Thank you! Beginning golfer. So many videos on golf are 90% fluff, 10% info. You are 100% info. Clear, logical explainations for everything you suggest. I am a subscriber!

An outstanding explanation of how to address the ball and consistently setup. I have had the issue of not being comfortable over the ball at address off and on for years and implementing this tip has drastically changed consistency for my swing. Played 2 rounds of golf since and amazing results with consistency and crushing the ball with ease. Single best golf tip in years if not ever! Thanks much Clay!

Where I stand in relation to the ball fluctuates a lot. Sometimes I’m too close, sometimes too far, and sometimes just right, and it makes for really inconsistent strikes. It turns out I was addressing from the ball and not setting up and moving to it like you said. Thanks for this video, I had no idea I was doing that wrong.

I measured Clay’s spine angle for the irons and driver. Using his belt line up to the base of the neck, he pretty consistently sets up at 45-50° on the irons and around 30-35° for the driver. Just for reference if you get a friend to take video or pics of your stance.

I don't understand 29 negative people. Clay is Best KZfaq golf coach ever. He explains in detail on all lessons. Clay, can you do a video on which muscle would be a focus on entire swing? I don't know if it's possible but that would be good explanation during swing thought. Just a suggestion... Thanks for all the great training!

Wow. Everything you said about the negatives of being too close is EXACTLY my issue! I'm taller (6'4") so every time I go to the range or course (1-2x a week) I feel like I change my swing because my body forgets what I did when I was hitting well. I instinctively move closer and feel myself stand up straight as I make contact. Saved this video for my next range time and trying this out. Great video. As usual.

By far my favourite and best tutor I've ever seen online. Thank you:)

Thanks so much for all the videos, I had a problem with slicing, couldn't figure what I was doing wrong. So I started with this video and watched the next few, you broke down every aspect of the swing I cured my slice and added 30 to 40 yards on drive. What I appreciated most was your down to earth approach.

Hi Clay, I have played golf at a very competitive level and been a scratch handicap but due to work and having lost a bit of interest in gold. and now playing again the past 3 yrs, I struggle with consistency, during a round and sometimes a play a great round to be followed the next Saturday with what I call clueless golf. I find your teaching fantastic, logical, simple yet technical. I started with your lesson on how to hit consistent drives, now the irons, my big issue is lack of confidence and trusting what I do...to concerned with trying not to make mistakes rather than playing to hit great shots and score...great teaching..

This guy knows what’s up. One of the most knowledgeable and well spoken teaching pros shooting videos.

Thank you for this. I’ve been struggling with inconsistencies in my irons and couldn’t figure out what I was doing. After an hour in front of a mirror, doing this setup and takeaway, I went out in the yard and hit some balls with a nice baby draw on them.

I am a newcomer to golf after not playing for 50 years +. I'm now in my early 70's (71) and decided to get a golf club of some sort of iron just to get some exercise after last years back surgery and the next thing I know I have a driver, about 3 fairway woods and even picked up a complete set of irons (1-9+ a Pitching wedge) for a song and a dance. Found the irons in a Habitat for Humanity Restore for a total of $40 and they were a complete set of Lynx Blackcats with the 3 iron still in the cellophane. Guess I'm living right! Anyway, I wanted to say Thank You for this video and the bonus vid. I haven't played on a course yet since my renewed interest in golf, I have been practicing in the pasture with the sheep. If they don't try to eat my yellow wiffle balls I got it made. I have only been using my 8 iron for the time being and was having trouble topping the ball or hitting the dirt before I would hit the ball. Today took your advice from these 2 videos and found I was getting under the ball, getting the loft I have been looking for, and was hitting my shots a lot straighter and further even with the wiffle balls. The tip about holding my wrists straighter on the backswing until I was waist high and sort of cocking my muscles from the top of the backspring seemed to be the greatest help for me. I now can feel how much more effortless the swing is. THANK YOU SO MUCH! GaryT from New Braunfels, TX.

Watched this video yesterday and had great day at the range this morning thanks a lot!

Over time I lost a lot of muscle memory & proper tech. My swing speed is slightly over 100 so it’s hard to get my shot dialed down, even if I slow down my swing. This was a great explanation on how to get back to basic fundamentals. Went to the range & i saw a difference!

Great video. I never realized setup to the ball being so crucial until I watched video of myself swinging an iron. My swing was extremely flat and I was hitting awful hooks. I learned that I was standing too far from the ball. Figuring that out my swing is now perfectly on plane at the top.

"How close should you stand to the ball?" Preferably, about 275 yards after you've hit it.

