Top Speed Golf

The Only 5 Golf Swing Pieces That Really Matter

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Welcome to Clay Ballard's Top Speed Golf Instruction

I founded Top Speed Golf in 2015.

Here's what it's all about...

When you analyze the swings of any top player in the world -- whether it's Jim Furyk, Adam Scott, or anyone else -- there are 5 aspects they all have roughly in common:

1. Stable & Fluid Spine

2. Power Turn

3. Top Speed Lag

4. Compression Line

5. Straight-Line Release

I've found that these 5 pieces will give you 95% of your results.

My Top Speed Golf system teaches you those 5 aspects in a step-by-step, course-based fashion.

"Does it work?" you may be wondering...

Click here to get started with the 5 components of the Top Speed Golf System!

Or check out all my latest content below...

clay 11111 smallerSome of My Highlights...
Handicap: -4
Top Swing Speed: 126.8
Lowest Round: 61
Given Over 6000 Golf Lessons
Instructed Many Professional Golfers
Played Division 1 College Golf and Mini Tours
Most Consecutive Birdies: 6
Certified FlightScope Professional
Swing Catalyst Certified
T.P.I. Certified
Named by Golf Digest as a top instructor in Florida
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G046. Golf Warm-up Routine | Pre-round Driving Range Routine

In this video, you’ll learn a great golf warm-up routine.

We all realize that it’s a good idea to warm-up before you hit the first tee…

But I’m often asked by my students, “What’s the best way to warm-up before a round?”

That’s a great question because your pre-round routine, if done right, can really help you get off to a good start and help you throughout your round.

Now, your warm-up routine can vary, but, for the most part, there’s a general framework that I recommend you use.

Below is a quick review of what you’ll see in the video.

Loosen Up

Start your warm-up by loosing up.

You can do this with a sand wedge.

Hit nice and easy shots around 40 yards, and gradually build up to a full swing.

Work Through Your Bag

Now that you’re hitting full swings, work through your bag.

For example, you can hit a few with your pitching wedge, then 8 iron, then 6 iron.

As you’re working through the bag, concentrate on making a full turn, all the way back and all the way through with a good rotation.

Pay Attention to Your Ball Flight

Next, concentrate on your ball flight.

No matter how good a golfer you are, you’ll hit a little different from day to day.

For example, after a few shots, maybe you’re hitting a slight fade.

That’s fine; it just means you’re favoring a slight fade that day.

Straighten Out Your Ball Flight

Next, work on straightening out your ball flight.

Back to previous example, if you’re hitting a fade, adjust your club to a more in-to-out path.

Bonus: To improve your feel, hit a few draws, then a few fades, then hone in your ball flight to hit dead straight shots.

Grab Your Driver

After working on your ball flight, break out the big boy and imagine you’re playing a few of the crucial holes on the course.

For example, if hole #1 is a dog leg left, you may want to hit the ball on the left side of the fairway.

Practice that shot before you even climb on the tee box.

Imagine the added confidence you’ll have on hole #1 if you’ve already practiced that shot several times!

Even if you hit a few stinkers during your warm-up, you’ll have a chance to practice the shot and improve.

Overall, the pre-round routine shown in the video gives you a great process to work through and I promise that your confidence will go through the roof.

Watch this video now to master your golf warm-up routine!

C016. Get Consistently Solid Contact | Early Extension Arms Out Drill

In this video, you’ll learn how to get consistently solid contact.

Coming out of your posture early is one of the biggest culprits that causes inconsistent shots.

And it’s more common than you think.

Just take a few minutes to watch folks at the range and you’ll see that a lot of players rise out of their posture way too early.

And, to a certain extent, this problem is likely affecting your swing as well.

In this video, I’ll help you improve your consistency with 2 great tips…

#1: Swing with a Full Rotation

A full rotation throughout the swing will not only help your power, but it’ll also help you hit with a stable, under control swing.

You’ll be able to use the momentum of the club more as opposed to muscling the club around, which is bound to cause inconsistency.

Not getting a full rotation may result in a choppier, inconsistent swing.

#2: Stay in Your Posture Through the Hitting Zone

Mentioned earlier, coming out of your posture early causes inconsistent contact.

If you stand up out of your posture before you make contact, you’ll be forced to adjust the club and may even flip the it just to make contact.

Flipping the club is a distance killer and will make it more difficult for you to hit with consistency.

In the video, you’ll see a great, simple drill to help you visualize staying in your posture.

And you can even do part of the drill in your living room 🙂

The tips in this video will help you make a consistent, full turn in the swing…

And will help you maintain your posture through contact for more consistent contact.

Check out this video now!

BR006. How to Make a Smooth Golf Swing Instead of Hitting at the Ball

In this video, you’ll learn how to make a smooth golf swing instead of hitting at the ball.

This will really help you out if you’re putting in a ton of effort, but you’re not getting the smooth and powerful swing that you want.

Often in golf, swinging out of your shoes can actually give you an even weaker swing.

That’s incredibly frustrating, but you need to know the key moves to making a smoother and more efficient swing.

I start the video off by showing you how casting the club early can destroy your swing…

Then you’ll get a great drill to help you swing with a Straight-Line Release.

You’ll come into contact with more lag, and you’ll release that lag with tons of speed.

