Have You Been Hitting Your Driver Wrong Your Whole Life?

[@sonnyjames8922]

I've doing the lean forward and chop down method my whole life. For a fairly large guy, I hit it only 210 off the tee. I never thought of a compression line and bottoming out the driver behind the ball so I can hit up on it. I do now. I'll implement what Clay's talking about. He's the best explainer of the golf swing I've ever seen.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks Brett!

[@MrMichaelcostigan]

Hi Clay, I have been playing golf for 11 years and have always had mixed success with the driver, after watching your video, I have been smashing them, the position of the ball was my problem, its now on the outside shoulder, thanks so much for this great video....very much appreciated...cheers

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hey, thanks for sharing. Glad you like the video. Keep up the great work! Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@Grunt21Tennessee]

"Play that ball (position) in relation to your upper body". Yes, that makes sense! Thanks!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

My pleasure!

[@GENOBURRITO1]

I like your no nonsense approach to teaching. Everything you show in relation to a golf swing, serves a purpose and you explain it in great detail. I appreciate your vids

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks!

[@jimcrosby3944]

Of course I've been hitting my driver wrong my whole life. That's why I'm here.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Haha...hope the video helps.

[@anasrashid639]

Followed the instructions while teeing the ball higher. It worked miraculously great. I just tried to keep my left shoulder behind the ball. The distance increased by at least 30-40 yards and ball flight is almost unbelievable. I loved watching it. Thanks Clay & Q

[@TopSpeedGolf]

That's great! Thanks for sharing. Keep hitting bombs :-) Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@scott5411]

"what were the stats on that one"......"I don't know it's still in the air"...lol

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Haha...I tried to get Clay to crack up on that one. Hope you're playing great! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@davidjames1684]

He could have given him the swing speed and angle of attack while the ball was still in the air, unless that setup was not capable of doing that.

[@davidjames1684]

3:15 - "Right down the middle of the fairway"... machine shows 11.3 yards to the left which is about 2.1 degrees offline. Also, problem at 1:41... 194.8 carry + 32.9 roll is 227.7, machine shows 227.5.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hi David, thanks for the comment. Hope you're playing great! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@chrisdunford2753]

Thank you so much! I have been playing 35 years and been hitting down on my driver like compressing my irons with ball in the center of my stance. Just hitting a few balls using this technique I have seen a big difference.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

My pleasure!

[@chrisdunford2753]

Top Speed Golf - Clay Ballard If I didn’t know better, I would have thought you were hiding behind a tree and watching me! LOL. Everything you described was me. Thanks again.

[@TheUnclered2]

Boy, this video hit me right where I am! This made more sense than any other tip I've ever received. I wish I could get on the course to test it. Thanks

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Me too, hope to get out soon!

[@D3M0N0731]

I'm not sure if I have been hitting wrong or if I was close to doing all you said, but I have noticed after seeing me do these things I'm hitting driver better. I do have the ball teed lower, but I also hit pretty high if not, even with the driver set to around 9 degrees. Thankyou so much

[@TopSpeedGolf]

My pleasure!

[@patrickburns8776]

Thanks for a great 3-tip adjustment. Practiced it one day on the range (loved the results immediately) and put it into play on 18 holes the next. My drives were moonshots that went 20-30 yards further than ever.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Glad it helped! Thanks for sharing!

[@garystarkey6255]

Driver game: strong, Beard game: stronger. thanks as always for the great content!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks! 😂

[@crispycremesful]

These is one of the best tips ever. My game has been incredible since making these adjustments.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Glad it helped!

[@geemac7267]

I want to say that I like your content and your teaching style a lot. You've helped my game for sure.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks!

[@nbt3663]

Just found your channel. I am trying to rediscover my old golf swing as an old man.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Welcome aboard!

[@danroe2939]

Always very informative and easy to understand. Thanks Clay.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks!

[@awachtel]

Great, easy to follow instruction guys. I've struggled with this for years, and after watching this (and your other video on fixing a slice) I've already improved enormously after a couple sessions at the range.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks!

[@richardvonminden6943]

Really good teaching! Helped me a lot!! Thank you!!!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Glad it was helpful!

