Basic Idea on Hooks and Slices; #1 Most Popular Golf Teacher on You Tube Shawn Clement

[luvdeals2k]

Brilliant analogy...comparing to soccer !

[geronimoxxxxxcvx]

By aiming the clubface, do you rotate the club in your hands before you grip it ?

Thx

John

[looselefty]

I disagree. Clubface has more influence than swing path on the starting direction of the ball. Laurentino's "Negotiable Golf Swing" has an excellent explanation. I hit far less trees after I read it.

[clemshaw]

Thanks for the comment;

I understand what you are saying; this method is to get the head around the concept; then you have other factors like amount of loft, where in the arc you catch the ball, what relation the center of the body is etc...I get more into it with "golf pro lesson be a solid ball striker" and "golf pro lesson tilted spiral part 3"; Shawn

[ytditty]

Shawn,

I have watched all the videos and have become a pretty solid iron player, but since my irons have gotten better, my driver has gotten worse. I have a serious push, then slice with the big stick, how come the irons have become straigter, and most even draw but I'm having problems with the driver?

[clemshaw]

great question!

Sounds to me that you have gotten too close to the ball with the driver; see "golf pro lesson set up for all clubs", "golf pro lesson taut swing philosophy" and "golf pro lesson great driver tip" and the second half of "golf pro lesson modern driver part 2"

Shawn

[Nate2203]

The same exact thing happened to me.

[karahsanford]

Shawn - Great Vids...

What is your #1 tip to cure a hook!

I have a tendency to flip it closed thru impact... Thanx

[clemshaw]

You want to swing through the ball; this requires a very sound arm unit through the ball so check out "golf pro lesson through the ball", "golf pro lesson elbow close?" and "Golf Pro lesson arms falling down plane"; Thanks for the question! Shawn

[icefireburn1]

Shawn,

im 13 and starting to play the game of golf and the thing ive noticed while i play when i hit my driver and the balls gos 150 yards but it always curves to the right ive tried closing my club but it still happens any ideas?

[thirsokewl]

drip the club with your bottom hand twisted in more

[clemshaw]

See "golf pro lesson Taut swing philosophy" and "golf pro lesson weak grip or strong grip?" then see "golf pro lesson braced Tilt Part 2"; You will know why after those 3 videos; Shawn

[THEBLINK167]

awesome videos! i subscribed!

[FreestyleNan]

i'm struggling to get a draw from the tee, it almost 80% of the time fades, and ive aligned my feet perfectly straight and done my best to straighten my clubface through the swing but still no sucess.

any ideas?

[clemshaw]

See the answer I gave icefireburn1; you will have many solutions! :) Shawn

[f0cusen]

@clemshaw Shawn you are wrong you start the ball with the clubface and you curve the ball with the swingpath. So when you are hitting a draw your clubface is actually open to the target line therefor the ball starts right of the target but your clubface is closed in relation to the swingpath. And having an in to out swingpath helps you to hit this draw shot. Fade the swingpath goes more to the left the clubface is open to the swingpath but closed to the targetline thus the ball will start left.

[clemshaw]

@f0cusen This video is to get the basic Idea for the majority of golfers; you will like my more elaborate version in "working the ball; part 1, 2 and 3; shawn clement"; you will see that it is very close to what you just described; Thank you for your comment and explanation! Shawn

[MonsieurMal]

Shawn,

I've heard that the pros often favour the draw, even when they're not hitting round an obstacle, would this be because of the extra distance that is gained from closing the clubface? Are there more advantages than just extra distance to hitting a draw?

Thanks.

[cmterpsnskins]

I'm a little confused. On your Brace Tilt part 3 video, you use ball position to do a fade or draw. For a draw, you are playing the ball back in your stance, feet are parallel to target line, yet when you tilt and brace, your clubhead and shoulders are pointed to the right. Your whole point was matching perception to reality. In this video, you align your feet toward where you want the ball to go, and align the clubhead to the target. Is this just two different ways to work the ball?

