Compress Through the Ball! #1 Most Popular Teacher on You Tube Shawn Clement

[bush98z24]

@clemshaw ... I cannot believe the difference you have personally made in my game. Thank you so much for your time and effort in your videos. Absolutely amazing. Keep up the great work!

[bush98z24]

Shawn... I cannot believe the difference you have personally made in my game. Thank you so much for your time and effort in your videos. Absolutely amazing. Keep up the great work!

[golfertlucas]

when you compress the ball do u feel like u let the club stay as low to the ground as possible till the follow through?

[clemshaw]

@golfertlucas Yes! Have a look at my latest video entitled "grass whip; shawn clement" and pretend you have a whole row of dandelions to snip through! Or see my earlier video called "through the ball; shawn clement" and do the 2 ball drill in there; I did this way before Michael Breed! :) Shawn

[rantdeville]

Great video lol but it looks like u almost got clipped at :46 by a stray shot lol keep it up ur vids r awesome.

[themothmanreturns]

@rantdeville ha, that certainly was a low punch!

[sifurick123]

Is it better to leave a divot or not ? When I hit the ball most of the time i try to hit it more on a level swing path and use the iron's loft as they were meant to be used and not deloft the club . I think it allows for more consistence .What your thoughts on this ?

[Byrd819]

The 4.0's are like slippers. They are very comfortable. I still have a couple pairs of these also.

[naflack]

those shoes are awesome, i still have mine and love them

[clemshaw]

@naflack Best they ever made; then they lost their way a little bit...I bought up as many as I could! :) Shawn

[T3hFreek]

How far do you hit 7 iron and driver?

[clemshaw]

@T3hFreek Smooth 7 iron is 190 and driver carry is 290; Shawn

[nojomen2]

@clemshaw that is, very very far. I hit it the farthest in my city and a smooth 7 iron would be 165 yards I think and my driver carry is about 275!

[davidandcarolh]

Hi shawn,

My wife and I went to see the Shell Houston Open the last year it was held at the Woodlands. One the first day of the tournament we sat in some small grand stand that was placed in front of the driving range waiting for Fred Couples(my hero) to come out and practice. In about 30 minutes of practice, Fred left a range divot of about 8 to 10 inches in length. It seemed at though everytime he placed a ball down in the back of the divot, that he would barely nick the spot under the ball.

[sifurick123]

what do you think is the ideal angle the club hit the ball on a descending blow [example :5 degree handle leading the club face]

[clemshaw]

@sifurick123 Good question! When you are sending the action to a target through the ball, the average launch angle of a 6 iron is 16 degrees; the average loft of the 6 iron is 30 degrees; the 5 iron and driver have about the same launch...it is the spin rate and club speed that make the difference; Shawn

[MikePedersenGolfTips]

Will do.

[MikePedersenGolfTips]

Good stuff Shawn! I have a difficult time getting my divot after the ball. I either hit it a little fat, or the opposite (thin).

[clemshaw]

@MikePedersenGolfTips Hey Mike!

You are struggling with the same issues throughout all your posts on my videos; what I recommend you do is go to my forum and post your questions there and you will have tremendous support for these; just go to my website above and join, we have a great bunch of friendly guys and gals that are having a blast answering questions and exchanging successes and challenges along the way. I chime in quite a bit too! :)

[blackbelt1123]

is it just me or did you almost get hit by a ball at 0:46?

[steckleinjr]

solid explanation of difficult subject. davis love III has the most impressive "fall" to his swing. probably because of his long left arm. and i believe leadbetter took faldo out of the game for awhile to work on this vertical drop. but what is taught in this video really needs to happen to avoid hitting from top and to generate any kind of consistency with power and consistency. well done!

[JTKarp]

Good explanation...thanks

[innerhappiness]

Very informative

[mjs0039]

Hi Shawn,

Finding it very difficult to swing through the ball on the high tee on back foot. I am neither able to get the divot and also the tee comes out of the turf. Is there any thing I am missing?

Thanks for all the wonderful videos. The game is certainly getting better.

[arodMCMLXIX]

I love the way you explain things.... Amazing teacher... If you were closer to my living area I would take lessons from you... For now the videos are amazing... Thanks.

[maxxsee]

pretty darn solid I'd say!

[kentwg]

Man, I've watched all of your videos and I try to remember everything you teach while on the course. It has improved my game from a 20 handicap to a 4. Now, if you could only teach me how to remember. LOL

Thanks for the info...your videos are invaluable to those who want to improve their golf game!

