I've been watching Clay all week after work, practicing in the yard every night. Played today and struck the ball better, straighter shots, and actually had fun and stayed pumped, not get mad and want to quit the game entirely. Clay is the best golf coach out there and i appreciate Clay for being AWESOME!!! Thanks Clay!!!
The hardest part about teaching anything is understanding that many people learn things very differently. It's all how you perceive the information. I feel like you did a very Good job of explaining what you meant in several different ways to make it easier to understand.
Your feet parallel left means if you were standing at your target, and you lined up like you are going to hit a good shot, your feet would be left off the hole. You wouldn't put your feet right on the hole. It's a good way to learn that your feet don't point at the target, the club face does. Good luck out there everyone, hit em straight!
I'm convinced that the setup is the most difficult thing in golf. All you have to be is ~1 cm off and it's going to affect the shot. And since every club has a different length, you have to master setting up with each club exactly the same way each time. Distance from the ball has to be nearly exactly the same for the same club. And that's somewhat dependent on forward lean, which I think varies, especially if a golfer gets a bit tired. I think the swing may be more repeatable than the setup, but of course if the setup varies from one 5-iron to the next, so will the swing. The tolerances for error are just so small. And we haven't even mentioned uphill, downhill, sidehill lies. Obviously, the pros do this better than anyone. But amateurs are very unlikely, IMHO, to have a repeatable setup for the same club every time. It's a goal of course. But a very elusive one.
Doesn't parallel left mean that if you draw a straight line from the ball to your aiming spot, which is your target line, a line drawn along your toe line should be parallel to that ball-spot/target line. In the video it appears your foot line is closed to the ball-spot line because your toe line is pointed at the target instead of parallel left. Is it possible that you feel most comfortable open because you are actually parallel left?
I agree, his personal preference is left because it's actually square to the target... lining feet up to the target will create a closed stance. Good observation
I think what they mean by "parallel left" is you point your club face directly square to your target, so if a laser was coming out of the club face it would hit the flag stick, then when you take your stance your feet are about a yard away from the club face (depending on the club) so if the laser was pointing out to target parallel to your toes the laser line will be left of target the distance you are away from the club face (right for a lefty) ... all good if you are hitting a dead straight shot 🤔
Interesting point you made. I don’t disagree with you at all except to make a supporting point. Since your feet, knees, shoulders are a yard left of the clubface target line, it seems that it would be simpler to simply aim your body directly at the target, aim the face a yard right of the target and accept shots 3 feet from the hole. No one does this and in truth, most pros align themselves significantly open with the shoulders. I think this to hit fades off the tee.
Clay, you spoke about alignment on the course. You square the club face to the aiming point with your right hand, then you step into the ball. My question is where does the ball end up being positioned? How big of a step do you take with the left and right foot when you set up?
Hi Joseph, this can vary based on the player and the club. In general, a good place to play the ball is a little ahead of the middle of your stance. Basically, straight down from your lead ear. Play well! ~ Quentin | TSG Instructor
Good advice. You really got to be careful with aligning the shot. And the feet really need to be aligned correctly, "consistently" as our instructor here says, or THAT can/will mess up the swing -- I might even start making changes to my swing to attempt to overcome my bad/inconsistent alignment when I stop paying attention to my alignment and let it drift. That is my 2 cents based on my experience. So, again, good advice here.
If your feet are slightly open, are your shoulders and hips turned square to the target. So that you are swinging the club along your shoulders and hips? Or is everything open ie feet, hips and shoulders ?Think the latter would cause me to fade or slice.
My pre-shot routine is pretty similar but why would you take a practice swing after you pick your point on the ground? Aren't you likely to lose focus on that point? Because if there are no leaves or anything you would be essentially focusing on a blade of grass which is very easy to lose sight of if you take your eye off it
It looks like lining up like that would cause you to hut to the right. Your saying you feet should be lined up at the target. Seems like if you set the clubface and feet lined up at the target the lines would cross. Seems like for a long shot it would work but for a short shot you feet and target lone would cross. Can you explain? Like you videos just a little confused on this one. Thanks
Yeah, "parallel left" is technically correct but weird. Ideally, feet should be lined up about 2 feet left of the target (parallel left) -- the distance between feet and your ball. I'm not that good, so "at the target" is close enough for me.
Hi Paul Thank you for your comment. Think of your shot shape and path. If we are hitting a draw then swing in to out that will make the ball travel right of our target then draw back to where we want the ball to land (feet line). Keep up the good work!
