Drills to help maintain a flat left wrist.

[CashmereGoatJ]

At the top of my backswing, my left wrist is breaking down and is almost making a right angle with my left forearm. Does anyone know a drill that will help me maintain a flat left wrist that is parallel to my left forearm.

 

Thanks

[Swooshdaddy]

Try sticking a long tee in your glove, at the top of your wrist.

When you swing back, it'll poke you, and force you to keep your wrist flat.

[dtgolder]

Interesting you mention this...I just had a long discussion with my pro on this very topic--bottom line is that a flat left wrist at the top of the backswing probably isn't necessary.

 

If you look at video of pros, most of them don't have a flat wrist. Guys like Duval are the exception. MOST have a balance of flex between the right and left hands...very interesting. the balance is important--if you flatten your left hand, you put your right hand into a TON of flex.

 

I'd asked him specifically about this (as I too thought I needed a flatter wrist) and he started showing me video, and related some of the discussions he's had with other pros in the "office".

 

So--check out some slow motion video--for me, I'm no longer worrying about flattening my left wrist.

[Golfanatic]

form my understanding, the ideal position is a flat left wrist. if your knuckle (at the top) is closer towards you, tendency of a shank shot is higher and vice versa... got this from Tiger Woods book...

 

I tried to 'flatten' the left wrist and felt that there is a tension created at my left wrist. But the end results are more consistent shot made.

[dryosh]

Have a friend that bought a swingglove. The way that thing is set up it is impossible to "cup" your wrist. After using it for a couple of practice sessions he is waaay flat. You can get it direct from them or most retail online stores sell them.

[Points]

It would be difficult to say that MOST Pros have a flexed left wrist at the top of the swing. If anything, the majority of Pros do have a flat left wrist. This would include Woods, Mickelson, Els, Singh, and Goosen to name a few. Just wondering what swings or pictures you guys looked at.

[chrism]

If you have a strong grip like Couples or Duval then having a straight left wrist at the top of your backswing is forcing your hands into an incorrect position.

 

Strong grip - cupped left wrist at top

Neutral grip - straight left wrist at top

Weak grip - bowed left wrist at top

[jportz]

Well said "Chism"....it all depends on your grip at set-up. The real trick is not how your wrist is at the top of your swing but how it is through impact that matters. A flat or 'slightly' bowed left wrist is ESSENTIAL at impact. Other than that it's all relative to your grip and swing.

 

I know that a cupped left wrist at the top usually indicates that your club is accross the target line at the top and this will ussually lead to an over the top swing. Freddy Couples is the exception....he has a cupped left wrist, flying right elbow, and his club comes accross the line.....but he drops his club into the slot beautifully and gets back on plane prior to impact....for us mere mortals, don't try this at home!

 

The swing glove is a good investment for someone trying to fix their left wrist position. Hit a few balls with it on and then try to copy that feeling with it off. Go back and forth like this and you should be able to fix your problem within a week or two. Of course you'll have to pay attention or it will sneak back into your swing like all bad habits eventually do.

 

Heck, I've 'fixed' and re-fixed my hip slide about 50 times.....it just keeps sneaking back into my swing.

 

Good luck.

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

This is the man area of my golf swing that I struggle with. i find that when i start fading the ball more and missing targets right it is because of my left wrist bending on the back swing. When I purposely TRY and maintain it in a FLATTER position I hit the ball MUCH straighter or even a draw. I just have a hard time keeping it flat 100% of the time. My left wrist just has a tendency to NATURALLY break on the backswing. i might try that special glove while at the range...

[glcoach]

A flat left wrist is an imperitive of the golf swing. Chism's post is an accurate portrayal of when it would be ok to have a "bent looking" left wrist at the top. Their wrist is still flat btw, but flat relative to their grip.

 

For most golfers pro and amateur the flat left wrist throughout the swing including follow through and finish is the essence of consistently struck golf shots.

[Simp]

A good drill that worked for me was to take 3 shafts and stick them end to end. You'll have to drill the butt end of the grip out a little to get the tip inside of the butt of the grip. Anyway, stick them tip to butt and then stick them (as one piece) in the ground approx. 2-3 feet in front of you ball and angle the shaft so that it touches your right shoulder (if you're right handed). Now simply swing under the shaft. It's about the same principle as Hogans' theory of not breaking the pane of glass (If you're familiar with this). You'll definitely flatten your wrist and your swing. Try it.

 

I took a lesson the other day just for a little tune up. I mainly wanted to work on making my misses not that much of a miss. The pro that I went to put these shafts in the ground like I explained above and had me swing irons under them and at first it felt really wierd. Not gonna lie about that! But after a few minutes it started to come together. I played this past Saturday and had probably the best day of ball striking that I've had in a long time. This drill had definitely made my driver more solid and much straighter. I usually hit one or two drives out of play (or pretty close!) and Saturday I didn't miss one drive all day. Shot 71 with a double bogey and 3 bogeys. I'll definitely be going back for more lessons. I can't help but think that flatter is definitely better. Simp