Ridiculously Easy Part 2; #1 Most Popular Golf Teacher on You Tube Shawn Clement

[roastedpeas]

YOUR SO CREATIVE ,YOU LOOK LIKE YOUR DANCING :) ,I THINK THE VIDEO SHOULD BE ,"A MEANS TO AN END" NOT A BUNCH DO THIS AND THAT, TO GET RESULTS .....THE ACHIEVEMENT IS THE BALL MOVING ,WHERE YOU WANT TO HIT THE BALL ,I THINK TOO MANY PLAYERS ,OVER THINK ,THE ACTION ,AS I DO

[hsh24892]

Wow! so great quality materials. I have been in a slump for almost 5 days because I was too much focused on my back swing. I will try to replicate what you said and see how it goes tomorrow.

[zimnicki76]

Shawn, love the videos such a big help to a new guy to the game.What I like the most about your teaching is you dont require a bunch of gizzmos.These are all lessons I can take to the range and course and practice without having to look crazy.You get these guys on the golf channel and they want ya to use swimmy's hoola hoops and all other kind of junk.your teachings only requires 3 things our mind,body and a golf club. thanks again

[justjames1111]

Hi Shawn,

Thanks for the advice. Can I just ask you your thoughts on a related matter. A number of pro's e.g Jack Nicklaus had/have a certain swing thought, such a 'complete the backswing' or 'pull the handle down towards the ball' etc.. how do you think they would combine this with a target focus, as Dr Karl Morris has stated similarly to yourself that you can only focus on one thing during your swing.

Regards

James

[justjames1111]

Hi Shawn,

You got my grey matter working now. Just so I understand what you're saying. Are you saying that when I'm on course doing my practice swings I should think/focus on the mechanics e.g. Keep head behind ball, don't go too far inside etc. but when I actually address the ball I should stop that and just focus on the shot I want?

Also, that I should do the same at the range, or doing some of your recommended drills, and switch to target focus instead when I actually have a ball to hit?

[clemshaw]

@justjames1111 Exactly! If you have a ball in front of you and you are not focused on your target, then you make the ball the target by default; never let this happen!! I don't have 2 million years to show you that one!

Use the practice swing to get the feel of the whip or swat you want with the flavour you need; fade, draw, low, high, firm, smooth always effortless and free of any strain. Then use the feel to deliver to the target when the ball is there! Shawn

[justjames1111]

Hi again Shawn,

I hear what you say about target focus, but when do you actually focus on the individual mechanics, at the range?

Thanks

James

[clemshaw]

@justjames1111 Not only at the range but also in the rehearsal swings only or when you are doing a specific drill like feet together or one leg; when the ball is present, you should not focus on something that will take the target out while you are hitting the ball; this will not result in anything productive! All of our drills that involve striking a golf ball must include a target and an action to a target with a simple observation after the fact to be aware of how close we got...

[dschultz6072]

@dschultz6072 what i'm trying to get at here is golf is just like any other sport, you make mistakes. you try to get to a point where even if you make a big mistake relative to your skill level, you are able to recover from it. liken it to basketball...even the best free throw shooters in the world miss one every now and then. in the end, they still know what a good shot feels like, and they try to replicate that feeling every time. remember we are HUMANS, not ROBOTS. give it your best!

[dschultz6072]

i think what shawn said about the thin contact is very important. you take it and move on, rather than thinking about insane things like how your swing lines up on peter kostis' konica minolta bizhub swingvision analysis. this happened to me yesterday. i was stuck behind slow players, and when i finally had a chance to hit my ball i was anxious. my last tee shot of the day, par 3, i caught heavy, so i decided to hit it again. the next ball was flushed pure and stopped 7 feet from the pin.

[dschultz6072]

@dschultz6072 what i'm trying to get at here is golf is just like any other sport, you make mistakes. you try to get to a point where even if you make a big mistake relative to your skill level, you are able to recover from it. liken it to basketball...even the best free throw shooters in the world miss one every now and then. in the end, they still know what a good shot feels like, and they try to replicate that feeling every time. remember we are HUMANS, not ROBOTS. give it your best!

[ansinkhh]

Everyone please listen to Shawn! Today front 9, I shanked like crazy. But, in the back 9, I said "This is ridiculous." and then it reminded me of this video. Then every shot I took, Shawn's voice would overpower my thoughts: "make it ridiculously easy, effortless swing, your ball is a blur". I let go of the throttle and made sure everything was just easy. Shots were shorter but crisp and "straight". I saved $30 of balls and scored 51 vs 60+ in the front 9. Thanks Shawn! Now about power..

