How Wrist Angles Affect Spin Rates in Golf
Your wrists control the angle of the clubface at any given time in your golf swing.
If your wrists are in the correct position, you’ll get better ball flight, more spin to control your shots, and increased accuracy on the course.
If you struggle to get spin on your shots, especially in the short game, you may be missing the importance of wrist action and how it can help. Here is what you should know.
Key Takeaways
If you don’t have time to read through all of these best practices and tips for how wrist angles affect spin rates in golf, here is a brief recap:
- Wrist angles in the short game and the long game are different; typically, golfers want to see lower spin rates in the long game and higher spin rates around the green.
- Forward shaft lean and a flexed lead wrist position will deloft the club and lower spin.
- Higher spin rates happen with an open clubface, a flatter lead wrist position, and more extension in the lead wrist as well.
- Wearing your HackMotion as you practice both long and short game can help you dial in the correct wrist positions and become a better ball striker.
Contents
Wrist Angles and Spin Rates in the Long Game
The easiest way to break this information down is to separate it into the long and short games.
In the long game, wrist angles can have three distinct impacts on spin rates, including delofting the club, releasing, and controlling the face angle.
Delofting the Club
Forward shaft lean at impact with a lead wrist that is in a flexed or bowed position will reduce the loft on the club.
You’ll get a lower launch and potentially more distance with a lower spin rate. This is ideal for hitting long drives or long approaches into the green.
Release Point
The timing of your release can impact the release point and the amount of spin you get on your shots.
An early release tends to increase spin and add loft. A late release will typically lower spin and keep the face a bit more delofted through impact.
Face Angle
The face angle is controlled by the position of your wrists, specifically the amount of flexion or extension that you have in your lead wrist through impact. An open face angle adds loft and increases spin, whereas a closed clubface decreases loft and reduces spin.
An open clubface at impact adds loft and increases spin, while a closed clubface decreases loft and reduces spin.
Optimizing Wrist Angles in the Long Game
If you want low spin and are looking for maximum distance, you need forward shaft lean at impact. This delofts the clubface and gets you those penetrating, straighter golf shots.
If low spin is your problem and you need increased spin on your approach shots, you may want a little less forward shaft lean and more of a flat lead wrist at impact.
You’ll maintain a bit more loft on the club, which will raise your shots and give you more control.
Wrist Angles and Spin Rates in the Short Game
The short game is a bit different than the long game in the sense that you typically want to be able to increase spin rates in the short game. Higher spin rates lead to more control and accuracy.
Here are a few ways in which the wrists will play into it.
Wrist Position at Impact
For chip shots that require a bit more roll, the flat or slightly flexed lead wrist at impact is ideal.
However, as you try to increase the shot’s spin and height, you need a more neutral wrist position or even something slightly extended at impact.
Angle of Attack
A steep angle of attack produces more spin, while a shallow angle of attack will reduce spin. Depending on the way you take the club back and then deliver it through impact, the spin rates may change.
Clubface Position
An open clubface, typically caused by an extension in the lead wrist, adds both loft and spin.
This is essential for hitting bunker shots or escaping from the deep rough.
Wrist Hinge
The wrist hinge, typically seen during higher-lofted pitch shots and bunker shots, helps to increase loft and get you out of the sand or deep rough.
Early wrist hinge can increase spin rates and create a softer landing. No wrist hinge generally leads to lower lofted bump and run type shots.
Optimizing Wrist Angles in the Short Game
Most golfers struggle with increasing spin around the greens. You must play with the correct golf ball and wedges with good groves to get spin.
If you want a lower spinning, running shot, you need less wrist hinge and a more neutral wrist position through impact.
For higher spinning golf shots you need more wrist hinge and a steeper angle of attack.
The higher spin rates are best for pitch type shots and even when hitting out of a bunker.
Final Thoughts
If you want more control over your ball flight, mastering wrist angles is the way to do it. You’ll get better results in both the long and short game and benefit from more consistency and control on the golf course.
Practice with your HackMotion on your lead wrist and see how the wrist angles change from long to short game and what that does to your spin rates.
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