Top Speed Golf - Clay Ballard the thought of parallel left is to think of it on railroad tracks..... if your feet are aimed at the flag, technically a straight shot would have the ball end 2ft right of target (I would take it ALL DAY). 99.9% of us do not need to worry about parallel left.
Hi Ernie, yeah, I don't think anyone needs to worry about it. Not even the pros are that precise with their alignment. We're talking about hundredths of degrees difference. :-) Play well ~ Quentin | TSG Instructor
The parallel left thing makes the world of difference for me. I used to line up with my feet aimed at the target and I hooked everything because I was closed in my stance. When I use alignment sticks where one is directly behind the ball pointing at the target and the other is parallel where my feet are and I look left at the target I feel like I’m aiming WAY left of target. That 2 feet from my club face to my feet feels way more when you look at the hole from the side of the ball. So when I used to aim my feet at the target when I was on the side of the ball I was most likely aiming way right of the target and not even knowing it. The side of the ball perception really messes with some ppl. Me included.
Clay, so you are aiming your feet, hips and shoulders at your target? The same line as your club face? So instead of the “railroad track” setup we hear so much about this will be more of a “V” setup where both club face and body will be pointing at the target I assume. Thanks!
The railroad track thing is a little silly when you think about it. You can't really aim your feet a few feet left of a target that far away. That's what the video is all about. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor
Because the ball is 2 feet or more from your foot line, wouldn't the parallel to that line land the ball to the right of the hole? In other words, the line from the golf ball to the target would be slightly to the left of your stick, not exactly parallel?
Can i used the club to align...meaning i stay behind the ball and put down the club shaft parallel to target...once i got that..i align my foot to target line and pick up the club. Is this legal?
Sam Snead aimed right and hit it left. Trevino lined up way left and hit it right. Foot alignment is way over rated. I worry about my hips and plane. Hogan never lined up his feet directly to the target. He was open for short irons, fairly even for mid irons and closed for long clubs.
Great video Clay! Been implementing some of your drills and I'm seeing some major improvement. Do you know what causes a pull to the left but with a draw?
Hi Michael Thank you for your comment and question. We're glad our videos are helping out. Your shoulders may be opening up too quickly ahead of your hips. Try to feel as if your shoulders are square at impact with your hips rotating open. I hope that helps and keep up the good work!
There's an alignment error you've made here. You are supposed to draw a parrellel line to the target from the ball. That is your true target. Not where ur feet r aiming
@@TopSpeedGolf Clay railroad tracks perfectly describes parallel left in my opinion. Say the right track, the track with the ball goes to the target. The rail your feet are on will be the left track. These 2 tracks don't meet. They are parallel to each other. Since your feet are on the left track, it's referred to as parallel left. You are excellent BTW. One of my favorite!
I don't understand the confusion. If you have a club that aims on the target-line from the ball to the target, then place a parallel club for your feet. Obviously your feet won't be aiming at the target, that would be a closed stance. Someone in the commentary talked about aiming two feet to the left, and that being paralell left. No it's not. If you aim your feet parallel to the target-line and you go behind and look where the line of the feet aims it's going to look like it aims alot further left than 2 yards.
I am No one it’s not more than 2 feet left. Two parallel lines that are two feet apart will always stay two feet apart. So imagine you spray painted a perfectly straight line from your ball to the hole and then a perfectly parallel line from your feet, assuming your feet are about 2 to 3 feet from the ball then your feet line and your actual aim line with the club will always be 2 to 3 feet apart. The confusion is because when parallel lines stretch off into the distance it appears that they are getting closer together but they arent, it is just perspective which you learn in drawing class, the two feet between the lines where you are standing looks much bigger than the 2 feet between the lines 200 yards away. But i do agree with you that when you line up an alignment stick for your feet and one for the ball parallel to it it does give the illusion that your feet are aiming like 10 yards left of your ball, but its an illusion. For example look up a picture of railway tracks stretching off into the distance. They give the illusion of stretching off and getting closer together but that is just an illusion our brain/eyes create
Lost you when you said you don't get the paralell left. Its simple. If your feet and club face are aligned at the same target that's a triangle. Your feet/ body would have to be rightward (slightly) with the club leftward (slightly) in order to aim them at the same target
People are dumb and say “parallel left of your target line”. Its like when people that workout say they are doing side lateral raises. However, I will say that you line your stick/feet at the target; and your ball at the target at the end of this video. That sends the wrong message. You will then be aiming your feet closed to the target line. Not parallel.
