Clay, I sincerely hope that you read this because this particular video unlocked and clarified an understanding for me of what it actually means to put pressure in the right foot to get a complete shoulder turn. Let me explain please; I've watched nearly all of your videos and hundreds from other instructors whereby you all say put pressure in the heel of your right foot to load during the backswing. So, I've been trying that, putting pressure in the toes, heel, arch of my right foot during the backswing and not seeing any real improvement in that aspect of my swing. In this video you said "imagine that you are using the pressure in your back foot to push the hip backwards, to force the hip to open up" during the backswing. That did it! Now I understand and can actually feel it and do it. I have been a softball coach for 30+ years and many many times players have said, "When you used this choice of words I suddenly found new meaning in what you have said in 20 different ways before. It's nearly 11:00pm, I was literally preparing for bed when I watched this video. I jumped up onto the floor and tried it and I could finally feel what putting pressure into the back foot to load actually meant and feels like. Now I understand and can't wait to wake up tomorrow and head into the backyard to hit into my net. I feel like I have a new purpose and look forward to finally increasing my shoulder turn. I have lower back issues that limit my flexibility however when I just now practiced this with the new found clarity I realized I can do this and get 15- 20 degrees more shoulder turn! Thank you! It just goes to show you how changing up subtle word choices can have new meaning in instruction. Sincerely, Rick Monson - Monroe, Wisconsin

This is amazing, your tips are exactly what needs to happen for improvement.

Hi started golfing when I retired 8 years ago ,shooting 110 to 120 if I counted most of the strokes . I have been watching your videos for three years thank you your instructions they are simple common sense and doable , This video is so priceless it’s unbelievable I have been practicing this for 2 months , along with all the the other lessons the iron one is another priceless instruction . Long long story short I struggled to drive 175 yards mostly slicing,now 200 to 220 with a slight fade, 3 wood from toppers to 180+ yds. Irons a nightmare to I can’t wait Sand and putting still a work in progress So I’m now shooting 82 to 90 and really loving this game . Thank you Clay for teaching me how to enjoy this game !

Clay, this is one of your best videos! Any tips or videos for keeping the head from moving forward and past the Rt hip on the downswing? Thanks!

Applied this drill and I was striking the ball like never before. Thanks for great video.

Incredible Lesson. I've been fighting the "right elbow out" during downswing all these years as my right arm/hand was WAY too active. Now as soon as I get this pulling sensation to start the down swing I know the left hip is leading the swing. I start to pure some short irons. This was only the first time out with this and I can't wait to get back to practice.

This is great info, the thought of pulling instead of pushing (coming over the top) is so key for me to have good swing. Clay & Q thanks so much for these videos, they are clear & concise which makes them understandable & useable for all levels of players.

Hi Clay, another great video. I liked the idea of on the downswing driving pressure through your lead foot, this is something I will work on the next time I am practicing. Your knowledge of the golf game is great, keep these videos coming and I will always watch them.

Thank you Clay all your videos are very informative!

Yea, big back swing and weight transfer, pull through withe lead arm and I could feel that pressure on the three fingers, which meant I was doing it correct. Felt very smooth and powerful. Excellent demonstration!

There are a lot of great videos on youtube. It’s a difficult choice to decide to whom to follow. I became a member of Top Speed golf because you’re easy to follow and easy to understand. I’m not perfect on this but I’m turning my hook into a nice baby draw.

Dadgummit. It's like you've been watching me play golf for the last 10 years and decided to create videos specifically for me. LOL Excellent content - it's helped me a lot. Thank you!

Great video Clay. Something to work on in the summer as I try to improve my driver on my channel documenting my golf progress.

Hi Clay, this video really described me perfectly. I've always had a smooth swing but once I hit 60 years old my distance has gone down year after year. At 63 now, at the rate I'm going I'll be hanging it up in another year or two! I've been working on some drills to increase my speed but all it has done is make me rush my swing and my timing is all over the place. Very uncomfortable and inconsistent results. I set up my phone to video what I was doing and saw I was turning my shoulders 45 maybe 50 degrees and my hips barely at all. By working on some stretching exercises and just having the swing thought of pointing my shoulder at the ball at the top of the back swing has effortlessly brought my swing speed up quite a bit. It's still a work in progress but I'm going in the right direction. And this reinforces the need to stay in shape as we get older!! Thanks Clay!!

:) Thanks for the hard work being us your TSG vids. You've helped me slooww down. thx

Just getting into golf and man your tips and drills have helped so much. I’ve never been around golf. Mainly motocross; sports included just baseball and basketball. This video has me realizing I stay on my back foot which is probably muscle memory from baseball.

This is great instruction, thanks Clay and Cue!

Clay: "not gonna do much better than that". Smashes another few yards past on the next and the next and the next hahah love it!

Clay, Simply put, your instructions make sense! I just started putting some of the fundamentals into practice and already, I am experiencing a significant improvement. Thank you very much. Mike K.

