How Wrist Action Changes in Full Swing and Short Game

Britt Olizarowicz

Jul 15, 2024 . 6 mins read

Like this post

129,015 subscribers

Share Post

Have you ever set up to hit a pitch shot the same way you set up to hit a drive?

Unfortunately, there are nuances in the golf swing, and certain aspects can’t be transferred from full swing to short game without tweaks and adjustments.

Luckily, with the wrist action in golf, quite a few things can be carried over from the full swing to the short game.

We are going to break down your wrist action in golf from the full swing all the way to the putting green.

Key Takeaways

If you don’t have time to go through this entire guide, here are the most important things to take away:

• Lead wrist flexion is great for full swing shots and chip shots; it helps square the face and promotes more distance. For pitch shots, wrist extension can be more effective.
• Wrist hinge is essential for generating energy and power, as well as increasing ball flight. You’ll use this in both the full swing and pitch shots.
• Learning the nuances of wrist action in the short game vs. full swing will help you with distance control, accuracy, and consistency on the course.
• Wear your HackMotion as you practice both full swing and short game shots; you’ll be able to clearly see the differences in wrist action and know what areas of the game need the most work.

Wrist Action in the Full Swing

If you want an in-depth guide on how the wrists work in the golf swing, we have that for you. However, to compare the full swing to the short game, we just want to compare these different areas.

Here’s what you can expect with the wrist action in full swing:

• Wrist Flexion and Extension: the best players in the game have a lead wrist that is flat or slightly flexed at the top of their swing and then as they move towards impact that flexion can increase a bit so that there is forward shaft lean and a square clubface at impact.
• Wrist Hinge: as part of the backswing, typically when the club first moves past the parallel to the ground position, wrist hinge can be added to help increase both power and speed. The wrist hinge is a great way to add an additional lever to the swing, as the wrists unhinge that potential energy is released onto the ball.
• Wrist Release: At impact, the wrists release and square the clubface. Most great golfers feel this to be a forearm rotation and a controlled release instead of a rolling of the wrists.

Wrist Action in the Short Game

Now that we have the basics of wrist action in full swing, let’s look at each area of the short game so you can see what to expect.

We will focus on the key changes needed when switching from full swing to short game.

Full Swing vs Chipping

In chipping, you’ll find similarities between the full swing and chip shot, especially at impact.

To hit a great chip, you’ll need a flat to slightly flexed lead wrist. In addition, you’ll notice more forward shaft lean, helping to push the handle ahead of the club head.

Practicing small chip shots is actually a great way to get better at ball striking and carry that to the full swing.

Full Swing vs Pitching

With the pitch shot, you want a high-lofted ball flight and a golf ball that stops quickly once it lands on the green. The goal in pitching is to have some wrist hinge and a more extended lead wrist through impact.

After analyzing more than 1,000,000 golf swings with HackMotion, we know that the best players have flexed or slightly bowed lead wrists when they get to impact the full swing. With a pitch shot, you’ll actually want to keep some of that extension on the wrist.

The pitch has more of a pronounced wrist hinge that helps to control distance and trajectory.

The hinge adds extension to the lead wrist which in turn opens the clubface for a higher and softer landing of the golf shot.

Full Swing vs Putting

When it comes to the full swing and putting, you won’t find too many similarities. We can tell you that the best golfers in the game have the most consistent putting strokes. They may not have perfect action, but they can repeat the action every time they make the stroke.

When using HackMotion on the putting green, it’s not an ideal amount of extension or flexion you’ll be looking for, it’s the consistency from one putt to the next.

Some of this can be said for the full swing as well. Your ability to hit great shots increases significantly when you have a consistently correct lead wrist position.

The full swing requires dynamic wrist action for proper power and speed. The wrist action in putting allows for almost no wrist hinge or release. The wrists stay firm and stable so that you can make the pendulum-type stroke.

Most great putters focus on the arms and shoulders to keep wrist movement to a minimum.

FAQs

What are the main differences between wrist action in the full swing and short game?

In the full swing, wrists square the clubface, generate power, and increase speed. In the short game, wrists are used for control, precision, and ball flight control.

What is the key difference between wrist action in chipping and pitching?

In chipping, the wrist hinge is minimal, with a focus on a firm, flat wrist. With pitching, you’ll see more extension in the lead wrist, a higher ball flight, and a softer landing because of the wrist action.

Can wrist action in short game be used to practice the long game?

If you want to practice your ball striking with your irons, consider spending some more time practicing your chipping. When you want to improve bunker shots and high-lofted shots around the green, practice pitching and work on maintaining that extra extension in the lead wrist through impact.

Final Thoughts

To dial in your wrist action in all of your shots, use HackMotion. You’ll be able to check in on your wrist angles to make sure they are accurate.

Wearing the HackMotion wrist sensor is like bringing your coach to the range each time you go. If you have struggled with dialing in each area of your game, let this help you.