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cupping your wrist when hitting the driver in golf

by Alvena Kuhic Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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When the wrist is cupped the wrist will not run flat with the forearm, but rather the back of a player's hand will run perpendicular with the ground while the forearm is still on an approximate 45 degree angle. The end result is the leading edge of the face will be perpendicular to the ground and the face will be facing in front of the player.

Part of a video titled WHY YOU HAVE A CUPPED LEFT WRIST IN THE GOLF ...
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It so the second reason to why you are cupping your left wrist in the golf swing is because you areMoreIt so the second reason to why you are cupping your left wrist in the golf swing is because you are hinging your wrists in the backswing. Too vertically. And too early.

Full Answer

What does cupping your wrist mean in golf?

A cupped or for the medical types a wrist that is in “dorsiflexion” has the potential to ruin even the best of golf swings you make out on the golf course. What it means to be cupped during your backswing is your left wrist bends so that the back of your left hand and the top of your left forearm create an angle like...

Should you swing to the top of your wrist when playing golf?

The answer is, you shouldn’t! Yet this is exactly what recreational golfers do as they swing to the top. The bad news is that once your left wrist cups and the face opens, it’s difficult to return the face to square.

Why cupping your left hand on the backswing?

Here it is, from Top 100 teacher John Dunigan ( @JohnDuniganGolf ): Your left hand controls the angle of the face at every step of your swing. So if the goal is to square up the clubface at impact, why would you flail it open on your backswing by cupping your left wrist?

Why shouldn’t you Clench your left wrist on your backswing?

Your left hand controls the angle of the face at every step of your swing. So if the goal is to square up the clubface at impact, why would you flail it open on your backswing by cupping your left wrist? The answer is, you shouldn’t! Yet this is exactly what recreational golfers do as they swing to the top.

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Why is my wrist cupped golf?

It's harder to see it when you're at the top of the backswing. But if you get the clubface open or shut at the top—by cupping or bowing the left wrist (or having a grip that's too weak or too strong)—you're going to hit a lot of high slices or low hooks.

How do I stop my left wrist cupping at impact?

1:263:20How to Get a Flat Left Wrist at Impact with Just One Change - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOpen this pulling is very very subtle. You're just not pushing as hard with the right side.MoreOpen this pulling is very very subtle. You're just not pushing as hard with the right side. Especially with the right wrist that's causing the flip. So if I just start pulling.

What does a cupped wrist look like?

2:385:07CUPPED OR BOWED WRIST AT THE TOP - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's having this a little bit of angle in the wrist which will open the clubface just a touch fromMoreIt's having this a little bit of angle in the wrist which will open the clubface just a touch from there as it's coming down the face will be a little bit more open here therefore.

Should left wrist be cupped at address?

Likewise, good players who start with a flat left wrist at address have a flat left wrist at the top. Starting with your left wrist cupped and flattening it going back, or starting with it flat and cupping it, is unnecessary manipulation, which can lead to inconsistency.

Can you do cupping on wrist?

0:004:09Vacuum Cupping | Forearm and Wrist | Sports Massage Therapy - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo bring the bring the hand just a little bit into wrist extension and we're just going to workMoreSo bring the bring the hand just a little bit into wrist extension and we're just going to work across and then along the medial part of the forearm.

How do I keep my left wrist flat in golf?

3:5913:09Drills to Flatten The Left Wrist - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn the backhand. You look at the pro players as they start forward this will be their lead hand ifMoreIn the backhand. You look at the pro players as they start forward this will be their lead hand if they're hitting a backhand. As they start forward the wrist is gonna bow.

Do you hinge wrists with driver?

3:127:25Hinge To Boost Your Driver - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you see the 90 degree angle this is an exaggerated hinge position for the driver. Usually forMoreAnd you see the 90 degree angle this is an exaggerated hinge position for the driver. Usually for the driver.

Should I bow my wrist with driver?

Bowing the left wrist can help hold the clubface more stable throughout the swing and prevent a flipping of the hands at impact, leading to better compression of the golf ball. Obviously, the middle ground between a bowed and cupped left wrist can be described as a 'neutral' position.

Why does Dustin Johnson bow his wrist?

But while many golfers bow their hand on the downswing, Johnson maintains the position from the outset. At the top of his lift, he's bowed his left wrist already. Locking the wrists into place gives him more consistency for his drives. “I'm taking less, less movement out in the face,” he says.

What do you do with your wrists on a driver swing?

6:227:50How to Use Your Wrists in the Golf Swing - GOLF WRIST HINGEYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn your arms. By just literally swinging my arms. Okay and that is a different type of release withMoreIn your arms. By just literally swinging my arms. Okay and that is a different type of release with the wrist than it is for the tour.

Should you roll your wrists golf swing?

That makes the swing plane way too flat and forces the player to re-route the club dramatically to even hit the ball. The wrists shouldn't roll sideways. They hinge by moving up and down. Try this: Hold the club out in front of you, and hinge it upward as if you were going to tap your nose.

Should you bend your wrist in golf swing?

0:593:59Cure Your Slice – Wrist Bends Throughout the Swing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThough best golfers start with their left wrist pretty flat in the backswing early on if anything itMoreThough best golfers start with their left wrist pretty flat in the backswing early on if anything it starts to flex downward or they start to bend their wrists like you're flexing.

When should I cup my wrist for bowling?

Cupping your wrist is the position for the most hook. If you want to move into the oil and play inside a bit, then a stronger shot is desired. This can be accomplished by cupping your wrist to achieve more revs on the ball. However it is also an unnatural position for your wrist, and feels slightly uncomfortable.

Should I cup my wrist when bowling?

