Instruction
Find a release that squares the clubface at impact
The last time we discussed release, we defined it as the point of extension of the lead arm and the golf club. The other part of release we need to concern ourselves with is that of squaring the clubface, which is the impact condition that leads to straighter shots. This, too, is defined as part of the “release,” albeit somewhat ambiguously.
The extension of the lead arm and the golf club, which I discussed in my last story, is a result of what is known as ulnar and radial deviation. The squaring of the face, which I am going to discuss in this article, is a result of the pronation and supination of the hands and arms. Both are essential parts of the release. The first part achieves a consistent swing bottom, while the second part squares the club face.
At address, the face of the golf club is at a right angle to the target line and the plane on which the club is about to swing. To facilitate the up-and-around motion, there is a certain amount of rotation of the arms so that at the top of the swing the club face is no longer at right angles to the plane — it is actually lying on the plane.
This position is referred to as “square,” but it is in fact 90 degrees open to the target line. If it were “square” as it was at address it would not be lying on the plane; it would coming off it at a right angle. All you’d need to see this is to pull the club down with no rotation and it would be precisely 9o degrees open to the ball at impact. So because the club was rotated by the arms and turning of the torso on the way up, it must be “re-rotated” on the way down. I think of this as “releasing the face,” an essential movement in solid contact.
In Part 1 of the release, I suggested that golfers uncock their wrists at different points in the downswing depending on the path and plane on which they are swinging. This also holds true for rotation and roll of the arms and hands into the ball. The factors determining when and how the face is released are also allied to the path and plane on which the golf club is swinging into the ball.
If you are a steep swinger, you need a conscious rolling of the forearms into the ball. That’s because the more vertical the club transitions, the more the face tends to open.
The flatter the swing arc into the ball, the less you need to roll your forearms into the ball. Your hands can be more “quiet” into impact. You still will need to square the clubface, but you can be more passive in doing so.
Here’s a great checklist if you’re struggling with hooks or slices
- Low snap hooks are the result of too much hand action from a flat arc.
- High, weak slices are the result of not enough hands from a steep arc.
It’s that simple.
If you tend to uncock the wrists early, this part of your swing may be in your golfing DNA. Don’t sweat the small stuff — simply play around it by making the necessary adjustments in your plane and path to facilitate it. The same goes for your freedom to release the club. If you’re coming in low on the swing plane, you can turn your body through and use less hands. If you’re high and steep coming down, let it roll, baby, roll. Any Doors fans still around today?
The best release drill I know is still one of the very first ones I learned: The Split Grip Drill. Simply split your grip so your left hand (for righties) is on the golf club normally. The position your right hand all the way down on the shaft below the handle. Now take some baseball swings; you’ll feel the roll-over, or the rotation. Do it several times. It helps.
For those of you who are regular followers of my writing and teaching, you see one consistent theme — work with what you already have in your swing. This is not a cop-out on my part as a teacher; I’m merely suggesting that certain motions are very difficult to change, but the good news is that you don’t have to.
What’s the problem with a flying elbow, a weak grip, a flat plane, bent left arm, across the line, laid off, etc.
Answer: Nothing. Qualification: Nothing in and of itself.
There are any number of golfers in the Hall of Fame who have swung the club with one or more of the positions I just described. How did they get away with it? They balanced their swing to arrive at impact correctly. That’s been the case since the first Scot slapped the first brassie from a mud peg and it remains the case today.
I can help anyone play better and become their own teacher if they are willing to make changes that are more compatible with their core move.
As always, feel free to send a swing video to my Facebook page and I will do my best to give you my feedback.
The LPGA Tour is kicking off its 2026 season this week at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando, and the pros are dealing with something most Florida golfers rarely face: freezing temperatures.
“It’s colder here than in the UK at the minute, which is a first,” said England’s Charley Hull during Wednesday’s media day at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.
Even Lydia Ko, who lives at Lake Nona, seemed surprised by the cold snap. “We’re pretty much getting to below zero in celsius here, which maybe in other parts of the country they would be thankful, but when you’re in Florida it is a little bit of a surprise,” she said.
If the world’s best players are adjusting their games for cold weather, recreational golfers should, too. Here’s how to play smart when the mercury drops.
