How to Easily Clear Your Hips In The Downswing

[@AlSalerno1]

this may be the best lesson I've ever seen, thanks

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks Al!

[@asmcdon1]

Probably top 5 most clear and concise videos I’ve seen on this topic. Impressive

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks Andrew!

[@UroborosX1]

Clay Ballard is the best golf teacher I've seen on KZbin. And I've watched most. You can tell the guy loves what he does by how he teaches everything so practical and easy to redomenstrate from beginner to scratch level golf. Unlike cookie cutter lessons that sound the same every time. Glad PING finally took notice. Keep up the good work. Great channel with a great team behind it.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks so much!

[@nicksellens272]

I agree. He's the best. Very watchable.

[@fakeperson4069]

I helped myself 10 fold using your techniques and also helped my wife who had never picked up a club in her life (excluding the time she threw my yard sale mix and match set into the street years ago when I stayed out way to late with the boys Haha). Your golf videos are easy to follow and get right to the heart of the subject. Long story short, we now share a love of golf together and it's been a lot of fun for us both hitting the courses the last couple of years. Thank you Clay, you are a gem!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

My pleasure! Thanks for sharing.

[@sansoniauyeung5479]

Nowadays, I only watch golf lessons of yours. They are really great and I like the way you explain and share all those drills. A big thank you!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Very welcome

[@mikeguetzkow8732]

One of the best tips ever. Picked up 10-15 yards, better contact and finally broke 80 today. Keep up the great work!

[@Hittingitsolid]

That's awesome work Mike, always great when you watch a good golf tip and are able to take it to the golf course and get the results. Keep it up. Cheers

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hi Mike, thanks for sharing. Glad to hear the tip helped. Congrats on breaking 80. Keep up the good shooting! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@brianwagner9518]

OMG Clay i just went to the range with your tip probally 70 percent of my shots my hips cleared im 58 years old sometimes its hard to get your hips cleared. you are a awesome teacher

[@brianwagner9518]

by the way my bothers live up north i sent this video link to them

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Great to hear!

[@parmanduke]

Clay is the best YT golf pro. Always awesome info.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks 👍

[@derrickaaron3691]

Clay, your tutorials are superb and second to none that I have found out there. From watching your videos and applying the tips I have learned from you I have gained so much more confidence and have so much more fun playing than I ever have out on the golf course! I thank you very much sir and please keep the great content coming!!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Glad to help. Keep up the great shooting!

[@markking3779]

Thanks Clay...very helpful..👍👍👍

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Very welcome

[@michaelcervantes9031]

Great stuff Clay! I'm a big fan. I've watched a ton of instructors and I think you're one of the best.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Wow, thanks!

[@redwave3520]

I have struggled with this early extension and frozen hip problem for 20+ years. None of my golf teachers ever noticed this about my swing. I am going to practice this at home for a couple of days and then go to the range to see if I can put it into action by hitting balls, then for the real test - the course. Thanks, Clay for this information!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Great! Best of luck Tim!

[@shaunduncan8332]

This is an excellent teaching video. I just watched a slo-mo video of my swing and this is definitely my problem. This now answers a lot of questions I had.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks! Glad it was helpful!

[@Mickey-rd5uo]

Thank You for ALL the GREAT help CLAY, I don’t understand all the thumbs down people.....??? They MUST be the guys who ONLY play golf to drink beer and try to tip over the cart.........

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Haha....thanks!

[@nitichainakornmuang5100]

Hi Clay I had been watching your institution video for over 1year it's help me with my game I am a lot improved my game a lot.. thank you

[@dougschlueter]

An excellent video that has improved my ball-striking consistency as well as reduced my tendency to come over the top.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks Douglas!

[@michaelsodders688]

I totally agree the best thing and explanation ive ever seen. Finally someone can teach! Thank you so much Clay!!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks! My pleasure!

[@markprather775]

Thank you, Clay! This has been a big part of my problem! Can't wait to take it to the course!! Your tips really make a lot of sense, and address the very issues I have with my game. Again, thank you so much for all your lessons!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Happy to help!

[@Livinthedream21]

Clay - you’re a fantastic instructor. Watched a bunch of your videos and you really have a great way of explaining problems and solutions.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Glad to help!