[mdaniel1010]

Thanks for your instruction. So would you say the old saying, "The full-swing in golf is the same for irons or woods" is an "old wives' tale"? Since the goal with a fairway wood (or a teed-up driver) is not to make a divot after you hit the ball, correct?

[19daedalus88]

@mdaniel1010

The secret is in the setup. By setting up for a driver shot with the ball teed up and along the line of your left heel, when you perform a swing you should hit the ball with an upward swing. When using a wedge, you set up with the ball more in the centre of your stance. Now when you make a similar swing, you will automatically hit the ball on a downward swing. The clubhead arc bottoms out just on the target side of the ball, hence the divot. Remember the setup!

[aldojoel1981]

Shawn, there a confusion right about hit down the ball and trought the ball, because I starting to undestand that hit trought the ball I think that the ball is a someting I gonne hit straight with a hammer, but If I think of hitting down the golf club stick on teh ground!!! any comment!!?

[tphabe]

Hi Shawn: I understand the concept of "let the club fall" but when I do this there is no "zip" or speed to the swing. The swing is very languid and powerless with a very low clubhead speed. How can I correct this situation.? Is there a pushing action in the hitting area (such as you demonstrated in your analogy to the child on a playground swing ? Thanks. Please reply.

[clemshaw]

@tphabe,

The kid on a swing is the best analogy for this concept. Try to think of it as "assisting momentum". Have a look at "Golf pro lesson How Much Hit to Apply" for further explanation.

-Matt

[sbadude1]

@tphabe... i know im not a pro, but i am interning to be a teaching pro. the best thing i could say to this is that you really dont need a lot of clubhead speed. if you make solid compression with the golf ball, gravity and physics will do all the work of the typical "swinging harder" mentality. If i were you i would be focusing on the compression rather than your clubhead speed.

[thelumberjackjohn]

I can do this well with the 6 iron on up and blast it but its diffrent with the 4 iron do you have any adivce

[clemshaw]

@thelumberjackjohn

Keep in mind that a 4 iron tracks a much wider arc than a 9 iron and therefore has its own natural rhythm. Often golfers have trouble with the longer irons because they are not confident with them, leading to a "push and pull" type motion rather than allowing the body to swing the club naturally. Have a look at "Golf Pro Lesson Rhythm". Try to make a more rhythmic swing to your target.

-Matt Blois

RH Golf Learning Centre Assistant Professional

[hardypartyjeffhardy]

nice titleist irons

[senorchipotle]

hey shawn, merry christmas. i recently ''upgraded'' to a set of irons with nearly zero offset. i went and played today and hit everything thin and to the right. i was trying to compress like i did with my old irons. but it was futile.

[tchammer51]

all my balls fade to the right about 20 yds from my target. Also when the ball hits the ground it kicks to the right. What is my problem?

[Nate2203]

you hit the ball to the right

[Nate2203]

seriously now, what is happening is that your clubface is open a little and it is creating sidespin. There are lots of things that could be causing it.

[tchammer51]

I get it!! Ha! I think I am coming over the top and hit the ball out side to in and cause a spin on it andI can't seem to cure it.

[Nate2203]

Keep watching shawn's vids and I'm sure he can fix it :-)

[clemshaw]

First see "golf pro lesson weak grip or strong grip?" and then see my "golf pro lesson one leg swing no weightshift" to make sure you are staying centered in your swing; then order my DVD to get all the info in priority sequence to make sure you don't miss out on anything important; Thanks for the question!

Shawn

[luisideal]

tchammer51,

you are swinging with your arms and you are coming over the top...that's your problem. on the down swing you suppose to swing with your hips and shoulders first.

[headroom007]

Excellant Video I have been working on this at the range. My question is that I have a tendency to leave large divots (club head width) with all my irons. Does this have something to do with ball positioning or club head bounce?

[southchicago06]

Excellent video...my only question is can anybody tell what club he's hitting?

[clemshaw]

7 iron...

[MicrowavedHamster]

You really are too nice for your own good :) Anyway, nice video and shoes!

Also, I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that (thanks to your lessons) my handicap dropped to 2> in a year, and multiple people have offered to sponsor me!

[andyall]

This is good stuff, thank you Shawn. I've seen enough of your videos on Youtube, i'm getting your DVD instructional videos! :-)

[l8tapex]

you have great instruction especially to laymen who may not get the picture. Now.... How do I place the club face on a trap swing to get the ball to back spin on the green? :) Great work.