Good tip. That was a helpful swing thought.

Another great vid. Clay your instructions make so much sense and seem like you are not forcing the body to do anything unnecessary. Btw- see you are a big boy, but wow, hitting 300+ yard drive so casually...geez!

nice beard Clay and love the video thats exactly what i have been practicing is the pulling motion and is working also with chipping as well

Classic Phil Ritson (rip) : « Golf is a pulling motion ». Love the three finger key which also applies to chipping to avoid the skull.

Just added 10 mph to my club head after watching this with a much easier swing. Thank you

Beautiful !!!

Great lessons - Many thanks !

I am a lefty that plays right handed. pretty sure this will help with my distance. nice video

Shift pressure to the *inside* of the left foot! I’ve never heard that - it’s a very different feel (I’ve usually taken that to mean shift to the OUTSIDE/forefoot). Such a small difference, but much easier for me to keep rotating. Thanks!

Thanks

John Rahm does the short takeaway very well.

I think that one of the best ways to stop rushing, in addition to all of your tips, is to look after the feeling of a 'heavy club head' as long as possible in the downswing.

Great video as always Clay. This weekend, I watched "Golf My Way" where Mr. Nicklaus talked a lot about the feet and starting the downswing bottom up, then I watched the final round of the 1986 Masters on KZfaq. I focused on the footwork of these all-time greats. I was amazed at how many of them drove the ball over 300 yards with the equipment they had and how effortless most of their swings seemed. What would you say is the biggest difference and the biggest common denominator between the greats of that era and the modern swing? Thanks and keep up the great work.

Liking the beard Clay!

I tried this from December last year and took a while to get used to it, I’m now driving the ball averaging 270 metres but with this lockdown it’s gonna be hard to start again lol

So I go make my 4y/o breakfast and all on her own. She put this on the tv to watch while eating. Then follows this up by asking the remote for Freddy Couples Golf Swing. Proud Daddy Moments

Man, I have learned so much from this gentleman. Thanks Clay

I'm in my mid sixties and can't hit the ball as far as I used to and I have shortened my back swing over the past year or so. Thanks for this tip I will try it next time at the range but that will be a few weeks away. I live in Spain and the country is in lock down for another three weeks so will have to put this on hold thanks Clay.

HITTING BOMBS

Thanks very much this is a great video. When starting the downswing is it better to think of the front hip of the back hip as starting the move down or does it matter? I have always played thinking my back hip is the first move of the downswing followed by the upper body but might it better to instead think that the front hip moves and then the upper body follows.

New to the lag. Topping the ball alot.. think I'm rushing like you said. But this is frustrating cause I'm thinking to much about the lag and not shifting weight.. prolly why im topping it.. I want this swing bad..

Thanks for a cool video. Can you rotate your hips too far on the takeaway?

It's all about technique and being loose no matter how far back you swing. I have a short backswing and hit a 7 150 yards, on track for an amateur

Awesome video! Would you consider Tony Finau's back swing too short? Iv'e always been amazed at how much power he gets in his swing.

Hey Clay, thanks for the tips. My problem is that I play baseball and people always comment on my baseball swing. I try to slow it down but not much luck. Also, what brand of hat do you wear and where to get one. Thanks

How do you explain Tony Finau's short back swing? Thanks Sef

I have watched a bunch of your videos and all the instruction has been great. But I’m not sure I agree with this one. Can you give any other tips on how to make this work? When I have a long back swing a generally miss the center of the club face, but when I shorten it up, I become far more consistent!

I truly understand getting your hands arms above shoulders. However if you are limited or have physical limitations, what are you to do? I’ve had rotator cuff surgery and that’s as far as my arms will go. FYI. My shoulders are reaching 80 to 90 degrees on my Backswing

Clay , can I please schedule a lesson with you please?

I’m not that flexible and can’t get my club parallel to ground on backswing. Should I flare out my rear foot or keep it around 90 degrees to target line. I like the feel of my right foot perpendicular to target line but am I loosing distance?

Comment and a question: First, as far as feel goes, in addition to feeling pressure the lower fingers of my left hand, I also feel the contraction of my left lat and rear delt muscles. Once in the slot, then my core (abdominal) muscles take over. I have a hard time flattening out the swing at the start of the downswing and my right arm takes over, so I've been playing with an abbreviated back swing for consistency. What do you think about having a flat backswing? I recently saw a video on this, forgot which channel. Is that a bad habit, and if so, why? Would it help to try to drive my right elbow ahead of my hip (DJ)? This seems to flatten the swing and generate more power, but it's more difficult to square the club face. What is the best approach for someone trying to break 80? (Recreational golfer wanting to get to an amateur level). Thanks, Tom.

