The Proper Function Of The Wrists In The Golf Swing

It is important to understand the proper release of the wrists in a golf swing. The wrist release is the most important aspect of the golf swing when it comes to making contact with the ball properly. The shoulder turn and upper body spine angle are necessary to direct the golf club to the general area of the golf ball and to supply power. However, the wrists are needed for that delicate area of the swing where the clubface makes contact with the ball.

It is also very important that the plane caused by the back of the left forearm (for a right-handed golfer) and the back of the left hand be maintained throughout the back swing and the down swing up until impact with the ball. The maintaining of that plane sets up the proper release of the wrists. When released properly, the wrists direct the clubface into the ball at the proper angle. It is much like how the space shuttle has to enter the earth's atmosphere. The astronauts don't want an angle that's too steep otherwise the resulting heat would cause a catastrophe nor do they want an angle that is too shallow which would cause their shuttle to fling out into space.

When initiating the shoulder turn, there is a tendency to alter the plane formed between the back of the left forearm and the back of the left hand. Think of the beginning of the shoulder turn as though you are folding your left shoulder slightly down and forward and rotating toward the rear while maintaining that forearm/hand plane. Many times when the golfer is trying to properly initiate the shoulder turn the wrist position tends to get ignored. Unfortunately, making a proper shoulder turn will be for nothing if the plane formed between the left forearm and the left hand is ignored.

After maintaining the left forearm/left hand plane during the back swing and during the initial down swing it is now time for the wrists to release. Think of the proper wrist release as being very similar to casting a fishing pole. Most people have made casts with a fishing pole and know the action necessary and the resulting feeling of how the wrist releases. Remember that the wrists are not in a similar position during a golf swing as they are when casting a fishing pole. Usually, when you are casting a fishing pole you are extending your wrist over your head. When you are making a golf swing just before impact with the ball your right wrist is upside down with the palm of your right hand facing up.

Greg Norman has lent his name to a product that goes a long way to helping the golfer achieve the proper function of the wrist in the golf swing. This product can help with both the short game and shots requiring a full swing.