[clemshaw]

You can check both "golf pro lesson sand shot" and "Golf Pro lesson buried bunker shot"...:) Thanks for the comment! Shawn

[1tontomato]

All good golf swings are trapped by the club face. Spin is imparted by the amount of hit and a full follow through. If you cut off the follow through, you will get a check and a roll.

[dhall41]

this is a great drill, and just what i was looking for, but i have a question.... I never take divits but seem to generally hit my Irons decent. I dont get huge distance but am fairly accurate. I do focus in front of the ball when swinging, but i brush the ground without divits most of the time. should i be concerned?

[gotpaint17]

Hey Shawn or anyone else that can help me with my problem. . I have a good backswing everyone says but on my downswing i get way to much divot and barely any ball, also i cannot get high iron shots. . please help. Thanks

[rocklax123]

i think i have a idea that will help. you are hitting the ball really fat and there is something you can do to stop it. it will take some practice but on your downswing, feel like your pushing the spikes of yours shoes into the ground. it will help you strike the ball nicely and compress the ball against the ground and that will get you some extra distance and nice high iron shots

[clemshaw]

Hey; Check your tilt angle away from the target; stay braced AGAINST THE LEFT SIDE; see "golf pro lesson braced tilt part 2" as well as "golf pro lesson tilted spiral" part 1, 2 and 3;

All the best! Shawn

[leamonish1]

very good work shawn ,you keep it very simple .

[xivietal666headx]

Hi Shawn, I would like to share my experience with you.I have been hitting the ball perfectly with my irons after this video. Nice backspin, great trajectory no more hooks or slices but something funny has happened. My club distances have increasted by almost three clubs. My 8 iron used to be my 150 yard club, now I can get my PW to almost 145 yards and my 8 iron became my 175 yard club. What the heck? Who hits a pitching wedge 150 yards? I have got to be doing something very wrong!

[clemshaw]

No problem!! Way to go!! You know the average launch angle of a 30 degree 6 iron is 16 degrees on tour don't you? :) Really Really! So you are on the right track and congrats!~

[zcincykid1]

hi shawn, i really enjoy your lesson clips, i have a question im sure u can help me with, im a single digit, playing pretty well but my contact with my irons is consistently on the bottom 3 gooves! seldom flushed in the face of the club, could u possibly pass me a drill i can work with? somtimes feel like a have a real lack of extension thru impact, not chicken wing but just not staying down thru the shot, 2nd in my club championship this past weekend, sure u can help me improve on that! thanks

[clemshaw]

Yep! See the 6th minute of the "golf prolesson through the ball" video where I show you the 2 ball drill; this will keep you down and through big time! Shawn

[ArnaultHam159]

shawn, i am really struggling with my downswing, my take away is fine...but as i start my down swing i come REALLY REALLY over the top, but with a square club face....the ball flys straight and off the toe. When i look at my divots they are all across the target line and pointing way left and very much out of the range. Are there any pointers or drills you can give me to prevent this?

[clemshaw]

Yes; I would go with either the "golf pro lesson one leg swing no weightshift" or the "golf pro lesson feet together drill" video; there are so many other factors though that I would mostly recommend you get my dvd series as it will take you through all the important aspects of the swing technique IN PRIORITY SEQUENCE IN GREAT AUDIO AND VIDEO QUALITY FROM SCRATCH! The 3rd disc in the series has all shots on course in detail from driver to putter; All the best! Shawn

[LV4NYG]

Shawn,

Great vids as always. Couple things I would like to point out. !) I speak for everyone when I say...Going through withdrawls....need the vids.:). 2) I wonder if you could speak more or a vid :) about breaking tee's. I know you shouldn't, but I always do with my driver and all my iron shots. 3 and 5 wood are good. Problem i have is i seem to stay more (ish) online and better contact when i break them. I do hit with a delofted swing as of late. any help would be get. You Rock ! Jay

[clemshaw]

Thanks Jay! Trying to find some time right now; very hard with 14 lessons a day! :) broken tees with irons and fairway woods are just fine; also with a driver with a low tee when you are hitting it with penetrating trajectory; but if the driver is ballooning, then it is a problem; Shawn

[golfpro020591]

hey shawn, loving the vids, but i have a question regarding my swing, for a while now ive been a solid ball striker but i never seem to take any divots, what would you recommend me to do in order to create a divot, as i think it would help my game and possibly create more distance?