Hi sai Thank you for your question. I guess it would be depending what kind of shot you're hitting. Have your club facing your target and have your feet aimed where you want the ball to start. Hope that helps and good luck with your game!
Hi Joe, thanks for watching. The main idea here is that you need to be lining up your club face at the target and then setting up your feet with your club face. Thinking about lining up your feet to the left is pretty silly when you're considering a target more than 25 yards away. Most people are going to line up their feet too far left with this thought. Play well ~ Quentin | TSG Instructor
I've been watching Clay all week after work, practicing in the yard every night. Played today and struck the ball better, straighter shots, and actually had fun and stayed pumped, not get mad and want to quit the game entirely. Clay is the best golf coach out there and i appreciate Clay for being AWESOME!!! Thanks Clay!!!
Thanks and thanks for sharing!
Best coach on youtube.
Hi Remix
Thank you very much for your comment. Good luck with you game!
Thank you. I watched several videos and this was the simplest explanation i found. Can't wait to try this tomorrow.
Thanks!
The hardest part about teaching anything is understanding that many people learn things very differently. It's all how you perceive the information. I feel like you did a very Good job of explaining what you meant in several different ways to make it easier to understand.
Well said! Thanks!
I think even if I didn't play golf I'd play better after watching your videos you're that easy to understand!
Haha, thanks! Appreciate that.
Thanks man!
You bet!
I love the way you explain things in your videos. You have earned another subscriber. Thanks and keep up the good work.
Thanks Disco!
Your feet parallel left means if you were standing at your target, and you lined up like you are going to hit a good shot, your feet would be left off the hole. You wouldn't put your feet right on the hole. It's a good way to learn that your feet don't point at the target, the club face does. Good luck out there everyone, hit em straight!
Excellent presentation Clay!
Thanks for watching
You are such a good teacher!
THANK YOU SO MUCH THIS HELPED A LOT
My pleasure!
Thank you Clay. So well said.
My pleasure!
Great advice and good refresher thanks Clay
i love this guys instruction
Thanks Ethan!
Hey man, I've watched em all! But you have a gift, love the way you put it out there for all of us amateurs.
He rocks
I'm convinced that the setup is the most difficult thing in golf. All you have to be is ~1 cm off and it's going to affect the shot. And since every club has a different length, you have to master setting up with each club exactly the same way each time. Distance from the ball has to be nearly exactly the same for the same club. And that's somewhat dependent on forward lean, which I think varies, especially if a golfer gets a bit tired. I think the swing may be more repeatable than the setup, but of course if the setup varies from one 5-iron to the next, so will the swing. The tolerances for error are just so small. And we haven't even mentioned uphill, downhill, sidehill lies. Obviously, the pros do this better than anyone. But amateurs are very unlikely, IMHO, to have a repeatable setup for the same club every time. It's a goal of course. But a very elusive one.
Thank you Clay! you're the best, greethings from Italy.
Thanks Steven! Glad you liked the video :-)
Doesn't parallel left mean that if you draw a straight line from the ball to your aiming spot, which is your target line, a line drawn along your toe line should be parallel to that ball-spot/target line. In the video it appears your foot line is closed to the ball-spot line because your toe line is pointed at the target instead of parallel left. Is it possible that you feel most comfortable open because you are actually parallel left?
I agree, his personal preference is left because it's actually square to the target... lining feet up to the target will create a closed stance. Good observation
He said he likes being slightly open. This compensates the to the right pointing stick
Mahalo for this. Help me out alot.
Thanks Lauren!
Fabulous advice. Thanks.
Thanks Benjamin!
thanks for the video, awesome. Great tip I will start using
Hi Diego
Thank you very much for your comment. Keep watching and good luck with your game!
Clay...You have a great career in front of you. Keep it up!
I think what they mean by "parallel left" is you point your club face directly square to your target, so if a laser was coming out of the club face it would hit the flag stick, then when you take your stance your feet are about a yard away from the club face (depending on the club) so if the laser was pointing out to target parallel to your toes the laser line will be left of target the distance you are away from the club face (right for a lefty) ... all good if you are hitting a dead straight shot 🤔
Interesting point you made. I don’t disagree with you at all except to make a supporting point. Since your feet, knees, shoulders are a yard left of the clubface target line, it seems that it would be simpler to simply aim your body directly at the target, aim the face a yard right of the target and accept shots 3 feet from the hole. No one does this and in truth, most pros align themselves significantly open with the shoulders. I think this to hit fades off the tee.