[@GenMot78]

Thanks Clay and Quentin, the whole video was great! Quentin's explanation of where your stance has helped me tremendously. I had issues hitting up on the ball but since adjusting my stance the numbers AOA are positive. I'm a subscriber to top speed golf and your training videos are great.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

No problem! Glad the video helped. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@wiljf17]

Thanks for a clear and concise video with great points.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

My pleasure Will!

[@charlieclark592]

I've always thought you wander the ball with your foot I tried a new method of lining it up with my arm I gained 10 to 15 yards each drive thank you so much great tip

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Awesome!

[@69mjar]

Great video. I have a learned bad habit of not releasing the club and hitting almost down into ball slightly. I struggle mightily hitting up into ball at a degree or two.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hope the video helps!

[@davidjames1684]

@Top Speed Golf - Clay Ballard - What might happen if the ball is teed completely (100%) above the height of the club, and the ball is put even more forward in your stance to compensate? Where is the point of diminishing returns on distance regarding that? Your 5.9 degree AoA went farther than your 3.0 degree AoA shot, so why not try for even more such as 9 degrees. Perhaps find out where it becomes too much and then back it off a little. That is, try the ball teed above the club + 25% and move it even farther forward and check the AoA of that shot. Eventually the ball will be so high and so far forward, the distances will come back down. Did you test this before your advice here?

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hi David, it depends but that is what many long driver competitors do. You just have to test it out and see what works best for you. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@wrjong]

Thanks Clay. With this lesson in mind I went to the golf course today. Guess what? I brought my handicap down from 27,8 to 25,9!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Nice!

[@mblessing1009]

This video shed a new light on driving for me THANK YOU!!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

My pleasure!

[@MrJohnnyb74]

I just got a Taylormade Mini Driver Original. Yep, I lose a little distance, but I am in the fairway most of the time which is what matters most to me.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks for sharing!

[@carlosbrohlin1016]

Very interesting and good 3 tips. I think the toughest challenge is the mindset since you hit down on the ball with your irons, and hit up on the ball with the driver. More shots with irons on a round so really have to adjust mindset and body picking up the driver on some holes.... Thanks for good video!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks!

[@tony.bickert]

Thanks. Simple -- keep outside of shoulder just behind the ball. That's something I can see during set up and focus on during takeaway and downswing. Now the forward lurch can't happen, which I've been trying to lose for years. Now, in order to get to the ball while staying behind it, I have no choice but to pivot my hips, which I should be doing anyway. Kills two birds! Maybe three birds because I also have to maintain my swing more now to get through, which will help with follow though and balance at finish! Now if the two feet of snow would start to melt here in Alaska....

[@TopSpeedGolf]

My pleasure!

[@finnerator]

Clay!! I appreciate you brother!! This video changed things for me !!! Wow. I was doing it wrong! This video was phenomenal!! Thank you Sir!!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks! It's all my pleasure.

[@davidjames1684]

@Top Speed Golf - Clay Ballard - I think this is a question many golfers wants to know the answer to... If they normally hit about 225 yard drives which I think is about what the average 18 handicapper Joe Shmoe golfer can do, other than the good technique you showed here, what other physical characteristics do they need to be able to hit close to 300 yards? Is it that some people will NEVER have the flexibility and/or strength to do it so it is hopeless? For example, I can swing a driver at about 100 MPH. I used to swing it at 110 MPH many years ago. When this happens (I am in my 50s in age), is nature telling me I will NEVER get a 300 yard drive because my body is trying to protect itself, or are there some exercises people like me can do to get close to 300 yards? Weight lifting? Stretching? Using a very heavy training golf club (donut maybe?). If any of these are beneficial, can you talk about what type of them are needed please? Also you didn't talk about hip speed. I have seen some videos saying that the faster you rotate your hips, the higher the club speed is.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hey David, you need to get back up to 110 mph to have a good chance of hitting it 300 yards. You'll need to get to 115 mph to be there consistently. if you're' looking for more distance then I recommend working through our 20 Minute Distance Fix program. People of all ages and abilities are gaining tons of distance on this program. See what our members are saying about it here: topspeedgolf.com/20-minute-distance-fix-success-stories/. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@davidjames1684]

@Top Speed Golf - Clay Ballard - You didn't talk about having the driver matched to your swing and how many yards an "off the shelf" driver that is not matched can hurt your distance. Also, amateurs that are wild out of the box might benefit from LESS distance. I used to play golf with my dad and I could outdrive him by 50 to 80 yards, but many times that didn't help me because I would get into trouble. If someone that could hit 250 regularly can learn to take a little off the driver (or just use some other club) and hit it 200 consistently onto the fairway, that might be better than trying to bomb it 280 and hoping for the best.

