Hit Your Driver Further - No Matter Your Age Or Flexibility

[@thowdy]

Great, during this lockdown I’ve been watching a lot of golf videos.....now I only have 317 swing thoughts..... I’m going to be awesome when it’s time to play.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Right on

[@thowdy]

Top Speed Golf - Clay Ballard I went to the range and tried it and it worked pretty well. Balance is a big problem for me and this tip was good. Unfortunately I have a nasty case of the shanks on my other clubs

[@GHajjo]

@@thowdy your club face is likely open turn your hands over

[@thowdy]

G. Hajjo I think I’m not releasing the club thru impact. Feels like I’m carrying lag way too far and just slamming the ball with the hosel.

[@JojohnWick]

317 lol

[@ZDUTCH1]

Oh man. Right on the money! I'm 52 and do exactly that short restricted (3:18) and compact (5:13) swing and hit 200-220 drives (6:37). Played with younger big hitters but they sprayed all over. That's the problem with big swings for me too. I'm watching this video over and over, breaking it down, and practicing in front of TV. Next on the range practice practice practice! Thanks again! Good cliffhanger too 😏

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks for sharing!

[@ML0u]

That is so true ! My father is 74 and compress the ball like you wouldn’t believe it. As he getting older, he became a Fan of Moe Norman’s swing. :)

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks for sharing!

[@asterisktalley6283]

My 11 yr old daughter has been told some of these tips from instructors but we just watch this video and did all the check points and she immediately went from an average of 82 mph club head speed to an average of 90 mph. Thanks 💪🏻

[@TopSpeedGolf]

That is awesome! Thanks for sharing.

[@guessmyname1104]

There is so much conflicting instruction out there. I have actually been taught some of these flaws (ie restrict your hips for x factor) by a certified PGA instructor. Your advice makes a lot of sense and feels more natural. Thanks Clay. 🏌️‍♂️

[@edgemasterrlol]

Couldnt agree more lol. I just heard this week that we shouldnt lift arms at all and just remain on plane. Clay is my favorite youtuber teacher though and his tips always work great with me so Im going to stick with his version haha.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks for sharing! My pleasure.

[@jmv99id]

Thanks for all these videos Clay! I have been stuck in the house for months now, discovered you a month ago or so, and this has given me something to work on in the back yard with a net. I can't wait to get to the range, let alone a course, to see how I'm doing, but it sure feels (and looks on iPhone slo-mo) a lot better.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Glad to help!

[@frank63]

Thanks Clay... A lot of people will say u sliding... However i think u made a lot of sense. That's how a boxer n a karate guy execute a killer punch. Gary player talked about this in one of his video.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks for sharing!

[@bennywtan]

Hi Clay. I am Benny from Jakarta. Many thanks for the tips in this video. I have tried yesterday morning at the golf course. For early loading on right leg ( point 1 ) already in my swing style before.. I tried to ( point 2 ) straighten up my right leg more on the top of my back swing, as the result I got 15 meters more with my driver. But for ( point 3 ) arms more up, very difficult for me to have consistent results compared to my current swing path ( more around the body ). I tried to swallow my down swing by dropping my right elbow to body, but saying and thinking is much more easier than doing... Haha.. perhaps this point 3 needs more time to get consistent results.. so far, I am already very happy to get extra 15 meters.. Hope to receive feed back from you. Stay safe...

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hey Benny, thanks for sharing. Nice work!

[@TheBanjoFlyBoy]

Another great video! Your ability to demonstrate the good, the bad and the ugly is amazing!!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks!

[@cslittle1]

Clay, regarding the tip on the Right to Left weight shift, it would be so much easier for us to see if you could do this on a balance pad. We're looking at your swing and visibly can't see the difference, so we have to take your word on what you did wrong. Showing the shifting of weight on a balance pad clearly illustrates the difference.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks for sharing. We don't have one though. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@timnew7662]