Cupping the wrist slightly increases revolutions on the ball, creating more roll and more angle into the pins. This release is productive on heavy to medium oil patterns where you want your ball to get into a roll in the middle part of the lane.

Should you cup your wrist in bowling?

A “cupped” wrist position promotes a fast thumb exit from your bowling ball. This allows you to apply decisive finger action to the bowling ball and add revolutions in the process.

How should you hold your wrist when bowling?

0:323:44Wrist Position and Free Arm Swing Drills - Pana Bowl - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo your position is always thumb at the top fingers at the bottom. And then if you've got your lanesMoreSo your position is always thumb at the top fingers at the bottom. And then if you've got your lanes at your local bowling alley you can actually go ahead and throw your ball.

How does a golfer retain his wrist position?

Essentially, he retains the wrist position from the top as his body rotates and moves toward impact. So the lesson behind the explanation is for you to understand the situation of your wrists and the club-face at the top of your swing, and how to move towards a sound impact position.

Who was more cupped, or lead wrist extended, at the top of the swing?

Back to our Hogan/Morikawa comparison. The legendary Ben Hogan, who was more “cupped”, or lead wrist extended, at the top of the swing, would have to transition from that position to an extended, or bowed, and supinated situation at impact.

What does a bowed wrist look like in golf?

This swing thought has you focusing on making sure your wrists don’t cup or bow when you are executing your golf swing. These swing errors are easiest to spot at the top of the swing; bowed wrists look like the club is too heavy to hold in your hands and is visible through your hands falling to the ground a little.

Why is the swing key important?

This swing key is essential for all types of swing that require your wrists to move. It is even more critical for long shots such as those hit with a driver where faulty wrist movements can lead to wayward shots at a high cost to the scorecard.

Do golfers have to check their wrists?

What it tries to cure. Golfers who have a tendency to hook the ball should check to make sure their wrists are not bowing. Indeed, bowed wrists promote a closed clubface at impact, and a counter-clockwise sidespin. Likewise, golfers who have a tendency to slice the ball should check to make sure their wrists are not cupping.

What happens if you hook your wrist?

That can result in a slice. If the face points at the sky (bottom inset), you're bowing your wrist and closing the face. That can cause a hook.

How to see square on golf club?

When you look down at the clubface at address, "square" is relatively easy to see. It's harder to see it when you're at the top of the backswing. But if you get the clubface open or shut at the top—by cupping or bowing the left wrist (or having a grip that's too weak or too strong)—you're going to hit a lot of high slices or low hooks. ...

Cupping Wrists Lessons

Fixing the Flip Learn how to overcome the dreaded flip through impact.

Cupping Wrists Tips

Try a fat grip. If you are having major troubles with speed control, chances are your hands and wrists may be too involved. When the little muscles are over active, it's hard to be consistent. You could try to wrap your grip with tennis grip tape to fatten it up or purchase a new grip altogether like the super fat one that you may have seen K.J.

Relatively flat left wrist

I hit the ball well with what I would call, a slightly cupped left wrist at address. Making sure that the butt of the grip points left of my belt buckle helps to keep the cup from being excessive. Perhaps the "relatively flat wrist" that Surge describes is just another way of saying the same thing.

Cupped or Bowed

If I have a choice I'll take a bowed left wrist over a cupped one at impact any day.

Tom Watson

His grip looks exactly like mine at address, not flat but slightly cupped. It flattens as he takes it back and bows as he takes it to parallel at the top. He certainly does retain the bow through impact.

grip

You always show the club in your right hand when making your setup does it matter if the club is in your left hand when you walk into the ball and complete your grip and setup.

Setup

I don't know how Surge would answer this. I've tried it both ways and find holding the club in my right hand, helps with aiming the face at an intermediate target and seems to be a more natural way of walking into the shot. It's easier to feel where the club is aimed for any type of shot when using my dominant hand.

Set up and routine

I also walk in with the club in the right hand for the reasons you stated. On your point of setting up closed and aiming too far right I concur 100%. If we are clear as to our aiming point and intermediate target, walking in with our body open helps us to set our feet parallel left.

Hinging

I believe as Surge uses the term, hinging the wrists is when they are actively moved toward the sides of the arm, not the top or bottom of the arm. Hinging the wrists will also generally create either cupping or bowing, because they simply won't move very far on that plane otherwise.

Which wrist do golfers cup the most?

Typically golfers who cup the left wrist the most will bend and fold their lead arm the most, separate their arms from their chest and body, and finally open the face of the club to the path they are swinging on ( Photo 2 ), and swing the most over the top.

What does it mean when your wrist is cupped?

A cupped or for the medical types a wrist that is in “dorsiflexion” has the potential to ruin even the best of golf swings you make out on the golf course. What it means to be cupped during your backswing is your left wrist bends so that the back of your left hand and the top of your left forearm create an angle like Photo 1 above.

How to do a golf book drill?

The book drill is a very simple drill that can be done almost anywhere you have a hardcover book, clipboard, etc. Begin by taking the book and place it in your hands, using your typical golf grip with book between your hands, between your forearms ( Photo 3). Next, take a few slow backswings and take note of what forearm the book touches as you make your backswing. If the book touches your right forearm, take a look at your left wrist, you will notice a break or angle and not a flat of bowed left wrist. Repeat the process again and this time make sure the book is touching your left forearm ( Photos 4 and 5 ). Look back at your left wrist and notice a FLAT wrist! Make a few more practice swings with the book until you master the ability to let the book touch your left forearm.

How to tell if a book is touching your right forearm?

If the book touches your right forearm, take a look at your left wrist, you will notice a break or angle and not a flat of bowed left wrist . Repeat the process again and this time make sure the book is touching your left forearm ( Photos 4 and 5 ).

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