[clemshaw]

Have a look at my "golf pro lesson tilted spiral part 1, 2 and especially 3; you will see how creative you can be with ball position! Shawn

[clemshaw]

Yes! Golf Pro Lesson How to Clear the hips" and "golf pro lesson arms falling down the plane" for starters; my dvd has all the info from scratch and in priority sequence with the proper grip and arm motion so that you do not miss anything important! Shawn

[jdotson]

Shawn, you are very brave to be outside of the range stables where people like me hit the ball. :)

[Scampern]

Shawn, I has always thought one didn't have to think about the release if the grip and hinge action was correct. However, I find myself releasing to soon. If I try to release late I just hit the top of the golfball. Should I train staying behind and hitting a target on the ground thats past the golfball?

[clemshaw]

It just means that you are loosing focus of the target and "defaulting" to the ball and letting it become your target; the drills in "Golf Pro lesson through the ball" will help and the section in my dvd where you see me giving an example of the finished product to end disc 1 really drives the point home; ONE FEEL TO A TARGET. Shawn

[rahickey002]

Shawn ,A "Tip" from one of those golf magazines some years ago "Do not practice at the driving range when the wind is blowing.You could develope more bad habits correcting for wind conditions than good . " I was there in the wind (very windy) feeling balance during the swing.

Your lesson addressing fairway bunker shots proved most valuable in these very windy conditions. Any comments on playing or practicing in the wind.

[clemshaw]

YES! Practice the shots you would use in those circumstances! Do not practice the standard shots or anything technical in the swing that would result in anything other than a shot in windy conditions! GREAT QUESTION!!!

Thanks! Shawn

[manbearpig5000000]

hey Shawn, yet another great video that I have come across, I can't wait to try this, but one thing though, I don't understand why you're closing the club face as you put the ball back in your stance. Is that just for the sake of the drill, or would you do this if you were hitting a ball off your back foot out on the course? Thanks for all your great videos.

-Rob

[clemshaw]

This is the shot I would use when hitting it low under a tree or into a stiff wind on course; when you play it back, you will tend to push it right so you need to compensate with the club face; see "golf pro lesson be a solid ball striker" and "golf pro lesson tilted spiral" part 3 for this! Shawn

[acegh0st]

Hi Rob. I think he is closing the club face at address to compensate for the tendency of the club face to be open at that point in a swing with a more "natural" ball placement. That's my understanding anyway. It allows for a squared club face at impact. Maybe analogous to opening one's stance to hit a high shot placed back in the stance?

[balldude114]

I've mastered compressing the golf ball =) now whenever i hit a golf ball it have a sweet curve up and goes really high and really far.

[clemshaw]

Sounds like a sweet compression to me!

Way to go! Shawn

[jdotson]

A funny thing I found. When I have the ball really far back I take a huge divot! With it in the middle it is much smaller. I'm wondering if this means I'm releasing with a different mind set and not keeping the swing the same in both cases?

[clemshaw]

Have a look at my "golf pro lesson tilted spiral" part 3 as well as the "golf pro lesson be a solid ballstriker" videos;

Shawn

[balldude114]

No, the farther back in your stance, the harder it is for you to hit your golf ball. Its best to have a neutral spot for all your clubs in the middle of your stance.

[smil3rrr]

Hey! Nice to hear the St Andrews comment in this vid! I'm a student there, studying physics, and I'm a beginner golfer (literally been playing only a few weeks). I'm watching your vids and trying to improve!

Just a question Shawn; should I be using my fairway woods / 4 hybrid, or only my irons, at this early stage?

many thanks,

James

[clemshaw]

Just play it by ear James; if you feel that you can swing the longer clubs go for it; if not, continue to reinforce the 7 and 6 irons and go back up again; you will get it soon enough;

Shawn

[XlburrowsX]

hey thanks i think this drill will help me alot with my ball striking, i always hit the divot just before the ball, allthough i still dont quite understand why you start your swing with your weight on the left side, and not in the middle(central).