Understand What Cold Does to Your Game
Before you change anything, you need to know what you’re fighting against. Cold air is denser than warm air, which means your ball won’t fly as far. Period.
Hull noticed this immediately during practice rounds at Lake Nona. She mentioned hitting a gap wedge into the 18th hole during a previous win but needing a 4-iron during Tuesday’s practice round. That’s a difference of four or five clubs for the same shot.
Action item: Expect to lose 5-10 yards on every club in your bag when temperatures dip below 50 degrees. Plan accordingly and don’t be stubborn about club selection.
Layer Up Without Restricting Your Swing
Hull admitted she wore three pairs of pants during practice. While that might be extreme for most of us, staying warm is critical to playing well in cold conditions.
Your muscles need warmth to function properly. When you’re cold, your body tightens up and your swing gets shorter and faster. Neither of those things help you hit good golf shots.
Action item: Wear multiple thin layers instead of one bulky jacket. Look for golf-specific cold weather gear that stretches with your swing. Keep hand warmers in your pockets between shots. And don’t forget a good hat because you lose significant body heat through your head.
Take More Club Than You Think You Need
This is where ego gets in the way of good scores. When it’s cold, the ball doesn’t compress as well off the clubface. Combined with denser air, you’re looking at serious distance loss.
The pros at Lake Nona are dealing with a course that measures 6,642 yards but plays much longer this week. If they’re adjusting, you should too.
Action item: Take at least one extra club on every approach shot. In temperatures below 40 degrees, consider taking two extra clubs. It’s better to fly the ball to the back of the green than to come up short in a bunker.
Adjust Your Expectations on the Greens
Cold weather affects putting in ways most golfers don’t consider. The ball is harder and doesn’t roll as smoothly. Your hands are cold, making it harder to feel the putter. And if there’s any moisture on the greens, they’ll be slower than normal.
Ko mentioned that she still sometimes reads the greens wrong at Lake Nona despite being a member for years. Cold weather makes that challenge even tougher.
Action item: Hit putts more firmly than usual. The ball needs extra speed to hold its line on cold greens. Take a few extra practice strokes to get a feel for the speed before you putt.
Embrace the Mental Challenge
Hull said something interesting about cold weather golf: “I like the mental toughness of it.”
That’s the right attitude. Everyone on the course is dealing with the same conditions. The player who stays patient and doesn’t get frustrated by the extra difficulty will come out ahead.
Action item: Lower your expectations by a few strokes. If you normally shoot 85, accept that 90 might be a good score in 40-degree weather. Focus on solid contact and smart decisions rather than perfect shots.
Warm Up Longer and Smarter
This might be the most important tip of all. Cold muscles are tight muscles, and tight muscles get injured easily.
World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul revealed she’s been protecting a wrist injury that bothered her late last season. Cold weather makes those kinds of injuries more likely if you don’t prepare properly.
Action item: Spend at least 20 minutes warming up before your round. Start with stretching, then hit easy wedge shots before working up to your driver. Keep moving between shots on the course to maintain body heat and flexibility.
The pros at Lake Nona this week will adapt and compete at the highest level despite the cold. You can do the same at your local course by following these tips and keeping a positive attitude.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “Playing Through” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
Brooks Koepka is back on the PGA Tour, and whether you love him or hate him, the guy knows how to win when it matters. After his LIV Golf stint, the five-time major champion returns this week at the Farmers Insurance Open.
What makes Koepka fascinating? He doesn’t fit the mold. His swing isn’t textbook. He doesn’t obsess over mechanics. Yet he’s won three PGA Championships and two U.S. Opens, regularly making it look easier than guys with prettier swings.
So, what can average golfers learn from someone who treats the game so differently? Quite a bit.
Stop Overthinking Every Shot
Koepka describes his approach as “reactionary” rather than mechanical. While most tour pros grind over swing thoughts, Brooks sees the target and hits it. No mental checklist.
This might be the most valuable lesson for weekend golfers who’ve watched too many YouTube swing videos.
How to actually do this:
On the range, hit five balls where you stare at the target for three seconds prior to addressing the ball. Don’t think about grip or stance. Just burn that target into your brain. You’ll be shocked at how pure you hit it when your brain focuses on where the ball is going instead of how you’re swinging.
