Left wrist at impact

[btwilson]

I am glad to say that at last I seem to have resolved the problem of "hitting from the top" of my swing with your help. But I'm having a heck of a time feeling a cupped left wrist (supinated) at impact. It feels so unnatural that I don't seem to be able to do it. I used to play a lot of tennis and the same principle seems to hold for the right wrist through the impact zone but I found it a heck of a lot easier in tennis than golf. Can someone provide me with some help on this? I can feel my hands start to turnover at impact and I know I should have my hands ahead of the ball at impact, but trying to supinate my left wrist seems impossible.

[btwilson]

Re: Left wrist at impact

What I'm trying to describe, with difficulty, is Hogan's description that "the left wrist begins to supinate at impact. The raised wristbone points to the target and the hand follows behind. When I try that with the wrist rolling at the same time I'm trying to get my left hand to follow my wristbone near impact I get a very weak feeling. He describes it as if the back of your left hand is slapping at the ball at impact. I think it's the same as having a flat spot in your swing near the impact zone.

[BrianW]

Re: Left wrist at impact

What I'm trying to describe, with difficulty, is Hogan's description that "the left wrist begins to supinate at impact. The raised wristbone points to the target and the hand follows behind. When I try that with the wrist rolling at the same time I'm trying to get my left hand to follow my wristbone near impact I get a very weak feeling. He describes it as if the back of your left hand is slapping at the ball at impact. I think it's the same as having a flat spot in your swing near the impact zone.

Hogan showed a picture in his book the way the left wrist and hand rotated from a pronated position (palm down)to a supinated position (palm up) by rotation of the forearm.

[rotator]

Re: Left wrist at impact

What I'm trying to describe, with difficulty, is Hogan's description that "the left wrist begins to supinate at impact. The raised wristbone points to the target and the hand follows behind. When I try that with the wrist rolling at the same time I'm trying to get my left hand to follow my wristbone near impact I get a very weak feeling. He describes it as if the back of your left hand is slapping at the ball at impact. I think it's the same as having a flat spot in your swing near the impact zone.

I was reading this thread, and as soon as I saw you describe: When I try that with the wrist rolling at the same time I'm trying to get my left hand to follow my wristbone near impact I get a very weak feeling., I was about to post a reply. Then I saw that Brian had already given the answer. As I have said before, I am a devotee of maintaining the lag late into the downswing and of the bent trailing and supinated leading wrist positions at impact. There was the post by LUTZ on another thread, which I heartily endorsed, as it talked about the rotation of the forearms to get to that supinated position.

My handle "rotator" derives from the rotational aspects for my swing.

I preset early, then turn (rotate) my shoulders while fanning the club on plane by rotating the forearms to take the club back on plane. If I did not rotate the forearms, I would end up lifting the club straight up, and not around and back.

On the downswing, there's the rotation of the forearms as described above, in synch with my upper body rotation.

Ted

[DavidIII]

Re: Left wrist at impact

The breakdown of the left wrist (the opposite of supination) really has nothing at all to do with your hands. It has to do with your body. If you stop rotating on the downswing when your chest is facing the ball, your hands will try to "catch the club up" by flipping. This is what causes the left wrist to break, something which is virtually impossible if you're still rotating hard. Look at a pros' impact position; some of them are damned near facing the target with their bodies at impact. If you've ever played baseball, you'll realize that when hitting you don't rotate toward the pitcher, then stop when you're facing the plate and catch up with the bat -- and yet many golfers (including, I'm ashamed to admit, myself at times) do exactly that, because they think the impact position is supposed to mirror the address position. If you rotate hard, there is really no need at all to even think about your hands. Good luck.

[btwilson]

Re: Left wrist at impact

This has been very helpful. I downloaded V1 Academy and have looked at various swings in slowmo and stop action. I now will film my swing and probably expect to see my shaft bending the wrong way upon impact (concave at impact rather than convex). In addition, I think I am making progress with all but the flat spot in the swing related to the above. It is very difficult to see even in slowmo in the pro ladies swings which, for me, are easier to learn from.

[DavidIII]

Re: Left wrist at impact

Golfinguy28 has just pointed out to me that I've misused the term "supination." He's quite right -- I read that Hogan book ages ago and was too lazy to check up on the terms. Sorry. I'll stand by the remainder of my comments, though.