[clemshaw]

Fantastic comment! This video was the basic video of understanding how to work the ball; Tilted Spiral #3 as well as the "Golf pro lesson be a solid ball striker" are the more advanced versions; I was wondering when I was finally going to get this comment; congrats on that!! Shawn

[daveyreidy]

Hey Shawn, I have a little slice problem. I know the clubface is open at impact but do you have any drills or videos that help keep the clubface square through impact? Its mainly a problem with my driver but after a bad drive the rest of my game goes down the toilet!

[clemshaw]

Have a look at my "golf pro lesson taut swing philosophy" and "golf pro lesson weak grip or strong grip?" videos; they will help get things squared up for you;

Shawn

[nzadam1982]

Hi mate, I tried a lot of things to fix the slice and open club face at impact issue too. Another thing to look at is how much you open your clubface on the takeaway as this can lead to a shallow and off plane swing path, open clubface at the top of the swing and makes it difficult to get the face close at impact again. There are a heap of videos on here to demonstrate that. A good takeaway is essential.

[shaneomcg123]

what do you mean by send your momentum??

[clemshaw]

Have a look at my "Golf Pro Lesson Golf Swing Medicine" as well as "Golf Pro Lesson Momentum Toss" part 1 and 2; then see "Golf Pro Lesson alignment tweaking"; I have many more but these should do the trick! Shawn

[ericld11]

You have the steepest 2-plane takeaway I've seen in a while. Holy COW. But you're getting it done!

[clemshaw]

Sure! So did Jack, and now Vijay has gone back to it and getting better results; and we could name a bunch more!

Shawn

[feelxitxburn]

I've been tinkering with this method and watching other videos as well but haven't found a real solid answer. Are you swinging just along your body line (straight) with the club face slightly closed or are you swinging in to out as with the club face closed for a draw? vice versa for a fade. This will shut down a lot of my issues, thanks Shawn.

[clemshaw]

See the "golf pro lesson alignment tweaking"; you send momentum in the direction you want to start the ball and the club face is set up in the direction you want the ball to end up; this is the basic Idea; then go to "Golf Pro Lesson Be a solid ball striker" for more advanced...Shawn

[gregrutz]

Doesn't the ball start in the direction the club face is pointing and turn (spin)depending on the relationship with the swing plane?

If I open a 4 iron to 45* it will go right no matter how I swing.

[shortstop20]

If the clubface is that far open then yes, the ball will go almost straight right, either that or you'll shank it right off the hosel. You don't need to open the clubface near that much to play a fade.

You would be surprised how much you can fade the ball just by opening the face a few degrees(like 3 or so) and aligning your feet to where you want the ball to start as shawn has outlined.

[clemshaw]

Good reply by shortstop; also, for a deeper understanding, see how the arc line of the swing and the ball position in the stance affects the movement of the ball in the "Golf Pro lesson be a solid ball striker"; thanks for the comment! Shawn

[cleanerimage4u]

I just got started back into golf after a 6 year vacation away haha... so i started out with just a cheap set of clubs to get back in the groove... i play well with them but whats a good iron set to upgrade to that would improve my game... thanks ahndre

[jwsmith000]

Shawn, doesn't closing the clubface reduce the loft? If I want to draw the ball in, should I go with a short club knowing that closing the clubface will decrease the loft?

[clemshaw]

Exactly! and the opposite applies for the fade;

Great deduction there Watson! :)

Shawn

[Knocks]

Damn, Mr. Clement, you are the man!

Yesterday, I tried this tip out on a dogleg left Par 5. Figured, what the hell give it a try...

Dropped my right foot back, closed the clubface to the target, threw in the BRACED TILT, and swung nice and easy: 283 yard drive with a 15-20 yard draw! And I NEVER hit draws!

And I never hit 280 either!

[clemshaw]

You the man! Feels good doesn't it!

Make sure you continue to swing smoothly as your brain associates power to effort; which you can see is the complete reverse! See"Golf Pro Lesson Timing and Tempo" to keep it there!

Shawn

[mangravy84]

Hi Shawn,

I noticed when you hit your irons you take a decent divot, i tend to not even leave divots, id most of the time my iron shots are fine...but is this a bad thing if i dont take a divot, but hit the ball ok?