[@Werdnasemajjamesandrew]

I watch other instructional videos and my swing exaggerated my slice with my driver until I watched this guy. Your good sir. I’m hitting daggers dead straight and I hope to add distance with this lesson

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Nice!

[@robsav9723]

Very well done drill: in Clay video the more the explanation is synthetic and the more effective it is. To me this one captures very well the essence of the swing.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks!

[@Ryanhatesports]

Wow this is great I really love how the first drive is exactly what my best drive looks like

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Glad you enjoyed it. Play well!

[@robertdemarzo5965]

This is fabulous advice. I flip and move hips to the ball, not around. I haven’t been able to solve this till now. Thank you.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Happy to help!

[@Mscott1529]

A feel that really helped me open up is to feel like I trying to literally jump backwards off my left foot. This really gets me into my heel and opens my hips. Also adds a lot of club head speed and pure contact 👌🏽 Matthew Wolff has a video where he talks about that feel, that’s where I got it from

[@Antnapoli]

Clay you have helped me get rid of my slice in 4 range sessions. Videos so helpful. I was able to untangle years of bad habits and am on track for hitting straight and slight draws. This golf lefty approves! Keep up the good work.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Great to hear. Keep up the hard work!

[@mj_badmus]

GREAT Videos man!....I played NCAA DIII Golf for 2 years and was never really able to improve my game but your videos have really helped me, I had an over the top problem causing huge slices with my driver and also this problem you highlighted in this video of standing up into the golf ball, I went to top golf and applied it and its worked wonders. I cant wait till the weather gets warmer on the east coast and get out on the golf course and finally become a 0-6 handicap player

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks! Glad it helped

[@ScottSanderz19]

Great video! Love how you simplify the downswing moves and address three major issues: early extension, lack of rotation and at impact extending the arms at the ball instead of more down the fairway. 👍👍👍

[@Malcolm_in_the_Magic]

This video changed my game for the better overnight. Thank you so much. Finally someone broke it down in a way I could learn it.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

My pleasure!

[@devilsfan5967]

Great explanation of the correct movement! Thank you for sharing with us all👍

[@TopSpeedGolf]

My pleasure!

[@Mikedennis7]

Yeh wow. I needed this video. Great stuff.

[@Johnnatheman]

WOW!!! Of all the videos and tips I've received, this is the one that EXACTLY describes my main flaw. I did stumble across the bending of the knees idea just by trial and error and it works so well where, when I do remember to do it, it launches the ball straight and long. But without any validation, I haven't locked it in my mind to practice it for consistency. Thanks for letting me know what I feel is real.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

My pleasure!

[@eugenebrowngolf7014]

This is my number one mistake! My instructor calls it "sitting on your stool" that reminds me to bend knees and correct my posture! Thanks for uploading. +1 Subscriber

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks!

[@nopressuregolf]

I have learnt to hit all my irons and wedges quite well and play off 11 and i have never been able to hit the driver consistent. After watching this i have realised that my driver swing is basically flogged. Im going to use these drills and see how i go. Always enjoy your videos.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks for sharing. Best of luck!

[@jaystoner9475]

Great timing! A couple of days ago, I noticed my right knee straightened on my back swing and stayed straight through the whole swing. I hit the toe on every club I used. With the club setup at the ball, I bent and straightened the right leg and witnessed the club face moving from center to toe. Thanks for this video, I'm just getting back into golf after throwing in the towel 13 years ago.

[@rajmehat]

Lucky you. Ametures like me should be born with a birth certificate to play golf !. I watch, i listen. I practice, and of course pray but miracles just don't happen ! Beauty of golf is you come back again and again. I'm sure even Gods must be playing this game.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks Jay! Keep up the hard work! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@joegennaro972]

You’re the best! I signed up for your pay videos but I’m not sure how much more I can learn :)

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Welcome aboard! I can't wait to see how good your golf game is about to get 💪

[@thomasfraser9072]

Hi Clay. The old turning our body in a barrel can be done correctly as long as we know that that the lats of our upper body connects our shoulders and hips together. So simply turn our trail lateral muscle on our backswing and then turn our lead side lateral muscles on our downswing as we maintain our posture. It is that simply and I feel like a pro overnight.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks for sharing!

[@bobanyfingelf]

Excellent instructional video - clear & deliberate commentary. Thank you Sir.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks!