Luke

[jonnynoh84]

Hi Shawn, I've stumbled across your YouTube vids today and Im enjoying them immensely. I have one question regarding your right leg and the way that it kind of drops into a bend from straight just before you start your backswing. Is this something you advise or just one of your idiosyncrasies? Thanks Jonny

[IDExPoSeD]

Its actually what tiger woods does too :P i think its one of his "idiosyncrasies" but yeah. Dont try and accomodate it into your swing unless you naturally do it as it could cause your swing to change dramatically :) Hope this helped

[towkay27]

Hi Shawn, just got your DVD... love it! Especially the reggae music at the start :D A question, how far ideally to place the club face behind the ball when at address b4 swinging. I see some players, i.e., Daniel Chopra levitating all clubs above the ground. Some higher than others. I tend to ground A LOT and this method seems to help, but only sometimes. Is this method acceptable to you? Thanks!

[clemshaw]

Thanks for the question!

What you need to do is feel the weight of the big unit of the arms and club at address like in the "Golf Swing Medicine" video; also have a look at the "Tilted Spiral part 2" video where I show you how to use the Big and Heavy Momentum to hit through the ball and not a manipulated force of the arms;

Shawn

[qbb01]

Hi Shawn, i am having trouble with getting loft on my irons, especially 5-9 because they are the only ones i need to use. Can you please help?

[clemshaw]

There is a video I did called Watch Dog Blog David Leadbetter how to hit crisp irons; it is on my :you tube Shawn" page of my website and has the answer for you;

All the best! Shawn

[OneSavior7]

Hey Shawn, you are awesome and have been a lot of help with my game. Ty for all that you do. I was wondering, is this type of shot and set up, etc. for all shots? Or just for the wind? And the same with the set up with the tees. Should I normally play with tees in the back of my stance? If you could answer this that would be great. Thx again for making all of these great videos. Keep 'em coming.

[clemshaw]

Thanks and sorry for not answering earlier, must have missed it; this is mostly for a drill to achieve the feel of the right compression; I have 2 other videos that deal with the set-up and another watch dog blog on David Leadbetter hitting crisp irons and my answer to that; they are all on my website's "you tube Shawn" page...

Shawn

[1tontomato]

I noticed something peculiar about your feet when you had that close up of the impact. You raised your toes on the right foot on the take away....which moves the weight more to the heels. Do you consciously raise your toes for better stability?

Thanks!

[clemshaw]

One thing about anything I do and teach; you never want to think about body parts; whatever you see me do, it is a result of this nutshell explanation: I am focused on letting heavy, effortless and powerful momentum go unobstructed to the target; which means the body clears out of the way without compromising platform; if platform collapses, then the body will react to the out of balance condition and pull the arms and club off line...make sense?

[THEEMERALDTABLET]

hey shawn! idont know if you know this guy but he has some very interesting insights to hogans swing and he played golf with moe norman to-worth a look,checkout sevam1,on you tube,peter.

[62imperial62]

Hello Shawn,

While practicing if you put the ball at the back of another divot, you won't see your divot on the next swing because the turf is already gone. How does this work?

Thanks

[clemshaw]

Just keep another ball right next to it parallel to the divot; if the divot shows up behind that ball, you did not get through the ball; this should help your awareness around the ball..

Shawn

[adnanbashir123]

hi Shawn, this is interesting. however, what i am still trying to work on is to try and keep my focus on the ball. what i have been doing lately is that my head is inadvertently following the target line even before i have hit the ball, so i am taking my eyes off the ball by the time my club head hits. can you tell me if there is a drill or an exercise to try and keep my eye / focus on the ball when the club head comes into contact with the ball on the downswing.

[clemshaw]

Hey Adnan;

I would much rather you focus on the target than the ball; if you look at my "Golf Pro Lesson Eye Ball" you will understand how to keep your eyes softly on one thing (might as well be the ball) all the while focussing on the target and how to send that effortless and powerful momentum in it's direction. My DVD series also has a nice section on how to practice Blind folded to get more awareness of momentum and Dynamic Balance...all on my website; Shawn

[jwsmith000]

Hi Shawn, how am I suppose to compress the ball off the tee? It seems to me the intent of hitting the golf ball is to pinch it between the ground and the club and creating your divot. I've always had problems hitting irons and even hybrids off the tee. I have no problems with woods. What am I doing wrong?

[clemshaw]

When you tee up the irons and hybrids, remember these clubs are designed to peel the ball off the ground so when using a tee you want to be using only the knob of the tee and pretend you are on a perfect lie in the fairway...Thanks for the question!

Shawn

[RobbZer0]

What could I be doing wrong if I'm bottoming out too early? The divot usually starts 2 or so inches behind the ball :P

[RobbZer0]

never mind. figured it out. was releasing club into the ground instead of out towards target.

