Right Hand action near Impact

[mvmac]

My thinking is the more I understand about the swing the better I can diagnose and correct swing problems on the golf course.  Thank you for sharing that.

If you think/feel that there is an issue with your right hand coming into impact, there is a very good chance that it's a symptom of something that is happening before impact. The problem could be stemming from the grip, backswing, weight transfer, I don't know without seeing the swing. The point is to fix the cause and not the effect.

[Ernest Jones]

The point is to fix the cause and not the effect.

QFT.

Understanding this axiom has gone a long way towards making me better at self-coaching.

[3iron]

Mvmac:  thanks for your reply.  Actually I'm [for once] not dealing with a problem.  My swing and contact is as good as it has ever been.

It is just that I want to understand my swing specifics which I believe will help on the golf course.

Ernst:  Right, the more I understand my swing the better it gets.

Thanks and best wishes to you.

[natureboy]

I don't understand what you mean by 'hinge in the break for lag'. Do you mean going back or coming down?

If I understand you right, I think you are onto a good 'feel'. Dave Tutelman has done modeling that shows delaying release / holding lag is good for maximizing clubhead speed and we had an e-mail conversation highlighting the role of the trigger finger as you describe.

While you can't consciously / actively manipulate the hands through impact, the intention to push down (sort of with the heel of your right hand, correct?) through impact can help sustain R wrist cup which helps create leverage through the trigger finger on the shaft that helps save lag for impact - the 'late hit with the right hand'. It's not really a 'hit', but a trigger finger delayed release of built-up swing energy. That's why the shaft felt 'heavy' in your trigger finger - gravity wanted to take the clubhead, but by pressuring the leverage point of your hands forward, the hook / claw of the RH index finger was levering up on the bottom of the shaft. The great thing is, that if you make a big enough turn and you keep the wrists / forearms 'soft', then the finger isn't really strong enough to stop the club from releasing, but it cant helpfully delay it.

To see what I mean, hold a club at 'delivery' position (shaft parallel to to ground), making sure you have a good 'trigger finger' formed. Then do a slow motion drop of the arms & body turn to bring the club to the imaginary ball position without doing anything with your hands / forearms. The shaft should be mostly vertical with the index fingers pointing to the ground, yes? Now go back to 'delivery' and do the slow motion drop & turn while actively bowing the L wrist (back of hand facing the ground) and cupping the R wrist (the classic 'wring the towel' / 'change the chuck' move). Where are the clubhead & shaft, now?

It is possible to overdo it and 'clamp down' on release, which will give you weakish mini fades / mini push fades. If that starts happening, just remember to keep tension out of the wrists & forearms as you form the L wrist bow / R wrist cup and have an intention to release through to the target.

Just wish I could find it on every swing.

Whoops - that should read "but it can helpfully delay it".

I tried the genie thing a few times.  He's too lazy, never around when I need him then when he does help wants all the praise.  Like if didn't do anything.  LOL.

Natureboy:  I believe you are on to the idea on the downswing.  I do have a reasonably good swing and make good contact with the ball.  But, there is that quest to continue to improve and be a better ball striker.  The one thing in my mind when I swing an iron right now is to swing down the line I want the ball to go.  That thought is working for me now, but I would like to make sure my right hand is doing the best it can.  You description adds some legitimacy to the short read I saw.  My thinking is the more I understand about the swing the better I can diagnose and correct swing problems on the golf course.  Thank you for sharing that.

If you like this feel take a look at Hogan's waggle and see if you don't see a similar intention for desired impact conditions / feel rather than say a rehearsal of the initial backswing. Bear in mind it may not be as helpful with all swing approaches, but a flat to bowed L wrist is considered a universal of good players on non-touch shots.

18 minutes of waggle might be overkill, but the one at :40 conveys the idea: