I've been watching Clay's Top Speed Golf videos for years because I've found that he provides the most consistently reliable & practical advice to a sound golf game. Thanks for all the guidance over the years!
I must have watched 20+ chipping/pitching videos over the last year. I still thin and fat shots all over the course. Hands forward + opening the face has done absolute wonders. I'm blown away. Thanks, Clay.
Best Short game video I have ever seen. I watch a tone of your videos, love your teaching style. Keep doing what you’re doing. Had the best round in about a year last week after watching this video. I have struggled with my short game for years, now I feel so confident I can’t wait to get back out there. Shoulder lean is key for me. Thank you thank you thank you.
I talk so much about your videos .... share them on our Golf FB page for golfers in Iceland ... people absolutely love it ... i for sure do ... it's never about the lesson ... it's HOW u teach ... and ur probably one of the best worldwide ;))) So brilliant ....
This is incredibly helpful instructional material. After my first dozen or so attempts, It worked reasonably consistently for me even on the very first day I tried it. I was absolutely amazed. Prior to implementing this advice, my chipping and pitching was absolutely atrocious, and my many attempts were typically scattered wildly left and right. No more. This has definitely helped. Thanks, Clay.
This is the best pitching instructional I've ever seen. My game has evolved more in the last year since adding the Top Speed System to my arsenal and this video is more proof of why that's the case. Top notch.
Clay...I do apologise buddy. For some miraculous reason it HAS started to work. It seems patience does work sometimes. The gravity concept with a slightly open clubface is great advice. Thank you!
Clay this is the best advice and video on chipping I've ever seen.I started practicing this off my back deck 3 weeks ago, off of a thin mat .Then i started chipping directly off the deck, and now i practice off a concrete pad. Thank you so much for all your vids. I now feel extremely confident chipping off of any surface from any distance.
This is so good. I’ve been struggling so much with pitching, and watched way too many conflicting videos. I just went to our golf clubs short game area and practiced Clays method. It went really well. I need to put some practice in to get a feel for how big a swing to make the ball go a certain distance, but the contact was superb. This eliminated my chunks and skulls. Thanks Clay, great content on your channel
I am a good chip and pitcher using Dave Pelz way in the past, only playing a few rounds a year, Hcp 8. This helps me focus my short game practice, great focus, thank you.
Another great video. You keep it so simple - easy drills with no complicated alignment tools. My game has completely transformed since following these easy tips. Shooting in the low 80’s & now I have a much better understanding of the driver swing - consistently carrying 250 with the occasional total distance reaching 300 v’s the irons with the lag & compression, almost every strike feels good & breeds confidence. My first sub 80 is coming, so, If you’re ever in Dubai - I owe u a few beers....
I was doing everything Clay explained so well except opening the club face a bit. That one little thing made a huge difference with my pitch shots. I went from trying to get it within 6 feet to trying to hole it out. LOL. Thanks Clay!
you must have a great superintendent , that turf on the collar is fantastic , not slamming you, most golf courses , has low cuts, your a very smart man
Clay, this is the best pitching class I’ve ever seen. And Í’m a spaniard.! you know what they say about Spanish hands. Loving the top Speed System. Thank you
Can’t wait to try. But what about guidance on bounce of the club. Is 8-12 a good range…I know depends on grass,etc. but wondering if this kind of shot is better off lower bounce. Thanks.
Yet another awesome lesson. This is the technique I've been using for the last few months, to much better results. I wish I could say I have mastered it...no...but much improved over trying to 'trap' it...which was my style for years. I love how you failed to 'chunk' like us average guys....even in Clay's attempt at failure, his pro chipping talent couldn't be helped LOL. TU!
9:27 this was a huge tip for me. Thank you! Yesterday I could not chip. Today I can do it pretty well. Also the way you made it look so easy and said it was easy was a great visual that I copied and it did become easy, just like tossing a ball next to flag stick.
Thanks Clay! You do an incredible job of providing step by step instructions and practice drills to really simplify the pitching process . Great stuff!
I would say the most important element of a good strike is getting weight to the front side. Your method of falling back may foster bad habits for full swings. I found more success with a modified hinge and hold method (Phil Mick). He says to keep weight forward, but I found it easier to plant on the back side early (during setup 60/40) and then drive to my front side to make contact. It’s something that transfers to full swings as well.