Your a great teacher
Clay, you spoke about alignment on the course. You square the club face to the aiming point with your right hand, then you step into the ball. My question is where does the ball end up being positioned? How big of a step do you take with the left and right foot when you set up?
Hi Joseph, this can vary based on the player and the club. In general, a good place to play the ball is a little ahead of the middle of your stance. Basically, straight down from your lead ear. Play well! ~ Quentin | TSG Instructor
great video and thanks for the tips
Thanks Moffman! Glad you liked it. Play well ~ Quentin | TSG Instructor
Good advice. You really got to be careful with aligning the shot. And the feet really need to be aligned correctly, "consistently" as our instructor here says, or THAT can/will mess up the swing -- I might even start making changes to my swing to attempt to overcome my bad/inconsistent alignment when I stop paying attention to my alignment and let it drift. That is my 2 cents based on my experience. So, again, good advice here.
Hi Billy
Thank you for your comment. Keep up the good work and good luck with your game!
Thank you this helped alot
I see the differen btw look at target and look at ball while set feet
Thanks for sharing!
If your feet are slightly open, are your shoulders and hips turned square to the target. So that you are swinging the club along your shoulders and hips? Or is everything open ie feet, hips and shoulders ?Think the latter would cause me to fade or slice.
Hi John, you'll line up your shoulders with your feet. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor
Will give this a try
I've always lined up the face and then my feet + stance is always too closed 😒
My pre-shot routine is pretty similar but why would you take a practice swing after you pick your point on the ground? Aren't you likely to lose focus on that point? Because if there are no leaves or anything you would be essentially focusing on a blade of grass which is very easy to lose sight of if you take your eye off it
It looks like lining up like that would cause you to hut to the right. Your saying you feet should be lined up at the target. Seems like if you set the clubface and feet lined up at the target the lines would cross.
Seems like for a long shot it would work but for a short shot you feet and target lone would cross. Can you explain? Like you videos just a little confused on this one. Thanks
Yeah, "parallel left" is technically correct but weird. Ideally, feet should be lined up about 2 feet left of the target (parallel left) -- the distance between feet and your ball. I'm not that good, so "at the target" is close enough for me.
Hi Paul
Thank you for your comment. Think of your shot shape and path. If we are hitting a draw then swing in to out that will make the ball travel right of our target then draw back to where we want the ball to land (feet line). Keep up the good work!
Top Speed Golf - Clay Ballard
the thought of parallel left is to think of it on railroad tracks..... if your feet are aimed at the flag, technically a straight shot would have the ball end 2ft right of target (I would take it ALL DAY). 99.9% of us do not need to worry about parallel left.
Hi Ernie, yeah, I don't think anyone needs to worry about it. Not even the pros are that precise with their alignment. We're talking about hundredths of degrees difference. :-) Play well ~ Quentin | TSG Instructor
The parallel left thing makes the world of difference for me. I used to line up with my feet aimed at the target and I hooked everything because I was closed in my stance. When I use alignment sticks where one is directly behind the ball pointing at the target and the other is parallel where my feet are and I look left at the target I feel like I’m aiming WAY left of target. That 2 feet from my club face to my feet feels way more when you look at the hole from the side of the ball. So when I used to aim my feet at the target when I was on the side of the ball I was most likely aiming way right of the target and not even knowing it. The side of the ball perception really messes with some ppl. Me included.
#1..... most buddies don't understand alignment either. ;-)
Clay, so you are aiming your feet, hips and shoulders at your target? The same line as your club face? So instead of the “railroad track” setup we hear so much about this will be more of a “V” setup where both club face and body will be pointing at the target I assume. Thanks!
The railroad track thing is a little silly when you think about it. You can't really aim your feet a few feet left of a target that far away. That's what the video is all about. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor
First minute of this video is what every person I see out on my course practicing... forgetting.
Thanks for sharing! Play well!
great video. what microphone do you use to record?
Thanks! I don't know the model but the brand is Sennheiser. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor
Because the ball is 2 feet or more from your foot line, wouldn't the parallel to that line land the ball to the right of the hole? In other words, the line from the golf ball to the target would be slightly to the left of your stick, not exactly parallel?
That level of precision is not necessary for anything more than 10 yards away.
Can i used the club to align...meaning i stay behind the ball and put down the club shaft parallel to target...once i got that..i align my foot to target line and pick up the club. Is this legal?
good video
Thanks Cocoliso!
Great video! I need to remind myself of this all the freakin' time!!!!