Next time you play, give yourself a rule: Once you pull the club, you’ve got 15 seconds to hit. Koepka is one of the fastest players on tour because he doesn’t give his brain time to sabotage him.
If you feel tension in your hands at address, you’re trying to control too much. Koepka’s grip pressure is famously light. Loosen up until the club almost feels like it might slip, then add just enough pressure to hold on. That’s your swing thought: soft hands, see the target.
This approach works better under pressure. When you’re standing over that shot with water left and OB right, the last thing you need is a mental checklist. See it, feel it, hit it.
Play to Your Strengths (Even If They’re Not Pretty)
Koepka uses a strong grip that wouldn’t pass muster in some teaching circles. But he’s built his game around what works for him, elite driving distance and recovery skills. He doesn’t try to be someone he’s not.
Here’s how to build your game like Brooks:
Look at your last five rounds and figure out where you’re actually gaining strokes. Bombing it off the tee, but can’t hit greens? Lean into it. Play courses where distance matters more than precision. On tight holes, grip down on your 3-wood instead of trying to thread a driver through a keyhole you’ll miss seven times out of ten.
Koepka knows he can scramble, so he’s not afraid to miss greens. If you’re deadly from 50 to 75 yards, start leaving yourself those distances on the par 5’s instead of going for them in two every time.
Know when to take your medicine. Koepka in the trees at the PGA? He’s punching out to 100 yards, not trying to bend a 6-iron around three oaks. You’re in the rough with a flyer lie and water short? Hit your 8-iron to the middle and move on. That’s not playing scared, that’s playing smart.
Save Your Best for When It Counts
Here’s a wild stat: Koepka’s putting average in majors is often more than a full stroke better per round than in regular events. He elevates when pressure is highest.
How does an amateur tap into that gear? It’s not about trying harder, it’s about caring differently.
Here’s what actually works:
Decide which rounds matter to you. Club championship? Member-guest? That annual trip with college buddies? Circle those dates and treat them differently. Koepka doesn’t care much about regular tour events, but majors? That’s when he locks in.
Two weeks before your big round, change your practice. Stop beating balls mindlessly. Play nine holes in which every shot has consequences. Miss the fairway? Hit from the rough on the next hole too. Three-putt? Twenty push-ups. Koepka’s practice intensity ramps up before majors because he’s rehearsing pressure, not just swings.
Develop a between-shot routine that resets your brain. Koepka is famous for his blank expression after bad shots. Try this: After any shot, take three deep breaths while walking, then find something specific to notice, a tree, a cloud, someone’s shirt. That’s your reset button. By the time you reach your ball, the last shot is gone.
The Bottom Line
Brooks Koepka’s return reminds us there’s no single path to success in golf. His “substance over style” approach proves that results matter more than looking good.
You don’t need a perfect swing; you need a reliable one that holds up under pressure. You don’t need to hit every shot in the book; you need the shots you can count on. And you don’t need to play great every time; you need to play great when it matters.
Welcome back, Brooks. Thanks for the reminder that golf is ultimately about getting the ball in the hole, not winning style points.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “Playing Through” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
Blades Brown made a big impression last week in the California desert, and not just because he’s only 18. He put up numbers that would catch any weekend golfer’s attention. Most of us won’t hit 317-yard drives or find 86% of our greens in regulation, but there’s a lot to learn from how Brown managed his game at The American Express.
Here are three practical lessons from his performance that you can use on your own course this weekend.
Step 1: Give Priority to Accuracy Over Distance Off The Tee
Brown’s driving stats are impressive. He averaged almost 318 yards off the tee, ranking 12th in the field. More importantly, he hit 76.79% of his fairways, tying for fourth place in the tournament.
Think about that ratio for a second. Brown could have swung harder, chased more distance and tried to overpower the course. Instead, he played smart golf and kept his ball in play.
Your Action Item: Next time you’re on the tee box, ask yourself a simple question before pulling the driver. Do you need maximum distance here, or do you need to be in the fairway? If there’s trouble lurking or the hole doesn’t demand every yard you can muster, take something off your swing. Grip down an inch. Make a three-quarter swing. Do whatever it takes to find the short grass. Brown’s approach illustrates that fairways lead to greens, and greens lead to birdies. He made 22 of them last week, along with an eagle.
