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where should the back of the left hand be at the top of the golf swing

by Laurianne Streich Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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How should the left hand be aligned at the top of the backswing? The safe position—and the one favored by most tour players—is with the back of the left hand, the wrist and the forearm on the same plane, forming a straight line ( above, left ).

Part of a video titled Hank Haney on the Correct Wrist Position at the Top of Your ...
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You're looking for is your left wrist being flat to your forearm. And ideally the clubface would beMoreYou're looking for is your left wrist being flat to your forearm. And ideally the clubface would be square to your wrist as well.

Full Answer

Which hand should you hold the Golf Club with?

The Left Hand. A golfer can experience some high level of success when they focus on matching up the back of the left hand and can control the club face with their left hand. An overactive right hand can lead to flipping the club and a lost of lag. The back of the left hand can serve as a focus point on where the club is aiming.

What is the best hand position for a golf swing?

The safe position—and the one favored by most tour players—is with the back of the left hand, the wrist and the forearm on the same plane, forming a straight line ( above, left ). That's my ideal because it represents a square approach.

How do you take the club back in a golf swing?

In other words, many golfers take the club back primarily by pushing with their left arm across the center line - the sternum - during the the golf backswing. When you push from the left, by the time the left arm gets across the chest, it feels fully loaded.

How should your arms move during a golf swing?

The right arm needs to remain extended to maintain swing width, the left arm should begin to bend and fold to the left side As the club travels to the top of the swing the shoulders should have turned fully underneath the chin, the left arm should be bent and closed to the left side

What is the first move down in golf?

What is the motion of a golf swing?

Why do golf clubs move so quickly?

What happens if you push the club down from the top?

What is the benefit of push back?

How to do push pulls without a club?

How to do push back swings?

See more

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Where should the left hand be at the top of the backswing?

Left Wrist is Flat at the Top of the Swing At the top of the swing your wrist should be fully hinged. However, you'll need to make sure that in addition to the hinge, your wrists don't bow or cup. A bowed left hand does not line up with the forearm but rather breaks towards the ground, as if the club was too heavy.

How should the golf club look at the top of the swing?

1:463:11Top of the Golf Swing - How to Position the Club Correctly at the TopYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMaybe three o'clock with the drivers.MoreMaybe three o'clock with the drivers.

How high should top of backswing hands be?

1:114:45How to get Higher Hands in the backswing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut your goal should be to have a little height than your hands. Because what that'll do is that'llMoreBut your goal should be to have a little height than your hands. Because what that'll do is that'll help give you some timing to get your hands down to get some speed.

How far back should your backswing be?

The Normal Backswing A club in the “normal” position has reached about parallel to the ground and you can see that the shoulders have turned around 90 degrees. As the upper body turns, you must make sure that your foundation is solid or “receiving” the turn.

What should club head look like at top of backswing?

0:483:24Clubface open or closed at the top of your backswing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo if the player's club face is closed at the top of the backswing. What it means is the club faceMoreSo if the player's club face is closed at the top of the backswing. What it means is the club face is pointing straight up and towards the sky.

Do you break your wrist at the top of a golf swing?

4:095:57When should you break your wrists in the golf swing? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd that's all you need yeah you don't need to add it at the top you don't you'll just continue onMoreAnd that's all you need yeah you don't need to add it at the top you don't you'll just continue on up a little bit further with your shoulders.

Do you lift arms in golf swing?

To make a proper backswing, start by lifting your arms. Even more specific, use them to elevate the club's center of mass (signified by the red ball on my club) about 25 to 30 degrees as I've done here before even thinking of pitching the club upward with your wrists.

Do you keep hands low in golf swing?

2:538:15Low Hands Golf Swing Could Be The Key To Your Golfing BreakthroughYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipEasier okay so the hands need to be lower. And then accelerate through from that point we want lessMoreEasier okay so the hands need to be lower. And then accelerate through from that point we want less movement less manipulation and less reliant on that hand-eye coordination whipping through.