Hello Clay, thank you for your excellent instructions in every aspect of the swing. No doubt you have great insight into the golf swing and mechanics. I appreciate your uncomplicated and clear instructions. Having said that, I have difficulty in understanding and executing how the left wrist functions especially in pitching and chipping at impact and follow through. Thank you, and I look forward to your response.
Thanks! The easiest thing to do is to try to keep the face square throughout the pitch. You don't need to roll the face open then closed. Keep the hands solid and pivot. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor
Awesome content Clay. I jus have a question that again, just like many pros and teachers debate. Some believe no hinge is better like Jason day and other believe wrist hinge is essential like Phil mikelson. So what is your take on this? Thanks
If you can't get the club on the ball cleanly then you won't get as much spin. If it's really deep rough then you may want to play it a little further back in your stance so that you can hit more steeply down giving you a better chance of getting better ball contact. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor
Clay, thank you for all the stuff you post. Much of it has been very helpful and i really appreciate it. I'm signing up for a year of top speed because I've easily been watching you for a year and have put some of your drills into use and benefited from them. Thanks again. Do you have a patreon account? If not, you need one. I'd gladly support a monthly membership. Keep up the great work!
Hey, thanks for the kind words. We actually have a membership website with exclusive content. If you're ready to purchase the membership, just use the quick link below because you can sign up in about 1 minute: topspeedgolf.com/pick-all-access-plan/. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor
Do you have any suggestions for what we can use instead of sand if we're practicing indoors? I think this drill would really help me, but currently it's too cold outside to try this, I'd have to be too bundled up.... so maybe something in the house we could use? Or a product you're aware of?
You could go as simple as a rolled up piece of carpet, foot powder to see strike location on the face and foam golf balls and still improve. If you want real golf indoors then you're talking many 10's of thousands of dollars. What space you have available and your budget will determine the best path forward. Play well! Nate | TSG Instructor
Here's a compilation video with three videos about chipping linked together that should help: ua-cam.com/video/5w5FyM7K6rg/v-deo.html Best of luck! Nate | TSG Instructor
Clay another great video to save stokes around the green. Questions at your set up position what is your weight distribution? Also what is bounce of your 60 degree wedge?
I would really love a new video about posture in Driving the ball ... i see lots of people to bent over the ball... have too much angle between arms and shaft ... so maybe a video about WHERE about is the "best" balance .... how upright should u stand ... how much degree should ur arms be leaning away from u instead of straight down as with a PW??? How high should the lead shoulder be... do u push it up or lay the back shoulder behind/under the ball?! I need this video myself .... kinda lost my driving a bit ... doing more Bryson now and coming back strong ... but such video would help BIG TIME. So not just about weight more on the back foot ... but HOW/WHAT move at setup gets the weight there...?! Aaarrghhh ... i love this game. Even us low hcp sometimes get lost .... so keep ur hopes up peeps :P :P
Hi Gunnar, you want to be pretty balanced at set up with your spine angled away from the target slightly. As far as the angles go for the shaft and the arm, that's going to depend a lot on your physical makeup and personal preference. Here is a video that I think will help: ua-cam.com/video/5So22Kvw4Xk/v-deo.html. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor
Another awesome video Clay. On these short shots, how do you keep the clubhead from getting inside your hands? That is my number one issue. On a full shot with a lot of body rotation its not a problem. Thx
Thanks Jason! There is still going to be a lot of body rotation. The club moving back and through is coming mostly from a hip pivot. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor
The ball position is pretty close to the middle of the stance, but the feet are close together and the stance is slightly open. The bonus video at the end of this one addresses your second question perfectly. Play well! Nate | TSG
Hands up means getting the shaft a little more upright (toe down). Ball position in the middle. I would recommend playing around with the shaft lean. Hit some high and low ones to see what you prefer. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor
Clay, im not scratch golfer, far from it and I’m rarely in the fairway when approaching the green. Could you show some drills when chipping/pitching from off the fairway?