[@davidjames1684]

@Top Speed Golf - Clay Ballard - I think it is unrealistic for old people to even think they can get anywhere close to 300 yards. I've seen some that cannot even hit 200 yards. Telling them that they can swing 16 MPH faster seems far fetched to me. Also, a senior golfer going from 80 MPH to 96 MPH (+20%) is a larger % than a young golfer going from say 100 to 116 MPH (+16%) and even more to my point is a junior going from 64 MPH to 80 MPH (+25%), so your general statement that it doesn't matter what your previous swing speed was, you can add 16 MPH is questionable by me., so questionable that I am willing to try your course and have you make a video with me and we post the results for all to see. The proof is in the pudding. Do you accept the challenge? I represent the Joe Shmoe golfers out there that play a few times a year so I seem like a good test candidate. I live close to Orlando, FL so I am hoping you are in that area too. What I strongly suspect will happen is on the simulator (to take wind out of the equation), I might get 250 yards max (225 average is likely) using my normal driver and swing... then if you coach me to identify the power leaks, I am betting that even after many sessions, I wont be anywhere near +16 MPH (such as 100 MPH up to 116 MPH). Remember, I can only swing the club so fast, even if I am not required to hit the ball, so how would improving the ball position relative to your stance increase your club head speed when I might max out at 105 MPH just swinging the club as fast as I can not hitting anything? Take the ball away but leave the machine on and ask someone to swing as fast as they can and they will max out at some number. Putting the ball there in the perfect spot will not "magically" make them swing faster than that, how would it? As I stated already, I used to swing my driver at 110 MPH but now I only seem to get about 100 MPH because I am 10 years older and my body is slowing down to protect itself. Making someone my age swing 110+ MPH is risky unless that person has the flexibility to handle it. I would sign a waiver so you cannot use that as an excuse to decline my challenge. Another thing you didn't mention is driver swing weight. If I drop my driver swingweight from D8 to C8, I can probably swing it faster, but that may not translate into more distance. It might even translate into less distance. Another thing you didn't mention is driver length. How are all of these parameters optimized for distance? Even if there is a way, it will likely take away from accuracy. If you accept my challenge, then give me a way to contact you and I will make the call as early as today (Tuesday March 17th, 2020). We can start the training after we discuss details such as price, duration, rules, compensation, what can and cannot be edited out.... I will wait for your response here. Thank you. One last thing... I know I sound pessimistic, but I will give it an honest try (assuming we agree to terms), because I would love to hit even just 1 shot 300 yards, but I say it is "impossible" for someone like me who has already declined 10 MPH due to age, without going thru a rigorous 1+ year training process where I lose weight, stretch everyday, maybe lift weights or do pushups.... who wants to go thru all that hassle for more yardage? I want to see what technique alone can do to my drives such as proper compression line. I suspect 10 to 15 yards max improvement on technique alone, but same or similar swing speed.

[@DASH1ful]

but, you don't have to chop down on the ball when you move onto the ball. the key is to apply force to both the left and the right side of the club with the left hand. once the left hand moves into a position where it is to the left side of the shaft, the force that is applied to the left side of the shaft, with the left hand, will increase the speed of the club. and, by moving onto the ball it helps you to get into a position where the left hand is to the left side of the shaft. and, when you stop to think about it, a player is going to feel much more co-ordinated if their right eye (if it is their dominant eye) is over the ball. yes, you need the right grip for this to work. but, modern day equipment is on our side. and, it is worth remembering that if you have a good grip your right elbow will start down whilst the club is still moving back. and, this gives a player the opportunity to strike thru with the left side of their right forearm from the moment that the club starts down.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks for sharing!

[@mahoney3071]

I look forward to taking this to the range and seeing some better results. I've been very frustrated the last few years that despite a 115 mph clubhead speed, I can only hit the ball about 260. I'm guessing that all my effort of late trying to compress my iron shots has leaked into my driver and killed my distance.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Best of luck!

[@Vanzgardian1]

Great tips thanks!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks!