[@robertohuacujaluna6027]

i’ve had this problem for a very long time, god bless you! finally I will hit the ball pure!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks!

[@bskyoon]

Thanks for the incredible tutorials. I especially love the examples of how not to do things, you still hit straighter and farther than 99% of us :D

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Glad you like them!

[@boydbowman9838]

As always a very good explanation and video Boyd

[@TopSpeedGolf]

I appreciate that

[@golfshoe9321]

This is a tough early extension issue and I've been working on just pushing that left hip back perpendicular to the target line (Malaska move). I also tried dropping the trail shoulder when coming into impact (which essentially pushes the left hip back). This is called covering the ball. Both of these are difficult to engrain. I will try your squat move Clay later today. Most of the great ball strikers lower the spine when coming into impact.

[@keithchristian8899]

Really makes sense, you are describing my swing fault 100% - thank you.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks Keith!

[@radhikanarayanan6064]

thank you. really helpful

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Glad to hear that!

[@brian.bennett]

The knees! Truly helpful, thank you sir.

[@golfboy8533]

I would pull my whole body up ,clay had the best video of what i did i have some video from my lesson that shows me what it looks like never thought swing was bad till i seen for myself clay you have some awsome videos on Top Speed Golf thanks so much for reading look forward to more have agreat holiday to all

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks Walter!

[@阿飛-q4w]

Great explanation. That's what I am working on recently. What works for me is to feel my hips sitting down a little bit, (same idea to bending knees). Really helped me to create good lag and hit the ball much more solid with speed.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks!

[@alanfinlay1877]

Another superb video , I have struggled a lot .but this helps

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks Alan!

[@benknowles3760]

Thanks Clay, I have been following your suggestions and I have seen a big improvement in my game 😃

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Great to hear!

[@Eli_skips]

Wish I had you when I was taking golf lessons. This helped complete my swing.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Nice!

[@8755415]

This is a problem that I have, and will give this a try today. Thanks.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Best of luck!

[@nombre5502]

Very very useful!! The BEST lesson I've ever seen. Could you please give us some exercises to improve that movement? Thanks from Spain!!!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks! We have many more videos on this on our channel and website. Check them out.

[@johnairey4171]

This video is much appreciated. I have finally had some success with this myself, but a big missing key was letting the hips move in the direction of belt buckle (or zipper) to tail bone a little in the transition. enough to feel like I could strike the ball a bit more with the toe of the club, rather than a bit on the heel. otherwise I still came out toward the ball a bit, especially under *any* tournament pressure. I played low level competitive golf as a junior but then did not play for 35 years. Now I am trying to compete in low level gross flight competition as a 55-64 player. I had to exaggerate your move to learn it. I learned to do it by moving the driver strike from a little on the heel to a little on the toe by sitting my hips "back" along the axis from belt buckle to tail bone, as well as "down" in the transition. this allowed toe strike while keeping path zeroed. I used a strike sticker on the face of the driver to be sure of strike; that I could really move it. I had to not worry about keeping my head super still. I let it move a bit. "stable" or "steady", but not "still". keeping my head "still" as a junior player probably encouraged the wrong motion a bit. fyi, your chipping and pitching videos are my personal favorites tho clay and quentin. so good! my short game as a kid in 1980 was so good, where is it now in 2020? getting better thanks to you guys!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hi John, thanks for sharing and for the comment. I'm sure you'll get back to your better chipping days with some practice. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@amadofrancisco6038]

learned a lot from this video! thanks Clay..

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Glad to hear it!

[@kellymiller7859]

Very good Clay and I definitely needed these tips!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Journeytocollegegolf]

Thank you, thank you, thank you thank you, thank you, so much that is so helpful!!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Glad it was helpful!

[@samyoo1678]

pure class

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks!

[@lagit4strokesgained820]

Came back to this, great video. I am slowly getting better by really exaggerating the squat and right knee bend as I initiate the chest turn then arms. It's still awkward, timing is forced for now... but getting better :)

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Keep on working on it and you'll get there. Best of luck!

[@winstonhsu154]

wow.. is correct! on the spot ! awesome !

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks!