HI Brian, it's largely the same technique. The only difference is that you may want to put the ball more back in your stance so that you can hit more steeply into it avoiding some of the thick grass. The ball won't have as much spin so plan on it rolling out some. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor
Clay, Excellent video. With the feet width, I saw it explained where you can get the proper foot width by placing the club head between your feet or toes in order to obtain the correct width. Just a suggestion too. Also, I have seen it explained to get the forward lean to image by leaning forward and exaggerate it where it feels as though you could lift your rear foot off the ground
Clay this method has made me way better around the greens. One question though... I usually don't open the face much. Sometimes if I do it ends up being almost a flop shot. How do you avoid that? Is it closing the face more through impact via the "motorcycle" wrist move?
Should I try to maintain the position of the top of the "handle" in the backswing??? I've practiced and practiced, but the "chunk" keeps slipping in! I have been moving the handle to the inside on backswing. After really viewing your video, it appears that the handle moves very little on backswing. Thanks
I'd try rotating your shoulders and arms in unison and keep your lower body moving back and through impact. That should help with keeping the handle from going too far inside. Feet close together and open to the target. Also, open up that wedge and use the bounce. Best of luck! Nate | TSG Instructor
Hey Chad, you can use this technique anywhere you have a good lie where you can get the club on the ball easily. You won't get as much spin if there is more grass around the ball and moisture. Knowing how much is a skill that is developed through practice and experience. If you're in some really think stuff and the ball is down in there then you'll want to play it farther back in your stance and have more wrist hinge so you can come down more steeply. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor
Clay, I am putting new irons in the bag and they end with a 46 degree PW. My current wedges are 52, 56 and 60 degrees, give me an 8 degree gap from my PW to my GW. Would you suggest switching to 50, 54 and 60 degree wedges to maintain my 4 degree gap?
Hi I like your video about these shorter pitch shots but what do you think is the problem if you shank the ball instead, like I do right now...it’s killing my game. I like the techniq and it feels alright in my practiceswing..
Standing too close, swing too much in to out, moving hips closer to the ball during the swing. These are all issues I see with shanks on pitches. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor
Great tips Clay, but you don’t mention anything about what to do with the wrists. Do you hinge or not? I feel the less wrists I use the less likely I’ll chunk or thin it.
I did notice one thing you did not comment on. I notice you never become disconnected in your upper torso with your arms which it seems like all great pitchers and chippers and pitchers of the golf do
Thanks Clay! Can you give specs on your 60 degree wedge? Make and bounce? I use a 58 with 12 degrees of bounce. I don't feel like I can open it that much due to the bounce, but I also don't blade it that often. Love your thoughts...
I have to tell you, Clay, I have forever struggled with my short game and have...on my own...tried so many ways of trying to solve it including club pro lessons and countless videos. But what differentiates this video (and so much of your instruction) is that the concepts make sense. The opening of the club not to add loft but to use the sole of the club is something that never occurred to me. You do need to be careful to not pick-up your club too quickly but rather allow to 'pendulum' back with the body turn. I also feel like my left shoulder is coming nearly under my chin as the body rotates. You need to rotate the body or else you'll just use your arms alone and it doesn't work. Thanks for producing/posting this. Curious, where are you located?
My Opinion: I am convinced by my own personal trial and error that there is such thing as too much forward shaft lean. While it is necessary for solid contact, delivery, and distance. I think you need to return most of the loft for any wedge or else you're gonna create these low punch shots that approach the green way too hot and tumble far past the green. Very frustrating when I'm trying to hit a GIR.
Hi Corek, thanks for sharing. I agree that you can have too much forward shaft lean but you shouldn't return most of the loft unless you are trying to hit a very high pitch. This isn't what the best wedge players do. The best have forward shaft lean and use a lot of loft so they can hit it lower (more controllable) with a lot of spin. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor
Hey, thanks for the interest but Clay doesn't offer private lessons. He focuses all his time on making videos and running the business. This allows him to help as many people as possible. Robin, our Director of Instruction, does private lessons in the Orlando, FL area. If interested then follow this link: topspeedgolf.com/in-person-lessons-with-robin-rosado/. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor
I’ve been watching a ton of your videos; love the way you teach. When I chip per this method, it ends up being a flop shot. The 60° is opened just a little (even less than a bunker shot). What can I do to get a lower trajectory?
