Forward Press at Address??

[Bully306]

Afternoon folks, long time no post!!

Just wondering how everybody has their hands at address. If you looked at my address head on it would essentially be a "Y" shape. A bit straighter with the left arm with the Woods but essentially "Y" shaped.

I have mates similar and also mates that seem to have a straight left arm AND club leading down to the ball with pretty much every club. I know a forward press is used in lower trajectory shots and all that, and someone even has an avatar of Faldo on here at address with hands forward (towards target) but what would you say is the normal hand position at setup/address??

[cyc53870]

Re: Forward Press at Address??

I would say that for a lower trajectory, one would tend to hood (close) the face of the club, thus the hands would be slightly more ahead (towards the direction of the target by an inch or so) than usual.

[Neil18]

Re: Forward Press at Address??

Afternoon folks, long time no post!!

Just wondering how everybody has their hands at address. If you looked at my address head on it would essentially be a "Y" shape. A bit straighter with the left arm with the Woods but essentially "Y" shaped.

I have mates similar and also mates that seem to have a straight left arm AND club leading down to the ball with pretty much every club. I know a forward press is used in lower trajectory shots and all that, and someone even has an avatar of Faldo on here at address with hands forward (towards target) but what would you say is the normal hand position at setup/address??

I think you've touched on the answer yourself here Bully306,

To my mind, there is no such thing as a "normal" shot. Ball back a little and hence hands forward for a low one, or ball forward and hands back for a high one. Also, as you say, it depends on the club you're using too.

The problem comes when people try to hit a high one from a forward press position, or a low one from the "Y" position. Respectively, it'll mean a player may flip their wrists at the ball to get it up in the air, or get ahead of the ball to keep it low, hence all sorts can happen.

My answer? Use both and be creative!

[Bully306]

Re: Forward Press at Address??

That'll do me chaps. That's what the logical side of me thought. Struggling with my game at the mo so going through the basics and having a mild panic about anything I notice about anybody else's swing!

[BrianW]

Re: Forward Press at Address??

Generally you can set up with a "Y" at address but make sure you have a "y" at impact (That is left arm in line with the shaft and right wrist cupped).

All clubs are designed with a natural lean, the shorter the club the more pronounced, use the club to respect the design characteristics. You will notice the driver has no lean so the hands should be level with the clubface, the wedge has lots so the hands should be ahead. OK for speciality shots this can be changed but for the standard shot keep it this way.