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golf swing when to break wrists

by Ms. Lilyan Prosacco DDS Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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The answer is very simple: STRAIGHT AWAY. Your wrist break starts to happen immediately but gradually as you take the club back. This is crucial because if you fail to break your wrists early in the backswing you will bend at the ELBOW instead which will cause you to hit the ground behind, top the ball and generally connect inconsistently.

Many coaches suggest to start breaking your wrists once you pass parallel in the takeaway, while others advocate a one-piece takeaway and only allowing your wrists to hinge at the top of the backswing. Both methods can produce repeatable, powerful golf swings.Sep 2, 2021

Full Answer

How important is wrist break in golf?

Wrist break adds power and height to your shots, so if you hit the ball too low and lack distance, check you have sufficient wrist break, early on, in your backswing.

How do the wrist work in a golf swing?

How the wrists work in a golf swing is varied, dependent on the golfer’s grip style, joint mobility, and strength. The wrist joint has a wide range of motion characterized by the following four terms; flexion (unhinging) (Fig. 1), extension (hinging) (Fig. 2), radial deviation (cocking) (Fig. 3), and ulnar deviation (uncocking) (Fig. 4).

When should your wrist hinge in the golf swing?

Ideally, wrists start hinging at the end of the takeaway, or in other words, when the shaft of the club is parallel to the ground. They continue doing so gradually until the top of the backswing is reached at which point the wrists should be fully hinged.

What happens if you rotate your wrists too late in golf?

Too late will cause loss of power, increased loft, and typically thin ball strikes. Rotation of the wrists occurs from the forearms. For right-handers, forearms rotated in a clockwise direction will create an open clubface orientation; forearms rotated in a counter-clockwise direction will create a closed clubface orientation.

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When should I release my wrist hinges?

The wrist hinge will stay in place until after impact and then release shortly after as the arms straighten. In order to unhinge your wrists properly on the downswing, your wrists have to be hinged in the first place.

How do you not break your wrists in a golf swing?

6:437:27Absolutely No Wrist Break in the Golf Swing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI try to keep my wrist as firm as I can throughout the swing and that way my arms rotate faster.MoreI try to keep my wrist as firm as I can throughout the swing and that way my arms rotate faster. Into impact enough to swing up to tree which increases club head speed.

What happens if you don't hinge your wrists in golf swing?

Similarly, if you don't hinge your wrists in the golf swing you could be throwing away loads of clubhead speed and delivering your irons with less of a descending angle of attack than is ideal.

What does breaking your wrist in golf mean?

Wrist break adds power and height to your shots, so if you hit the ball too low and lack distance, check you have sufficient wrist break, early on, in your backswing.

Should you break your wrists when chipping?

So hitting through, keeping some width and not flicking the wrists. So an answer to the question, 'Should you hinge your wrist when you're chipping? ' The answer should be no. Try and keep your wrists not locked out but fairly firm push it through fairly to more of a putting motion rather than a flicking motion.

Do you release your wrists in a golf swing?

So instead of thinking about "holding on" to your lag, focus on unhinging your wrists during the downswing so your arms are nearly straight at impact. Your wrists should be square to your target when the club meets the ball. You'll notice that your left forearm naturally rotates to do this (above, right).

Does Bryson Dechambeau wrist hinge?

1:202:10Bryson Dechambeau's Wrist Hinge - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe change direction creates wrist hinge he then dispenses it he comes through and the wrists hinge.MoreThe change direction creates wrist hinge he then dispenses it he comes through and the wrists hinge. Again now with an iron. If you come through with no wrist hinge the forearms.

Does wrist hinge increase distance?

A full, proper wrist hinge helps you set your club in the correct position at the top of your backswing. Swinging your club back correctly, you will swing down properly and hit your ball solidly. To increase your distance, you need to increase your wrist hinge to the full on the backswing.

Do you hinge wrist 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 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.

Which hand is the power hand in the golf swing?

The left-hand dominant golf swing is known to be very powerful, and it will help correct some misses golfers have in their game. If you are a player who wants power and you like the classic methods of pulling the golf club through your swing, then left-hand dominance is the right idea for you.

