Golf Club Face Position at Top of Backswing Tip
Change Face Angle to Alter Hand Release to Hit a Golf Draw of Fade
Jul 16, 2009
Cup or bow the left wrist in the backswing to change the club face angle at the top to alter the hand release at impact. Shape golf shots by changing club face angle.
The club face angle at the top of the backswing dictates the hand release at impact. If the blade is closed or shut, to avoid hitting a hook the hands have to keep the golf club open through impact. If the club face is open at the top the golfer has to roll the club face closed at impact to avoid a slice. If you can manipulate the club face at will it means you are able to shape shots both ways.
Club Face Position at the Top
- There are two expressions that describe the hand position at the top of the swing. A bowed wrist means there is no angle between the back of the left hand and the forearm. This hand action shuts the club face so it points up at the sky. From this position, if a golfer released the club normally at impact, the club face would be closed and the ball would hook to the left.
- A cupped wrist means there is a large angle between the back of the left wrist and the forearm. This means the club face is open and the toe is pointing at the ground. If a golfer released the club naturally from this position the club face would be open and the ball would slice off to the right.
- Before you hit a shot you must first have a practice swing where you programme the intended manipulation of the club face. On the backswing, just as the club is reaching the top, the golfer can alter the club face angle by either bowing or cupping the left wrist.
- If you intend to try to shape a shot by altering the club face at the top you must not only rehearse the hand action at the top but also the reciprocal hand release at impact.
- From a cupped left wrist at the top a normal release will fade or slice the ball. From a bowed wrist a normal release will hook the ball.
Experiment at the Range
- There are varying degrees of how open or closed the club can be at the top and being able to match up the release at impact is quite hard at first. It’s rather like having to balance a chemical equation.
- The more open you are at the top the more you need to roll the blade closed at impact. Manipulating the club face at the top allows a golfer to hit many different shots so it’s time to experiment to see what happens.
See also: How the Right Hand Works on the Downswing or What Does Over the Top Swing Mean PGA Tip
The copyright of the article Golf Club Face Position at Top of Backswing Tip in How to Play Golf is owned by John Hoskison. Permission to republish Golf Club Face Position at Top of Backswing Tip in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
 |
 |
 |
 |