Thanks

[qbb01]

I know it's not directed at me but, yes it is perfectly fine so long as they are crisp and have nice control and you can get height and accuracy and backspin/a quick stop. There is a swing here on youtube of a PGA pro who "picks it clean" i think his name is bobby someone he does the same.

[mangravy84]

kool thanks, ill try n find it.

[TheHoyster13]

Another player who doesnt take divots is tom watson, so as long as your irons are nice and crisp your fine.

[clemshaw]

I just answered this on another video; qbb01 has a very good answer! You can go the other way and take divots that are too deep too...Like I told the other, there are trappers and there are sweepers and they both do well; you would do better in wet and soggy conditions and the trapper would do better in windy conditions; a good video for trapping is "Golf Pro Lesson compress through the ball"

Shawn

[Knocks]

On the draw swing towards the end of the video, your ball position seems to be off of your right heel. Is this where ball position should be whenever I'm trying to hit a right to left shot?

THanks

[OldSmellyCrotch]

OOh! That penalty kick was rough! Weight too far back on the left leg, too far behind the ball. Get your weight forward, head down over the ball and drive your leg through. Hey, this teaching thing is alright isn't it.??

Went for a round today, only hit two good balls all day! I stood on the rake! XD

[clemshaw]

I know; my daughter had to correct me as well...:) She plays rep soccer and is striker; she also takes all the free kicks because of her power;

thanks for the tip!

[Clearly69]

Hi Shawn, I can hit high straight pitch wedges, straight low long irons and ugly drives to the right 8/10 times. How can I stop hitting to the right? I also tried setting my left foot futher back at address. I might have the chicken-wing fault.

Thanks...

[clemshaw]

Hey Clearly!

Have a look at my "great Driver Tip" and my "modern Driver" part 1 and 2 videos; they are on my "You Tube Shawn" page of my website...it will explain everything;

Shawn

[ODIPUS56]

no the clubface is where the ball starts. Highspeed video proved that.

[clemshaw]

Factors: Address and impact are very different; especially when it comes to the face of the club; here I describe the address position; you have point of impact and point of separation as well as where the ball is on the arc of the swing, blah blah blah...this is just a crash course to get the average player to get to a point where they can work the ball to advance themselves in the game; if you use this technique, and swing through to the area you want to start the ball it works very well.

[rodmjay]

It would have been funny if after all that talking if the shot just sucked.

[kikinnit]

that's what I was thinking

[Andersbigno]

It was the clubface and the grip on the club it was to closed. Then I begun to have a stright grip but then I hitted with a slice very often. What shood I do, draw or stright? I'm playing with 18,5 hcp, and have playing 3 years.

From Anders in Norway

[Andersbigno]

hi, I have a problem with a slice and a hook, I think it is the clubface when I comes downe. But the swing can bee good in some times and very bad other times. I trying to hit it stright. But in the spring I tryed to hit it with a draw. I did that, but in the summer time I had a hook.

[JoShs200]

I'm no expert, just a beginner actually but i found I fixed my slice by changing my grip a bit and then practising on the range.

[kikinnit]

first, ju gotta learn to spell homie

[tjay94]

this techniique works keep making more of them shawn!!!

[beckoleco]

Thanks, I can't wait to apply the knowledge.

[TheRunelord111]

at 3:20 a deer appears on the left treeline

[peterfileproductions]

yeah, more like 3:16 even, just behind his butt!!

[Gavarbuckle]

How the hell did you manage to spot that? lol

[dickin585]

Awesome videos. These clips are highly intelligent and extremely well delivered. I've enjoyed every one and have been practicing the various things you have recommended, and boy are they helping my game. I recently broke 100 for the 1st time and now I break it every time. I showed these videos to my father who has been struggling with his game and he agrees with me that these are great. Our confidence on the course has gone way up. We thank you for the help! Keep it up with the videos, please!

[boardhead888]

That all sounds easy enough.I think I'll give it a try tomorrow. Thanks for all your great videos Shawn,love them!

[ssgolf37]

doesnt the face angle start the initial flight of the ball, not the path?