[@cliftonmanley3882]

"Tee 'em high, let 'em fly"... still hit 'em low on the club face... less spin makes mamma's boy a a happy boy.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

😂

[@haroldsingh7713]

Hi Clay, You deliver amazing, well explained instructional videos which I look forward to and can’t wait to practice. Thank you. Your swing speed for your driver is 118 mph. Are you using a extra stiff shaft? Which respect to stiffness, which shaft will you recommend for a speed of 90 mph and will that make a difference in the carry distance. Keep up the lovely work!

[@mikedupa6932]

Following this one ...I'm in the same boat

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks Harold! Yes, Clay uses an X-stiff. Unfortunately, there isn't any way for us to know what shaft works best for you. Not all shafts are created equal and there is no standard. One company's x-stiff could be another company's stiff shaft. The only way to know what works best for you is to get professionally fitted. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@brown55061]

So everyone is aware, the tour average for driver impact is actually about 1.2* DOWN into the ball. They swing so fast that accuracy is more important than 5+ yards off the tee. There are still many guys that hit up on it with the driver and for higher handicappers who are obsessed with drivers, teeing it higher and hitting up is probably good. Also, don't forget the farther FORWARD your ball position is the more left it will start because your face is rotating more. Have fun!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hi, thanks for sharing. You're exactly right. The Tour average is about a degree or so down on the ball. Most of the longest hitters are not hitting down on it. If you have enough speed then you can get away with it a little bit. Also, when you have higher club head speed and you hit up on it, you may hit the ball higher than you're comfortable with so many pros prefer to hit it a little lower even if they lose a little distance. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@kenpaveley1572]

Just found this video, Clay, and interesting with ball tee height as nearly everyone says half a ball above club face. I’ll try this as totally lost it with Driver - I’m 18 handicap and was getting 240-260 total distance but last few months contact has been poor - gonna change tee height and get over the range, noting your other instructions. Cheers, Ken London

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hope it helps!!

[@mikehoffman3142]

This is the best golf video ever!!!!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks!

[@wvxombie]

I am having a major problem hitting off the toe of the club. When I do hit the center of my club its a dead pull left. The straight ones are off the toe and its killing my distance. I have no idea on what I can do to fix this. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks...

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hi, it sounds like you're coming over the top. This will lead to some toe strikes sometimes and pulls. Swing from the inside and try to hit it off the heel. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@lindseyfrazier3298]

if it ever stops raining......i will be putting these tips to use. thank you!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

My pleasure!

[@keyassetprotection6865]

Thanks Clay. Love your stuff. Our swing speeds are the same. Are you using the LST G410? Also, did you give the blueprint irons a chance vs the i210?

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Clay does not have the LST nor has he tried the Blueprints. They were not out yet when he got fitted. One thing to keep in mind is that you may have a similar club head speed but that doesn't mean that you would use the exact same clubs. There are many other factors that go in to it and the ONLY way to know what actually works best for you is to get fitted by a professional fitter. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@pukkapeter]

I came here looking for a vid for my friend (honest, for a friend 😂). This is the best thing I've heard for ball position and upper body, my mate drifts forward which kills his shot

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Haha....thanks!

[@135791113ful]

I'm confused as to how to stay behind the ball at impact, but still shift your weight to your lead leg and it not be a reverse pivot.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Don't slide. As soon as you feel the pressure in your lead foot, push off your leg to rotate open and stay behind the ball. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@135791113ful]

Thanks. Will work on this.

[@tonybinks2670]

Love your videos and they've been a huge help to my golf - started a couple years ago, late at 40, but improving quickly thanks in no small part to your channel. Can you please tell me where you get your wide brimmed hat! Got to get me one of those!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks Tony! You can find it on Amazon. Just search "Nike Sun Hat"

[@tonybinks2670]

@@TopSpeedGolf thx

[@davidjames1684]

4:02, that is not a line, it is a line segment. Lines have infinite length, Line segments have finite length.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks geometry police 😎

[@davidjames1684]

@Top Speed Golf - Clay Ballard - It has more to do with accuracy. We have definitions for a reason, so when we use terms, we are all talking about the same thing.

[@hedwardrodriguez2538]

Thank you so much for this video!!!!! Been taught the wrong way the whole time!!! I went from driving the ball 200-220 yards to 275-300 yards!!!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

My pleasure!