You're likely hitting behind the ball a little and the ball is crawling up the face. Try hitting the ball on the bottom couple grooves with ball only contact. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor
The face is laid open to reveal more bounce of the club, but it's pointing pretty much at the target. The ball is going to start mostly in the direction of the club face. Play well! Nate | TSG Instructor
I'd make sure my stance is open to the target and even though the clubface is open, it should still be square to the target. Best of luck! Nate | TSG Instructor
I've been watching Clay's Top Speed Golf videos for years because I've found that he provides the most consistently reliable & practical advice to a sound golf game. Thanks for all the guidance over the years!
You're welcome, thanks for watching!
I must have watched 20+ chipping/pitching videos over the last year. I still thin and fat shots all over the course. Hands forward + opening the face has done absolute wonders. I'm blown away. Thanks, Clay.
That's great! Thanks for sharing!
Best Short game video I have ever seen. I watch a tone of your videos, love your teaching style. Keep doing what you’re doing. Had the best round in about a year last week after watching this video. I have struggled with my short game for years, now I feel so confident I can’t wait to get back out there. Shoulder lean is key for me. Thank you thank you thank you.
I talk so much about your videos .... share them on our Golf FB page for golfers in Iceland ... people absolutely love it ... i for sure do ... it's never about the lesson ... it's HOW u teach ... and ur probably one of the best worldwide ;))) So brilliant ....
Thanks for sharing and for all the kind words. Hope you're playing great!
This is incredibly helpful instructional material. After my first dozen or so attempts, It worked reasonably consistently for me even on the very first day I tried it. I was absolutely amazed. Prior to implementing this advice, my chipping and pitching was absolutely atrocious, and my many attempts were typically scattered wildly left and right. No more. This has definitely helped. Thanks, Clay.
Glad it helped!
I tried this yesterday on the chipping green with 60 balls. Clay, you are right. It works fine for me. Very consistent. Thank you!
Great job
This is the best pitching instructional I've ever seen. My game has evolved more in the last year since adding the Top Speed System to my arsenal and this video is more proof of why that's the case. Top notch.
Thanks!
Clay...I do apologise buddy. For some miraculous reason it HAS started to work. It seems patience does work sometimes. The gravity concept with a slightly open clubface is great advice. Thank you!
Clay this is the best advice and video on chipping I've ever seen.I started practicing this off my back deck 3 weeks ago, off of a thin mat .Then i started chipping directly off the deck, and now i practice off a concrete pad. Thank you so much for all your vids. I now feel extremely confident chipping off of any surface from any distance.
Glad it helped
Excellent. Works like a charm. Very impressive quick turnaround in what was years of disaster.
Glad to hear it!
This is so good. I’ve been struggling so much with pitching, and watched way too many conflicting videos. I just went to our golf clubs short game area and practiced Clays method. It went really well. I need to put some practice in to get a feel for how big a swing to make the ball go a certain distance, but the contact was superb. This eliminated my chunks and skulls. Thanks Clay, great content on your channel
Thank you! So glad I could help. Take care!
The "body rotates" tip have made me a much better chipper. Was never consistant with the putting method. Thanks.
Glad it helped!
Clay is by far my favorite golf tuber. Fan from SG!
Thanks!
I really need this tip, because frankly, this is my weak point of my golf game. Thanks Clay, this should help greatly
My pleasure!
I highly recommend every amateur join the Top Speed Golf system, Clay and his team will help you out.
Thanks Kenny!
One of your best of many that can make a big difference in someone's ability
Thanks!
Smoothest instructor on the tube.
Your comments on how to pitch shot is very helpful for my golf. Thanks a lot!
My pleasure!
I am a good chip and pitcher using Dave Pelz way in the past, only playing a few rounds a year, Hcp 8. This helps me focus my short game practice, great focus, thank you.
My pleasure!
Another great video. You keep it so simple - easy drills with no complicated alignment tools. My game has completely transformed since following these easy tips. Shooting in the low 80’s & now I have a much better understanding of the driver swing - consistently carrying 250 with the occasional total distance reaching 300 v’s the irons with the lag & compression, almost every strike feels good & breeds confidence. My first sub 80 is coming, so, If you’re ever in Dubai - I owe u a few beers....
