Clay Ballard from Top Speed Golf demonstrates a simple 'axe drill' to achieve professional-level shaft lean. By turning the club sideways and imagining it as a hammer, golfers can naturally get their hands in front of the ball at impact. Ballard also shows how to angle a tee toward right field to help players coming from the inside and eliminate over-the-top slices.
Turning the club toe-down creates a 'sledgehammer' feel that makes shaft lean feel effortless.
Driving the clubhead into an angled tee helps visualize hitting down and through the golf ball.
To fix an over-the-top path, angle your target tee toward 'right field' (for right-handers) to encourage an inside-out path.
Proper impact requires the weight to shift left and the body to open while the club stays on an inside path.
Avoid 'flipping' or 'casting' where the ball simply rolls up the clubface with no compression.
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