[@davidjames1684]

@H Edward Rodriguez - In how long, 10 years?

[@mattsmith-bl2bg]

Every time I'm on the Tee with Driver I think, how does Clay do it. Then I don't do it how Clay does it!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

😎

[@haroldsingh7713]

Haha. Maybe change our names. Lol

[@moehein6379]

Thank you.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

You're welcome!

[@davidjames1684]

3:10 - You swung a lot harder on that one than you did for the previous shot so how are we supposed to compare apples and apples if you change your swing speed by about 19 MPH (118.4 vs. 99.5)?

[@edipocarvalho100]

David James agreed

[@edipocarvalho100]

17mph is a HUGE difference

[@jordanbarr1452]

Thank you... What a joke

[@davidjames1684]

@rafael carvalho - Try 18.9 MPH swing speed difference between his downward hitting shot and the one at 3:10 elapsed.

[@Dewan_N_Only]

You can't swing down at that speed. It at least won't be as fast as his normal swing. That's the point of the video, how to maximise speed, distance and also make sure we're driving it better.

[@jalan8171]

Fine geometry setup and through impact for a fine player that gets out to the range and course most days of the week. Now please illustrate these elements with a double digit handicapper that does not have the benefits of utilizing a launch monitor regularly.

[@hennman1965]

what these people sometimes can't remember is that high handicappers cannot visualize, feel, and put into play all the high level advice...

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hi Jeff, these same things apply. You don't need a launch monitor. Tee it high, play it forward and stay behind the ball. Watch the ball go far :-) Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@MM-zb9kc]

Great video. I’m always afraid to tee it up too high but also explains why I’m hitting so low on the club face. Also great idea on how to position outside your left arm (for a right handed player). I sometimes can’t position myself correctly as it looks farther forward than it really is at times. Is there a way or drill to show you exactly where it’s at in relation to your body if you are practicing by yourself. Hard to tell sometimes. Thanks.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

I would use an alignment stick on the range and video.

[@danicalifornia91]

I have so consumed so many conflicting pieces of information about golf from youtube that I can't even keep a damn thought in my head!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Unfortunately, there is no way around that if you're watching a lot of instructors. I would recommend sticking to one for a while and see if you can make some progress and keep your head straight for a while. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@merkeva1841]

clay i hit my driver on a launch of 17.5 degrees should i buy a driver with lower loft? im using a 10.5 degree (change ball postions, change swing, or change shaft) backspin is around 3000 swing speed 112

[@Motrin-Hydrate]

Kebuin Kebuin - I had the same problem and I started teeing my ball lower. One ball height above the ground and doing that gave me positive results.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hi, it's really impossible to say without getting on a launch monitor and trying it. I would recommend getting professionally fitted if you want to know for sure. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@merkeva1841]

@@Motrin-Hydrate thank you

[@merkeva1841]

@@TopSpeedGolf thank you i will schedule a fitting

[@dangolf]

So nice lesson:) very usefull.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks!

[@jaydoubleu0311]

One should assume this is after getting fitted for the best kind of shaft that suites their swing?

[@TopSpeedGolf]

This is good for any time

[@charlieclark592]

Thank you awesome

[@TopSpeedGolf]

My pleasure!

[@adamsmith2493]

What is up with the swing speed difference?

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hi, it's hard for Clay to swing at full speed when he is making the bad swings. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@hedwardrodriguez2538]

I just hit my driver Q. , what are my stats? “I don’t know, your ball went into the lake in front of you. “ 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@TopSpeedGolf]

😂

[@richardhurt7703]

Hi Clay, what is the loft on your driver?

[@TopSpeedGolf]

8 degrees

[@danwparkinson]

I clicked on your square to see more about your "compression line" and you still did not release the full video. Even after I gave out my email address the full video was not released as promised. Your website reminds me of the home shopping network. "Wait there's more."

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hi Dan, sorry you had trouble with this. The video should play as soon as you give your email address. No worries, you'll be getting many free videos in your inbox soon. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@glennwatson3313]

I use castle tees to make sure the ball is teed at the same height every time.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks for sharing!

[@vinniedyal7246]

What does the word Lag mean?