The math is simple. When you’re hitting three out of every four fairways like Brown did, you’re giving yourself legitimate looks at the green with your approach shots. That’s when scoring happens.
Step 2: Commit To Hitting More Greens
This is where Brown really separated himself. He hit 62 of 72 greens in regulation, an 86.11% clip that tied for first in the entire field. Read that again. An 18-year-old kid tied for the lead in one of the most important ball-striking statistics in professional golf.
How did he do it? By keeping his ball in the fairway (see Step 1) and giving himself clean looks with mid-irons and wedges.
Your Action Item: Start tracking your greens in regulation. You don’t need a fancy app or a statistics degree. Just mark down whether you hit the green in the regulation number of strokes. Par 3s in one shot. Par 4s in two shots. Par 5s in three shots.
Once you know your baseline, set a goal to improve it by 10%. If you’re currently hitting five greens per round, aim for six. The beauty of this approach is that it forces you to think strategically about club selection and shot shape. Brown’s strokes gained approach number was positive (0.179), meaning he was better than the field average. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be on the dance floor more often.
When you hit more greens, you eliminate the need for heroic short game shots. Brown only had to scramble 10 times all week, and he got up and down 70% of the time. That’s solid, but the real story is that he rarely put himself in scrambling situations to begin with.
Step 3: Minimize Mistakes And Stay Patient
Here’s the stat that jumps off the page: Brown made only three bogeys all week. Three. In four rounds of professional golf against the best players in the world.
He also made just one double bogey. That kind of clean card doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when you play within yourself, avoid the big miss and trust that pars are never bad scores.
Your Action Item: Before your next round, decide that you’re going to play boring golf. No hero shots over water. No driver on tight holes just because you can. No aggressive pins when there’s a safe side of the green.
Brown’s performance shows us that consistency beats flash every single time. He didn’t lead the field in any single strokes gained category, but he was solid across the board. That’s how you post numbers and cash checks.
Give these three steps a try. Your scorecard will thank you.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “The Starter” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
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Josh
Dec 21, 2014 at 6:20 pm
Click Here!
Craig
Nov 11, 2014 at 12:54 pm
Dennis, would you be able to relate this to having heel and toe contact as well? I’m a 5-10 handicap and have been told I have an inside to out swing, but I find that my not so solid shots are on the heel or even the s-word.
Dennis Clark
Nov 14, 2014 at 2:32 pm
sorry Steve, just saw this…Inside out produces heels hits more often because the hand path is swinging away from the body-can even shank that way sometimes. In fact, in-to-out open face is a very common shank
steve
Oct 31, 2014 at 4:21 pm
Alittle late to party here. Dennis would you agree or disagree that in general a steep arc is better for a taller player (over 6′). And a flatter swing would suit a shorter player better, even though a shorter could still use a steep swing. Me being 6’3″ I tried to flatten my swing and it seemed not worth the effort. Wanted it flatter so I could use less hands, but lost alot of power. In the end I was happier with a pitching wedge in the rough then 8 iron in the fairway.
Dennis Clark
Oct 31, 2014 at 7:32 pm
Steve, yes in general I agree. Matt Kuchar is a rare exception but leverage is best achieved up for taller and around for shorter. The arm length and the torso to pelvis measurement area also factors. But at 6’3”i wouldn’t think flat is the way go. Of course everyone is different. need to see a video to be sure though
Matt Christian
Oct 30, 2014 at 9:34 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oY3LGVreUuI
other paul
Oct 29, 2014 at 7:40 pm
I was swinging in my garage the other day and realized that when I consciously try to release the club I made worse contact then when I don’t try to control it at all. I just let it take its self to the ball. Club seems to go back to where it starts. Its kind of messing with my head.
Dennis Clark
Oct 29, 2014 at 5:21 pm
Mo made an interesting point about grip. it is THE single biggest factor in pronation and supination. so if your swing arc is flat and coming from well inside, do NOT go to stronger grip because it promotes maximum closing of the face. And vice versa.
other paul
Oct 29, 2014 at 7:33 pm
I just figured that out. Switched to a neutral grip.