[clemshaw]

Very good! :)

Thanks for answering!

Shawn

[clemshaw]

Also make sure that your tilt away from the target and into the left side is proper with the "Braced Tilt Part 1 and 2" and the "proper Spine Tilt" videos...

Shawn

[devosooner]

thanks shawn...compressing and delofting the club comes in very handy in oklahoma...where the wind comes sweaping through the plains!!!

[jwsmith00]

Shawn, quick question, if I'm supposed to "compress" the ball, like so many golfers say you should do, how is that possible with a high lofted club like a SW or LW?

[clemshaw]

Hi JW; thanks for the question;

You compress the ball with every club! But the compression factor decreases as the loft increases...

Shawn

[patzerr]

Shawn, I love your vids but this one has me really confused. I really don't understand how you can hit down on the tee'd up ball and not break the tee?? Can you explain to make it a little clearer? Thanks!!!

[clemshaw]

Hi Patzerr; I do not hit the tee because the ball is not at the bottom of my swing arc at this point; I am catching it as my club is well on its way down; if you look at my "Golf Pro Lesson great driver tip" video, you will see the same thing occurs when I hit the ball on the way up with the driver;

Thanks for the question! Shawn

[pecky1234]

the swing will bottom out just before the clubhead gets underneath the left shoulder, unless the clubhead passes your hands before impact. this is because as you uncock your wrists, the club is travelling downwards, as is the left arm, but the left shoulder is moving upwards. as your left arm is straight (hopefully), as the left shoulder moves up, this will cause the club to start ascending. so when the upwards of the of the left shoulder matches the downward of the club you will have low point

[clemshaw]

So how do you explain the right shoulder, arm and hand (which is handcuffed to the club through the grip) and it's function? I like to think that it is the BIG UNIT of the shoulders, arms, hands and club that swings together...Shawn

[pecky1234]

the left arm remains bent thru the hit. and the straight left rotates around the left shoulder. the straight left arm forms the radius of the swing. with the club coming from the left hand, another centre of rotation with the left shoulder, has its own orbit. both are descending, but the left shoulder begins ascending sooner than the left hand does. when you have the left shoulder moving up, this governs the left hand.

[pecky1234]

when the upward of the left shoulder matches the downward of the clubhead you have low point.

recomended viewing watch?v=V-T0RejVIxM

[jwsmith00]

Hi Shawn, Is there a good drill that I can do to make sure the hands lead the clubhead through impact? I seem to be uncocking my wrists very early--at hip height. Needless to say, I have consistency p

[jwsmith00]

problems with my irons.

[clemshaw]

Hey JW; yes I have many!

Videos to watch are: "Through the ball", "Get some Lag", "Contact and spin", "Chip Yips", "Bridging the gap between flat wrists and hinged wrists";

All these vids are on the You Tube Shawn" page of my website.

Thanks for the comment and question! Shawn

[XXGB34]

I don't understand when you first hit the ball of the tee you closed the club face before you hit the shot. When you closed the club face is that what its sappose to be when you make first contact with ball the from the ground? And they only way to get this is to "roll" the wrist over? If so why would it change?

[clemshaw]

When I tee up the ball high and play the ball off my back foot, I close the face because the ball position is back of centre; and at this point, with a normal set up, the club face would not be squared up yet; so I need to close it at address to compensate so I don't need to manipulate the face through impact...Thanks for the comment! Shawn

[genobambino]

Beautiful shooting location on this one, Shawn. Looks like a perfect matte painting. (Great lesson too.)

[nickGTFX]

Hey shawn, watched this video atleast 20times now. I really feel like i am compressing and hitting through the ball better now. Its nice to finally see my 6i going further then 160yds. I am on vacation near you in september so hoping i can actually book up a lesson. Hell of a long way for a golf lesson though ;) England > Canada. 1 quick thing.. When should i hear the swish of the golf club?

[clemshaw]

No Problem;

Send me an email about a month in advance (or earlier is better) and we can set up some times; the swish of the club should come well after the contact with the ball; have a look at my "through the ball" video on my "you tube Shawn" page of my website; you can email me from the contact page as well; Thanks for the comment and all the best! Shawn

[bossofalltime]

I was focusing on bottoming out my swing a couple of inches after the ball and the trajectory and distance was incredible (for my own standards). The ball started off low and rose up higher than ever and stayed in the air longer too.