Great video today. Thanks Clay. As an aside the PRGR Launch monitor I ordered through your previous vlog came in today and I wasted no time in getting out to the local driving range to try it out. Wow......I didn't realize just how slow my swing really was or how short the yardages were with my irons. This device (my newest toy) will really come in handy with keeping me humble about my game. One comment on it though. In regards to my asking in the earlier VLog about if it also covers the LW, I found out it doesn't. The SW is the shortest club it is programmed for. BUT, I also found today that once I get down to the GW and the SW the only reading I can get is the swing speed. It will not give me the other specs it gives for the PW and on up to the driver such as ball speed, carry distance, total distance etc. According to the device operation manual, when hitting the wedges, the GW, and SW ball speeds are too slow for it to read the smash factor and thus compute the rest of the specs. So all I was getting was the swing speed. Somewhat disappointing but I will just deal with it as I am not about to send it back just for that small detail. In case any of your other subscribers are interested in buying one the device covers 20 clubs. Driver, 3W, 4W, 5W, 7W, & 9W. The Utility woods/Hybrids 3, 4, 5, and 6. And the irons 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, PW, AW, & SW. Thanks again for todays video and tips. Maybe these will help me get a speed/yardage boost on my new toy.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks Tim! Also, thanks for the feedback on the PRGR. It does have it's limitations. I'm not sure why they wouldn't have a LW setting in there but the SW setting will get you really close. It won't be that much of a difference. I just looked at the manual and it will read ball speed as low as about 33 mph (15 m/s). So, if you're hitting short pitches with a lot of loft then you may not be producing enough ball speed for it to read it. I would say at that point you could clearly see how far the ball is going. It would go a max of 30 yards with that little speed. One thing to keep in mind too is that these devices will miss readings sometimes. Even the $18,000 devices miss readings so we can't expect a $200 device to be perfect. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@timnew7662]

@@TopSpeedGolf Thanks Quentin. I hit 4-5 balls each with the SW and the GW and the device just wouldn't pick the ball speed up for any of the shots. In each case, my GW usually goes around 100-105 yards and the SW is usually around the 85-90 yard mark. Both clubs seemed to be going their usual distances yesterday. Late last night it occurred to me that I might have better luck setting the front of the PRGR on a short tee and have it pointing just slightly upwards in order to help it's radar pick up the higher ball flight. I figure it is worth a try so I am going to try that next time at the range. One other thing. On one 8 iron swing I actually got a smash factor reading of 1.57 and it is my understanding that the Smash number tops out at 1.50. So I am guessing that was a false reading by the device. lol

[@ZDUTCH1]

A $200 launch monitor? Can you share the info please? I'd be interested 👍

[@SAMax2268]

Some good tips Clay, they make a lot of sense. I used to focus more on the shoulder turn and not so much on the hips. It took a few swings to get the arms a bit more higher in the swing and the hips to turn a bit more, but eventually I could get a feel of the differences in the movement and the swing speed.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks for sharing!

[@willosee]

Gary Edwin who coaches a lot of tour pros (he is at The Australian GC in Sydney) does a lot of work on the idea of throwing a ball at the tee. So when you talk about loading up and then turn, if you throw your right hand at the tee, then you can really unload. He stresses to really load up and let go.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks for sharing!

[@jamesharris184]

Thank you so much precisely what I was wondering. I can hit either way and I wasn't sure of the rationale, of higher Freddy Couples like hands.... would that be the same with the hybrids and irons?

[@Chris_Traynor]

Really good video of a holistic view of many different concepts. Great!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thank you very much!

[@RobertSmith-ll9xw]

Definitely makes so much sense, you don’t get all excited that your on camera like other do. To me it’s the golf that’s the driving force(🤓) not getting famous. Great video 👌

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Right on

[@AndreAlforque]

Thanks! I'll need to combine this with your nail drill (a week ago) because my angle of attack gets too steep on the down swing. Can't wait for the driving range to open. Stay safe!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

My pleasure!

[@chocolate3906]

I always enjoy your videos Clay, Thanks

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Glad to hear it

[@mendhamgolf]

Clay, can you do a driver video where you show how to hit the driver with "high arms" opposed to "flat arms" and still be able to make solid contact without the swing plane going all over the place. Whenever I swing the driver using high arms, I tend to come back into the ball on to steep of an angle and poor contact. Thanks

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hi, we have many videos on this. Search "shallow" on our channel. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@DASH1ful]

well, that's it. the right leg follows the club. the club moves to the right of the hands in the first part of the backswing, and then moves to the left side of the hands in the second half of the backswing. the key is to activate the muscle in the left side of the leg. the leg will then be pulled to the right- in the first part of the backswing- and then to the left- in the second half of the backswing- by the movement of the club. but, as you do feel the swing recentering itself towards the top you may then need to apply pressure on the ground with the left foot to the point that the left knee compresses slightly. this helps to max out the turn, also. and, of course, pressure on the ground with the left foot is increased in the start of the downswing. this helps the left leg to eventually straighten, and helps the left chest to rotate. it pulls the head forwards slightly, also. right eye will be more over the ball at impact.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks for sharing!

[@DASH1ful]

@@TopSpeedGolf thanks for replying

[@cujo6970]

Would the arms being high at the top of back swing promote over the top? Guessing you need to feel more of a pull down, then around during down swing?