[parttroll1]

Lol yep gag the hornet and observe! That is one thought to take to the course / range :-)

[Jamison987]

Shawn, I got to say I am really starting to by in to your teaching, your swing looks so efortless. One question that I hope you are able to answer. I was at the range working on this rythmic efortless swing and found myself either hitting fat or slicing and I cant figure out why. I do have some decent shots but I find that if I dont try to address the flaw and just swing, it gets worse. Any help would be awesome. I am really trying to learn your teachin, your awesome.

[clemshaw]

@Jamison987 Could be many things but here is the right video for you: "Golf Pro lesson working the ball" part 1 and 2; once you understand that there is no such thing as a straight ball and you understand the feel of a fade and draw, you will be able to swing with more wisdom through to your target with proper ball position and club face angle; see also "golf pro lesson weak grip or strong grip" video

[NikeGolf118]

I think you hit it thin because you had too much up and down movement with the head.

[andyraddatz1]

@NikeGolf118 You obviously didn't watch the entire brilliant explanation he gave about correcting little things like that immediately after he hit it thin. Watch again and listen to how analyzing in the way you are suggesting will ruin the learning process.

[NikeGolf118]

@andyraddatz1 I understand your sarcastic point. However he asked himself why he hit it thin, and yes while practicing he gives a great way to correct it. BUT having SEEN it after on video is when we can think mechanically and say "Oh yea, I hit it thin because my head moved a foot up and down." I have been watching Shawn's videos for two years and know his golf instruction is brilliant-don't belittle me into challenging or criticizing a point--we are all still learning.

[andyraddatz1]

@NikeGolf118 I apologize for the sarcastic tone, but the reduction of the issue to a single mechanical point the way you did just seems in complete violation of the mental approach to these things he expands on for the next 3 minutes after he hits that shot; the direct and complete opposite of his advice... I only wanted to divert readers from snapping back into the way of keeping track of a million tiny things like that since Shawn takes great effort to teach to the contrary.

[NikeGolf118]

@andyraddatz1 I completely agree and understand. You should join Shawn's forum if you haven't already, shawnclementgolfDOTcom...my name on there is Mturner. The more people that understand and follow his instruction the better! Hope to see you on there soon.

[andyraddatz1]

@NikeGolf118 Just joined! Again I'm sorry, I tend to be more sarcastic on Monday mornings, haha...

[NikeGolf118]

@andyraddatz1 Lol hey man that's fine, and believe me I can relate--mornings are not my favorite! 

[clemshaw]

@NikeGolf118 This is very important; when you don't pull off the shot, DO NOT ASK WHY, JUST OBSERVE AND CHUCK IT! Then get back to the prime directive which is action to target; the up and down movement is NECESSARY TO A GREAT SWING! See "golf pro lesson get more club speed and power" and "golf pro lesson feet together and one leg update" You will see this move is so many of the greats like Jack, Moe Norman, Kenny Perry (big time), Sam Snead etc...Thank you for the important comment!

[NikeGolf118]

@clemshaw No problem Shawn, all great thinkers must ask questions!

[NikeGolf118]

@clemshaw Shawn when implementing the up and down movement in the swing does it not become very hard to maintain the proper spine tilt angle?

[clemshaw]

@NikeGolf118 We all need to take a chill pill when it comes to being too careful in this game; the more you give up control, the better the performance IN EVERYTHING! Your central nervous system is a marvel of nature that is more capable than any conscious mind will ever know and we keep placing ridiculous barriers to our performances out of fear; Jack, Moe, Sam, Tiger and the list goes on and on about the greats that moved their heads up and down...be careful...make sure you don't screw up...

[NikeGolf118]

@clemshaw Your responses always enlighten new wisdom in my golf game. We must ask questions to gain new wisdom, otherwise life is a guessing game. Thanks again!

[zanudamusic]

@NikeGolf118 - I just had a flashback to Ty Webb in Caddyshack with that comment! :-D

[Creepytouch]

As a result of this video I have improved both my accuracy and distance greatly. Thanks a bunch Shawn, keep up the good work! 

[Creepytouch]

I'd have to say that this video in particular has had the most impact on my golf swing ever. I've always struggled to not think about things like "is my club on plane?" or "is my club face square at the top?" while swinging and then as a result forgeting my target and just defaulting to the ball.

Now all I'm thinking is ridiculously easy/rhythmic action to the target. This has totally changed my focus away from the ball and the usual swing position thoughts etc.

