Dustin Johnson’s Wrist Mechanics: What You Should (and Shouldn’t) Copy

Dustin Johnson is one of the most powerful and consistent golfers of his generation. His swing produces incredible ball speed, he compresses the ball like few others, and he pairs it with a reliable short game.

While he’s tall and powerful there’s a secret to his ball striking success.

His wrists.

Johnson’s extreme wrist mechanics set him apart, but they also make his swing nearly impossible for most golfers to copy.

Still, there are lessons every player can take away. We will take a look at what you can learn from Dustin and what you may want to pass on.

Key Takeaways

Here are the most important things to know about Dustin Johnson’s wrist mechanics.

• Dustin Johnson uses far more wrist flexion (bowing) than the average tour pro.
• At the top, he has nearly -45° flexion compared to the tour average of around -14°.
• His flexion pattern simplifies squaring the clubface but requires elite flexibility and timing.
• Amateurs should not try to copy his extremes, focus instead on consistency and avoiding too much extension (cupping).
• HackMotion makes it possible to see your wrist data and learn what works for your swing.

Why Dustin Johnson’s Swing Looks Different

If you’ve ever watched DJ swing, you’ve probably noticed how bowed his lead wrist looks at the top. This isn’t a minor adjustment; it’s one of the most extreme wrist patterns ever tracked on tour.

HackMotion data shows that while most pros keep their wrist extension relatively steady from address to top, Johnson moves through a 70° change. That’s unheard of in professional golf.

For him, it works. For most golfers, it’s too much.

DJ’s Flexion and Extension (The Bowed Wrist)

Johnson’s lead wrist is slightly cupped at setup, but it doesn’t stay that way for long. As he moves to the top of his backswing, he goes from +25° extension to -45° flexion, one of the largest changes ever seen on tour. At impact, he’s still flexed, holding -21°.

Compared to the averages:

• Low handicappers: ~14° flexion at the top
• DJ: -45° flexion at the top

Radial and Ulnar Deviation (Hinging and Unhinging)

Johnson also shows an unusual pattern with hinging. He adds a radial hinge early in the backswing but removes it toward the top as his bowed wrist dominates the motion.

By impact, he’s slightly more unhinged than at the address.

Wrist Rotation

Unlike most players who rotate clockwise going back, Johnson rotates counter-clockwise in the backswing because of his extreme flexion.

On the way down, he rotates back clockwise. It’s highly unusual but consistent for him.

What You Should Copy from Dustin Johnson

There are still plenty of things to learn from Dustin Johnson. The biggest one is his ability to arrive at impact with a less-extended (flatter or slightly bowed) wrist. This reduces the need to manipulate the clubface and helps produce straighter shots.

While his patterns are extreme compared to what amateur golfers may need, they are still patterns. These patterns give us some insight into what a great ball striker does.

Your patterns should be repeatable. HackMotion helps you see if your wrist motion matches up from swing to swing, giving you the feedback DJ gets naturally through years of consistency.

What You Shouldn’t Copy

As tempting as it is to bow your wrist like DJ at the top, most golfers simply can’t achieve or repeat that position. Trying to force it can throw off your swing and cause poor contact.

His unusual counter-rotation in the backswing is also something to leave behind; it works for him only because of his extreme bowing. Unless you have his flexibility, athleticism, and years of repetition, it will only add complication to your swing.

If you try just to get your wrist in that position (not even with a club in your hand) you may feel the strain. It’s not a great thing to force, it’s just a good thing to be aware of when you play.

HackMotion Drills to Build Wrist Control

Wrist action is difficult to feel, and that’s where the HackMotion comes in. With the correct wrist mechanics, you’ll be able to train a proper impact position and strike the ball cleanly.

Use these HackMotion drills to build better wrist control.

Motorcycle Drill (Train Flexion for a Square Face)

DJ squares the face with flexion, but in a very extreme way. The Motorcycle Drill gives amateurs a way to train that move without overdoing it.

If you struggle with leaving the face open, this drill is a simple way to learn how to close it earlier and hit straighter shots.

Release Drill (Learn Consistent Clubface Rotation)

Instead of flipping the wrists, DJ uses a controlled release. This drill helps you feel that same type of rotation, even if you’re not as bowed.

It’s especially useful for players who hit shots that start straight but drift offline.

Combined Top Drill (Build Control without Over-Bowing)

Most amateurs can’t handle DJ’s -45° flexion at the top, but you can still benefit from reducing excess extension.

The Combined Top Drill helps you feel what it’s like to get flatter at the top without pushing into extreme ranges. It’s the perfect middle ground for everyday golfers.

Final Thoughts

Dustin Johnson’s wrist mechanics are extreme, even by tour standards. The bowed wrist at the top gives him a simple, repeatable way to square the face, but it’s not something most amateurs should copy.

What you should copy is his consistency. His pattern may be unusual, but it works because he repeats it every single swing.

With HackMotion, you can measure your own wrist positions, identify where you’re too extended, and train with drills that build square impact conditions. That’s how you take inspiration from DJ without wrecking your swing.