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hi Vinnie, it means that the mass (clubhead) is trailing the force (hands). Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@kidbowjb]

Let's get something straight. The machine well overstates the distance. No way it went 323 in the real. Cmon man

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hi, thanks for the comment. The machine is pretty accurate but they do misread sometimes. That being said, 323 yards is pretty normal for 118 mph clubhead speed with a good bounce. There also may have been a little tailwind. It's reading the flight of the ball. You get a tailwind and a hard bounce and you could get it out there 350 yards at 118 mph clubhead speed. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@MoeJetz31]

I always prefer when people talk carry distance because the rollout is typically overstated by tech, but that ball was well over 300.

[@christopherstone1083]

Clay haven't seen your videos for a while....Have you been lifting??

[@TopSpeedGolf]

He has been some. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@miriamdalglish255]

Is the tee height the Orange castle tees clay

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Clay just uses regular old wooden tees. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@mightyx]

I disagree, I think the major power leaks are flaws in the hands and arms, as well as body movement, not saying that the tee height and ball position dont matter but they are only small factors

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hi Mike, there are definitely more than three but these are some of the major ones. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@geemac7267]

Have I been hitting my driver wrong my whole life? No way, not me. I've only been playing for about 5 years. So I've only been hitting my driver wrong for 5 years.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Haha...your whole golfing life anyway 😂

[@bertilknudsen]

«Have You Been Hitting Your Driver Wrong Your Whole Life?» I don't know - he hasn't complained so far.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

😂

[@trav-c137]

love the vids! I was wondering.... should my right wrist (I play right handed) move more like I'm releasing a basketball or more like I'm flicking out a fishing pole ?

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks! The motions are pretty much the same. You just want to be releasing out in front and not at the ball. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@rickcudmore8156]

If I play the ball outside of my right shoulder (lefty), I will start hooking the ball.

[@questioneverything7762]

Rick Cudmore ,open the face of the club a little.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hi Rick, you could but you could also slice it, push it, pull it or hit it straight. It really just depends on your face/path relationship and also strike location. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@dmrk1240]

these two are basically the golf versions of the main two people in moneyball

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Haha 😂

[@dmrk1240]

@@TopSpeedGolf I'm just playing around. Love the videos!

[@vd3364]

Spring can't come soon enough...

[@TopSpeedGolf]

for sure!

[@maxd1384]

Most impressive part of this video is you hitting the ball to lower your tee with the bottom of your driver lol.

[@slaw38]

was thinking exactly the same thing

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Haha...thanks!

[@eoinmurphy8761]

Is it a coincidence that your tech guy is called Q or are you just a really big Bond fan?

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Haha 😂

[@hennman1965]

come on...your first incorrect swing was purposefully bad, not a natural swing - so when you swing properly, of course you're going to hit it better, not to mention 20mph faster (try the bad swing with your normal club head speed...) your advice on ball height is great, position and follow through are great as well...

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hey, those are fair points but it's hard for Clay to change his swing pattern and match the club head speed. Sometimes it's impossible because that swing pattern can cause big loss in speed. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@brettlang9503]

Swing like Moe Norman

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks for sharing!

[@maaduece5132]

it turns out i was just hitting a shitty driver , i got to try a couple of fancy pants new drivers and frickin bombed them , the driver i had could barely go 230 meters and stay fairway , i got to try a taylormade sim in the golf store on the simulator and hit one 299 meters . mind blown after trying to get back into golf after 2 decades away from golf

[@persongreg]

You left out the 4th key, drippy bucket hats.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

You're darn right 😎

[@marccaruso1351]

Most average weekend golfers drive the ball about 250-260 if not less. These 300 plus numbers are for single digit handicappers, and life long athletes and range rats. Go try and drive the ball past 300 and enjoy carting you a 120 after 18 holes.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hey Marc, thanks for the comment. The same things that help someone go from 280 to 300 are going to help someone go from 200 to 225. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@enricorizzoneto3560]

Great

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks!

[@sidecar7714]

Heighth is not a word. Height is.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks for sharing!

[@sidecar7714]

@@TopSpeedGolf my dad was journalist who said heighth his whole life.