I have always had a big back-swing, maybe too big. I get good results when I separate my hips from my arms. I want my arms to swing freely, synced with the hips, but not locked into them. The problem is this make me FEEL like my swing is right on the edge of being out of control.

what is your driver setup? head, grip, shaft

9 out of 10 of would give our left arm to hit 285 yd drives

No flat wrist at the top on the 122mph swing, because under heavy pulling stress the wrist has a slight cup to it. Check the wrist angle when you hang from a pull up bar. You flattened it at the hip level through impact and hit a tight draw. That shaft looks like XX stiff - barely bends at 122mph. Probably right in your wheelhouse. 8:11

Like the hat. Where to buy?

Hi Clay. Can you please get hold of me regarding an online lesson for one of my friends?

What about John Rahm? Or Tony Finau. They have shirt back swings but rotate their torso and hips really fast to get the torque. And they're both pretty long hitters? Could it not work both was?

Clay, Over the last year, I have been taking lesson from a PGA professional and one of my biggest mistakes when trying to make a large turn and get that wide swing is that my upper body & head lifts up. Do you have any recommendations for still make a full wide swing and eliminating the upper body lift? FYI - I am an older player, so my flexibility while is good for most people my age, but is still more than likely an issue. Your feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

I like to let the arms and clubs feel like they’re floating for a split second while simultaneously opening up my hips

IM A SHORT SWING GOLFER, 2 HANDICAP. EVERYTHING YOU SAY IS ALL TRUE, BUT MISSING KEY THAT YOU DONT MENTION IS SOFT HAND ON THE TAKEAWAY, MY PRACTICE SWING HAS A GOOD FULL BACK SWING, BUT WHEN ITS TIME TO HIT THE BALL DAMN SHORT SWING COMES BACK..

So I just watched swing short = Hit Long. This video your saying you can’t have a shorter swing. I have a shorter swing so I do I not rush on the back swing?

Works for Rahm......

What would cause a pull if one shifts weight / pressure to left then clears out left side? I will have several holes at even par with this method depicted in the video. Then the dreaded double cross will appear. Any thoughts that cause this pull?

Can we use this downswing drill with other clubs as well or does this only apply to a driver?

Would this also apply to iron play?

I understand the point you're making, but what if you're a senior golfer and don't have your flexibility??

I heard pulling through slows the club down, pull up should be the thought right? Plus Clay has a natural fast swing, let Q demo it or a student.

Hi Clay, a light-bulb went on when I saw this video. My upper body was so tight (especially off the tee box) and I would rush the downswing AND cast the club; losing all kinds of power and with poor ball striking. I'm going to re-tool my swing with your ideas here. Questions: 1) What about Tempo? How much tempo are you applying to back-swing vs. the down-swing and 2) What about the right wrist on the back-swing? Some pros seem to have significant cocking of the right wrist while others don't. Can you comment on that? Thanks again!!

but why is your left heel going up.i have observed topping the ball in these cases...please advise.

For those who have seen the “throw the clubhead” videos-like Steve Pratt and his “outthrow” and lots of others that you can find on KZfaq under “throw the clubhead-this instruction is just the opposite and I, for one, can’t reconcile the two approaches. Many videos instruct you not to be a “handle puller,’” yet that’s exactly what is being taught here. And if there is some difference between what is being taught and the dreaded handle pulling, is that difference going to be discerned by the average golfer watching this video? If there is, it’s lost on me. But then again, there appears to be a million contradictions in golf instructions, and not just on KZfaq.

if you pull through on your downswing, but you have a much steeper downswing naturally, wouldnt It result in lots of mishits, duffs and slices?

You can't promise me 317, Clay? What good are you?! JK

Lots of people getting carried away from watching Tony Finau and John Rahm.

No video for jon rahm...

Grip and blocking it out to the right ? How to not do that ...

Just a thought. Instead of saying right side and left side. Say front side and back side. That way whether the viewer is left-handed or right-handed they know what you're talking about without having to think.

What about us older folks who can’t make that huge turn?

1:31 is my 100% effort

I like all your videos, but this one you have to understand that not everyone is that flexible.

r46

Finau and Rahm can get away with it lol

Sandy Lyle, Tony Finau and Jon Rahm may disagree

John rahm

This is me... I rush..

He seems not to need a long backswing

So... what about Jon Rahm swing.... he use first option... ?

Why dont you just explain how you need to have left side tilt in the back swing?

Q .... like in 007

Never pull

H

Sounds like I am screwed..I am 55 years old with bad shoulders and hips. My range of motion is not anywhere near what yours is.

Sorry...maybe it's me, but I didn't see anything in this video to help me stop rushing my downswing

Moe Norman would disagree

Mrbeast?

No. No!!! If you swing a hammer like that then you'll never swing again. Don't teach timing! Hit the ball toward the hole. You're also teaching a weak front side (you didn't say it as such, but you are), you're asking to be misinterpreted. "Pulling the club through the downswing" is dead wrong. What you feel isnt the same as what you did

A lot of talk and bragging but no instruction