[clemshaw]

I do a more advanced episode in the "Golf Pro Lesson Be a solid Ball Striker"; I feel that it is very much a product of both factors and that yes the face of the club has a lot to do with the initial direction of the ball;

Thanks for the comment; Shawn

[guitartimberland]

very nice

[GUNman3893]

great video

[snsstarnes]

I believe I can give lessons on the master slice. I can hit the ball 75 yds forward and being a lefty 150 yds left. lol. I'm working on it.

[jimi312]

Lol yeah lefty here too and I came to this video to see how to fix my bad leftward hook, also I a newbie to golf so my technique isn't very good, though through these videos I've already gotten good pointers and drills to practice, I've gotten better, but I can't drive straight for the life of me.

[clemshaw]

Hey Jim and Starnes!

The first thing you need to do is check your grip and then your arm motion (Grip 2 wrist hinge and arm motion videos); then you need to understand how to square the club at impact with the irons (Contact and spin and Compress through the ball videos); then go to my "great driver tip" video to top things off; all my videos are on my "you tube Shawn" page of my website! All the best! Shawn

[pecky1234]

unfortunately this method is not entirely correct. trackman has proven that the ball will start practically, almost 80%, where the face is aimed at impact. then the ball will curve depending on how the face was to the path. so if the face is 5* open at impact and the path is 3* inside-out, it will start 3/4* to the right and then fade more to the right as the face is more open then the path is inside-out. this is the same for closed faces and outside-in paths

[clemshaw]

Hey Jordan;

This version is a start for the average golfer; if you want to get deeper into it we are going to have to talk about point of tangency where the arc of the swing meets the target line...we will get into that soon...:) Shawn

[SBPStudio]

excellent

[oTITLE1STo]

I have a problem. Generally, if I mishit a driver, it slices. However, if I mishit a iron, it will be pulled or hooked. My friends say my feet are aiming way right, but I don't think so. Any suggestions? Thanks

[clemshaw]

The best is to find an intermediate point about 2 feet in front of the ball and focus on sending the momentum of the swing over that spot; let your feet adjust to what you feel and see; if you were to swing naturally, the club should swing over that spot without any manipulation...I will be making a video on this soon...

Shawn

[oTITLE1STo]

looking forward to it :)

[n8dawg10]

The only way I can avoid my slice is to turn the club face inward, then it goes straight, any advice?

[clemshaw]

Hey Dawg; What you are doing is very sound; it is the same as having a very strong grip like over 50% of tour players; Ted Triba, John Daly, David Duval, Boo Weekly and the list goes on! A neutral grip with a closed face like what you do is the same as a strong grip with a square face...just keep the face square to slightly open around the greens on your short pitch and chip shots; Shawn

[yadudeimaxiahdia]

Great tip! This should help my nemesis hole that has water on the left, now ill just aim for the water but aim my clubface down the fairway. Great videos! Keep up the good tips.

[gan4sula]

whether or not intentionally, I slice lol

[clemshaw]

Believe it or not, it is hard to overslice when doing it on purpose! Try it out and you will be amazed because to do it right, you need to be in balance and on plane! Shawn

[btag4]

golf pro and soccer star. very nice your videos are very easy to follow and very informative.

[clemshaw]

My 12 year old daughter taught me everything I know about soccer! :)

Thanks for the comment!

Shawn

[wjwj1979]

hi Shawn...do you notice that the lower lofted clubs are more sensitive to the face angle when working the ball? I was practicing this with my 2-hybrid today, and found that by aiming my club face to where I wanted the ball to end up, it would curve way too much. I wasn't sure if it was something else I was doing, or if the lower amount of loft had something to do with it (usually I practice this with my 6iron).

[clemshaw]

Yes! That is correct! That is why when you open a sand wedge it always flies straight; this is the main reason why many golfers have issues with lob and sand shots; as the lofts get stronger so does the curve!

Great comment! Shawn

[jrcsamad]

Shawn...thanks so much for your clear instructions. Could you address the grip for draws and fades.

Thanks

[clemshaw]

Great Question!

Always the same! You are just turning the face of the club a bit more open or closed depending on the shot; my "Braced Tilt Part 2" video shows you a modification of face angle;

All my vids are on my "You Tube Shawn" page of my website at shawnclementgolf dot com

Shawn

[fiferjim]

Hi Jim from Scotland here. I have a problem with a vicious slice with my driver. Rarley slice or hook my irons?. Would setting up for a draw help or can you suggest one of your blogs/vids that might help.

