The role of the right hand

[eddie3392]

Does anyone use their right hand in the swing??????

I wanted to post and ask if anyone uses their right hand at all in the swing? If you do explain because I don't use my right hand at all. I pull with the left from the top and I was just wondering if anyone hit at impact with their right hands.


If anyone knows the correct role of the right hand please post back.
Thx

[RSchaffer29]

I use the right hand to hit cuts with by holding the clubface off at impact

[arkstorm]

I have a very right-hand-dominant swing. An instructor of mine way back told me there is no rule in golf that says you have to fire from your left side, so we didn't work to break my right-hand-dominant tendencies.

 

Since then, various golf pros I have gone to tried to get me into more of a left hand pull type swing, which never worked for me. The last guy I took lessons from wanted me to try it his way (left hand pull) then my way so we could compare results. He was confident the results would vindicate him, but he had to swallow his pride. I don't leak any power by firing with my right hand, and I am much more accurate.

 

I realize my way is very much the exception, but it works for me (I'm a single digit handicapper and only play once a week on average).

[lysaght68]

Like arkstorm I'm extremely right-handed but unlike him I'm about a 15. I cannot successfully execute a left hand pull type swing. When I began playing I'm sure this contributed to my difficulties with an early release and an over the top move (right shoulder dominant), but I also believe my overly sensitive right side helps me fire through the ball and play the draw shot that I prefer to see. 3 pretty simple things have helped me groove a swing that works and help achieve a good impact postion: 1) Grips that are thicker in the low hand (right), either via build-up tape or grips that are built that way (Winn, GP Player's Sofftie) = much easier for me to feel the club; 2) Wait to fire right shoulder and hand until my left wrist reaches the ball; 3) Hit down hard on the ball with my right palm/shoulder = this is the easiest swing thought and I just focus on the inner half of the ball to make sure my right shoulder doesn't take over too early and that my approach is from the inside.

 

I do fight a hook on occasion but most days I can take the right side out of play.

[ekim133b]

i only use the right hand on the backswing ..to pick the club up and hing it

[jeffy]

If you're at all familiar with Jim Hardy's swing theories, a left hand pulling action is characteristic if an upright (aka, two-plane) swing and a right-hand throw is characteristic of a flat, one-plane swing. Hogan was a one-planer and said he wished he had three right hands to apply power. I'm working the right hand throw into my swing and it is beginning to work really well.

 

Jeff

[binneguru]

well i can't carry it 290 with a left hand only swing so i guess i use my right hand to add some power and perhaps some stability to my swing.

Do i conciously use it? nope.

[juststeve]

Before I started to play golf seriously I was a right handed pitcher, quaterback and point guard. Now I run my swing with my right hand and am playing to a plus three. My teacher is Mark Evershead who you can GOOGLE if you wish. I highly recommend his teaching which is emphatically right hand based. In a nut shell, move your right hand as fast as you want so long as it remains in a bent back condition throughout the downswing.

 

Steve

[jportz]

I did find an article about Mark Evershed and it was very interesting. Do you have a link to more information of his teaching? Does he have a book or anything?

 

I use my right hand to guide my swing and I've had countless people tell me I'm backwards but I continue to strike the ball better than most scratch golfers I play with. Chipping and putting is the only thing holding me back but my ball striking is excellent.

 

I'd love to read more of his theories.

 

Thanks.

[seanster]

In my opinion, it depends on the player and their feel to choose either a left or right arm dominant swing. I have buddies who use both - one who feels like he's pulling down with the left arm, and the other using his right to release the club.

 

The one with the pulling action had a great swing: shallow, powerful, and consistent, plus he had a really high ball flight - he felt like his left arm worked in consert with his entire body. Interestingly enough his downswing still came slightly from the inside. If he ever felt like his right arm played a part, he'd cast the club slightly and hit dying weak fades.

 

The other with a right hand-release type swing was also a good ballstriker. He had a lower trajectory, but it was cool because that meant more roll for his woods. His feel was that the right arm was connected to his body on the back and downswing, and that it rotated through impact. Though, when he feels like he uses the left arm-pull swing, he comes over the top and pull hooksthe shot.

 

So yeah, it depends on the type of person and their feel for their swings.

[juststeve]

iportz:

 

Try www.markevershedtgs.com and see what comes up. Good luck.

 

Steve

[Jim_0068]

Before I started to play golf seriously I was a right handed pitcher, quaterback and point guard. Now I run my swing with my right hand and am playing to a plus three. My teacher is Mark Evershead who you can GOOGLE if you wish. I highly recommend his teaching which is emphatically right hand based. In a nut shell, move your right hand as fast as you want so long as it remains in a bent back condition throughout the downswing.

 

Steve

 

Mark Evershed was a student of Tom Tomasello and both were students of TGM I believe Mark is an AI.

 

There are many ways to use a "right arm swing" and if taught correctly it will work quite well.

[jportz]

Thanks bro...that's a great website with tons of good video, tips, and information.

[RJC59]

I figure its easier to pull soemthing on line then push something on line, so it makes more sense that a left hand dominant swing would be more efficient... I only started thinking about this this year. So i've changed things I do in my daily life just to become a more left hand dominant person.. I now brush my teeth with my left hand, eat my spaghetti with my left hand, shoot basketballs with my left hand, swat flies with my left hand.. basically everything when I remember.

 

 

If you look at all the best putters on tour (its late so I can only remember one) they are left hand dominant... such as phil mickelson (well right hand dominant but shoots from left side)

 

When practicing putting I only putt with my left hand, in fact in tournaments ive gotten to the point where im confident enough that I can just use my left hand and have played well doing so.

 

I would suggest to all of you to follow my path because it has really helped improve my game.

[eddie3392]

Thanks for the replies but don't you all worry about the hooks when you are using the right hand more dominatly than the left? I am stuck between swing theories and I wish I could find a good link to some top teachers to read about their thoughts on the swing.

[againstthegrain]

Check out Jimmy Ballard's book. I have heard the "Hogan wished he had 3 right hands" to apply power many, many times from my teacher.