Philip
Oct 30, 2014 at 11:48 am
So that’s why a stronger grip makes my swing more on plane. I have always used a neutral/weak grip and find I am so vertical on the back swing and have issues hitting fat shots and cuts.
Dennis Clark
Oct 30, 2014 at 8:02 pm
Phil I don’t know it makes it more “on plane”, but the fats and cuts may be a result of throwing the club at the ball due to the weaker grip. 80% of all golfers are better slightly stronger on the grip IMO…
jon
Oct 29, 2014 at 5:18 pm
nice article Dennis and yes, there are some doors fans left!
Dennis Clark
Oct 29, 2014 at 5:23 pm
I met JM once, talk about living in an alternate reality 🙂
Dennis Clark
Oct 29, 2014 at 3:21 pm
Great comments by all, thx for the feedback. As a teacher, the bottom line is this: At the top of the swing the back of the left hand is at right angles to the target. At impact it needs to be facing the target. No amount of body turn or proper sequencing, in and of itself, will rotate the arm WITHOUT conscious effort and deliberate torque by the player. A good body rotation CERTAINLY HELPS, but I have no end to “handle pullers” who do not properly square the club. But not all have to rotate the same amount, that’s why your path and plane are so key. thx again. DC
MO
Oct 29, 2014 at 10:33 am
So with a steep swing, in your teaching, do you favor an abrupt left hand supination for impact or can it be gradual? Many with steep swings cast anyway and have trouble with the timing at impact, leaving the clubface open as well due to lack of rotation. With those players are there two releases? the early cast (ulnar deviation) and then the rotation (left hand supination)? It seems women and men with lithe forearms may have the most problem with this.
Dennis Clark
Oct 29, 2014 at 11:56 am
Mo, Yes and no…I don’t “favor” anything other than what works. My experience has been that there more pulling down in a vertical attitude the club face simply opens more. So yes the more need to square it via the rolling of the forearms and hands. The early cast you refer is a different thing. Typically they cast because the steepness makes them late so they’re trying to be earlier; that was the first article i wrote and it is a bottom of the swing arc issue. On the supination and pronation, they need to square an open face. Do you follow?
MO
Oct 29, 2014 at 4:31 pm
yes and no from me also. I agree there are two separate problems for early ulnar deviation/casting -vs- supination. I guess I am asking for help with a ‘workable’ way not to leave the clubface open at impact in this scenario. Supination, I think, also is affected by other items than forearm strength such as how strong or weak is a grip position. It seems logical you just can’t rotate/supinate as much if you can’t see 2-3 knuckles on the grip at address… or would moving the left hand under actually promote more supination from the get go to square the club moving from the backswing to impact?
btw- love your approach to helping everyone with their own swing. I went to the vertical swing due to shoulder and back pain issues and have never looked back… but I find instructors constantly want to change me back to a rotary swing.
Dennis Clark
Oct 29, 2014 at 5:16 pm
Here’s the deal with grip, and not many people get this right. When you use a strong grip, you are in a position that allows for maximum closing and minimum opening. Try it it’s interesting to feel the position. you can’t roll open at all because you’re already maxed out there. but you can close it a bunch. But the grip MUST match the swing arc. A player playing from well inside cannot use the strong grip because it’s not a match; everything has to balance. If you got a flightscope reading of 6 degrees inside on your path, a strong grip will likely hook and vice versa.
Jonny B
Oct 29, 2014 at 8:11 am
I find that working on this “second” part of a proper release – supination and pronation of the wrists – is a major necessity to proper ball contact, once a basic swing is grooved. With irons, a good release is the essential key to pinching the ball off the turf and getting the proper compression that will lead to consistent ball flights and distacnces. When I find myself not pinching the ball the way I want to (usually leading to hitting high fades/blocks), I know I need to head to the range and work on my release.
One way I work on getting the proper release is by just grabbing a 7 iron on the range and starting with slow, half swings. I concentrate on releasing my wrist cock and turning my arms over at the precise moment of contact and look for a nice penetrating flight with a slight draw. Slowing everything down is a great way to work on this – these 7 iron shots only go about 100 yards. Remember to keep your weight slightly forward during this drill. From there, once comfortable, I start adding more distance, about 10 yards for every 5 balls hit, until I am hitting full shots. It really helps too if you can get to a range with grass tees so you can ensure your divot starts after the ball.
brilliant
Oct 29, 2014 at 1:48 pm
great post
marty
Oct 29, 2014 at 7:57 am
On my release I lock out both elbows at the same time right after impact. This helps me follow out to the target line. I really have not read about this any where. But I see the pros do it especially the women.
