I have a couple questions in regards to ball position, how far to stand from the ball, and grip size.

I was wondering what variable in the swings affects what ball position a player should use?  I am guessing it has something to do with swing anchor, swing linkage, or maybe a combination.

Another thing is I have heard you say in a video that the closer a player can stand from the ball the better, what variable determines how far a golfer should stand from the ball?

The last thing is what do you recommend when determining the grip size that a player should use?  I know hand size would be a big factor, but was also wondering how trail arm alignment/lead arm alignment would affect this.

Thank you,

Isaac Hammet

1) There' speed training and Force Application Training and both can help you develop more speed.

2) Conditioning can help with creating more speed.

3) Using internal Kinetics to apply forces into the ground can create more speed.

4) Is it clubhead speed you need to improve or Ball Speed?  Many golfers have sufficient clubhead speed but low smash factors and therefore low ball speed for the given clubhead speed.  I prefer to help golfers improve the smash and smash factor first. And often they find they don't need more clubhead speed.

I'll address each one at a time.

1) As far as flatter clubs, I do have flatter clubs even though I am a Shoulder Planer.  I am also an Under Golfer and a Tilter with strong torque forces. and a Swing Left golfer.  Those influences match up well with flatter clubs.  However, many of my students use both longer and upright clubs.  If a golfer has more verticals in their swing they will typically require more upright clubs because of that influence.  In all we need to know all the influences that relate to lie angle before we know how upright a golfers clubs need to be.  We also need to know the shaft deflection.    If the same golfer puts lighter and/or more flexible shafts at the same length they often need more upright clubs for example.

2) This is a correct observations.  Given I am a Swing Left, Shoulder Plane, Center Linkage Golfer my downswing moves toward the shoulder plane and in front of my body.  When I was younger and before my accident I could swing more out and up in the backswing and move down into my slot.  Now I have a more gradual elevation of the club in the backswing and transition into the shoulder plane.

3) I'm not sure what you mean by Folding point in the downswing since I don't use that term.  Can you rephrase your question for clarification?   As far as when Delivery Starts which is where you start to pour on the release or smashing action it depends on the golfers body mechanics.  It can start anywhere from lead arm parallel in the downswing to shaft parallel in the downswing.  I do talk about hinging and unhinging or folding in the backswing and unfolding in the downswing.  And if that is what you are asking about then the unfolding with regard to adding smash matches the individuals Delivery Point.

4) As far as tossing the sole into the ground or focusing more on swinging to the finish, "That Depends."  I only really time I focus on the sole is in short game shots.  In  the long game there is a tremendous value in learning to simply swing through to the finish.  As far as smashing learning to throw the clubhead into the turf also has value.  So it often depends on where the golfer is in his or her development.  One image i have often used, personally, is imagining sending the clubhead into the center of the earth while by body action, more specifically my posturing up, pulls the club out of the ground.  However that is a more advanced image.  

First of all I want to say you've made some great content. Thumbs up 👍 

I'm planning to follow your videos the entire season and practise what you preach. Will start with aim square/return square and build my swing up from there.

I have watched your videos for several hours and have a few questions:

1. I'm using clubs that are upright. My swing is a bit steep and I'm sure I need to flatten it. When I look at your irons it seems like they are flat? I imagine standard or flat lies are more suited to the swing you teach?

2. When I look at your transition in the downswing it seems like you swing more "over" than under (a bit more in front instead of behind you). Is this a correct observation or?

3. When you talk about the downswing, you mention a folding point (that's how I understand it) - is this where you start smashing? At what level does this folding point occur? Shoulder level, between shoulder and hip level, at hip level or later?

4. Do you feel like you toss the sole into the ground thru impact or do you focus more on where you finish the swing? As you mention - the ball is just in the way during a swing. Still most of us try to kill it with a hit 🙄 

Hope my questions make sense.

Thanks,
Peter