What is the function of the wrist in golf?

A golfer’s wrists act as a hinge between the arms and the golf club. Such a hinge can provide an advantage for moving the golf club faster, necessary for longer distance golf shots. How the wrists work in a golf swing is varied, dependent on the golfer’s grip style, joint mobility, and strength. The wrist joint has a wide range ...

What is the purpose of wrists in golf?

How should your wrists work in the golf swing and what are the consequences of improper wrist action? A golfer’s wrists act as a hinge between the arms and the golf club. Such a hinge can provide an advantage for moving the golf club faster, necessary for longer distance golf shots.

What happens to the wrists when the body turns forward?

Because the body motion is generally circular, the wrist will begin to unload through the impact zone. Ideally, at ball impact, the lead wrist will be fully uncocked while the trail wrist will be in the process ...

What is wrong with wrist action?

Improper wrist action can be categorized by faulty timing and rotation. Faulty timing is allowing or creating the unloading of the wrists too early or too late relative to ball impact. Too early will cause loss of power, increased loft, and typically fat or thin ball strikes.

Which direction do forearms rotate?

For right-handers, forearms rotated in a clockwise direction will create an open clubface orientation; forearms rotated in a counter-clockwise direction will create a closed clubface orientation. If either of these rotations occurs during the impact zone, the direction of the clubface can be altered from the intended target.

Do forearms stay passive?

Ideally, the forearms will remain passive through the impact zone while the wrists unload, producing generally straight golf shots. If you’d like to study with Ken Martin and other PGA Master Professionals, contact The College of Golf today. Back to Blog.

Why do golfers use wrists?

Because the hands are the only contact with the club, players are forever looking for some new wrist technique, some grip secret that will revolutionize their golf games. Ironically, the only real secret to proper wrist action is not in what you do, but in what you do not do. The proper motion is a natural one, described here as a right-handed player would perform it; left-handers should substitute “left” for “right” and vice versa.

What is proper wrist action?

The Proper Wrist Action for a Golf Swing. This position happens naturally with proper wrist action. Because the hands are the only contact with the club, players are forever looking for some new wrist technique, some grip secret that will revolutionize their golf games. Ironically, the only real secret to proper wrist action is not in what you do, ...

What finger do you tighten with a left hand?

According to teacher Michael Hebron, the secret is to tighten only the last two or three fingers of your left hand—the pinky and ring fingers, and perhaps the middle finger. In doing so, you create a strong grip without locking the wrist muscles and interfering with the free movement of your wrists.

Which hand can lock the right wrist?

Just as the thumb and forefinger of the left hand can interfere with proper wrist action, the thumb and forefinger of the right hand can lock the right wrist in position. Hogan recommended practicing with those two fingers completely off the grip. He also recommended adding some pressure with the middle and ring fingers ...

Which hand controls the golf club?

Even if your forearms are relaxed, there are other ways tension can creep into your arms. The left hand provides the primary connection for controlling the club. It is very common to grip too tightly with this hand.

Who said "I wish I had three right hands"?

Ben Hogan famously wrote that, after his hands had passed his hips on the downswing, he tried to hit the ball as hard as he could—“I wish I had three right hands.”. But for most teachers, including de la Torre, the right wrist does very little during the swing except respond to the swinging of the club.

How to keep your left hand flat?

According to teacher Jay Williamson, the simplest way to do this is to keep the back of the left hand flat—that is, the back of the left hand and the back of the left forearm form a straight line. Doing so limits the movement of the wrist to a single plane, improving consistency. This action will not be difficult because using only ...

When to use wristy in golf?

It is particularly helpful when facing delicate shots or when the nerves or otherwise shot anxiety creeps into the equation. An example would be a delicate chip from a tight lie during an important match or round.

What is a golf swing?

The golf swing is a meticulously organized movement flow that proceeds best when executed in the right order. Ideally, wrists start hinging at the end of the takeaway, or in other words, when the shaft of the club is parallel to the ground. They continue doing so gradually until the top of the backswing is reached at which point ...