Thanks!
I was doing everything Clay explained so well except opening the club face a bit. That one little thing made a huge difference with my pitch shots. I went from trying to get it within 6 feet to trying to hole it out. LOL. Thanks Clay!
Nice. Thanks for sharing!
This is unbelievable work Clay! Took this to the range today and had immediate success. One of the real keys I found was the reverse pivot feeling.
Thanks Dave! Glad to help.
Best method and best instructor.
love the way you explain it. I also feel you are talking to me because you identify my faults in your instructions
Glad to help
Always appreciate your chipping and pitching lessons. It is definitely the weak point of my game. Thanks!!!
My pleasure!
My problem with sand wedge around the green, hit the ball with the edge of the club or hit the ground first...grounded
I just practiced this technique on my bedroom carpet. It felt great. Can’t wait to go try it on the practice green tomorrow!
you must have a great superintendent , that turf on the collar is fantastic , not slamming you, most golf courses , has low cuts, your a very smart man
Clay, this is the best pitching class I’ve ever seen. And Í’m a spaniard.! you know what they say about Spanish hands. Loving the top Speed System. Thank you
Wow, thanks!
perhaps we could play some time Lucrecia I'm Italian-american Dennis.Pacelli@yahoo.com
Thanks so much Clay. I employed all this and it truly was magical and so satisfying. Thanks again.
I practice this often off of a rug, this lessons the stress considerably.👊🏼
I did the drill in my house with a divot board.. Awesome once you get the feeling for it..
Awesome! Glad it helped! Play well ⛳🏌️
Can’t wait to try. But what about guidance on bounce of the club. Is 8-12 a good range…I know depends on grass,etc. but wondering if this kind of shot is better off lower bounce. Thanks.
Brilliant. Video. Worth watching over and over. I like the way you explain. Thanks a million
Yet another awesome lesson. This is the technique I've been using for the last few months, to much better results. I wish I could say I have mastered it...no...but much improved over trying to 'trap' it...which was my style for years. I love how you failed to 'chunk' like us average guys....even in Clay's attempt at failure, his pro chipping talent couldn't be helped LOL. TU!
Thanks!
9:27 this was a huge tip for me. Thank you! Yesterday I could not chip. Today I can do it pretty well. Also the way you made it look so easy and said it was easy was a great visual that I copied and it did become easy, just like tossing a ball next to flag stick.
Thanks Clay! You do an incredible job of providing step by step instructions and practice drills to really simplify the pitching process . Great stuff!
I appreciate that!
I would say the most important element of a good strike is getting weight to the front side. Your method of falling back may foster bad habits for full swings. I found more success with a modified hinge and hold method (Phil Mick). He says to keep weight forward, but I found it easier to plant on the back side early (during setup 60/40) and then drive to my front side to make contact. It’s something that transfers to full swings as well.
Thanks for sharing! Play well!
Great tip! Helps me understand the golf swing.
Glad to help
Good work for backyard practice... thanks clay
You bet
Awesome stuff Clay!
Thanks!
Hello Clay, thank you for your excellent instructions in every aspect of the swing. No doubt you have great insight into the golf swing and mechanics. I appreciate your uncomplicated and clear instructions. Having said that, I have difficulty in understanding and executing how the left wrist functions especially in pitching and chipping at impact and follow through. Thank you, and I look forward to your response.
Thanks! The easiest thing to do is to try to keep the face square throughout the pitch. You don't need to roll the face open then closed. Keep the hands solid and pivot. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor
Excellent! Will definitely practise this drill tomorrow morning before tee time.
Best of luck!
Thanks for the insight and tips clay. Like many people on this thread this is my problem and the weakest part of my game.
Glad to help
Outstanding instuctor
Thanks!
Thanks Clay,really struggle with my short game.Will sure give it a try.
No problem 👍
Brilliant (as usual)advice Clay,can't wait to try it out.Thankyou for doing the vids,very much appreciated.