[@tedn6757]

Nice video. The pre swing is my trouble for sure. I tend to stand up instead of squat. I'm a 7 to 8 handicap and most of my trouble comes from the tee. I'm headed to practice this and will report back in time. Thanks for the tip.

[@Hittingitsolid]

Keep at it Ted, got no doubt you'll nail this move and start flushing it again. Cheers

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hi Ted, it's hard to say exactly what is going on without seeing your swing but you're most likely coming down steep in transition. When you come down steep, most will stand up to get the club to drop back down on to plane. Take a look at your swing on video from down the line to make sure. You may want to work on getting the club to shallow out in transition so you can stay in your posture and rotate. This is The Move course on our website available to our members. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@robertsmeenk8274]

Your best video ever. Thanks muchly 😊

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks Robert!

[@dougzembiec9995]

Thanks Clay. I struggle with this problem and your video is a really simple way of fixing the problem of poor hip rotation.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

My pleasure!

[@sivabalamanigandansivbaals6634]

Very helpful... thank you mate!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

No problem 👍

[@golfboy8533]

I took a lesson and it was hard for me to get hips involved in the swing now it i get big help hitting ball alot better can't wait for the weather to get better.

[@joeybayles9880]

Me 2!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hi Walter, thanks for sharing. Hope the video helps. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@tom-fp7vi]

best video Ive seen

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks!

[@ericsmith564]

Awesome video..

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thank you

[@faizaljay3323]

Tq bro......best of the best

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Welcome 😊

[@scottyament4105]

omg this is what iv been doing omg, i forgot about the knees, thank you mr guru of golf

[@TopSpeedGolf]

My pleasure!

[@carlosvalderaduey620]

Clay you are the best!. Please some time to how we must put the driver with the shoulders at the end of the back swing

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks Carlos!

[@hoosierdaddy5050]

I’ve Been Suffering from this for years!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hope the video helps!

[@yalilbasterrd387]

I always go back to my skate\snowboarding days with this move...like trying to Ollie or preloading for a big spin on a jump

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hi, thanks for the comment. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@BRIANFAIRBROTHER]

I was working so hard on this last year and a left hip injury in April stopped me and now I am back to a square on hit. This has reminded me just how important this movement is.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hi Brian, thanks for the comment. Sounds like you're on the right track. Keep up the hard work! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@rosstrue1]

Great information. Passed this to a buddy.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Awesome thank you!

[@zero2herogolf]

5:30 - I noticed Jacob French is using an alignment rod against his butt, to help him keep his pelvis depth through the swing. I'm going to start doing that. Excellent video guys, thanks!!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks!

[@kenweatherford2728]

I used to move my pelvis forward for years. That was the vertical movement and high hands Clay was talking about. I used to have a lawn chair, but alignment rod works. I just focus on the squat, feet pushing, and lead leg straightening just before impact.

[@smoozerish]

One of your best videos to date because it really gets into excellent detail on the body mechanics that most of us amateurs miss. Thanks.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Wow, thanks!

[@hughcapetien]

Thanks for the tip. I am over 70 and can hit with decent power for my age, but I have noticed that I have been doing exactly as you described in the video - the lack of "squat" on the downswing prior to impact. The consequence of my "lack of squat" are thin shots or outright near whiffs or tops. You have demonstrated that I have been an arms and hand swinger all along. On average with the driver I have been in the 250 to 270 yard range with the "bad habit" but I will certainly try the "squat" and see if can get more leg and hips involved through the swing.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

My pleasure. Best of luck!

[@harleygrandpaernie]

Great information. What would you recommend for a senior with a right knee issues. Thanks you rock brother

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks! This doesn't change if you have knee issues. It just might be more difficult or impossible to do. Play well!

[@jerrymelnyk1755]

Excellent video Clay, I will share with all my golfing buddies, thanks.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks Jerry!

[@abrahamgodfrey1189]

so good

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks!

[@iadrian7821]

Thank you so much for this video. I’ve been to a golf lesson just last month then the hips is really my biggest problem. Thank you so much & I also subscribed. More power!!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

My pleasure!

[@hkyorky88]

If I could bend my knees on my golf set up just like what you taught in the video, it really helps me open my hips easily. Tks so much

[@TopSpeedGolf]

My pleasure!

[@Williepierce]

Best lessons on utube! “This” one fixed my swing. Awesome!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks!

