Open vs Closed Clubface at the Top of the Swing: Pros, Cons, and Which is Best?

As a golfer, you likely know that a square clubface at impact is key to success. However, the position of the clubface at the top of the swing is not discussed as often.

Some players have an open clubface at the top of their swing, while others have a slightly closed face.

The question is, which is better?

This guide covers everything you need to know about a golf club being open or closed at the top of the swing and, most importantly, how to make the necessary adjustments to square the clubface at impact.

Key Takeaways

If you don’t have time to read the article about open vs. closed clubface at the top right now, here are the key takeaways and a video that will explain things to you.

• Top-of-swing = Impact Control: Your clubface position at the top largely determines how easily you can square it at impact.
• Slightly Closed is Often Easiest: A slightly closed (or square) clubface typically needs fewer compensations on the downswing.
• Wrist Position Matters: Flexed wrist = closed face; extended wrist = open face. Find the balance that works best for you.
• Remember: There’s no perfect way to do it—it’s about matching up your top-of-swing face angle with your body rotation so you can square the face at impact.
• Use Feedback Tools: HackMotion gives real-time wrist-angle feedback, making it easier to build the right habit and see consistent results.

Should the Clubface Be Open or Closed at the Top of the Swing?

In general, a slightly closed or square clubface at the top is easiest to square at impact. When the face is just a bit closed, less “work” is needed on the downswing.

This should help to boost speed and consistency. A fully square position is great if you can achieve it consistently, but many players find a slightly closed top-of-swing more reliable.

Here’s how each option affects the downswing:

Open Face (Too Much Extension)

• Requires more wrist action (reducing extension) on the downswing.
• Can slow clubhead speed if you must “flip” the face square.
• Easier to hit fades and avoid left-side misses, but it risks slices.

Closed Face (Too Much Flex/Bowing)

• May need a bit of extension on the downswing to avoid hooking.
• Encourages faster body rotation and can produce powerful draws.
• Helps eliminate last-second face manipulation for many players.

Which Method is Easier?

After studying more than 1,000,000 golf swings with HackMotion, we know that golfers with the best results have a square or slightly closed clubface at the top.

Ultimately, there’s no universal “right or wrong” angle—only the position that helps you square up the clubface consistently at impact.

For golfers who rotate their bodies well, the slightly closed clubface at the top is the best way to generate speed and square the face at impact. Ultimately, you’ll need to match your body movement to the wrist angle at the top of your backswing.

How to Practice Clubface Position at the Top of the Swing

Because you can’t see your clubface at the top, rely on tools and drills. HackMotion helps you work on your wrist position at the top in real-time.

You’ll get immediate audio/vibration feedback about your wrist position to help you make swing changes faster.

Below are some of the best drills to help you master clubface control at the top. You can try these even if you don’t have HackMotion yet.

However, the app’s interactive drills make it easier and faster to achieve the correct wrist position relative to your setup.

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Level 1

Release drill Train your release before working on other aspects of your swing

Level 2

Dynamic transition drill Train your sequencing and pivot, as well as punch shots or your wedge game

Level 3

Impact full swing challenge Train your maximum power swing

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Proven Drills to Perfect Clubface Position at the Top

Each drill below correlates the top-of-swing clubface position with a better impact position.

If you can learn to get square (or slightly closed) at the top, you’ll have an easier time delivering the face square at impact.

Static Top-of-Backswing Drill

If you can’t get your position at the top of the backswing correct in slow motion, how can you get it at full speed?

The Static Top of Backswing Drill is going to slow you down and help you ingrain the feel of a neutral or slightly closed face at the top of the backswing.

Dynamic Top-of-Backswing Drill

Once you have that position down you can transition into a normal speed swing using the Dynamic Top-of Backswing drill.

This drill will encourage you to pick up a little speed and pause for less time at the top.

Motorcycle Drill

Once you feel more confident with the wrist position at the top of the backswing, you can move to the motorcycle drill.

Not only does the motorcycle drill help bring awareness to your clubface position at the top and improves the transition from the backswing to the downswing.

The golfer who can get the motorcycle movement down will be less likely to flip their wrists at impact. In addition, they will have better energy transfer and consistency at impact.

The Motorcycle drill is one of the best wrist action drills you will find.

Final Thoughts

The wrists control the clubface. While an open face at the top of your swing can help you work the ball left-to-right it often requires more timing and risk of right-side misses.

A closed face can lead to powerful draws and a simpler downswing, but you may risk hooking if you don’t rotate well.

The slightly closed or square clubface is a strong middle ground for most golfers, requiring fewer compensations. To get this position, use the HackMotion drills and practice them in real time.