2:24 great advice

I`m a self taught golfer. I play once a week and always felt uncomfortable at address. Now I square the face, let my arms hang natural, and move up or back to the ball. I have not broke 50 this year in leauge play. I shot 47 this week. I`m a 14 hdcp and feel like i have a shot to finally win a skin, or closest to the pin. You break it down simply, and it is trans forming my game. My partner could not beilive how nice my swing looked. Iv`e slowed my crazy backswing and turn my hips through the shot. I hit the ball first almost every time, and probably gained 15 yrds per iron. I`m hitting my 7 iron 165 compaired to 150 yrds. THANK YOU SIR> I`m getting free lessons

Clay, I just saw this video yesterday 6.23.2019. I average 90-95 a round. I recently changed my grip from interlocking to 10-finger. Small fingers & old fracture. What worked in my 20s does not work today. The grip change gave me more power and 20-45 more yards. I used to slice and had no confidence with my driver. Set it aside 2 years ago. In the rain today I applied your setup tips. 18 holes, every shot I went through your setup. I paired up with the club pro instructor who was bored. I shot 84. No driver remember. Only used my Callaway Rogue X 3 hybrid off tees. He said "love your setup routine. Now get a driver and you'll save 7-12 strokes." Told him about your tutorial. My 84 is all thanks to your setup process. It works. I hope to meet you one day for a lesson! - Rob

I started with playing with my hands too close to the body. Watched this video and decided to change it after you said I was basically using arms only.. I'm still getting used to it but I gained a good 20yards per club on clean hits.

Not sure how Clay isn’t playing on TV cuz his knowledge of the swing and ability to demonstrate his knowledge is second to none!

Very good video and extremely helpful for a beginner who is struggling with determining the proper distance to set up from a ball. I know I have struggled with this but this makes total common sense. Set up your body before you get to the ball and then make the distance adjustment with your feet keeping the correct body position so that your club is right at the ball.

Must say Clay Ballard is a pure god to me as a new golfer! really enjoy all your stuff! Thanks from Denmark!

Thanks for this! I always would be questioning where to stand and it makes a lot of sense how you explained it!

Thanks. Just what I needed without over-complicating the routine.

Awesome explanation. Ran through the drill today and was hitting driver consistenly a lot further than normal - and where I wanted it to go !

More great commentary. I was always told to at least be able to make a fist between my arms and thighs. You are sayings its between a hand to a hand and a half. Even better to be more precise. As good as any instructor I've seen.

Excellent explanation. I can see that I've been too close to the ball with my driver.

I’m also 6’4” and this has screwed me up for longer than I care to say. Thank you!

Thanks! I've wondered about this question for years.

Very well explained! All golfers should learn this if not to at least avoid issues.

Before taking your set up stance, you can just set the face of the club square behind the ball and let the length of the club shaft determine where your feet should be. If you want to take a few warm up swings then do so away from the ball but then step into it and set the club face square behind and then adjust your feet back and square to each other to allow for the length of the club shaft.

Very detailed video.I like that you actually show us a swing. Nice to have a worded explanation but I’m more a visual learner so that helps a ton. Thank you

Great video. I am new to Golf 5’10 tall and this distance thing seems to be the biggest issue. I feel uncomfortable too close and too far and end up hitting on top of the ball most time also because I adjust my height mid swing because of the discomfort. Cant wait to try this out, but for sure when I am comfortable in my position, I can hit 100 times better!

After I get setup I will sometimes let go of the club with my left arm being a righthanded golfer and if my arm falls towards my target I fill I'm in a pretty good position not to close or faraway and then I'll find another way to screw up during my swing....lol..... great video!

I will be trying this on my next range visit.....going through a bad patch and need to sort it quickly! Cheers

This guy is great! Everything he says helps me. I love all his videos. Love how he explains things thoroughly but simply

Go to Stodoys plans if you want to know how to make it easier. This is a good solution for every woodworker.

Great content and not a common mistake that golfer makes and this really helped me with my distance just being able to make pure contact in my shots

Very good video , great drill for for any golfers whatever the handicap is.

Thank you for the great and explicit explanation. will do this in my practice. many greetings from snowy Switzerland

class video Clay I think you and mike bender would pair well in your ideas of the golf swing spot on!

Great video, Clay really appreciate your video

Helped my stance so much man. Ty

Very nicely explained. Appreciate your time and effort. - Mike

One of the best video on the topics I saw

When lined up to start the swing with a driver, should the ball be near the toe, near the centre or near the heal of the driver? 😊

I like this lesson.

Has anyone ever said you look like Jordon Speiths older brother .. Oh you have a better swing.. Thanks for all the tips you definitely know your stuff!!!!!

Thank you so much. Brilliant video.

I always start my round of great, then I find that I'm grounding my club to close to my body and yes I'm standing up on my downswing and my round goes to ****... Thank you for that reminder Clay...

Hi Clay thanks for this amazing video I was struggling in this Thank you very much Indeed you are the best golf teacher ever.

Very thorough explanation. 👍

Thanks for the video! This will definitely help me the next time I go out to the driving range!

Really great video on distance from the ball! I am always searching for that & seem to find it now & then! Looking forward to putting your advice in to my practice routine. Keep those Common Sense tips coming & thanks for all you do in helping to grow the game

The way I was taught was if the arms are hanging straight down when gripping the club then if I look down the hands should look just beyond the tips of my shoes - I have slightly small feet for my height so others might see the hands as being directly above the shoe tips

Some of this also depends on your body type and where you are comfortable as well. Jim Furyk practically has his hands resting on his thighs at set up. Of course, with his swing, just about everything is unconventional. I tend to also have my hands a little bit closer to my body, as I have longer arms. Not too close, but it just feels a little more comfortable for me. But very good tips here.

This was extremely helpful

Nice explanation.

Why not let the shoulders round a little? Hogan, Snead and many other world class ball strikers addressed the ball this way. I find personally if I don't round a little bit, I tend to early extend because I've bent so much in my hips at set up.

Great tip Clay with the irons (measurements) , no measurement shown for driver? This would really help as I am bad for stretching out with my arms with all my clubs! I have been trying the one plane swing for a while, but it doesn't work for me consistently, so I am back to the common golf swing!

I have to line my driver up about 2 inches past the toe at address. My downswing extends beyond the correct address position. Have you seen this? How can I correct it? Id like to line up at the ball at address for better consistency.

Thank you. Excellent explanatio.

I was taught long ago to take your left hand off the club and make sure it has room to pass between the butt of the grip and your body. Most amateurs are too far away.

Changed my game , 🙏 thank you.

Hopefully I will give these tips a try on Friday and report back. I’ve been standing too far away from the ball for years.

Exactly the advise I personally need atm. 🙏. Thank You very much.

This seems to be one of the hardest habits, I would stand too far forever, great video

I have a tendency for an out to in swing path. Find out it’s because I was standing too close to the golf ball. Backed up a good bit and now I swing in to out.

Thank you Clay! You are very easy to understand, if you were in Kerry i will call for lessons. Appreciate. Daniele

First, Happy Birthday Jack Nicklaus! Clay being a club builder the first thing with irons is proper shaft length, & close to proper lie angle. Remember, Jack never soled the club. With the arms relaxed, proper grip bend at the hips to address the ball hovering club in a balanced position. A golf club is an extremely well balanced tool. I believe most golfers would be amazed how the club will rotate in a balanced arc in the proper address position.

Your under the assumption that all golfers are 6ft tall ,fit 32” waist, anyway, the way I worked it out was when I watched Johnny Miller on his Golf show Years ago, out on the Range take a club, any club, take your grip on the club, then, hold your arms out straight, still gripping the club, level with your shoulders, then, from that position, raise your hands above your head, now, the next move, gently lower the club, keeping your arms straight till the club touches the ground, you should now be in the correct position .

Two thumbs up!

Jim Furyk is like 3rd all time money winner and stands with his hands between his legs. Many ways to get it done.

very good Clay thank you 🏆

Clay, Just when I start thinking that you've already broadcast your best tutorial... YOU PROVE ME WRONG !! SALUTE YOU BRO

Best golf coach ever!! And he doesn’t have someone dressed exactly like him 🙃

Hahah first 3 minutes you were doing exactly what iv been trying to fix in my downswing with extending the legs back like that telling me I’m to close to the ball I laughed😂 im new to golf had my first round the other day and looking forward to see myself progress, cheers for the tip👍🏽

Quality instruction! Thx!

dude cruising past at 0:48 has like 7 cases of beer in his cart.

For a fairway wood, say a 3 wood, somewhere between the two, or more towards the stance you show for irons?

What about Setup for Impact? Bernhard Langer said the other day "The most common reason for mis-hitting a shot is, at the moment the club meets the ball, the angle between the shaft and the ground changed from what it was at address." So because of your Angel of Attack and your Swing Path: Wouldn't it be better to create a posture which is similar to your impact position?

Always informative, thanks!!!

this will help me cause i tend to be too close. thnx for the help.

Hey Clay! Love your vids, thank you! The biomechanical explanations are great! I have a 6 pt checklist at every setup that I based on your guidance. The little shoulder “tilt” is the best tip ever!!! Question...in the past, pros always talked about “tail out”. Is this still as important to do or is it better to keep the tailbone in a natural position with the spine? Thanks!

Great explanation thanks 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🎩👌🏻🍻

Ive always wondered, does it make any difference in terms of how tall you are when it comes to spreading out your legs, how close you should stand to the ball?

Beginner here. Thank you.

I guess it's time to shorten my shafts a bit. Great video!!

Excellent ! Thank you

Great instruction mate , ur material is always worth watching , cheers.

Easy check is if you’re comfortable and the weight is equally distributed on your heels and toes. Too much on toes and you’re to far from the ball.

Thanks Clay. I wish I could get a one on one lesson with you.

Will it be breaching a rule if one wrap red electric tape on shaft........having that as a aid to my setup, pointing were I should place my front toes ball.....distance. Each club having red tape then. As I understand the rules dont alow altering the dynamics of a club/equipment to make it easier. ????.

So, should the bottom of the club be sitting flat or sitting more on the heel with the toe up and off the ground?

Hello top speed golf. Is it true the back of the driver should be on the ground? Which would mean hands a bit further back or the look of an open club head. Thanks

Can you please do a video on how to choose the right length of clubs?

oh yes you can always count on your videos being correct, thanks Clay

I was constantly hooking shots to the left, stood closer to the ball and its so much straighter now

i noticed how still your head stays! on the down swing I break posture and move my head down like crazy. do you think its only a posture issue?