Does wrist cock help with golf swing?

What it tries to cure. Golfers who have a tendency to let early handsy/wristy movements creep into their swings should benefit from remembering this swing tip. Indeed, relegating wrist cock to its correct timing should normalize the distance travelled by the ball to its full potential.

The Grip

The importance of the grip can never be underestimated, and once this is established, we are all set to hit the ball far and consistently. Make sure your grip is in a position for the hands and wrists to work in unison.

The Wrists and Power

Cocking or hinging the wrists during the backswing and then releasing them through the downswing is a power source for hitting the ball further. If the hinging is not free and easy, the tendency is to use the arms and shoulders to muscle the ball through impact. So developing this power source is a must!

Left-Hand Wrist Hinge Position at the Top of the Swing

With the left arm in an extended position, place it down on a table with the fingers extended and resting on the little finger and the thumb pointing to the sky. Now lift or cock the wrist upwards off the table while keeping the arm in the original position.

The Flat or Bowed Left Wrist

The left wrist should remain flat in line with the left forearm. The common error is to open or cup the wrist on the backswing. If you open it or move it to the left, there is no tension on the wrist and the power source is lost. This also opens the face of the club on the backswing. More of this later.

The Right Wrist Position at the Top of the Swing

Think of carrying a tray of drinks like a waiter, with the right hand at shoulder height. The right palm faces upwards and the right elbow points down to the ground at 90-degrees. The club rests in the right-hand palm in the same fashion at the top of the swing.

A Drill to Perfect Hinging

Stand in the address position with a driver or iron. Place the club on the ground in preparation to hit a ball. Now lift the arms and clubhead off the ground in front of you to shoulder height keeping the left arm straight and cocking the left wrist.

Bowing the Left Wrist at the Top of the Back Swing

Sergio Garcia has been one of the best strikers of a golf ball for many years and is acknowledged by his fellow pros for this feat. Most of the current top pros make this move and there are two basic reasons.

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.

Is Morikawa a good golfer?

Morikawa is blessed with a beautifully reliable and repetitive golf swing. He is technically sound and exhibits elements common to many leading iron players throughout the ages. Not the most powerful guy in the game, he does compress the ball effectively, shape it comfortably, and vary the trajectory easily.

How to swing a golf club?

Swing your arms and the club back and initially keep your lower body still. Allow the wrist to hinge and feel the shoulder turn and hips rotate. In addition, allow the wrist to hinge while the left arm and club form a 90 degree angle. The butt end of the grip should point down toward the golf ball and target line.

How to swing a golf club with left arm?

Take your stance and swing the club back with your left arm, however, as you start the forward swing hook your right index finger around the shaft to maintain the left wrist hinge. This keeps the 90 degree angle between the left arm and club. Swing down toward impact while maintaining the club head lag. Hinge and Hold.

What is the role of grip pressure in golf?

Grip Pressure. Grip pressure and tension play a vital role in the correct wrist hinge. Some players grip the club so tight they prevent their wrists from hinging properly. Therefore, the left arm is parallel with the ground, yet they still can not create the correct wrist hinge necessary for solid golf shots.

What happens when you hinge a golf club sideways?

When you hinge the club sideways the swing plane becomes flat. The end of the grip tends to point on the opposite side of the target line. An over the top downswing is often the result of a flat backswing.

Why is a wrist hinge important?

Importance of the Wrist Hinge. A good wrist hinge in the golf backswing leads to better and more consistent golf shots. An incorrect hinge makes it difficult to return the club face in a square position at impact.

What is the angle of the left wrist?

The left wrist hinges during the back swing and creates approximately a 90 degree angle. During the forward swing, good players maintain the 90 degree angle, or less, as the club swings toward impact. The wrists unhinge through impact and allow the club to whip through the impact area. Wrist Hinge and Lag.

How to improve your swing?

Repeat the drill and groove the correct swing plane, swing path, proper wrist hinge and release. This is one of the easiest and most beneficial drills you can practice to improve your swing. Swoosh Drill. The swoosh drill helps maintain lag, teach the correct release and indicates where you actually release the club.

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