Is a shorter backswing better in golf?

A shorter golf backswing will make it easier for your to stay on balance. Less movement means you should be able to finish in a nice pose. It is important that you repeat the same swing each time you hit the ball. Staying on balance throughout your swing makes it easier to execute the same motion each time.

How do you get a full backswing in golf?

2:096:10Not Completing Backswing Golf Make A Full Turn - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipJust independently getting them to rotate like that I can make a nice complete back swing no problemMoreJust independently getting them to rotate like that I can make a nice complete back swing no problem at all by turning those hips how to look at it from here. Turn those hips.

Should I shorten my backswing?

Some players can handle a longer backswing, while others can't. That being said, in general, most amateur golfers over-swing in their backswing, especially with their driver. This means they let their backswing get longer than they can handle. So, shortening of the backswing is needed to improve their overall game.

What does a closed clubface look like at the top?

A closed clubface at the top of the swing is when the angle of the clubface is facing more towards the sky. Often times the fix to one or all three swing flaws above begins with creating a slightly closed clubface position at the top of swing.

How do I set my club at the top?

3:0810:48HOW TO SET THE PERFECT TOP OF THE BACKSWING POSITION ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRight here okay i put the club in my fingers. And then i wrap it on top so this to me would be aMoreRight here okay i put the club in my fingers. And then i wrap it on top so this to me would be a neutral grip now all you're gonna do you're gonna go like this. And you're gonna hinge the club.

Learn A Simple Golf Swing In 2 Moves - Push and Pull - The Art of ...

You can learn a simple golf swing with these two easy moves. If you want more accuracy, ball striking consistency and even an increase of distances then you want to learn a golf swing that you can rely on and one that does not require dozens of swing thoughts because if you are thinking about positions, rotating, hinging, pivoting and so forth, you chances of actually executing a good shot is ...

Push vs. Pull in the Golf Swing: A Critical Concept

Big golf swing improvements by understanding some simple physics. Pushing vs. Pulling is a concept developed by RST Founder Chuck Quinton that will completely revolutionize the way you think about the golf swing. You will NEVER look at the golf swing the same way again after watching this video - it's that profound!

Why is it harder to flop a golf shot?

Why? Because there are so many variables to account for — in addition to what you can and cannot do with a wedge. In fact, up until very recently in the world of wedge design, we were limited to only increasing the landing angle to stop the ball, because relying on spin from this lie and this close to the green was next to impossible.

What happens when debris gets in between the clubface and the ball?

As we know, when debris gets in between the clubface and the ball (such as dirt/grass), you will have two problems. One, you will not be able to control the ball as much. Secondly, you will not be able to spin the ball as much due to the loss of friction.

How much bounce is needed for a wedge?

You can find the bounce listed on the wedge itself. It will range between 4-14, with the mid-range bounce being around 10 degrees.

What to do if playback doesn't begin?

If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.

Can you zip a ball out of a lie?

Now with the advent of things like raw faces, different CG locations, new groove design, and micro-ribs between the grooves, we can now spin the ball out of lies that we never could have done so before. This is not to say that you can now zip the ball back from these types of lies, but we are seeing spin rates that have skyrocketed, and this allows us to not open the face as much as we needed to do before in order to stop the ball.

Can you get too much spin out of a wedge?

Too little or too much spinloft and you will not be able to get the maximum spin out of the shot at hand. With wedges, people equate an open clubface to spinning the ball, and this can be a problem due to excessive spinloft. Whenever you have too much dynamic loft, the ball will slide up the face (reduced friction equals reduced spin) and the ball will float out higher than expected and roll out upon landing.

Which side should the left arm be bent on the golf club?

As the club travels to the top of the swing the shoulders should have turned fully underneath the chin, the left arm should be bent and closed to the left side

Which part of the golf club is left handed?