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hi, thanks for the question. You need to make sure you shallow the club in the transition and get the elbow back in to the side at that time. Search our channel for many videos on shallowing the club. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@stickyrice2851]

What type of shaft do I need to get the maximum swing speed?I am 75 yrs old guy and my regular shaft does get me some distance but I cannot get to the green in regulation.I assume I will need a whippy shaft,either a soft senior or a lady shaft. What is your recommendation? Thank You.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hi, my best recommendation would be to go get professionally fitted. That is the only way to know what shaft is best for you. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@dogloverjb6873]

How do you feel about the methodology that the arms swing the club and the body responds on the forward swing? ...not other way around. This methodology (manuel de la torre) has saved my swing and my body.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hi, you can do that but if you're body doesn't respond in the right way then you may not be able to get the impact conditions you are looking for. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@TitleistGuy]

Hey Clay, love the beard and the content! You're the man!

[@TitleistGuy]

Here's my only question, when I got to incorporate your second move, straightening right leg I feel like I then lose pressure in my quad and right instep and almost end up in a reverse pivot???

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hi Scott, hard to say without seeing your swing but I would just make sure you're staying angled away from the target with your body. You may be leaning forward and sliding a little bit. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@brienmccormick8509]

Could you look at doing a video on hitting a hybrid or 3wood out of a fairway bunker?

[@TopSpeedGolf]

I wouldn't recommend it unless there is no lip. It's typically hard to get those clubs in the air enough. It's the same technique as any other club. I would just recommend choking up to give you more control because it's really important you make ball first contact. It's not likely we'll make a video on this because it's such a small topic. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@FlavaDaveDXIX]

This is perfect espacially for bigger guys like myself.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks!

[@davidahn8488]

I’m a 90’s Jim Mclean’s X-Factor swing generation. At 50 I can’t restrict hip turn and make big shoulder turn any more. Clay’s swing theory is something I’m searching for my less flexible body type. Is lifting a left foot slightly on the back swing is ok too?

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Yes!

[@ZDUTCH1]

Ditto! I'm 52 with same problem. Going to work more on this myself and hope not to spray too much lol

[@ggaspord]

Thanks Clay.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Very welcome

[@josesundaysayo4705]

Does this shoulder turn also apply to irons? Or tighter is better? (or diff between long or short irons) I'm confused

[@edgemasterrlol]

My take on irons is they are tools of precision. You usually try to hit a certain number with them. More so than say 3wood and driver. So, if you are happy with your iron distances, you might not need to modify your hands/shoulder. If you want more power, sure you can try and practice with lifted arms and create a bigger shoulder turn. Works with all clubs.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Irons too!

[@mikeschooler1709]

i haven't seen these in a while the Beard looks Great dude!!!!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Haha...thanks!

[@DOWNEASTERkebab]

Nice video, Will this technique work when playing with irons aswell?

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Yes it will

[@navyvet6593]

Two questions. Does this work as well for a two plain swing? My swing is definitely a Jim Furyk style and everyone loves to point that out the first time they see it. Second, you’ve gained a lot of muscle mass since your early videos. What exercises are you doing that helps with your swing?

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hi, this would be a 2 plane swing so yes :-) I'm not sure exactly what Clay does or has done but I know he has done a little weightlifting. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@bryanlewis3219]

The guy in the background at 8:38 needs to watch this video! Does a better demonstration of a reverse weight shift than you do!

[@timnew7662]

haha...I caught myself watching that guy too and had to back the video up to catch what Clay was saying.

[@rtmiv2030]

Great eye!!!! You are so correct, he had more speed going backward than what he put on the ball.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

😂

[@Jarhead0331]

I got a major problem. I’ve been using Clay to save my game for awhile. I go to a range with Toptracer technology and got my avg drive up to 289 yards. Problem, I CANNOT transfer it to the course. The more I struggle on the course the worse the Driver “Yips” get.

[@Lantzpoopedhispantz]

I have a 40 inch chest and number 3 is def a problem lol thanks for the tips!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

No problem!!

[@brumblebuffin11]

Do the shoulders tilt, or turn?

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Both

[@willosee]

And from your elevated hand position it is easier the throw the ball and so get more storage.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks for sharing!

[@ADD_ition]

I don’t understand how to get my lead arm “up” without coming over the top. Is there a video you do on that specifically?

