Short game/retaining cupped wrist

[jomatty]

The short game is generally a strong part of my game. Recently however, I have been struggling with contact.  I’m not skulling it over the green or chunking it, but just not making crispy contact (2 handicap so I’m far from great but usually can get around the course).
 Anyways, while messing around I started chipping and pitching while maintaining a cupped wrist.  Otherwise I am not really intentionally making changes to the swing.  I have to be a little careful to make sure that I retain a natural arc to my swing, but otherwise am just proceeding as I normally would, aside from feeling like I am maintaining the cupped wrist through contact.  This is something I do when putting and was just an experiment that started creating the contact and different flights I was looking for.  With a lob wedge I can get a low or high flight by adjusting ball position, same as I’ve always done.  I’ve extended this technique to out to around 65 yards with a lob wedge and had success with it, but I consider it mostly a shot for chips and pitches.  It has been effective so far and has me intrigued, however I am having a hard time committing to this technique as the way forward.  My goal is to reach scratch in the next few years (I’m 45) so while I basically think that if something is working, then go with it, I do not want to waste time on something that is very unlikely to be the correct way to proceed.  

Does anyone have any experience with this sort of technique?  I still use a more standard approach for some shots, such as heel up/toe down bump and runs, but most  chipping and pitching is being done with this cupped technique.  Is this just bad and the shortcoming will eventually show themselves or is this a viable technique?  Any help or suggestions are much appreciated!

[glk]

 

[Zitlow]

Then he had this one using no wrists when chipping which for me keeps the ball lower so it can run out.

 

 

There are a lot of variations by opening the face and using different ball positions to use spin and trajectory to create various types of shots. 

 

Chipping has forward shaft lean so the left wrist is fairly flat at address and throughout the stroke. Pitching the left wrist is dorsal flexed (cupped) at address but I don't think you need to think about keeping it cupped. Cocking your wrists does that for you. 

 

I don't think you need a cupped wrist when chipping. You're a 2 so you obviously have good touch so you could get away with a lot of different techniques and your touch will save you.

 

 

[ShawLF]

In addition to what @Zitlow posted, you may want to check out Scott Cowx's research on the different wrist mechanics patterns. He has done this for full and pitch and chip shots. In his full swing analysis he points out that some wrist conditions don't lend them self to good pitching or chipping (I can't remember exactly, but it had something to do with them being too scoopy for shorter shots, but that some pros get by with this action despite it being sub optimal). It may be good to understand which full swing version you are. I'm not sure what the conventional wisdom is wrt changing or maintaining the same full and pitching wrist conditions is. It may work for some and be a disaster for others.

 

 

 

[naj959]

As a former yipper, keeping the cup in the lead wrist is one of my cues for good contact. My natural tendency is to bow the wrist and shut the face exposing the leading edge ala Viktor Hovland. James Siekmann advocates for the cup in his book. I first started doing it in bunkers but it works all around the green. 

[ShawLF]

47 minutes ago, naj959 said:

I first started doing it in bunkers but it works all around the green. 

I do the same around the green and from within ~100 yds. However, my full swing is completely different. Some people arrive at impact with their lead wrist neutral. In my case I arrive with my wrist in 19-20* of flexion (bow). This is a very functional pattern but it gives up some club speed (moving into extension is a speed generator) which hasn't been a problem for me.

 

 

In this example I tried to arrive at impact with less flexion by getting to 45* extension (massively cupped) at the top. Didn't matter... impact was 20* of flexion (my wrist moved 65*). I've given up trying to move into extension prior to impact.

 

 

 

[glk]

Lots of things go into setup in the short game and how the wrists work is but one item.   A simple drill to learn how to use the wrists is to hit high, soft shorts around the green with an 8i with a square face.   A fun  challenge is to take a 60* and an 8i and hit the same trajectory shot to a hole with each club

Edited September 2, 2023 by glk

[jomatty]

Well sounds like it’s not unreasonable to continue down this path. It does seem to simplify things for me. Just turn back and pivot through… seems fairly easy to hit most of the shots I need to

[wagolfer7]

5 hours ago, jomatty said:

Well sounds like it’s not unreasonable to continue down this path. It does seem to simplify things for me. Just turn back and pivot through… seems fairly easy to hit most of the shots I need to

I've never thought of it as keeping my wrist cupped. To me it's keeping the face square longer and from just looking at it, seems the same as what you describe.  Simplest way to chip in my opinion.  A go to when I'm in a tough lie or heavy rough. 

 

For a 2 hcp, if contact isn't as crisp as you like, I'd highly recommend playing with more pressure on left side and making sure your staying more tilted toward the target. You'll hit it more crisp. 

 

I'd play more with setup than mechanics at your level.  You can do a lot with small setup adjustments. Including just hitting it with good contact.