Left wrist at address vs. at impact

Golf Novice · September 16, 2010

According to Hogan, the "v" formed by the thumb and forefinger of the left hand at address should point to the right eye (for righthanders). However, at impact, the left wrist should be slightly suppinated (i.e., the wrist bone should be slightly bent forward past flat, toward the target-basically the exact opposite of where the left wrist was at address). In my lessons, my instructor ideally says he wants a flat left wrist at address and at the top of my backswing. However, he says he doesn't mind the slight cup I have at address, which I do (like Hogan's book shows when explaining where the "v" of the left hand should point at address). Any thoughts on this? Setting my left wrist flat at address feels very awkward, and obviously makes the direction of the "v' pointing to the right eye impossible at address. Howver, I understand that if it were flat at address and at the top of the backswing, there's less distance the wrist has to move between address and impact in order to become slightly suppinated like Hogan claims it should be. Any thoughts on this?

**socks and shoes** · September 16, 2010

Everything feels awkward when you are first trying. You just need to practice it until it feels normal.

But if a pro said it is fine, why change it?
Everyone has there own swing, do what works for you.

**chspeed** · September 16, 2010

One thought is that although a grip is a fundamental part of the swing, and a poor grip will make developing a repeatable swing very hard, there are many decent grips (some weak, some strong, etc.) that work in getting different golfers to a good impact position. As you'll find, consistently getting to a good impact position is very hard, and involves a lot more than the grip.

I'll probably get skinned alive for this, but I think Hogan's book is not a good beginner's guide. Years ago, I spent a lot of time obsessing about the grip until I realized that my grip was good enough for my level, and moved on to other parts of the swing that were not.

**$2 Nassau** · September 16, 2010

Been working on the "flying wedge" with the right hand, sort of the same thing, it dictates the position of the left wrist at impact and vice versa. I've been setting up with the left wrist slightly flatter and a slight cup with the right wrist. It just feels like a more simple move to set up that way, and then as you swing back to the top that right wrist gets even more cupped, then I try to just keep it there. Amazed at the results after just a couple range sessions.

**Open-Faced Club Sandwedge** · September 17, 2010

According to Hogan, the "v" formed by the thumb and forefinger of the left hand at address should point to the right eye (for righthanders). However, at impact, the left wrist should be slightly suppinated (i.e., the wrist bone should be slightly bent forward past flat, toward the target-basically the exact opposite of where the left wrist was at address). In my lessons, my instructor ideally says he wants a flat left wrist at address and at the top of my backswing. However, he says he doesn't mind the slight cup I have at address, which I do (like Hogan's book shows when explaining where the "v" of the left hand should point at address). Any thoughts on this? Setting my left wrist flat at address feels very awkward, and obviously makes the direction of the "v' pointing to the right eye impossible at address. Howver, I understand that if it were flat at address and at the top of the backswing, there's less distance the wrist has to move between address and impact in order to become slightly suppinated like Hogan claims it should be. Any thoughts on this?

Hogan also began his backswing with a forward press, did he not? This would create a flat or even slightly bowed left wrist from the get-go, and you wouldn't have to adjust that during the backswing (which I feel is inadvisable). Perhaps these two concepts shouldn't be separated. If you're going to use Hogan's idea of a slightly cupped wrist at address, which becomes a slightly bowed wrist at impact, then maybe you also need Hogan's forward press to make it work.

Personally, I find it far easier to just set up with my hands slightly forward, and my left wrist flat. But to each his own. -Andrew

Golf Novice · September 17, 2010

Hogan also began his backswing with a forward press, did he not? This would create a flat or even slightly bowed left wrist from the get-go, and you wouldn't have to adjust that during the backswing (which I feel is inadvisable). Perhaps these two concepts shouldn't be separated. If you're going to use Hogan's idea of a slightly cupped wrist at address, which becomes a slightly bowed wrist at impact, then maybe you also need Hogan's forward press to make it work.

Not according to 5 Fundamentals. His left wrist is slightly cupped at address, bowed out at impact, and his weight is evenly distributed at address.

**saevel25** · September 17, 2010

Yeah but what he says might not be what he feels.. Its hard to describe what someone feels. I would always take any book about golf with a grain of salt... Really S&T;, Jim Mcleans book, and more modern books that illistrate through images and have used video analysis is a better way to go. That way you can develop your own feel and then visualize it on a computer or through a camera.

