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how the wrist is used in natural golf

by Prof. Alfonso Konopelski Published 1 year ago Updated 1 year ago
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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.

As the swing begins, the back wrist starts to hinge slightly at first. This hinge is in a cupping motion, rather than a bowed. At this moment, the front wrist stays fairly flat until the hands get above waist-high. Up until the waist-high moment, most of the wrist hinge is in the back wrists only.

Full Answer

How do a golfer’s wrists work?

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.

Do you have proper golf wrist hinge?

He also gives some great senior golf swing tips to get proper golf wrist hinge in the backswing and through impact. If you are a golfer with more swing speed and flexibility, your golf swing wrist action is going to be more held off, which can help you get a more consistent golf swing and shot accuracy.

How do you swing a golf club with both hands?

Because the club is held with both hands, wrist action is harmonized, with the lead wrist cocking during the backswing while the trail wrist hinges. As the body turns forward in the downswing, the wrists should reach their maximum load, i.e., fully cocked and hinged (Figure 5).

What is the function of the forearm in golf swing?

It provides support to the left wrist while the forearm remains relaxed; it cocks in response to the weight of the club at the top of the backswing, and uncocks at contact as a result of the momentum of the club and the straightening of the right arm. Sorry, the video player failed to load. (Error Code: 100013)

What is the lead wrist in golf?

How does a golfer retain his wrist position?

What are the three movements of the wrist?

What does a bowed wrist with a neutral grip mean?

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

Is Morikawa a good golfer?

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What role do the wrists play in the golf swing?

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.

Should wrists hinge naturally in golf swing?

Contrary to many beliefs, there is no 'perfect' wrist hinge in the golf swing. Some players will hinge their wrists early in the takeaway, while others won't break their wrists until they reach the top of their backswing. There are even golfers who have almost no wrist hinge at all.

How do you set your wrist for golf?

4:017:29SIMPLE METHOD TO SET YOUR WRISTS IN THE BACKSWINGYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI take my set up position my wrist is going to be slightly cupped it's gonna be slightly extended.MoreI take my set up position my wrist is going to be slightly cupped it's gonna be slightly extended. For most of you if you've got a neutral grip in your handle.

Do you roll your wrists in a golf swing?

2:555:44WHEN SHOULD YOU START ROLLING THE WRISTS IN THE ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhat we're going to get you to do is to swing to the top. And from here I want you to get theMoreWhat we're going to get you to do is to swing to the top. And from here I want you to get the feeling of getting your knuckles. And turning them down.

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.

Do you hinge wrists with irons?

2:0411:48HINGE AND REHINGE YOUR WRISTS TO HIT PURE IRONSYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd re-hinge now when we go to hinge what you want to do is you want to hinge your wrist to yourMoreAnd re-hinge now when we go to hinge what you want to do is you want to hinge your wrist to your maximum at the top of the backswing.

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 you hinge your wrists in backswing?

2:367:53When To Hinge Your Wrists In The Golf Swing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt probably will be a little bit less they're probably more out here instead of actually creating aMoreIt probably will be a little bit less they're probably more out here instead of actually creating a right angle because you're trying to create with. So that's pretty general a lot of people ask me.

Do wrists hinge naturally?

Your wrists are going to hinge naturally as you continue to the top of your backswing. Then you can unwind your arms, wrists and body in your newfound wider arc and blast your drives straight down the fairway.

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.

How do I keep my wrist hinges in my golf swing?

7:4315:46GOLF: How To Hinge The Wrists In The Downswing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe're talking about two main functions. So the the wrists in the swing. Right are going to hinge upMoreWe're talking about two main functions. So the the wrists in the swing. Right are going to hinge up or down. So thumbs up thumbs down. And they're going to hinge back and forth so they hinge back.

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.

2.1 Wrist Movements in the Golf Swing • Top Speed Golf

Video Transcription: Hi guys, and welcome back. In today’s video we’re going to talk about the wrist movements, there’s three pairs of wrist movements that happen throughout the swing.

What is the lead wrist in golf?

At impact the lead wrist is largely in flexion (slightly bowed with the wrist bone raised) and in supination (rotated so that the palm is pointing toward the sky). Everything that comes before this should lead to that situation. And for all you “Grill Room Golf Tip Guys”, no amount of keeping your head down, your eye on the ball, or swinging smoothly will make the ball go properly if your wrist alignments (and by extension the clubface) are not in order.

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.

What are the three movements of the wrist?

Basically, they are capable of three sets of distinct movements: flexion and extension, supination and pronation, and ulnar and radial deviation.

What does a bowed wrist with a neutral grip mean?

All things remaining the same, at the top, a bowed wrist with a neutral grip will manifest in a closed clubface, and a cupped wrist will show an open clubface. Either way, the object is to move in a way that presents a squaring clubface through impact .

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.

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.

How do wrists work in golf?

One should bear in mind that the only contact with the golf club is with the hands and a good golf grip will set the wrists in the correct position to hinge and unhinge, creating a powerful strike on the ball. It all starts with the hands and wrists, and get this right and watch the effortless power develop through impact.

How to swing with hands and wrists?

Both point to an area between the head and right shoulder. Another tip: place the palms of the hands together facing each other. Now move the hands and wrists in all directions. This is how free the wrists should be in a swing, to work together.

When Should the Wrists Hinge?

Once the feeling of swinging the golf club to a position at the top, and then the transition to the downswing becomes a natural movement , players will find that the wrists will hinge and unhinge naturally. There should be no preconceived special movement. Do half-swings to get the feeling of the correct position, and spend time on the range and in front of a mirror.

What is the power source for hitting the ball further?

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!

What does bowing the left wrist do?

Bowing the left wrist on the backswing, will shallow out the downswing or change the swing plane coming into the ball. Very few top players today keep the same swing plane from the backswing through the downswing. It closes the clubface and will enhance a draw spin bias on the ball.

How to hit a golf ball with a driver?

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. The shaft should be pointing straight up at the sky and the wrinkles between the thumb and wrist are evident.

How to swing a golf club with your right hand?

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. In fact, this is a perfect position for the right hand and arm! Check the wrinkles between the wrist and hand.

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.

Which hand to grip golf club?

He also recommended adding some pressure with the middle and ring fingers of the right hand to help grip the club, but many players trust the left hand to grip it and merely wrap the right-hand fingers loosely around the grip for support.

How to grip a golf club with your left hand?

With your left-hand grip focused in the last two or three fingers, your wrist will remain relaxed enough to move freely… but you still need to provide a bit of guidance to the club. 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 the last two or three fingers to grip the club actually encourages this movement.

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 hand is the best for controlling a 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. 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.

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 ...

What is the lead wrist in golf?

At impact the lead wrist is largely in flexion (slightly bowed with the wrist bone raised) and in supination (rotated so that the palm is pointing toward the sky). Everything that comes before this should lead to that situation. And for all you “Grill Room Golf Tip Guys”, no amount of keeping your head down, your eye on the ball, or swinging smoothly will make the ball go properly if your wrist alignments (and by extension the clubface) are not in order.

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.

What are the three movements of the wrist?

Basically, they are capable of three sets of distinct movements: flexion and extension, supination and pronation, and ulnar and radial deviation.

What does a bowed wrist with a neutral grip mean?

All things remaining the same, at the top, a bowed wrist with a neutral grip will manifest in a closed clubface, and a cupped wrist will show an open clubface. Either way, the object is to move in a way that presents a squaring clubface through impact .

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.

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