[@Robert_Licata]

the party line

[@greglove7718]

Should have grown the beard sooner, your hitting better now !!! Great video. Thanks

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Haha 😂

[@jboy5744]

Every time I tee ball higher the top of club comes into play and I hate that it destroys my will to keep trying. I have been moving ball position forward as Q suggested, still in testing phase. You realize the numbers you keep reporting put you in very elite driving distance group, it’s time you took someone who you instruct on camera and show normal humans making improvements. Not implying your not normal just out of my league. Is the facial hair coincide with you hitting like a gorilla😁. Just finished playing in windy conditions and got to say playing the ball more in line with the shoulder worked great. I didn’t gain much above 10 to 15 yards but accuracy was on the mark.

[@jboy5744]

joseph matthew Good question, if I tee it my normal height the ball travels at what I would call a decent flight path. I swing not because I want to pretty slow 74 mph down from my younger days of 96 mph. Some of that I associate with flexibility and nagging back issues. My reluctance to tee it higher is because clubs are expensive and I don’t want to blemish my Ping driver. Thanks for your concern.

[@jboy5744]

joseph matthew I am going to move ball up quite a bit in my stance which is the tip which gave me hope.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hey John, you may not be able to do exactly what Clay does but the same things that help someone go from 280 to 300+ yards will help someone go from 200 to 225 yards. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@mikemcilroy4995]

20 mph difference in club head speed...that should be good for a yard or two

[@TopSpeedGolf]

😂

[@n41698m]

Mike McIlroy he clearly didn’t try on the first one, a bit disingenuous but whatever

[@simono6520]

The real question is : How many extra yards does the beard give you?

[@TopSpeedGolf]

😂

[@davidjames1684]

@Simon O - Ask Rick Shiels.

[@s1dest3p]

You barely swung at that first drive where AOA was negative. The points in your video may still be good, but let's try a bit harder at doing some apples to apples tests. How much distance is lost when strike are similar, club head speed are similar, AOA is negative vs positive, and path/face-to-path are similar?

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hey, those are fair points but it's hard for Clay to change his swing pattern and match the club head speed. Sometimes it's impossible because that swing pattern can cause a loss of speed. You really can't do apples to apples testing though. It's even hard to do on swing robots. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@guessmyname1104]

heighth

[@TopSpeedGolf]

👍

[@s.swanky1809]

Top Speed Golf - Clay Ballard - you’ve been saying it wrong your whole life 😂😂😂

[@noherekruger3738]

A beard is not you. Also, this is a TERRIBLE idea for guys who tend to hit more down or square on the ball. I never tee it up more than half a ball length above the driver head. If its tee'd too high and you hit on a descending blow it just pops the ball straight up, so you have less margin for error. You can still come into the ball square and hit it a mile. I consistently drive about 340+, and I've always struggled with trying to hit up on the ball.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks for the comment. Yeah, you wouldn't want to hit down on the ball and tee it up that high. That's why we have the bit about the Compression Line in the video. This gets you hitting up on it.

[@markfitzpatrick360]

Love the content and the clear instruction dude. But lose the beard mate, it makes you look like an amazon jungle explorer haha

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks! 😂

[@obamahasnosoul]

@@TopSpeedGolf don't listen to Mark... he must be a boy that can't grow one. Keep the beard!!

[@markfitzpatrick360]

Sean Regoli haha come on dude just admit you’re love for clay xx

[@MikeJones-wk5kq]

It’s the hat that has him lookin like he’s got a cameo in the new Indiana Jones movie

[@mattsmith-bl2bg]

My son is 5'10" 140 lbs and hits it as far as Clay, you don't have to be a big Gorilla to hit it far. No offense Clay lol.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Haha, having a large range of motion is one of the most important things. He may be only 140 lbs but you have to be pretty strong still to get your club head speed up to around 120 mph. That's impressive for sure! Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@joevandijk2284]

You compared two drives. First with 99mph club head speed for 229 yds then the next at 118mph for 308 yds. Not rocket science which will go further. Almost dishonest

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hey Joe, you're exactly right but the reasoning why the speed was less is what the distance killer is. It was not our intention to be dishonest. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@musicsouth2033]

You didn't even try on the 1st swing pal.why don't you swing for a power fade then your a golfer PAL and your legs aren't stable enough in your down swing...😅🤣😂exactly clay has a much too wider stance😅🤣😅

[@TopSpeedGolf]

😂

[@musicsouth2033]

@@TopSpeedGolf 😅🤣😅🤣😅