Crush the Ball Toward the Target: Shawn Clement's Task
Want to catch the ball before it hits the ground? Shawn Clement, at Royal Québec, suggests a simple mental exercise: compress the ball against a piece of wood, in the direction of the target. This image highlights common grip mistakes and guides the ball’s position.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
Shawn Clement places the ball against a log and tries to press it against that piece of wood, toward the target. This task immediately reveals the shortcomings in grip. In all sports, he points out, The hand comes before the instrument: If your grip is too loose or too neutral, your hands end up too far forward and your clubface is much too open, which forces you to compensate with your body or wrist. The solution: close the club a little or use a stronger grip, so that the clubface is square when the hands are forward.
He hits it from under a pine tree with low-hanging branches using a 5-iron, playing short stinger shots. Trying to lift the ball leads to a fat shot or hitting the ground first; in pressing along the floor against the door frame, the clubhead stays in place and the loft sends the ball upward. When it comes to ball position, he uses the analogy of a tennis serve: if it’s too far forward or too far back, you have to go after it; Once you're in the right spot, cross over toward the target. The brain then uses the ground and weight transfer, and the front leg clears the path: this is the kinetic chain.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Place the ball against a piece of wood, or imagine a log right in front of it.
- Take your grip and check—with your hands extended in the impact position—that the clubface is square; if not, close the club a little or tighten your grip.
- Take your backswing, letting your wrists cock.
- Swing down, compressing the ball against the ground along the ground toward the target.
- Keep your head still; don't move toward the ball.
- Adjust the ball's position by trial and error: too far forward, too far back, and then to the spot where you feel you can hit it squarely.
- Choose a specific, low-level target—such as passing under a branch—to keep the task in mind.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Using a grip that's too loose, which leaves the face open when your hands are in front.
- Cover your face with your wrist—something Shawn Clement advises against because it hurts.
- Trying to lift the ball, resulting in thin shots or making contact with the ground before the ball.
- Move your head toward the ball as you swing down.
- Placing the ball too far forward or too far back and having to go get it.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Ball resting against a piece of wood to feel the compression
- Short shots with a 5-iron over an imaginary low obstacle
- Contrast exercise on ball position: front, back, center
- Check your square stance, hands forward, before each set
Your Questions
How do you compress the ball toward the target?
Shawn Clement suggests imagining a plank in front of the ball and trying to drive it toward the target. This technique causes the hands to reach the ball before the clubhead does, and the ball to reach the ground before the clubhead does.
Why change your grip to improve your compression?
If your grip is too loose or too neutral, the clubface is too open when your hands move through the swing. By closing the clubface slightly or tightening your grip, the clubface returns to a square position at impact.
How do you get the ball to rise with a 5-iron?
Without trying to lift it. According to Shawn Clement, trying to lift it causes the club to hit the ground first; by compressing the club along the ground, it’s the loft that lifts the ball.
How do you find the right ball position?
In contrast, just like with a tennis serve: hit it too far forward, then too far back, and stick to the spot from which you feel you can drive it across and smash it toward the target.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Shawn Clement). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.