Howard
Oct 28, 2014 at 10:44 pm
Great article Dennis. I’m repeatedly told I’m too handsy through impact and am encouraged to hold off my release and extend my finish toward the target rather than around my body. I hit a lot of low hooks. Would a stiffer and/or heavier shaft help? I currently use a light regular flex steel shaft but I have a very slow tempo. Any advice would be appreciated.
Dennis Clark
Oct 28, 2014 at 11:05 pm
Well extending toward the target may not be the best thought for hooking. Finishing more left with a more active body turn is what I’d be suggesting. Remember that hooks from a path Inside where the club face is pointed. So ur goal is to reduce that amount of inside. Club wise a stiffer heavier shaft MAY help. So might a grip change?
Bogeypro
Oct 28, 2014 at 9:43 pm
You seem to advocate very active hands and arms in the golf swing. What are your thoughts on a more body controlled release where the arms and hands are much more passive?
Dennis Clark
Oct 29, 2014 at 12:08 pm
Bogey, If you read it again I’m not really advocating anything but what works. I suggest active hands and arms for steeper and less inside swings, and more body with quiet hands for flatter arcs and more inside paths. Thats the lesson in the article; the club face can be squared both ways. Find which one is right for you. Thx
Bogeypro
Oct 29, 2014 at 10:03 pm
I gotcha. Thanks Dennis.
marcel
Oct 28, 2014 at 7:25 pm
get a proper coach and dont worry about the rest. and also visit gym at least 2-3 per week.
Dennis Clark
Oct 28, 2014 at 9:47 pm
I agree on both!????
Philip
Oct 28, 2014 at 7:04 pm
This weekend I came to the same conclusion that all I should really care about is my impact position. Visualize my impact and follow-through and let my body do what is required to get me there. As a result, my body started making adjustments to reduce the steepness in my swing, eliminating my fat hits, while getting me closer to the impact position I was visualizing. During the round I started wondering what changed and happened to notice the difference in my left wrist at set-up. I sure wish I had tried this before the last day of the season.
Next year.
Dennis Clark
Oct 28, 2014 at 7:06 pm
ye sir…there’s always next year! Impact is golf and golf is impact!
Toño
Oct 28, 2014 at 4:24 pm
RELEASE = double lever extension ( -muñeca arm / wrist -palo ) WHERE Control = lowest, AS = extension education , ELEMENTS = ground -body- suit, bola.OBJETIVO = ball impact . .Did you know that may influence the clubface hits while immediately after you think? Or do things happen before?
Dennis Clark
Oct 28, 2014 at 4:31 pm
could you repeat the question? I understood very little of the phrasing.
Stretch
Oct 29, 2014 at 1:11 pm
The wrists have ulnar deviation (upcocking) and radial deviation (downcocking). The arm bones have supination (rotation away from the target) and pronation (rotation back to the address position and past impact). Sideways back wrist hinging is extension and sideways fore wrist hinging is flexion. Cupping of the forward wrist is extension plus supination.
Everyone has a similar yet different biomechanical makeup. To answer your question one would need to watch your swing. What I can tell you is when the club and arms are dropped into the slot, square to the aim line, the throw out motion of the arm rotation and wrist unhinging produces centrifugal force. This must counteract the centripetal force that wants to swing the club and arms inside after impact in order to deliver the power down the aim line. Artist feel the square release. Engineers think the positions. Da Vincis combine the two.
jd
Oct 28, 2014 at 4:06 pm
First, you can’t perform ulnar and radial deviation at the same time so I take that as some type of typographical error. Second, the problem with using right arm pronation and left arm supination for a right hander to square the clubface is that it leads to inconsistencies you often see in all but the best golfers.
Dennis Clark
Oct 28, 2014 at 4:30 pm
Is that what you have observed in your students?
jd
Oct 28, 2014 at 4:39 pm
I’m not an instructor. I do think that squaring the club face with the body is the best way to be consistent.