Hope you enjoy
Awesome content Clay. I jus have a question that again, just like many pros and teachers debate. Some believe no hinge is better like Jason day and other believe wrist hinge is essential like Phil mikelson. So what is your take on this? Thanks
Could you speak to how different cuts of grass or lies affect your decision making on chipping / which wedge to use?
If you can't get the club on the ball cleanly then you won't get as much spin. If it's really deep rough then you may want to play it a little further back in your stance so that you can hit more steeply down giving you a better chance of getting better ball contact. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor
The last one in that group went IN! Niiiiiiiiiiiiice.
😎
Clay, thank you for all the stuff you post. Much of it has been very helpful and i really appreciate it. I'm signing up for a year of top speed because I've easily been watching you for a year and have put some of your drills into use and benefited from them. Thanks again. Do you have a patreon account? If not, you need one. I'd gladly support a monthly membership. Keep up the great work!
Hey, thanks for the kind words. We actually have a membership website with exclusive content. If you're ready to purchase the membership, just use the quick link below because you can sign up in about 1 minute: topspeedgolf.com/pick-all-access-plan/. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor
Another brilliant video
Glad you think so!
Do you have any suggestions for what we can use instead of sand if we're practicing indoors? I think this drill would really help me, but currently it's too cold outside to try this, I'd have to be too bundled up.... so maybe something in the house we could use? Or a product you're aware of?
You could go as simple as a rolled up piece of carpet, foot powder to see strike location on the face and foam golf balls and still improve. If you want real golf indoors then you're talking many 10's of thousands of dollars. What space you have available and your budget will determine the best path forward. Play well! Nate | TSG Instructor
Clay great lesson. You look good enough to me to be a really good tour player. Why aren't you out there. Seriously. Thanks
Thanks! Those guys are way better than you think. Clay is a +3 and those guys or +6 or better. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor
Clay, thank you for your video! Great lesson ! 👍👍very helpful!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Would you use the same set up with a shorter move or swing for chipping? This looks to be more of a pitching motion.
Here's a compilation video with three videos about chipping linked together that should help: ua-cam.com/video/5w5FyM7K6rg/v-deo.html Best of luck! Nate | TSG Instructor
@@TopSpeedGolf Thanks for the link and reply👍
My pleasure!
Hi Clay, do you have any tips, or an existing video on pitching and chipping from the long grass?
Play the ball a little more back in your stance and hinge the wrists more.
@@TopSpeedGolf gonna try your sand drill today :)
Clay another great video to save stokes around the green. Questions at your set up position what is your weight distribution? Also what is bounce of your 60 degree wedge?
It's a little forward 60-40. 10 degrees of bounce
Excellent video...thanks
Thanks!
Class clay.
Thanks Stephen!!
I would really love a new video about posture in Driving the ball ... i see lots of people to bent over the ball... have too much angle between arms and shaft ... so maybe a video about WHERE about is the "best" balance .... how upright should u stand ... how much degree should ur arms be leaning away from u instead of straight down as with a PW??? How high should the lead shoulder be... do u push it up or lay the back shoulder behind/under the ball?! I need this video myself .... kinda lost my driving a bit ... doing more Bryson now and coming back strong ... but such video would help BIG TIME. So not just about weight more on the back foot ... but HOW/WHAT move at setup gets the weight there...?! Aaarrghhh ... i love this game. Even us low hcp sometimes get lost .... so keep ur hopes up peeps :P :P
Hi Gunnar, you want to be pretty balanced at set up with your spine angled away from the target slightly. As far as the angles go for the shaft and the arm, that's going to depend a lot on your physical makeup and personal preference. Here is a video that I think will help: ua-cam.com/video/5So22Kvw4Xk/v-deo.html. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor
So that is how it is done. THANKS !!!
My pleasure!
Coach, can this be applied on the deep rough around the greens? Thanks.
This is an excellent video! really impressive
Thank you very much!
Another awesome video Clay. On these short shots, how do you keep the clubhead from getting inside your hands? That is my number one issue. On a full shot with a lot of body rotation its not a problem. Thx
Thanks Jason! There is still going to be a lot of body rotation. The club moving back and through is coming mostly from a hip pivot. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor
Great Great video, THX A LOT !