In a left-handed club, the hosel which is the hollow part of the club where the shaft is inserted will be angled to the left. Naturally, this makes left-handed clubs far easier to hit for a left-handed golfer.

How to play golf left handed?

Use a left-handed club and hold the club with a solid grip with your right hand on top and reverse the swing of a right-handed golfer. When not playing Golf do things like brushing your teeth left-handed to improve your body’s connection with the left side.

How to grip a golf club?

Grip the club with your right hand on top with the fingers laying under the club and the pad of your hand with the right thumb pointing down the center of the club. Your two right knuckles should show if you hold the club straight up

What happens if you play left handed golf?

If your playing left-handed golf as a right-hander, your dominant hand has a tendency to pull the club down to cause the clubhead to be open to the left-handed side causing a slice.

What percentage of golfers are left handed?

According to CaddyTrek “ Left-handed golfers comprise about 5 to 7 percent of the North American market so many golfers play right-handed despite being left-handed due to most golf coaches being right-handed.

What is the proper grip for golf?

Establishing a proper left-handed golf grip is essential to swinging correctly. The grip is the same as the traditional right-handed golf grip except you first grip the club with your non-domiant hand (the right)

What is the key to a good golf swing?

Overall, the key to any quality golf swing is being able to control the start line in the golf swing. This comes from being able to control the club face. The better the golfer is, the higher probability that he or she is able to control the club face and the direction it is pointing at impact.

Which hand is best for golf?

The Left Hand . A golfer can experience some high level of success when they focus on matching up the back of the left hand and can control the club face with their left hand . An overactive right hand can lead to flipping the club and a lost of lag.

What hand is used to rotate the club?

In today’s golf instruction, the golfer is taught to keep the clubface more closed and use the body to rotate back and through with the left hand being a major key to success. If the left hand releases too early, the golf club can bottom out prematurely and solid contact is difficult to maintain.

How to keep your left hand from lag?

Try this at home: go ahead and put your left arm straight out with your hand facing away from the target. Go ahead and flex your wrist so that you can see the palm of your hand without moving your arm. Go ahead and close your hand as if you were gripping your golf club with your left hand. This is a similar position to where your hand should be at impact.

What is the back of the left hand?

The back of the left hand can serve as a focus point on where the club is aiming.

Which hand is the best to control the ball in soccer?

One important part to this all is that the player is able to make solid contact, have a quality launch angle and control the flight of the ball by controlling the left hand.

Can you build a swing that is consistent?

You can build a swing that is consistent and you can count on from round to round. Here are my top three recommended launch monitors at an affordable price!

What is the first move down in golf?

The first move down should be a pulling motion initiated by the left leg ( pictured above ). From the top, the left knee shifts toward the target and starts pulling the rest of the lower body into its forward rotation. If the lower body leads the downswing, the club drops to the inside, and you can sling it out to the ball.

What is the motion of a golf swing?

Put simply, the overall motion of a good swing is push-pull: You push the club back, and you pull it through. The opposite move—a pull-push—is a common amateur fault. So a lot of golfers have the fundamental motion ...

Why do golf clubs move so quickly?

A common fault is pulling the club back with the right hand. A lot of right-hand-dominant golfers do this, it causes the club moves quickly to the inside. From there, you have to lift it to get to the top, and that reduces body rotation and saps a lot of energy out of the swing. You lose all of that torque that's produced when the upper body turns against a stable lower body.

What happens if you push the club down from the top?

On the fault side, if you push the club down from the top, like a lot of right-hand-dominant golfers do, the club moves out and away from you. From there, you're going to make a steep swing that cuts across the ball from out to in. That swing has no power and produces a lot of pulls and slices. A Drill to Help.

What is the benefit of push back?

Another benefit of the push-back is the wide takeaway that it creates. A wide takeaway helps shift your weight to your right side. With the weight back and your upper body fully coiled, you're ready to reverse those actions and start the downswing.

How to do push pulls without a club?