[clemshaw]

Awesome man; keep it up!

Shawn

[jw2par]

Great drill. When I do this I notice my divots look a little deep. They are in front of the ball . I was hitting the 7i 160 to 170 of the tee. Which is good for me . How deep is to deep ?

[clemshaw]

You should not feel any resistance on the club when you are taking a proper divot; if you feel a recoil in the right index finger you are to deep. Check your tilt (Proper spine tilt, Braced Tilt Part 1 and 2 videos) and make sure you are bracing properly against the left side with the head staying steady behind the ball...Great Qestion! Shawn

[YangLYY]

Hey Shawn.. how's pinehurst..?? i bet it felt damn great.. it will be 1 of the course i want to go before i die..

anyway.. i realise at the begining of this video.. where u zoom into your club, ball and foot work.. i'm amazed with the fact that ur club actually bottom out at least 2-3 inches in front of the ball.. how can u do that..?? my best effort is hit the ball and take a divot immediately after the ball.. unlike yours where the divot come several inches forward..

[clemshaw]

Pinehurst exceeded all my expectations! It was like playing in a history book; Donald Ross was a genius! The bottom of the arc is a couple of inches in front of the ball; just pretend you are playing a slight downhill shot like the "On the Slopes" video... Bottom line is that when your focus is on the target and sending the momentum there, it should happen by itself; if you focus on the ball, you will get the results you experience at best...Other video to help is Catapult Power...

[FairwayJack]

When I drop my arms to initiate the downswing should I just drop the arms and keep my back / shoulders facing the target momentarily delaying the rotation of the (upper) torso? Thx ur vids are excellent.

[clemshaw]

Hey FairwayJack; great question!

You do not want to consciously delay anything; you simply want to be aware of momentum and wait for "it" (momentum); like when you toss a ball into the air; you are giving it away to gravity; now, you wait until it comes back to you. The longer the club, the longer the wait, but gravity will always bring it back! Just continue to get out of "it's" way so "it" can go all the way to the target! Shawn

[1tontomato]

I noticed your club face was open to the ball about 5-8*. Is this normal or should I setup square?

[clemshaw]

This is how I set up to get a straight to slight draw on my shots; you just whip the momentum to the target and see how it flies; then adjust accordingly...you would see my face more closed in my left handed set up as my dynamic through impact is slightly different...

Shawn

[1tontomato]

Interesting, I would think you would get a fade with an open club face. Would you open the club face more to play a fade or a cut shot? Or is the fade/cut dependent on the follow through or take away.

Muchas gracias amigo.

[bossofalltime]

Tiger Woods says this about playing a Draw (for Right Handers): ''Close your feet and shoulders slightly relative to the target line. Aim the face slightly to the right of your target; this allows the ball to start to the right, and the open face sends a message to close it as you come through.''

[clemshaw]

For some...have a look at my Hooks and Slices video; it is from a page of Jack Nicklaus "Golf My way"; it is on the "you tube Shawn" page of my website...

Shawn

[bossofalltime]

And for a Fade Tiger says: ''Aim the clubface directly at the target and open your feet and shoulders relatvie to the target line. Swing the club back and through along your stance line, leeting it track outside the target line on the backswing, and move from out to in through impact. Keep your arms and wrists firm through impact, holding off the release of the club. Don't let the clubface flip past your hands. Swing your hands high at the finish.''

[1tontomato]

Thanks for your imput, makes sense. I usually close the clubface if I want a draw or open the face for a fade or slice.

[clemshaw]

I am of the same opinion as there is less to do with swing compensations...

Shawn

[clemshaw]

Sounds great!

[pecky1234]

do you advocate hitting balls OUT of divots to learn compression? i like it alot, but cant do it on full shots, only on punched/pitch shots

[clemshaw]

Yes; very good point;

I love hitting full shots out of divots; I simply focus on "Thumping" the sole of my club through the bottom of the divot and the ball peels out wonderfully!

The master of this was Moe Norman; I have seen him peel drivers out of divots and had to rub my eyes and pinch myself several times to believe what I was seeing...:)

Shawn

[pecky1234]

must have been pretty wide divots!

[812ekoms]

Shawn, seeing your foot-work up close in your "Pro Lessons" is exactly what I've been waiting for. Now I can see how balanced I need to be inside both arches of my feet, back and through the swing--thanks a million, bro.

[clemshaw]

Great topic for a video! Thanks!

Shawn