Thanks in advance for your help.

PS loving the vids just discovered them.

[clemshaw]

Hi Fiferjim! thanks for your comment and question;

On my website at shawnclementgolf dot com you will find my "You Tube Shawn" page where all my vids are listed; the "Great Driver Tip" Video will definitely help;

All the best! Shawn

[jkduser]

Hi Clemshaw

Great videos and great information. I really like the blogs as you offer great insight. I don't read the magazines anymore - because of youtube!

My question is: For an intentional hook/fade, where should the ball position be in relative to your foot/heel position. Should it change in elation to a straight shot?

Many thanks

jkduser

[clemshaw]

Hey Jk; great question!

about a 1/2 ball back with the draw and a 1/2 ball forward with the fade;

Shawn

[PhuckYouKunt]

hey mate im a viewer from australia and just wondering.. should I keep my left arm straight throughout the whole swing? i ask this because i had a bad habit of slicing my drives way out off the fairway.i have now straightened my left arm and my drives are going reasonably well. they also go alot lower in ball flight than im used to. and tips would be very much appreciated.

[clemshaw]

Hey Man, thanks for your question; from your title I thought this was another spam...

Go to the "You Tube Shawn" page of my website and watch the following vids: "Arm Motion", "Grip 2 Wrist Hinge", "Fine Tuning the best drill", "Catapult Power"; Shawn

[dmcdonnell]

Hi Shawn,

Im a high handicapper who used to slice virtually everything but Ive improved my set up and the slice has virtually gone but Im now pulling a lot of shots especially short irons. I just wonderd how I could correct this.

Thanks

[clemshaw]

hey D!

Your arms and club are going in that direction if you are pulling; not on purpose right? The arms and shoulders as well as the hips turn around an axis held together by your spine; to know more about this, go to my website on the "You Tube Shawn" Page and watch the following: "Proper spine tilt", "Braced Tilt", "Fine Tuning the best Drill" for starters and let me know how you do. Shawn

[dmcdonnell]

Hi Shawn,

Thanks for the reply. Ive watched those vids and am working on the advice you give in them. Another problem I have is that the clun tends to brush the ground say 6 inches behind the ball on my backswing. How would I correct that?

Thanks

Dave

[jetscrzy]

hey is that golf course that you are on in New Hampshire

[clemshaw]

No man! We are in Toronto Canada! But don't hold that against me...:)

Shawn

[makomark]

Hi just to be sure, when you are aligning the clubface to where you want to end up, are you turning the clubface by a wrist turn (right to close left to open)?

[MEXICOARMADO]

I also want to know this, if you move your wrists to close or open or if you first align the club face and then grip the club as usual

[clemshaw]

You would align the club then take your normal grip...

Thanks for the question!

Shawn

[rhino2694]

Great vid shawn i always wanted to know how to hit these. Definetly gonna try when i next play :) thanks

[hanson8torx]

Shawn i need some help here. i can work the ball right, like the video says. but when i try to flip it over and draw i either hit it straight or bananna slice it...help. everything at set up is just as you show, so i'm stumped. thanks

[clemshaw]

What you will need to do is check you fundamentals in Grip posture and arm motion;

I have over 60 videos to help and they all start with"Golf Pro lesson..."; the ones I recommend looking at to start are: "Golf Pro lesson grip 2 wrist hinge", ...Arm Motion,...Stacked and Complete, ...fine tuning the best drill;

Let me know, Shawn

[hanson8torx]

thanks Shawn, i checked out those videos, i believe it was i mix of the grip and arm motion. i'll keep working on it, but it's getting better.

[gojipoj]

Hi there again Shawn, I've just purchased a Burner driver which I'm getting from the US. I was told that it's more for a long hitting rather than working the ball. Will it be difficult to work the ball with the Burner driver. Thanks

[DIRTYCA]

whats up S.C i cant stop slicing my driver its starts out with a slight fade sometimes stays in the fairway i cant figure it out i hit all my irons solid and can even get my wedges the spin back (help me out man)

[clemshaw]

Make sure that your set-up is proper with your driver; check out "Golf Pro lesson Great Driver tip" and let me know how you do; I also get into much more detail in my new DVD series coming out in the next few days...