Try this drill to help you feel the pull, then a square face. Without a club, take your setup with the outside of your left foot against a wall. Mimic your backswing, then swing down slowly. Make sure: (1) Your left leg gently bumps the wall as you start down, and (2) the back of your left hand faces the wall as it comes down in front of you. Now you're ready to put the push-pull to work for you.

How to do push back swings?

Here's a good drill to groove the push-back move. Grip a short iron in your left hand only, and make some chipping swings. Without the right hand on the club, you isolate the pushing motion of the left hand on the backswing. Re-create that feel when you go back to swinging with both hands.

What action is needed to square the clubface?

When you're bowed at the top and your hands are on the side of the grip, you need a flipping or blocking action—flash speed at impact —to square the clubface.

Who writes golf digest?

JACK NICKLAUS writes only for Golf Digest. In this series he looks back at his classic lessons published in the magazine.

How many check points can you see in a golf swing?

The wonderful thing about the following 3 check points is that you can actually see all 3 check points. The golf swing happens in 1 or 2 seconds so you may be wondering how you can easily see any check points. Only the third check point happens during your swing. 1/ Setup: When you setup, you are calm and relaxed so you should have no problem ...

Why did Arnold Palmer throw his hands up his target line?

Arnold Palmer almost threw his hands up his target line to avoid any wrist rotation during impact with the ball. Of course it’s difficult to see the point of impact and the relationship of your hands at that instant (as you are busy looking at your ball).

What did Arnold Palmer throw?

Arnold Palmer threw the back of his leading hand up the target line in a strange lung to finish his swing. It worked for him. 3/ Point of Impact: As your club hits the ball you should FEEL your leading wrist pointing up the target line.

Does a golfer hit straight drives every time he swings a club?

From the first time he picked up a club, he has hit straight long drives almost every time he swings a club. Swinging a golf club is quite different from swinging a baseball bat so most of us need ONE thought in our head to generate a consistent golf swing.

Which side of the golf swing is left out?

Pushing with the left provides little rotation or shoulder turn, so the big muscles are left out of the golf swing

Where does the left arm stay in golf?

Instead, you need to understand this about the left arm in the golf swing: The left arm stays in front of the chest in the backswing. The role of the left arm in the backswing is...pretty much nothing. Your left arm stays right in front of your chest.

What arm is pushing in golf swing?

Pushing with the left arm in the golf swing is one of the most common problems we see when teaching people rotation in the golf.

How to take the club back in golf?

Many golfers take the club back by pushing the left arm across the chest. Pushing with the left provides little rotation or shoulder turn, so the big muscles are left out of the golf swing. When you push from the left, the right arm folds and the club goes deep. The right arm should dominate the backswing. Try practicing with your right arm only: ...

How to do a backswing on golf club?

Letting the right arm perform the backswing. Go ahead and try it. Hold the club in your right arm only. Fold your arm, get it into neutral joint alignment, rotate it a little bit and turn to the top. As you can see in the photo to the left, you're pretty much exactly where you want to be at the top.

What happens when you push your left arm in golf?

Pushing with the left arm in the golf swing causes the right arm to fold. Looked at from down the line, if you take your left arm and push it across your body, where does the club end up? The photo to the left shows a common position; the club is very deep and back inside. The right arm is folded and the golfer is up out of the box.

What arm do you push in golf?

Pushing with the left arm in the golf swing. Pushing with the left arm in the golf swing is one of the most common problems we see when teaching people rotation in the golf. In other words, many golfers take the club back primarily by pushing with their left arm across the center line - the sternum - during the the golf backswing.

How to get fewer hands in golf swing?

Need a simple drill? Take a yardstick or an alignment stick, place it on the ground, and take your address position. Take a club and place the sole on the stick, and work on keeping the hands quiet for those all-important first 18 inches of the takeaway . Practice the takeaway 10 times, then hit 5 practice shots, focusing exclusively on your takeaway. Repeat the process three times.

How to stop hand action at top of swing?