Watch this video now to make a smooth and powerful golf swing with less effort!

CD012. How to Use the Hips in the Golf Swing | Crazy Detail

In this video, you’ll learn how to use the hips in the golf swing.

This is an in-depth look at the hips at address, in the backswing, and all the way through to your finish.

You’ll learn, in crazy detail…

  • How your hips rotate and tilt forward and back throughout the swing,
  • How one common mistake may be hurting your posture (and destroying your distance).

Watch this video now to get an in-depth look at your hip movements…

And start hitting with more consistency and power!

SH022. Hit Rock Solid Putts Like the Pros

How would you like to hit rock solid putts?

How do we stop from hitting off the toe or heel?

For those looking to find the center putt, this video on Hit Rock Solid Putts Like the Pros is for you.

S010. How to Grip the Golf Club | 3 Grips – Which Is Right for You?

Do you want some quick help with how to grip the golf club?

There are 3 common ways pros grip their clubs.

And you may be surprised to know which one I recommend 🙂

Watch the video now to find out the pros and cons with each of the 3 types of grips…

…and discover which one is right for!

BR005. Ernie Els Rhythm | Why He’s a Fan of the Power Turn

How would you like to have Ernie Els rhythm?

I think we all would!

Well, in this video, I “team up” with The Big Easy to help you swing more smoothly and get much better results.

You’ll hear directly from Ernie what his big keys are not only for rhythm, but also consistent ball striking.

He provides a great lesson, and then I expand on it to give you some key pointers about how to get a Power Turn just like Ernie.

Watch the video now to improve your distance, rhythm, and consistency!

L015. How to Get More Lag in Golf | 2 Secret Moves of Pros

If you’ve ever wondered how to get more lag in golf…

…you’re not alone!

I’m sure you’ve tried tons of things to achieve those crazy lag angles you see with the guys on TV.

But I’d bet you’re still not quite seeing the results you want.

Why not?

Because there are (at least) 2 crucial, sort of “secret” moves the pros make…

…that you probably never realized had anything to do with creating that huge lag angle.

Watch this video now to discover these 2 secret moves, and then you’ll be able to show all your buddies how to get more lag in golf!

D023. Fast Hips for Long Golf Shots

In this video, you’ll learn how to swing with fast hips for long golf shots.

Consider some of the long hitters on tour…

Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott, Tiger Woods, Bubba Watson, on and on.

One of the moves they all have in common is fast hips.

Their hips rotate through the shot with tons of speed.

Here’s how speeding up your hips will help you get more distance…

Fast hips will help you come into contact with more lag and will also help you swing with a Straight-Line Release.

Note that the hips should slow down a little to allow for you to release the club through contact.

However, a common problem with golfers is slowing down the hips way too early, which destroys distance.

Watch this video now to discover how your hips add distance to your swing…

And learn the key moves you need to work on in order to speed up your hips.

CD011. Golf Lesson | Perfect Elbow Motion in Crazy Detail

In this video, you’ll learn the perfect elbow motion in crazy detail.

I get tons of questions about the elbows, so I want to show you what your elbows should be doing throughout the swing.

Your elbows at address, backswing, downswing, impact, and follow through are all covered.

Note that you should treat this video as an informational video, meaning that you don’t need to hit every single checkpoint perfectly in order to have a solid swing.

But if you’re way off from one of the main points, then that’s something you need to work on.

Below, you’ll get an overview of the main points of the video:

Elbows at Address

Make sure your elbows are relaxed in a natural position at address.

Some instructors recommend that both elbow pits pointed open, but there’s little evidence to support doing that.

Also, I haven’t seen many pros force their elbow pits open either.

Just keep your elbows in a natural position and don’t worry about it.

Elbows in the Backswing

A good check for your elbows in the backswing is to look at the angle of the club.

If the club is vertical, your right elbow is likely flailing out a bit and that’s an unnecessary move.

If the club is too flat and nearly parallel with the ground, then your left arm is starting to roll over the right arm.

If you’re swinging at these extremes, then adjust accordingly by rotating your arms.

Elbows at the Top of the Swing

Generally, I recommend you have your right elbow pointing down.

It doesn’t need to be pointing straight down, but it helps to have it in that position.

However, if you have a flying elbow, that doesn’t mean you can’t make a good swing.

Jack Nicklaus had a flying elbow and John Daly’s flying elbow is even more extreme.

So do your elbows matter much at the top of the swing?

Yes.

Having your right elbow pointed down is more under control and will make it easier on you when transitioning to your downswing.

The more your elbow flies out, the bigger the move you’ll need in your downswing.

Elbows in the Downswing

In the backswing, you have some leeway on how you take the club back.

However, in the downswing, you need to tighten up the range of your movements.

Your right elbow needs to be close to your body otherwise you’ll come over the top with your club.

Elbow at Contact

Your left elbow should face towards the target at impact.

Elbows in the Follow Through

As you’ll see with big hitting pros like Adam Scott…

The left elbow points almost directly back at the end of the swing.

Adam Scott is very flexible, so note that you don’t need to have your elbow pointing back as much as he does.

But try to finish with as much rotation as you can without straining yourself.

Watch this video…

And compare the checkpoints to get a better understanding of how your elbows should move throughout the swing.