Glad you liked it!
Hi Clay, watched a lot of time of this video and wondering what's the ball position ? also if this work with a 50 yards low shots?
The ball position is pretty close to the middle of the stance, but the feet are close together and the stance is slightly open. The bonus video at the end of this one addresses your second question perfectly. Play well! Nate | TSG
What do you mean by hands slightly up? And what's the ball position & how much of shaft lean is needed
Hands up means getting the shaft a little more upright (toe down). Ball position in the middle. I would recommend playing around with the shaft lean. Hit some high and low ones to see what you prefer. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor
Swing back and through or across the feet line?
Clay, im not scratch golfer, far from it and I’m rarely in the fairway when approaching the green. Could you show some drills when chipping/pitching from off the fairway?
HI Brian, it's largely the same technique. The only difference is that you may want to put the ball more back in your stance so that you can hit more steeply into it avoiding some of the thick grass. The ball won't have as much spin so plan on it rolling out some. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor
Clay,
Excellent video. With the feet width, I saw it explained where you can get the proper foot width by placing the club head between your feet or toes in order to obtain the correct width. Just a suggestion too.
Also, I have seen it explained to get the forward lean to image by leaning forward and exaggerate it where it feels as though you could lift your rear foot off the ground
Thanks for sharing!
@@TopSpeedGolf You are welcome.
Such good info!
Glad you think so!
For my weekend game 👍🙏♥️
Best of luck!
Clay this method has made me way better around the greens. One question though... I usually don't open the face much. Sometimes if I do it ends up being almost a flop shot. How do you avoid that? Is it closing the face more through impact via the "motorcycle" wrist move?
Should I try to maintain the position of the top of the "handle" in the backswing??? I've practiced and practiced, but the "chunk" keeps slipping in! I have been moving the handle to the inside on backswing. After really viewing your video, it appears that the handle moves very little on backswing. Thanks
I'd try rotating your shoulders and arms in unison and keep your lower body moving back and through impact. That should help with keeping the handle from going too far inside. Feet close together and open to the target. Also, open up that wedge and use the bounce. Best of luck! Nate | TSG Instructor
@@TopSpeedGolf thanks so much
Great video Clay! Is this technique only good for tight clean lies?
Hey Chad, you can use this technique anywhere you have a good lie where you can get the club on the ball easily. You won't get as much spin if there is more grass around the ball and moisture. Knowing how much is a skill that is developed through practice and experience. If you're in some really think stuff and the ball is down in there then you'll want to play it farther back in your stance and have more wrist hinge so you can come down more steeply. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor
I seem to blade about 1 in 20 shots. Is that from bottoming out too soon? So perhaps more wgt left & do the sand drill?
Yes, more than likely. More weight forward and sand drill should help.
Clay, I am putting new irons in the bag and they end with a 46 degree PW. My current wedges are 52, 56 and 60 degrees, give me an 8 degree gap from my PW to my GW. Would you suggest switching to 50, 54 and 60 degree wedges to maintain my 4 degree gap?
It's personal preference. I would recommend getting professionally fit. There isn't anyway for me to know what works best for you. Best of luck!
Hi I like your video about these shorter pitch shots but what do you think is the problem if you shank the ball instead, like I do right now...it’s killing my game.
I like the techniq and it feels alright in my practiceswing..
Standing too close, swing too much in to out, moving hips closer to the ball during the swing. These are all issues I see with shanks on pitches. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor
Top Speed Golf - Clay Ballard
Thanks for your responce!
Can a sand wedge be used for this? Or does the heel shape not work with this method? Thx
Any high lofted wedge will do the trick
Even made one! Great vid Clay, I'm keeping this in mind tomorrow morning
Hope it went well!
Great tips Clay, but you don’t mention anything about what to do with the wrists. Do you hinge or not? I feel the less wrists I use the less likely I’ll chunk or thin it.
Very little to no wrist hinge
I did notice one thing you did not comment on. I notice you never become disconnected in your upper torso with your arms which it seems like all great pitchers and chippers and pitchers of the golf do
Most great pitchers do it this way. You want to pivot so you can control the low point. If you use more arms then it's difficult to control
Thanks Clay! Can you give specs on your 60 degree wedge? Make and bounce? I use a 58 with 12 degrees of bounce. I don't feel like I can open it that much due to the bounce, but I also don't blade it that often. Love your thoughts...