[clemshaw]

@Creepytouch Thank you for the terrific post! This is how golf was meant to be!

Shawn

[chaz23j]

Hi Shawn, you speak exactly the way I think - thank you for reading my mind, and my idea for golf to be effortless - this is when I have played my best. Cheers!

-Charles

[JQNick]

Hi Shawn. When you talk about gagging your conscious thoughts during the shot. Can that sort of mechanical thinking be harmful during practice swings to? I have noticed with an ipod in my ear just chasing a ball around by myself I can easily shoot 5-10 shots lower than days when I dont. Thanks :)

[clemshaw]

@JQNick At one point in the learning process, the thinking stops in the backswing as well when the feel of the loaded position and sensation of effortless power is present; until then, the practice swing is necessary to calm the mind knowing that the thinking process was transformed to a feel that is adequate to pull off the shot...Shawn

[pokerlife123]

Shawn i love your mental game approach! i played 9-ball billiards for a living for 14 years and when i was playing my best its as if i was watching myself play and just observing ! If a key shot came up and i told myself DON'T miss this my body would tense up and i would fight the pool stroke the same way you threw that forceful stone. It all makes sense now haha THE MIND DOESN'T KNOW THE WORD DONT

So if i say DONT hit it in that water my mind will make the water my target!

[clemshaw]

@pokerlife123 Superb! Thank you for that!

Shawn

[tomcagney]

Thanks Shawn - great lesson. I have come on great since buying the original video and have just ordered the updated version from yuor web-site! No doubt Canadian dollars will turn into pounds sterling! Just off to practice. Cheers.

[flameboy63]

This is really making me think, and I love it.

[Bladnaster]

Great vid. The importance of allowing the mind to observe and not intefere is very, very important. Once understood, we can realize that the golf swing is as easy as many things we do every day, throwing a ball, swinging a bat, hitting a nail. Our bodys know what to do!!! What is a hard concept to grasp is the self observation without interference, at least until it is felt. It is a weird feeling and feels unatural.

Not enough space to finish. great points and great job!!!!!!!!!!

[clemshaw]

@Bladnaster Thank you so much! You are definitely in tune with the inner game!

Shawn

[CGGolfer42]

You have a nice swing but do you have any tips to help me consistently higher and less divot each time or do you have a previous video you could help with thanks,

[clemshaw]

@CGGolfer42 Several! My speciality! See "golf pro lesson proper spine tilt angle" then "golf pro lesson braced tilt part 2' then "golf pro lesson tilted spiral" part 1, 2 and 3" and finally "golf pro lesson tilted twirl"! Enjoy!

PS: My new 5 disc dvd series would be a huge asset too! :))

[Michael10659]

Hey Shawn,

Another great vid!

Question....I have no problem hitting the ball straight or with a draw and I must say with authority, but when it comes to the fade it frustrates me. I understand your concept for the fade but the draw swing feels more natural to me and the fade set up not so much. I will keep trying....do you have any specific drills for the fade?

[clemshaw]

@Michael10659 Yes; make sure you do not pre turn for the fade: when you play the ball forward of center for the fade, you must feel at address that you are able to send the momentum left of the target to allow for the fade back to the target; so yes, the center of the body is behind the ball but no, it will not feel pre turned; I will have some more vids to help soon! Shawn

[1dayt1]

Hi Shawn, what would be a tip i could use to get my 8year old son who has never played before

[clemshaw]

@1dayt1

Show him grip, posture and the difference between snap to target vs snap to ground; then give him a bunch of targets to snap to and show him how his posture will allow for the ball-turf to be in the way of his action to the target; "golf pro lesson fishing and golf"

[ant0ni0g0mes]

Great video Shawn!

Your Brazilian students appreciate.

Tks

Antonio

[clemshaw]

@ant0ni0g0mes

Thank you to all the comments guys!

Hey Antonio! Nice to hear from you! Say hello to Isabel! Enjoy a nice coffee for me!

Shawn

[weapons33]

quality clem

[NikeGolf118]

Shawn, you need to come to the states so you can knock Jim Mclean off the golf digest top four teachers in America, you deserve it!

[boardhead888]

Very enlightening teachings Buddha Shawn! Keep up the good work!

[Gman6755]

Shawn, great videos!! I have been using your video on the notch to know how to set up with my driver, the notch behind the ball, and I have been absolutely killing it off the tee!! Taking some serious skin money off my buddies, LOL!! Thanks for your great instruction!!