**Taggsy** · September 17, 2010

A flat left wrist through impact is imperative for a successful swing.
It doesn't matter at what point in your swing the wrist flattens, just so long as it's done before and during impact.

At address, some people prefer to pre-set their left wrist into this position. Others push the hands forward before starting the backswing, and others reach that position during the backswing. Do whatever feels most comfortable for you.

As for which way the "V"s on your hand point, don't get worked up about it. They relate to how strong or weak your grip is, which again is a personal preference. You can get to scratch with almost any grip you like, in the grand scheme of things your grip isn't so important.

**binga7** · October 28, 2010

I have nailed down the cause of my slice to a cupped left wrist, both at address, top of the b/swing and impact. Have been working on making it flat at address and the top, and really try to maintain a flying wedge through impact, however my club face is still open at impact causing pushes and slices, even with the straight left wrist.

I am working on getting the feeling that the back of my left wrist is facing the target, but im gonna need to practice it a lot as ive had the cup for ages.

**Danattherock** · October 29, 2010

According to Hogan, the "v" formed by the thumb and forefinger of the left hand at address should point to the right eye (for righthanders). However, at impact, the left wrist should be slightly suppinated (i.e., the wrist bone should be slightly bent forward past flat, toward the target-basically the exact opposite of where the left wrist was at address). In my lessons, my instructor ideally says he wants a flat left wrist at address and at the top of my backswing. However, he says he doesn't mind the slight cup I have at address, which I do (like Hogan's book shows when explaining where the "v" of the left hand should point at address). Any thoughts on this? Setting my left wrist flat at address feels very awkward, and obviously makes the direction of the "v' pointing to the right eye impossible at address. Howver, I understand that if it were flat at address and at the top of the backswing, there's less distance the wrist has to move between address and impact in order to become slightly suppinated like Hogan claims it should be. Any thoughts on this?

Sounds hokey to me. After reading Bobby Clampett's "The Impact Zone" book and now seeing the DVD's, I am working extremely hard on a flat left wrist at impact. Flat left wrist at address???? Sounds like BS to me. I would research this carefully. -Dan

Ah yes, if this is what the OP meant by flat left wrist at address, it makes sense. Did that myself when first learning some of these principles.

**binga7** · October 31, 2010

Watching my swing on video, i noticed my club head was way ahead of my hands, with a cupped left wrist. I much prefer to have my left wrist flat at address as well as impact as it means less things to happen in the swing. Its also more natural when hinging the wrists at the top of the backswing.

**Danattherock** · November 2, 2010

Sounds like flipping to me. I never knew how different the impact position was from the address position. Somehow, in my twisted mind, I was tying to get back to the address position to hit the ball. It killed my golf game till about 10 months ago when I read Bobby Clampett's "The Impact Zone". Worst part, I didn't even think that I was flipping. So hard to tell and the video camera don't lie. Finally got a recorder for this purpose and right at the moment of impact, my clubhead raced ahead of my hands. NO forward shaft lean, nothing. This is why I was so inconsistent. My timing had to be perfect to get away with flipping. And the loss of power, I had no idea till recently how much power I was throwing away, literally. "The Impact Zone" is an amazing book and my golf game has steadily improved since reading it. Also, dvds are out now. The Tour Striker training club works on these principles. Started with Ben Hogan, then Homer Kelly's TGM, then Bobby Clampett, Tour Striker, etc.. it is all related and it is why I am playing the best golf of my life. Flat left wrist, forward shaft lean (hands ahead of clubhead) AT impact, swing bottom 4" ahead of the ball, creating and sustaining lag, it is all collectively "the secret" of good golf in my opinion. Anyone flipping or playing poorly, struggling, etc.. check out "The Impact Zone" book and if you like it, the DVD's.

-Dan

**B-Con** · November 2, 2010

Personally, I find it far easier to just set up with my hands slightly forward, and my left wrist flat. But to each his own.

As I've worked on getting a flat(ter) left wrist this past month, that's what I fell into. Way easier and feels far better when the hands start a little ahead of the clubface.

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Left wrist at address vs. at impact

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