Hi Frank
Thank you for your comment. We're glad you found the video helpful. Keep up the good work!
My problem is that when I think i'm a hair open, I'm really 10 yds right. How do you fix that, I've tried sticks and spots in front of the ball.
Hey Matt, it just come with practice and getting a better feel for your alignment. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor
30 yrs of practice and nothings changed
Go 10 yards to the left?
How do you apply the D_plane to alignment?
I wouldn't try
Sam Snead aimed right and hit it left. Trevino lined up way left and hit it right. Foot alignment is way over rated. I worry about my hips and plane. Hogan never lined up his feet directly to the target. He was open for short irons, fairly even for mid irons and closed for long clubs.
always kept it on the inside of his left foot
Great video Clay! Been implementing some of your drills and I'm seeing some major improvement. Do you know what causes a pull to the left but with a draw?
Hi Michael
Thank you for your comment and question. We're glad our videos are helping out. Your shoulders may be opening up too quickly ahead of your hips. Try to feel as if your shoulders are square at impact with your hips rotating open. I hope that helps and keep up the good work!
Backswing is too far in. Happens to me
There's an alignment error you've made here. You are supposed to draw a parrellel line to the target from the ball. That is your true target. Not where ur feet r aiming
he plays a draw.
Yes.
I think of railroad tracks with my feet on one rail and the ball on the other.
That is a great way to visualize it!!
@@TopSpeedGolf Clay railroad tracks perfectly describes parallel left in my opinion. Say the right track, the track with the ball goes to the target. The rail your feet are on will be the left track. These 2 tracks don't meet. They are parallel to each other. Since your feet are on the left track, it's referred to as parallel left. You are excellent BTW. One of my favorite!
I don't understand the confusion. If you have a club that aims on the target-line from the ball to the target, then place a parallel club for your feet. Obviously your feet won't be aiming at the target, that would be a closed stance. Someone in the commentary talked about aiming two feet to the left, and that being paralell left. No it's not. If you aim your feet parallel to the target-line and you go behind and look where the line of the feet aims it's going to look like it aims alot further left than 2 yards.
Hi, thanks for the comment and sharing your insights. Play well ~ Quentin | TSG Instructor
I am No one 😂😂😂are you kidding me
I am No one it’s not more than 2 feet left. Two parallel lines that are two feet apart will always stay two feet apart. So imagine you spray painted a perfectly straight line from your ball to the hole and then a perfectly parallel line from your feet, assuming your feet are about 2 to 3 feet from the ball then your feet line and your actual aim line with the club will always be 2 to 3 feet apart. The confusion is because when parallel lines stretch off into the distance it appears that they are getting closer together but they arent, it is just perspective which you learn in drawing class, the two feet between the lines where you are standing looks much bigger than the 2 feet between the lines 200 yards away. But i do agree with you that when you line up an alignment stick for your feet and one for the ball parallel to it it does give the illusion that your feet are aiming like 10 yards left of your ball, but its an illusion.
For example look up a picture of railway tracks stretching off into the distance. They give the illusion of stretching off and getting closer together but that is just an illusion our brain/eyes create
Lost you when you said you don't get the paralell left. Its simple. If your feet and club face are aligned at the same target that's a triangle. Your feet/ body would have to be rightward (slightly) with the club leftward (slightly) in order to aim them at the same target
All I could focus on was the osprey noises in the background
You do not want your feet lying up to that flag stick. You want your feet left of target and your club face aiming at the target.
You better draw that ball about 30 yards!
People are dumb and say “parallel left of your target line”. Its like when people that workout say they are doing side lateral raises.
However, I will say that you line your stick/feet at the target; and your ball at the target at the end of this video. That sends the wrong message. You will then be aiming your feet closed to the target line. Not parallel.
Parallel left is exactly what you're doing haha...you're parallel...left...of the golf ball. It has nothing to do with moving your feet to the left.
Hi clay!Do you have to align your feet to the target or the club?
Hi sai
Thank you for your question. I guess it would be depending what kind of shot you're hitting. Have your club facing your target and have your feet aimed where you want the ball to start. Hope that helps and good luck with your game!
How are people giving this guy so many likes?? Doesn't know what parallel left means or how it affects your shot?? smh
Hi Joe, thanks for watching. The main idea here is that you need to be lining up your club face at the target and then setting up your feet with your club face. Thinking about lining up your feet to the left is pretty silly when you're considering a target more than 25 yards away. Most people are going to line up their feet too far left with this thought. Play well ~ Quentin | TSG Instructor