If you struggle with too much hand action at the top of the swing, the most effective solution is to start from square one with your grip, making sure it is both fundamentally sound and suits your swing.

How to know if a golf club is good?

The top of the backswing is a true test to know if everything before that moment has been done correctly. The key area to focus on at the top is the level of comfort and stability of the golf club. For example, take a practice swing and hold the club at the top. Does the clubface stay in place? Does the grip stay secure in your hands without you having to squeeze it to death? If the answer to those questions is yes, then you’re on the right track. Answering no to one or both of those questions is common and speaks volumes to what most recreational golfers struggle with.

What does it mean when your backswing is quiet?

When you’re able to reach the top of the backswing with “quiet” hands, you’ll notice a more consistent swing and lower scores.

What is the role of hands in golf?

The role of the hands in the golf swing is important, yet often misunderstood concept. Most of what you’ll find in golf instruction literature will focus on the configuration of your hands on the club, and how certain types of grips affect the ball flight, etc. However, the hands do so much more than just grip the club.

Why do pros swing golf clubs so smoothly?

One of the reasons pros swing the golf club so smoothly is because the club swings with no correction or compensation with the hands.

What is the next step in golf?

Once you’ve established a grip style that is comfortable to you and suits your game , the next step is to understand your hand’s role in the golf takeaway. With the exception of a few specialty shots (i.e. buried lies, divots), the hands will passively follow the shoulders and arms as you initiate the backswing.

What is the most complicated thing about golf swings?

One of the most complicated things about a golf swing is that everything’s moving all at the same time is not like one bit goes, then the next bit goes then the next bit goes, every part of your body is trying to get involved at the same time and it needs to be to generate the most efficient golf shots the most powerful golf shots.

How to check point one golf club?

So check point one is bring the club straight back to the camera or the mirror. The club head sits on top of your hands so you can't really see your hands and the face angle is the same as the spine angle. From check point one, the hands now want to start to hinge upwards so it’s a feeling of pointing the thumbs up.

What is the first move down in golf?

The first move down should be a pulling motion initiated by the left leg ( pictured above ). From the top, the left knee shifts toward the target and starts pulling the rest of the lower body into its forward rotation. If the lower body leads the downswing, the club drops to the inside, and you can sling it out to the ball.

What is the motion of a golf swing?

Put simply, the overall motion of a good swing is push-pull: You push the club back, and you pull it through. The opposite move—a pull-push—is a common amateur fault. So a lot of golfers have the fundamental motion ...

Why do golf clubs move so quickly?

A common fault is pulling the club back with the right hand. A lot of right-hand-dominant golfers do this, it causes the club moves quickly to the inside. From there, you have to lift it to get to the top, and that reduces body rotation and saps a lot of energy out of the swing. You lose all of that torque that's produced when the upper body turns against a stable lower body.

What happens if you push the club down from the top?

On the fault side, if you push the club down from the top, like a lot of right-hand-dominant golfers do, the club moves out and away from you. From there, you're going to make a steep swing that cuts across the ball from out to in. That swing has no power and produces a lot of pulls and slices. A Drill to Help.

What is the benefit of push back?

Another benefit of the push-back is the wide takeaway that it creates. A wide takeaway helps shift your weight to your right side. With the weight back and your upper body fully coiled, you're ready to reverse those actions and start the downswing.

How to do push pulls without a club?

Try this drill to help you feel the pull, then a square face. Without a club, take your setup with the outside of your left foot against a wall. Mimic your backswing, then swing down slowly. Make sure: (1) Your left leg gently bumps the wall as you start down, and (2) the back of your left hand faces the wall as it comes down in front of you. Now you're ready to put the push-pull to work for you.

How to do push back swings?

Here's a good drill to groove the push-back move. Grip a short iron in your left hand only, and make some chipping swings. Without the right hand on the club, you isolate the pushing motion of the left hand on the backswing. Re-create that feel when you go back to swinging with both hands.

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