Help to learn flat left wrist

[tbjohnston]

While a variety of improvements (better chipping and putting) have helped me drop my index some, I would like to hit the ball further, with more consistency. I've heard consistently that I need to keep a flat left wrist, but am having a heard time learning to do this.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

[Mr.Wedge]

This is one of those observable RESULTS, which when attempted to "do", only compounds the problem , IMHO. Unless you are incredibly gifted, trying to do something with the hands in a time frame of about 2/3 of a second is just near impossible to repeat on a consistent basis. Wrist position at impact is determined by other factors in the swing which are controlled by the large shoulder and torso muscles. Ultimately it is a result of lag and release, both of which occur as a result of swing dynamics. Learn to swing with the core, keep your grip soft, and the wrists will be in position with better distance to show for it. Without knowing more about your swing type or swing thinking, I can't really add much to this. Hope it helps.

[hamletsdead]

I believe there is a swing-improvement gadget at Golfsmith for that particular need, though I've actually seen guys just slide a ballpoint pen through the strap of their watch on top of their wrist, which prevents cupping. Personally I don't know if this works at all. I practice bowing mine just slightly before I swing and watch old Lee Trevino footage when I get depressed with my swing.

[Dub]

I tried the "Sharpie under the watchband" trick today on one hole.

Solid contact resulted. I could feel myself cheating against the pen at the top, too.

[Eeryck]

I agree that swing mechanics will definately flatten the left wrist. Though I still have things to fix I found that pointing my elbows towards my left and right hips respectively at address helped get me to see better left wrist postion at impact.

The second major improvement I saw on video was when I relaxed my grip and made sure my hands were on the club properly at address. This also helped my achive a flatter left wrist at impact.

[kc8kir]

I really hate to start this argument up again, but having a perfectly flat left wrist at the top of the backswing is not a "must have" when it comes to solid ballstriking (impact however should be pronated).

Anatomically the wrist is most stable in a slight cupped position. From there it supports the club and brings the handle close around the body though impact. As Gary Player said "You have to get the wrist unda!"

There is a neat video on youtube with Gary Player analyzing Tiger versus Ben Hogan. The cupped wrist does not entirely by itself cause a fade. Ben Hogan found that keep his right leg stable, cupping the wrist, and weakening his grip gave him a powerful fade. You can however hook the ball with a cupped wrist at the top of the swing.

Ask yourself where and why are you trying to flatten that wrist? Don't do it just because you see stop motion pictures of a few pros. There are plenty of pro's who don't completely flatten the left wrist. Even Tiger, in his own book, shows the proper topswing position with a slight cup.

[tbjohnston]

I really hate to start this argument up again, but having a perfectly flat left wrist at the top of the backswing is not a "must have" when it comes to solid ballstriking (impact however should be pronated).

thanks for your post. Perhaps I should have said that I need a flatter wrist at impact, and believe that less of a cupped wrist on my backswing would help. Can you suggest ways to learn how to do this?

[kc8kir]

How is your wrist when chipping? If you aren't getting the flat position when chipping, you probably aren't getting it in the full swing. Chipping translates to pitching, which translates to the full swing. You don't consciously flatten the left wrist through impact in the full swing though... it is the result of hands leading the clubhead and removing the "flip the wrist" tendency through chipping practice.

[ZaPPPa]

I was told last week by a 'feel player' that I needed to cup my wrist as far as possible because this would allow me to draw the ball.. Heh.. I took tips from this guy before and he basically set me back two months the last time I listened to him.
Anyway, flattening your wrist on the backswing is just a swing thought that you can quickly learn to do automatically. You don't even need a ball. Just grab a club, do you backswing and then look up to your wrist. Repeat, repeat, repeat. I agree with kc8kir that you don't have to be perfectly flat. I think it feels forced and a slight cup does not seem to have any negative effects on my swing.. Though, this is very personal.

Careful not to bow your wrist at the top though.. Over-correcting is easily done.