[@michaeldonaldson8508]

Williepierce when you going pro? Lol

[@FairwayJack]

good stuff

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks!

[@williamgriffin4975]

This has been my MAIN ISSUES. The movement of the feet, doing a 180, may be the simplicity i needed. More to follow (feels ez in the house)😀

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hope the video helps!

[@williamgriffin4975]

on range now & it works perfectly for me (3/4 swing feel & good tempo, more flush, higher trajectory & distance)

[@MrDixieNormus]

your explanation of how your feet need to push/pull severely opened my eyes, i was using my knees but the feet helped me stay grounded and easily helped release the hips!!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Glad it helped!

[@georgecarrington7548]

Really found this Useful thankyou

[@TopSpeedGolf]

My pleasure!

[@dano9060]

Excellent!! My main problem

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks Dan!

[@malcolmjones5073]

The squatting and using the ground as I turn my hips may be the piece of the puzzle I am missing in my swing. I will try it out tomorrow to see how much club head speed I can gain using your drills. Thanks so much for all of your amazing video's. I really enjoying watching them all.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

My pleasure! Best of luck!

[@AndrewDCDrummond]

A single swing thought that works for me (as you can't have more than one swing thought on the course, surely...) is to make the backswing and then to drive the front tip of the right hip bone straight towards the target without getting any closer to the ball. Obviously it will get a bit closer to the ball from the backswing hip turn, but this thought causes everything else to clear out of the way to the follow through position.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hi Andrew, thanks for sharing. Hope you're playing great! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@dragonfly4535]

Great video,Clay.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks!

[@williamgrizzard5385]

Great video tk

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks William!

[@richtfingers]

Great video, Clay. Probably worth pointing out that not clearing the hips is a major cause of lower back problems, as you heave the body into the shot, putting too much pressure on the lower back.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks for sharing!

[@fredrikvrang532]

Interesting stuff indeed. I haven't seen many instructors talking in such detail about hips and knees. I'm just thinking about this squatting motion and I feel it could potentially make the clubhead come TOO close to the ground at impact. For sure my hands have to be at the same height at impact as they were at address, right?

[@Hittingitsolid]

This could potentially happen, you're right. However, what you'll find is the hands will remain fairly constant if you do the squatting motion correctly. Cheers

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hi, thanks for the comment. Yes, your hands will be working lower which means you'll have more forward shaft lean at impact leading to more compression. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@maxamillion070]

Excellent instructional video. I have suffered from flipping the club recently and just watching your 10 min video has helped me so much with this. Thank you👍🏻👍🏻

[@TopSpeedGolf]

My pleasure!

[@CarlosRayNorris1979]

Would a lower more prone position at set up be an easier way to ensure you're already in good impact position. Already being in a lower position during downswing? I have tried this and it really worked well with longer clubs. Short irons I hit under the ball more.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

It usually doesn't work well because you'll tend to want to stand up in the backswing but if it works for you then great!

[@roykenthaochannel9067]

Thank u 🙏🏾 clay

[@TopSpeedGolf]

My pleasure!

[@jamieliang9554]

Great video. This is exactly my problem and my swing looks like your students’ Before swing. After 7+ yrs of the same motion it’s hard to change. I can practice the right motions in front of a mirror, but when it comes to hitting on the range I seem to either chunk or shank. This is probably because the ingrained timing on my downswing and using too much arms. Any thoughts or suggestions? Keep up the great videos!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

This is normal. You're trying to run before you can walk. Shorten the swing and the speed then build it up from there. Speed takes away feel so you have to slow it down then speed it back up. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@jukkarinta8670]

25+ years of playing golf and none of my golf coaches during this time have never spoken about the leg/knee action... Can’t wait to get to driving range to try how this feels in real life. I have all the symptoms explained, so could this be the sorcerers stone to get my distance back? Will post updates...

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hope so!

[@jonwright8236]

thanks so much, been doing this and wondering why my hits going everywhere they shouldn't , thanks for another great vid and Happy New Year from Ireland

[@TopSpeedGolf]

My pleasure!

[@rahoulkille7458]

Great video!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks!

[@vinhgolf]

thank you for the video. I have a what I called " Lazy Hip" and it wont open. now i know why. Great video .

[@TopSpeedGolf]

You're welcome!