I see that Tiger's left wrist is very very straight at the

top of his swing; do most of you focus on keeping the cup out of your left wrist at the top? If it cups slightly what effect does it have on your ball striking?

I've got a flat left wrist at the top. If I'm tired and I let it cup, it's because I've overswung on the backswing, and then swing out-to-in and slice 'er.

Welcome to the forum Allen,

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf...es/3899265.stm

click on this link and Tiger is the second photo.....

This is a link to Tigers left wrist.....although I think he's over doing it a little bit in this shot. If he keeps this position at impact which he does then he drawing the ball.

To answer your question.....If you are cupping your wrist then you probably have a inconsistant ball flight some draw some fade. My guess is you are across the line at the top and on a good day you swing smoothly back to the ball from the inside and draw it....if you rush the swing from across the line the shoulder go first then you will definatly fade the ball.

click on this link and watch the lessons on takeaway

http://redgoat.smugmug.com


Hope this helps

Ian.

Take a club in your hands and grip it with the shaft at chest height in front of you.

Now:
1. Hinge the wrists up-and-down like a fishing rod. See how the club face doesn't open or close? That's a proper wrist hinge.
2. Now hinge your wrists left-to-right like you would a paint brush on a wall. See how the club face opens and closes? That is what happens at the top of the swing if your wrists or cupped or bowed. Cup your left wrist ... see how the clubface is open? If you're in that position at the top of the swing - the club face is open and unless you correct it on the downswing - you're going to cut the ball.

Ideally, your wrist should be flat at the top of the backswing (i.e. no left-to-right hinging). If it is, the club face is square.

__________________
Golf is easy ... once you know how.
Graham Arnott, teaching professional
Kelrosa Golf Studios
www.kelrosagolf.com
Class 'A' PGA Member
Full Member: World Golf Teachers Federation (GB&I)

You guys are outstanding; I really appreciate the help. I can't wait to for the weather to warm up this week so I can go out and work on some of this.

Thanks again

if you look at tiger's setup face on, he does not have an overly weak grip. if you look at that picture of him in the post above, his wrist is definitely flat, maybe even bowed... how is this possible?

The angle of the left wrist at the top has nothing to do with the grip position ... If you have a weak grip, it has zilch to do with having a cupped or bowed wrist at the top. But many teachers link the two and correct the wrist position by changing the grip ... instead of looking how the club is hinged versus the wrist and hands.

Wrist angle has everything to do with how you cock your wrists and hand position relative to the club ... wrist angle is created by cocking your wrists right-left rather than up-down. I'm afraid grip has nothing to do with wrist angle.

Tiger is one of the more fortunate ones who has very high level of fine motor control. He can change his angles by small amounts depending on how he wants to manipulatethe ball flight.

A good golfer with good fine motor controls can create any wrist angle, irrespective of his grip.

__________________
Golf is easy ... once you know how.
Graham Arnott, teaching professional
Kelrosa Golf Studios
www.kelrosagolf.com
Class 'A' PGA Member
Full Member: World Golf Teachers Federation (GB&I)

Teaching Pro,

Excellent Post!

I've always wondered about that. I have a neutral grip, but with a flat left wrist at the top of my backswing. My clubface is completely closed though. I've always wondered why this is. I need to work on my wrist angles to get the clubface square to my left forearm, not my grip.

I was always under the theory that with a neutral grip and left wrist flat at the top that your clubface would be completely square, not so.



thanks, TP.

Graham, I don’t normally bet on golf but this year if I do I may need to send you some of my winnings; thanks for the continued great advice.

Keep your winnings for now. I'd rather take the long-term view and take 5% of your Champions Tour career earnings.

Deal?

Well, yes ... if you have a flat left wrist, the club face would be square. You don't get the flat left wrist from the neutral grip ... that's my point. Everyone thinks there is a link between grip and wrist position ... that's ****.

You get a flat left wrist by hinging the wrists correctly, not from gripping the club "correctly". You can get a flat left wrist from any grip, provided you hinge correctly.

Ian, these shots are amazing, thanks for posting them. I see some a lot of very similar movements in their backswings which I need to consider when I do my workouts in front of the mirror.

Follow up:

I've always thought I was pretty flexible, but when I try to get my arm and hands in the same position as these guys in the backswing while still maintaining a flat wrist all I feel is PAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They all seem to have their hands are above their head at the very top, I seem to be a bit above eye level at best.

Also, what is David Toms doing with the golf shaft against his waist?

http://redgoat.smugmug.com/gallery/7.../2799824/Small

I would say he is trying the find a feel for his impact position.

here's another question i had about this... at 3/4 the way back (right arm parallel for lefties), how many knuckles should you see on your right hand (left hand for righties). this really has to do with how cupped your wrist is at this point in the swing, is there a standard amount of knuckles like there is with the basic grip (2-2.5)?