Left wrist/open clubface

[jesperparnevik]

Ok, here's my problem...at the top of my backswing my left wrist is cupped and my clubface is open (toe pointing at the ground) so I am losing power and penetration on my shots (especially irons). Just flatten your wrist I've been told...well, I physically CAN'T do it! I've tried everything I can think of, waiter position, right elbow pointed more towards ground, leadbetters secret (that thing is a joke btw!), tried bowing my left wrist etc. etc. etc. If I try to strengthen my grip or slightly close the face at setup I hook everything. Please help. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I'm usually hitting in two clubs more than partners and definitely losing power. Any ideas Greg, Shootin etc????

[jesperparnevik]

Re: Left wrist/open clubface

A flat wrist comes from a weak grip, one knuckle, but not all people will have a perfectly flat wrist at the top because of the hands and how they hang from the arms when standing straight up.

Flat Hand Concept, Right Hander:

1. Grip the club in the left hand with the index finger's hand knuckle showing.

2. After you grip it, turn your hand knuckle down to the ground, place your right hand on.

3. When you address the ball you will need to allow the butt end of the club to point a little outside the left wrist on the little finger side, a forward press. You will have a little right wrist hinge, allow that to happen.

4. Make your normal swing.

When taking a weak grip, you can see the whole top of the 1st knuckle or just the beginning of the second knuckle and that is about it for a flat wrist.

Some instructors will tell you to curl the last three fingers on the way back, My thoughts, if you can take care of the curling action at address it is one less thought to think about on the way back.

If the ball goes a little to the right, think about moving it up a little forward or learning to work the toe around the heel of the club.

Will the weaker grip not open my clubface even more? My grip is fairly neutral as it is and I would be reluctant to make it weaker for fear of a complete weak slap at the ball sending everything weakly out to the right.

[jesperparnevik]

Re: Left wrist/open clubface

I just wanted to explain a weak grip and it is not for a upright swinger.

Now the stronger the grip, the closer the hands are to the body.

How Much?

Grab a 7 or 8 iron and a ball, I will wait for you.

1. Take the grip you are using and address the ball.

2. Slide the hands way out. Try to roll the wrist around back and forth will not happen.

3. Bring the hands as close to the body as you can and try to roll the wrist. Will not happen.

4. Slowly with the club on the ground slide the club back out to the ball trying to turn the wrist back and forth and from the time you discover the wrist rolling back and forth, most people have 3 more inches from the hossel they can bring the club forward.

If you tried to hinge the wrist back and forth the same thing would happen. It the wrist will not roll, they will not hinge back and forth.

This is peoples biggest problem, it is not the grip that causes bad shots, it is either locking in the wrist or fingers at address.

The body has given us 2 ways to check at address. If people would learn to use this method as part of their pre-shot routine they would have less swing problems. Then on the downswing you can just allow the arms to drop down or turn the shoulders.

I don't need basic grips and stance fundamentals etc explained to me, I know all this stuff. My basic question is, how to get my face squarer at impact to achieve more penetration. I'm not being ungrateful for the advice you're giving me, it's just that I know all this stuff. As I say, I physically can't get my clubface square at the top of my swing no matter what I try, and it obviously isn't square or extra loft is added at impact. When I try more to hit down and thru and try compress the ball, It compounds the problem of weak slaps that leak to the right. I need to get square!

[tinny_mccann]

Re: Left wrist/open clubface

i had a similar problem and it turned out to be i was comeing too far inside at the atart of the backswing. not sure if its the same prob but thought it worth a try..

[GolfJunkieSr]

Re: Left wrist/open clubface

This might be of some help. I also play with a nuetral grip, but I'm able to keep my lead wrist flat at the top. That is, as long as I stay connected on the back, and up swing. I think Mr. Singh has a drill where he uses a head cover under his arm to practice being connected. Now if I allow my arms (elbows?) to get too far apart on the back swing to the top, I find I have cupped lead wrist, which costs me accuracy. I was told, and shown this by an instructor many years ago. This might not be the answer you are looking for. If it is, thats is great. If not, you can add this to your own process of elimination of possible faults.

If nothing else, try putting a ruler inside your glove on the back of your lead hand, and the other end under your watch face to help enforce a flatter wrist. This of course if you wear a watch, and glove. I would think by doing this, you will be able to feel when your hand beginds to cup in your back swing, which can help by providing more information to solve the problem. GJS

[jesperparnevik]

Re: Left wrist/open clubface

Here's my backswing for you to look at, there may be some tell tale signs in here for where I'm going wrong (sorry, it's not a great picture)........

click on it for slightly bigger version

[Started2k3]

Re: Left wrist/open clubface

Based entirely on the pic provided.

Weaken the grip of your right hand or weaken the grip of your left hand. This should bring your hands back into balance because right now your RH is overpowering the left.

Note after grip adjustments you may have to adjust the club face at address - slightly more open. By this I mean that the hands don't move but the club is rotated around the shaft axis.

You may also find after the above, getting your elbow to point more towards the ground becomes easier.

Charles

[puttinone]

Re: Left wrist/open clubface

Start your rotation sooner. Place a impact bag or a cardboard box in the target line about 20 inches or so and practice turning the toe of the club head into it. Take that feeling to your swing..

[spankit]

Re: Left wrist/open clubface

im no expert..just an 80's shooter..but damn thats a pretty good lookin position you have there if you ask me.Your wrist is a lot flatter than mine gets.when i start spraying shots right and left its usually because im not making a good shoulder turn..i start out turning the left shoulder but let the arms/hands take over too much rather than continuing to rotate.If you watch the Champions tour when they show that overhead cam when the players are teeing off you can see that rotation of the shoulders all the way to the top..that is what i try to think of and i usually straighten out my shots.Dont know if this is your problem but you cant be too far off with a posture that looks that good.What kind of scores do you normally shoot?David.

[jesperparnevik]

Re: Left wrist/open clubface

You have a upright swing, the left hand knuckles are facing up to the sky.

If you had a one plane swing, think Hogan, the palm of the lead hand would face towards the ground at the top of the swing.

From what I can see, I think your grip is too weak for the upright swing.

cmays..I would have thought from looking at my picture that I had more of a one plane swing than two? my left arm angle seems to be running (almost) parallel to the angle of my shoulders and it's my wrist cupping that's bringing the club into what looks like an upright swing? I also thought that my right elbow is in a pretty good position in regard to pointing towards the ground (if I try point it towards the ground anymore it is very uncomfortable) and I'm keeping it in front of my body too and not letting it get too far behind me. I thought that these were pretty solid positions I was in?

David: I normally shoot in the low 80's and ocassionally in the 70's. My putting leaves a lot to be desired!!

[spankit]

Re: Left wrist/open clubface

i would like to know how you get your right elbow pointed that far down.mine is usually pointing behind me.could you tell me at what point you start hingeing your wrist?..yeah my putting is a joke...the putting for birdie end up making bogey sort of thing.

[fmarriott]

Re: Left wrist/open clubface

Hi Jesper,

I am new to golf and I have seen some pretty good advice on this message thread. Nevertheless, since I am new to the sport and have been reading like nuts about it, I've found and article in the following webpage:

http://www.golfonline.com/golfonline...534401,00.html

It basically says that if you open the clubface at the top of the swing, you will gain more control and distance, after you are comfortable with the movement. Take a look at it and you might be able to add this technique to your swing and might do better without losing what you are doing now.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

[Christo]

Re: Left wrist/open clubface

Try video analysis. Its always helpfull in just seeing where it all goes wrong. Always difficult to sort our faults when you only see the result and don't know what's going wrong.

The collapsing left wrist can be the result of trying to get the club on a steeper plane.Try Greg J Willis right hand drill(See his website). Helps to keep the wrist in place and working in conjunction with each other.

[jambalaya]

Re: Left wrist/open clubface

Look at the video on this page. I think it may give you some insight into what some are trying to tell you.

http://www.ritson-sole.com/golf-tips...ing-your-grip/

[Robert O' Keeffe]

Re: Left wrist/open clubface

Jesper,
Heres my tuppence worth, but it works for me. Assuming your grip is ok, i.e. the two v's pointing to right shoulder, try this.

push the clubface back in as straight a line as possible. dont even think about open or closed clubface. Whenyou get to the top, just imagine you are pulling down the shaft with your left hand. If you get this in sequence you can do nothing else but hit it sweet with the distance you require. Let me know.

Cheers, Robert