All the best, Shawn

[screamingeagletim]

Hi Shawn,

I have a question about working the ball high and low also. Is there a technique to doing this as well as the one you explained above?

Great videos and a great swing you teach.

Tim

[clemshaw]

Just got something out for you Tim; sorry it took so long but this DVD has been a lot of work! It is finally done and in production and will be out in a few days; "Golf Pro Lesson one leg part 2 high low" is the title you are looking for;

All the best, Shawn

[ThePutterKingJr]

Its just so damn simple... Thanks shawn! And Scampern, I reckon you are spot on!

[GolfLessonsTV]

Thank you for the lesson. It's been added to GOLF LESSONS TV.

[fsarfino]

Thanks for the free lessons shawn. Cant wait to try this out on the range and then bring it to the course ! Keep up the great work

[kimpronim76]

hi shawn i'm big fan of your youtube show.you change my whole swing,timing and tempo.can you discribe about the backswing, which is my knee is going down instead to the right knee,and i move my backswing too much inside and cross at the top.i want to fix this problem. thank you!

[clemshaw]

Check out the video "Golf Pro Lesson Takeaway" and the "Golf Pro Lesson Stacked and Complete" video as well which talks about the knees and the rolling of the feet...Thanks all you guys for your support by the way!!  Shawn

[markse123]

I have an idea you guys. Shawn has produced so much quality instruction for us. It's hard to believe we are not paying for it. I emailed programming at The Golf Channel yesterday. They should have a regular segment of teachers out there who are helping average guys like us. For FREE no less. Shawn would make great TV. Let's swamp the Golf Channel with requests and get him on there. I think it's the least we could do for all his hard work. My two cents.

[hoganwasthebestever]

I agree totally.

[hoganwasthebestever]

with markse about his idea to e-mail the golf channel

[Scampern]

I agree. I feel the man just love`s golf and the teaching of it for others. Such entusiasm should be rewarded.

[pecky1234]

ther are other ways of shaping the ball using manipulation of the arms during the swing. nick faldo sed if he tried to fade it, he merely lead with his left arm, and to draw he tried to actively turn the blade over. luther blacklock talks about using natural instincts to manipulate the clubface in the swing. cud you do sum instruction on this method

[JohnnyDramaFilms]

SIMPLE:

1. Listen to Clemshaw

2. Practice what he says

3. Practice it again...

[cambridgerocks]

lol...then repeat them over and over again.

[Henstedter]

As always great information from you Seàn- thank you very much. Will try to put your advice to practice on the course.

John Dempsey

[re1ko]

Tiger Woods Style, well explained

[richl777]

shawn, can you confirm you are taking the club back on the same angle as your toe line for both draw and fade?

thanks

[clemshaw]

Yes; no modifications on the swing; just set the path with body alignment and use wide momentum along the intended line you want to start the ball;

Great comment, Thanks

[itubeutude]

don't some players rotate the hands through impact for a draw/hook?

[clemshaw]

We are looking for the most efficient way...no manipulation needed!

[itubeutude]

fair enough, but I just find it very hard to draw or hook anything using any method. when you come out-to-in like I do, it makes it almost impossible.

[utudeitube]

Most hacks come out to in.. Quit playing for two weeks and then come back playing left handed, should help.

[JohnnyDramaFilms]

Practice! Practice! Practice!

[osgolf]

still the best

[pecky1234]

is there a way to set up for a draw or fade? because when i set up for a fade, the ball always ends up, in relation to my stance, way too far back, and wen i try to draw it, far too forward. is ther a way to correct this?

[clemshaw]

The ball position should be a tad more forward than usual for fades (about one ball width forward of centre) and a tad more back (centre) for the draw;

Shawn

[JohnnyDramaFilms]

Clemshaw is perfect in his approach. He's really gaining a great following, simply because people are practicing what he preaches and are seeing POSITIVE results...