Overswing and breaking my wrist at the top.

Question
I overswing and break my wrist  at the top of my swing. I do this with the driver most of the time. What can I do to stop this.?

Answer
Jeremy:

I never want to see more than a 90 degree angle between the left arm and the shaft.  If you are getting more than that, you are out of control and very inconsistent.  Simple drill to do:  Using a 9 iron to start with, make a back swing until your left arm is parallel to the ground. Your left arm would be about chest high.  At that point, your arm would be over your toe line, you should have your hands set (cocked) so the shaft is at a 90 degree angle to your left arm.  Now for the drill.  Once you are at that spot in the backswing, continue to the top of your swing by turning your shoulders.  You will try to get a 90 degree shoulder turn to the target line.  So here is what you have to watch for and try to achieve.  Once your left arm is at the parallel spot, the angle between your left arm and the shaft will never increase or change.  Keep it at 90 degrees, and the only way the club will go back further is if you turn your shoulders, not by breaking down your wrists and arms.  Keep full extension of the left arm, set the club at a 90 degree angle to the left arm, and SLOWLY begin to turn your shoulders as far as you can.  The amount you can turn your shoulders is totally up to your flexibility.  Most golfers cannot turn much more than the original position of left arm parallel to the ground.  The tendency is to fold up your left arm or collapse your wrists or hands.  The reason most golfers overswing is because they are not very flexible.  They think they need to get the club "all the way back" to hit it farther, but the problem is, after breaking down so much, you'll then flip the club and clubhead from the top in a weak effort to get the clubhead to move faster.  The result is a weak hit, hitting behind it and hitting it thin, and no power.  I teach my students how to be in more control of the club at the top of the backswing, slight wrist cock, and then learn how to swing the entire club faster through the ball to a finish.  So if you're breaking down, do my drill.  Take it slow and only go to 90 degrees.  I would actually hit balls from that parallel left arm to ground position to see what that feels like.  With practice, you'll understand you don't need to take it back that far, and you can actually gain more power with a solid, repetitive swing applying the clubhead to the back of the ball correctly.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member