How active are the hands?

[fersman4]

Hi all, first post. I'm working on lag because I tend to lose some power by casting slightly. It's not to the point where my shaft leans back at impact or my left wrist is cupped at impact. Video confirms all of this. What I'm concerned about is getting the face to square if I delay release more than I normally do. So I have one question, and the simple answer would give me enough info for now.

During the downswing, from when the wrists start to unhinge through to when the club is fully released past impact, on a scale of 1 to 10, how active are the hands/lower arms, 10 being maximum physical effort rotating the face, 1 being completely passive?

[jbc311]

1 - The more passive my hands and arms feel through impact the better I hit the ball.  I want my hands loose and relaxed so that they will release under the weight of swinging the club without any help from me.  Of course there may be some subjectivity as to the "correct" feeling, but this has long been a swing thought of mine and I've found it tremendously helpful.

[fersman4]

Originally Posted by jbc311

1 - The more passive my hands and arms feel through impact the better I hit the ball.

Excellent thanks! I knew the answer wasn't in the 8 to 10 range, but 1 is a statement in itself. I know how to get that whippy, momentum, weight of the club feeling in a practice swing. Now I just need to figure out how to get that feeling with a ball in the way. Cheers!

[MPS67]

I agree with jbc311.

Very passive with the hands. Probably a 1 to 2. Also, make sure that you don't increase your grip pressure during your downswing.

The following drill might help you feel the club head weight swinging through the ball:

1) From address, turn your club shaft back, about 6 inches above horizontal. Don't take your hands back too much (maybe just 2 inches or so from address).

2) Slowly slide your hips forward without imparting any kind of hand action. Make sure your hands are passive enough to allow the hips to pull the club down in a swinging motion, but strong enough to fight the gravitational pull before you start moving your hips.

[saevel25]

I don't think of hands at all in the swing, they just go naturally through the hitting area. Though i can tell when i am stuck in my swing, so i can rotate them through a bit if i get that feeling. But when i am swinging good, and getting to my left side, my hands don't need help. My grip is strong enough to get my hands through impact.