Dennis Clark
Oct 28, 2014 at 6:11 pm
i agree. But…if you look at video from down the line and see the golf club in transition through your shoulder or even upper bicep, or you’re VSP reading is 60 degrees or so for a 6-iron, you cannot release the face sufficiently to square it simply by using a “body” release, aka quiet hands through impact. If you “body release” from that vertical a plane, you will be FAR too late and the face will be left well open. Yes, Radial deviation going back and ulnar deviation coming down are separate movements from pronation and supination. But after the angle formed at the top of the swing begins to diminish, the turning down of the forearms can begin. Sooner for some than others. As the left hand grip begins to strengthen the golfer is actually much more in a flexion/extension position than ulnar/radial deviation. Thats why I strengthen grips to get more wrist cock when
needed. Try it. Thx
jd
Oct 28, 2014 at 10:34 pm
Dennis,
I appreciate your response. I really should not argue because I don’t have much at stake and maybe it’s just an argument about semantics anyhow. But if you look at many of the pictures at impact position, ulnar deviation has occurred in both wrists, but the leading arm and trailing arm have not supinated and pronated, respectively, that much. This suggests that the motion of the body more than the arms have squared the club face. We all know that the proper release cannot and should not be manipulated with the arms or wrists. It occurs automatically by forces and angles that are set in motion which start with the body (lower before upper), then arms/wrists. When this happens the golf swing looks effortless. Of course, if one cannot get the body to be in the right dynamic position to release the club properly, in order to make club contact with the ball, the golfer has no choice but to perform an arm release. Such an arm release can vary widely from day to day because it requires more precise timing and hence leads to inconsistencies.
Stretch
Oct 29, 2014 at 1:51 pm
The first teacher ever to explain wrist and arm movements in clear biomechanical terms.
The two best ball strikers I ever saw had the same hand and arm action. The front wrist had radial deviation and pronation. The back wrist had no radial deviation or pronation but did have extension. The releasing of these movements to an impact fix and holding well beyond produced serious accuracy.
They were Moe Norman and Johnny Bullas.
IJP
Oct 28, 2014 at 7:01 pm
so no one should swing like the best golfers?
Jeff
Oct 28, 2014 at 3:47 pm
I have a kind of stupid question, is the golfers similar on every club in the bag, or do we release the driver much more than say, a 90 yard wedge?
Jeff
Oct 28, 2014 at 3:49 pm
Golfer’s Release similar*
Dennis Clark
Oct 28, 2014 at 4:29 pm
well not as Ive seen it; a driver is clearly released earlier as it wants to slight ascend. But that’s the uncocking of the wrists,a distinctively different motion than the rolling of the wrists (ulnar or radial deviation as opposed to pronation and supination) that I referred to in the article. Go back and read the piece I wrote, “Tiger’s late release” and you’ll see what I mean. I think in his better driving days he clearly released earlier. But again, the rolling of the hands and arms, is based in the plane and path the golfers is playing. I know you’re a regular reader and I appreciate your interest in learning
Jeff
Oct 28, 2014 at 3:44 pm
I actually got an email from “Haney University” trying to sell me a split-grip “NEW” training aid for “Beta testing.” The problem with calling it new is I’ve had one for about 8 years, and I bought it at goodwill for about a buck.
The Swing Magic by Kallasay or something is a great split grip training aid. You can find em on ebay cheap, or Hank Haney can find you one for 100 bucks, an email address, and the
life-time earnings of your first born son(best deal on Haneys website).
But im sure the drill works the old fashioned way too, thanks Mr. Clark, you’re really one of the best things about GolfWRX.
Dennis Clark
Oct 28, 2014 at 3:50 pm
Thx yes there are some very misleading ads out there. But I get the feeling you’re a little ahead of that game ???? some are good though just have to separate wheat from chafe. You can do a lot with a little if you understand the principle. Sounds like you do!
Dennis Clark
Oct 28, 2014 at 3:15 pm
You’re welcome. Thanks for the kind words
juststeve
Oct 28, 2014 at 3:08 pm
Dennis:
I always enjoy your articles. This Is another good one. Thanks for sharing.
Steve.