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hi, thanks for the question. You need to make sure you shallow the club in the transition and get the elbow back in to the side at that time. Search our channel for many videos on shallowing the club. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@atanasiok]

Funny to see how Clay tries to hit bad, restricted or weak shots but even so he still fires missiles that split fairway dead center :D

[@TopSpeedGolf]

😂

[@Alloverthegolf]

Perfectly done! #alloverthegolf

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks!

[@walterhinz6757]

How about us Seniors who don't have the flexibility to make that big turn? When I try to get my hands high they get behind and I have a great big slice.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hi Walter, I have worked with many seniors and still have not worked with one that can't make a 90 degree shoulder turn. I'm not saying you're going to make as big of a turn as Clay does but you should be able to get a 90 degree turn with the adjustments mentioned in the video. When you get your hands higher, you need to shallow the club in transition to get it back on plane. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@jboy5744]

On plane swing promoted by two of the biggest hitters in golf Mike Austin and Mike Dunaway.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks for sharing!

[@bballglennster]

Clay I’m hitting like 200 and then I’ll jump to 260 and then it goes back down to 200 why is that?! I’m thing maybe I’m hitting it too high idk

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hard to say without seeing your swing

[@andrewe.7907]

Chicks dig the long ball!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

😂

[@jaystoner9475]

I feel like I'm losing a lot of power in my swing. I will try thins.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hope the video helps :-)

[@doctorsquirl4964]

How do you let your arms get higher in the backswing without doing the casting motion? I feel like I need to keep my right elbow close to my body so I don’t slice the ball

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hi, thanks for the question. You need to make sure you shallow the club in the transition and get the elbow back in to the side at that time. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@kursed34]

your "on purpose miss hit" was still farther then my normal drive

[@TopSpeedGolf]

😂

[@manzahalem8845]

Werd

[@onesipwonder]

Right !

[@ZDUTCH1]

LoL totally!! I knew someone would post that too 😂

[@michealweathers4769]

straighten the right leg, don't lock the knee though right?

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Yes

[@NetoperekMordulec]

The best vlog ever!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks!

[@tyronewilliams3634]

Is this why many professionals experience back and knee pain?

[@tyronewilliams3634]

golf.com/news/why-are-back-pain-and-spinal-injuries-plaguing-the-game-the-answer-is-complicated/

[@TopSpeedGolf]

I think it's mainly due to all the repetition. They hit a lot of balls.

[@Fullkornsglass]

Might have been a bit more fair if you used a full shoulder turn on your "left arm on the shoulder plane swing" instead of that restricted body turn you used.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks for the feedback

[@dseveno8254]

I think Hogan would have adopted this backswing method were he in his prime and playing today.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks for sharing!

[@rpmfoto]

Farther!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

sorry

[@UroborosX1]

admit it, you were trying to hit the person on the bike at 2:48 haha.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Never 😂

[@westwoodgolf8588]

@@TopSpeedGolf I’m just now watching this I’m late but it has help me so much thanks

[@johnnyberglund841]

Lately I found, swing speed comes most from arms, 70% i think! You told me on that, not much comes from body tilt, not even legs! I practice arm speed and wrist cock more!

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hi Johnny, you're exactly right. Most speed is going to come from the arms. It's actually closer to 80-85%.

[@tedbrown7908]

Distance is more relied upon the clubhead speed. you're not going to hit a 250 yard drive with a clubhead speed of 10mph.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Hi Ted, you're exactly right. This video is intended to help you create more club head speed. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor

[@txmike1945]

I'm just curious why a golfer would want to hit a driver further? I really believe most of us want to hit it farther. Get more distance. Go far. Farther.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

🤓

[@txmike1945]

@@TopSpeedGolf Further often gets confused with farther, but it's better to use farther when you're talking about physical distance. I just thought you would want to know the difference, many people don't, and as we all know we are never too old to learn something new.

[@Jason-dz1vc]

Clay, your bad shot is still more than my good drive.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Haha...thanks!

[@jakeroberson9408]

There’s an alligator on the other side of the lake in the grass

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Yeah, that's Fred :-)

[@ZDUTCH1]

@@TopSpeedGolf 😂

[@tedbrown7908]

Now swing at 10 or 20 mph at get that same distance, Ain't gonna happen.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

I'm not sure I understand

[@rileyepps3170]

Ok.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

Thanks for the comment!

[@danieljudge4787]

Hit your driver FARTHER not further.Farther is used instead of further when referring to distance.Otherwise,very informative video.

[@claushicks8365]

Dude, you are swinging at 130mph. Love your videos but seriously age and flexibility matters.

[@TopSpeedGolf]

I'm not saying it doesn't matter. The title means that you can hit it further than you are now no matter your age or flexibility. Age flexibility definitely matters. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor