Releasing the wrists

[acepepper]

What exactly does releasing the wrists mean and is there a way to practise it.

[pgmetcalf]

Casting is the result of the wrists straightening in line with the arm well before impact and usually results in topped shots or hitting the ground behind the ball. The desired action to keep the angle of the wrists from the top of the backswing right up until impact, which then straigten in line with the arm. I would suggest you try stop trying to do this and concentrate on keeping the wrists cocked throughout the swing - you don't have to swing fast to make the wrists straighten at impact, it tends to happen naturally.


Most amatuers cast the club (straighten the wrists too early and well before impact) and, as a result, come over the top with the club usually on an out-to-in swing patch which causes a slice; it feels powerful but it's not. Also, try to leave your shoulders in position at the top of the backswing whilst turning your legs and hips left of the target line. If you do that you should feel your right shoulder drop down and pull through well inside the target lone; it kinda feels weird when you first do it. This position also helps you to keep the angle in the wrists. In not certain but I think turning incorrectly is the major cause of casting.

I welcome thoughts from other people


Paul

[Golfbald]

Acepepper,

I can turn a mid 90's player to a low 80's play by teaching them the correct pivot. Take a slow easy backswing and make your first move to the ball, if it doesn't come from the knees on down you have serious problem with your swing.

The first move down is a weight shift to the left side (right handed). Since every action has an equal and opposite reaction, something on the right side has to move. With a club at the top of the backswing, lift your right heel slightly. You will notice your weight will shift, and your knees will change directions, when the knees chnage directions smoothly your shoulders will rotate around your neck. A proper chain of events. As this is occuring on the bottom half of the body the top half has to go through it's motion, keep your left arm straight, and unfold the right elbow with the turning of the body, let the supple quickness of the wrists release through the ball, this will propel the clubhead at max speed. Hold nothing back and make no compensating moves. I call it quiet violence.

Just another way of looking at it,

GolfBald

[mtibt]

In my experience, most folks who cast or sling it over the top never linger long enough on the backswing to enjoy the feeling of having all that power(from the 90 degree coil of the shoulders behind the ball). If people would just understand:
1. allow the upper body to coil behind the ball by using the left shoulder
2. go back and down at the same tempo
3. feel as if you are pausing at the top(actually you are not)
4. pull down with the left side-the right is just along for the ride.
5. the impact is as follows: left side is backhanding at the ball and right side is uppercutting or tossing underhand at the ball
6. Some like to feel as if they are holding the butt end of the club pointing at the ball at impact and trying to keep the clubhead away from the ball as long as possible at impact.

[jsper525]

Golfbald - Quick question, but first just let me say that I find this forum very useful and would like to thank everyone associated with this site. I completely lost my game at the end of last season. I stubbled across this site after not logging on for about year. I'm a high handicapper (22) and feel this site has provided me with the information and knowledge I need to greatly improve my game. For the first time, I am begining to understand the cause/effects of my swing, which can only help me to improve my game.........A big thank you to all, especially Golfbald, Greg and Go Low.

My question is, I have been working a lot this offseason on fundementals. I read on this site before that the downswing should be initiated by the hips. Above you state that it should begin with your knees and a weight shift to the left. Can you please clarify this for me.

Thanks.
Steve.

[Golfbald]

Steve,

Let me give this a go!

If one is an arm swing, you will never have to worry about a weight shift.

If one makes a turn this would relate to you! A full turn, my definition, keeping the forward arm in a straight position at bringing the club to a near parallel at the top and the forward shoulder under the chin.

When at the top with a full turn, at this point the forward knee is pointed at the ball, the rear knee is straight but not locked, the weight is on the rear leg.

The first move is to give the arms a free ride to the slot position, to do this keep the upper body quiet.

By lifting the rear heel slightly the weight will begin the transition, the knees will reverse their positions the left leg straightening the right leg going between the body and the hands position This action will rotate the hips.

When the hips rotate the shoulders will also rotate. The rear shoulder will move from a high position to a low position, extending the arms to impact will give one the most speed they can generate and the shoulders will be back on the parallel left position to release straight down the line.

That's about the best picture I can paint. If you look at a good players swing in slo motion. This is the action that all good players strive for.

Hope this helps,

GolfBald