Hey Jeff, Clay plays a PING Glide 3.0 wedge with 10 degrees of bounce. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor
I have to tell you, Clay, I have forever struggled with my short game and have...on my own...tried so many ways of trying to solve it including club pro lessons and countless videos. But what differentiates this video (and so much of your instruction) is that the concepts make sense. The opening of the club not to add loft but to use the sole of the club is something that never occurred to me. You do need to be careful to not pick-up your club too quickly but rather allow to 'pendulum' back with the body turn. I also feel like my left shoulder is coming nearly under my chin as the body rotates. You need to rotate the body or else you'll just use your arms alone and it doesn't work. Thanks for producing/posting this. Curious, where are you located?
Glad it helped. We're based in the Orlando area. Keep up the good work!
Hi sir just tell me how to play wet sand shot I'm always confused about that shot
Search our channel. We have a video on that.
My Opinion: I am convinced by my own personal trial and error that there is such thing as too much forward shaft lean. While it is necessary for solid contact, delivery, and distance. I think you need to return most of the loft for any wedge or else you're gonna create these low punch shots that approach the green way too hot and tumble far past the green. Very frustrating when I'm trying to hit a GIR.
Hi Corek, thanks for sharing. I agree that you can have too much forward shaft lean but you shouldn't return most of the loft unless you are trying to hit a very high pitch. This isn't what the best wedge players do. The best have forward shaft lean and use a lot of loft so they can hit it lower (more controllable) with a lot of spin. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor
Clay, where can i get one those hats, I think it will improve my golf game
Amazon
lets go head and get started boyz
👍
Clay, are u a wizard of golf? JK, thank u so much for ur lessons. Ur saving my game one video at a time. Lol
Glad to help
#bbn
Clay do you offer private lessons for locals?????
Hey, thanks for the interest but Clay doesn't offer private lessons. He focuses all his time on making videos and running the business. This allows him to help as many people as possible. Robin, our Director of Instruction, does private lessons in the Orlando, FL area. If interested then follow this link: topspeedgolf.com/in-person-lessons-with-robin-rosado/. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor
Just sent this to a young buddy of mine . The kid will beat me now if he learns this now
Haha...that's nice of you
Use putting it’s the best
Thanks!
I’ve been watching a ton of your videos; love the way you teach. When I chip per this method, it ends up being a flop shot. The 60° is opened just a little (even less than a bunker shot). What can I do to get a lower trajectory?
You're likely hitting behind the ball a little and the ball is crawling up the face. Try hitting the ball on the bottom couple grooves with ball only contact. Play well! Quentin | TSG Instructor
What’s the bounce on your 60?
10
Top Speed Golf - Clay Ballard Thank You
how much bounce on that 60 degree wedge ?
10 degrees
i wonder if the club face is open to the target.
The face is laid open to reveal more bounce of the club, but it's pointing pretty much at the target. The ball is going to start mostly in the direction of the club face. Play well! Nate | TSG Instructor
@@TopSpeedGolf so that would mean id have to open my stance enough to compensate for the open face after pressing the shaft forward.
Clay I cannot stop clunking my pitches about 25% of the time! Please suggestions??
Here you go: ua-cam.com/video/vKThgKu6UMQ/v-deo.html Best of luck! Nate | TSG Instructor
@@TopSpeedGolf thank you very much. Will give it a try
Tip starts at 2:20.
Thanks for sharing!
Power comes from fast rotation of the shoulders is it? Rotation of hips does not contribute to power. It just follows the shoulders, am I correct?
Actually on the contrary. Power comes from hips turn and shoulders just follow.
Hi Frans, for a short pitch like this, it's mostly going to come from the pivot of the hips.
If I open the club face (slightly) the ball goes right..what gives?
I'd make sure my stance is open to the target and even though the clubface is open, it should still be square to the target. Best of luck! Nate | TSG Instructor
me agradaría que este traducido al español así lo entiendo mejor
UA-cam has captioning in Spanish