How Much Your Wrist Affects Your Golf Swing (Video by The Art of Simple Golf)
So many golfers choose the concept or mindset of keeping their wrists still or steady throughout the golf swing. Unfortunately, this is not enough. You will need a deeper understanding of how much the wrist affects your golf swing.
In this video from Art of Simple Golf, we learn about the wrist in relation to the clubface, how to work on wrist control, and why it’s so important to learn to control wrists.
Key Takeaways from the Video
Wrist in Relation to the Clubface is Very Important
The lead wrist (the left wrist for right handed golfers) controls your clubface throughout the golf swing. However, the position of the wrist at the top of the backswing is typically the most important indicator of what the impact will look like.
When your lead wrist is too extended, the clubface opens. When the wrist is too flexed, the clubface closes.
Proper Wrist Action Allows for Fewer Variables in the Downswing
When you can get your wrist into the correct position, there is less room for error in your golf swing. This is where the common concept of “leaving the wrists out of it” comes into play. Instead, we know that getting the wrists into the right position is key.
More Momentum
When you have your wrists in the correct position, you can gain tremendous momentum and speed through impact. More speed equates to more distance.
More Consistent Delivery (Repeatable)
If you can continually swing the club through impact with a square clubface, your swing is more repeatable. Expect lower dispersion rates in the shots that you hit.
Fewer Swing Thoughts
Finally, with the wrist flat at the top of your backswing, you will have fewer swing thoughts and less work to do as you approach impact. Clear your mind and experience better golf shots because of it!
Subconsciously, We Know Where Our Clubface Is
Whether you realize it or not, you have a general understanding of where your clubface is in the backswing.
When it’s too open, you may slow your body down and try to flip your wrist through impact. When it’s closed, you may have to accelerate your body and lose your tempo to square the clubface.
Get the clubface in the correct spot to benefit from square strikes and more consistent golf shots.
How to Work on This?
How can you work on this area of your golf game? There are a few ways to practice wrist control and wrist action in the golf game, including the tee drill, half swing shots, and HackMotion.
Tee in the Glove
A tee placed in the velcro of your golf glove will alert you if your wrist is too extended at the top of your golf swing. Take some full swings in slow motion and see if you can feel this wrist position.
Half Swing Shots
Half swing golf shots help to slow things down and make it easier to focus on individual elements. Take some half swing shots and check your wrist position at the top.
HackMotion Swing Analyzer
The easiest and most effective way to work on wrist control is by using the HackMotion Swing Analyzer.
With HackMotion, you can measure your wrist angle at setup, at the top of the backswing, and again at impact.
Working on swinging within the recommended range (based on more than 1,000,000 golf swings), you will start to match the feel of proper wrist control with the mechanics. HackMotion can be used to continually check on and improve wrist position in your golf swing.
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