly 1 MPH faster with my driver than during my baseline tests with the Mevo+.

The app recommended Full Speed Spectrum as my next protocol. For this protocol I will be switching to using my Mevo+ as my measurement device as it now has full integration into the Stack app. While I love the simplicity of the Sports Sensors blue radar, it's far too sensitive to positioning.

Not the progress I hoped to see, but overall I can tell I've been speed training again. While my ceiling hasn't increased much, my floor has. It is much easier for me to hit 114 MPH with the driver on the Mevo+ than it was before training, and I've seen my 6 iron creep toward 100 MPH more often.

I saw big increases in speed after my first time through Full Speed Spectrum, likely owing to the heavy use of Step swings.  Excited to see how it goes for you.  Keep that Grit score up over the holidays!

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

Wrong thread

[revkev]

Fastest dry swing with driver that I’ve ever recorded on a radar device. I always do 3 swings after my session just for kicks.  Yesterdays were 111,117,108.  I also hit 5 drives into the net and averaged 98 for them. That would be faster if I weren’t standing on a mat. I’m about 3 mph faster when I can use the ground.  For me the 98 is very fast though.

 

It’s interesting because I did Stack last spring into the first half of the summer and got nowhere. Did maintenance the rest of the summer, once a week or less, because of the heat and time. Resumed the beginning of November and have had a nice jump the past week. I saw it on the course last Friday, too. Playing Saturday this week, we shall see.