DO NOT FLATTEN YOUR LEFT WRIST: Golf Swing

[@karlwoolley9092]

I’ve seen so much stuff about flattening the wrist recently and filed it under ‘one more thing to worry about!’ Thank goodness for your clarity and simplicity Steve. Love it.

[@stevenrichardson3214]

One of the best videos in the golf world on KZbin. Understanding how to get yourself square at impact in the most comfortable way is the only goal. How you look getting there is irrelevant

[@mrpalomo123]

Steve thank you, thank you. I'm 76 years old and have used a cupped left wrist since I began playing golf. I was a 5 handicap before an accident and my right rotator cup was removed. I am now a 12, and you are the only instructor that admits that a cupped wrist is ok. Many so called instructors have told me to change, but NOT I.

[@TheGolfronnie]

This is so correct. If it feels natural, don't fight it. It will be square at impact which is all that matters. Well said Steve.

[@drpiercy]

Steve, I've "orried" about the cupped or flat wrist at the top for ages. You have shown that it is the wrong thing to worry about. What an incredibly useful insight, great lesson, thanks.

[@FRST2012]

Great lesson Steve. The most important message I heard many years ago was the golf swing is not a motion made up of numerous static positions (which we all practice!), it is a dynamic movement. The only part of the swing that matters is impact. Jim Furyk, Keegan Bradley, Dustin Johnson, Fred Couples, Matt Wolff, all different, all get it around the golf course. It took me years to appreciate how good Keenan Bradley’s swing is, but on a recent PGA event I remember one of the commentators say if Keegan had gone to a local pro they would have ruined his golf swing by changing his set up. I am not a huge fan of George Gankus, but the fact he didn’t mess with Matt Wolff’s routine can only be commended.

[@blackdawg7778]

Hi Steve- super video. I have the same cupped wrist which has been doing my head in for 15 years. I’ve been through too many pros that just keep showing my swing v Luke Donald or Rory. Complete waste of time. I’ve just decided to go with the swing on the day (which generally isn’t too bad) and just work on the short game 50 yards in for when I miss hit it. I always feel too many pros just teach the one swing which is usually the way they do it and don’t focus on what the player has got in terms of flexibility and range of motion- ie their swing DNA (as you would say). Keep up the good work and keeps those videos coming- more pitching/ chipping videos please

[@Mtn603]

Great video, we are individuals, we recruit muscles differently, we have different ranges of motion, etc. One extra point, make sure your shaft weights suit YOUR swing, so that you can swing freely.

[@sandwah9901]

Good stuff Steve, thanks. Pros have told me I had to eliminate my cupped wrist for years, telling me that you cannot be a great ballstriker by cupping the wrist. I asked each of them about why Hogan, Jones, Couples, and other great ballstrikers could do it... crickets.

[@johnnolan6497]

Great and very important video Steve ,Well done .It was important you mentioned Hogan who alluded to his cupping of the left wrist at the top as marking the change in his fortunes as a golfer .However he cupped with a weak grip and he released a lot with the right hand .As he said from that position at the top he wished he had 3 right hands to deliver the strike .You have rightly alluded to the misconception among a lot of us golfers that a cupped position at the top led to an open face at impact leading to a fade/slice but that depends on the grip and release pattern of the golfer .I never understood why I drew the ball from a cupped position and now the light bulb has switched on .👍

[@stevejohnstongolf]

Excellent John. Thanks for the feedback and great that the video gave you some clarity👍👍👍

[@keithels2528]

I "was" also fixated on my cupped left wrist at the top, but you have "fixed" it - it's all about the opening of the body - as you explained here. Nice explanation and makes sense - thanks. I hit them nice and straight now

[@BrianMartin-k8k]

Another superb explanation, very well done. I have been the (relatively proud) owner of a “cupped’ left wrist at the top since I was a kid. I have been instructed to get it flat for years and have indeed tried to change it from time to time, with poor outcomes). I have never changed my hold. No one ( until you just did) told me the cause (my strong- 3 knuckle, left hand hold) but I always thought that must be the real reason. Great lesson, thanks. Spot on!

[@batman48195]

Thanks Steve. I had a lesson many years ago and the instructor had me cup my wrist. I hit the ball great. Now all the teaching is flat or bowed. If I do that I tend to drag the club through. I’m going back to cupped. Also I’ll add that I’m a swinger if the club and I think the flat wrist is more for the new rotational swing which is easier for the youth. I’m 62 and swinging helps me get more speed.

[@jozsefpiri5129]

Thank you for single handedly improving my game. My swing and direction are much improved. Now I have to work on my distance. If you’re ever in Naples Florida, I’ll take you out for a round.

[@seds27]

Great Great video. I too have slightly cupped left wrist and thought also it was incorrect but hit ball straight. When I tried to get more flat I pulled. Now I totally get it.

[@londonskier]

Brilliant video thanks. I am cupped at top, now I understand why.

[@ketchsailor7327]

Thank you for the inspirational video. Thie wrist position at the top has always been cupped for me. I tried to flatten it out. It just doesn't feel right to me. I have studied Hogan's way and I have worked at my game for 40 years. Your videos on the right elbow reminded me of a constant problem I have had a problem of swinging over the top. Its getting harder to stay on plain as I get older.. I just subscribed to your channel the other day and I find your way of explaining things very effective. I havent seen all your videos yet but can you talk about power from the left side verses the right ( assuming a right hand golfer). I develop all of my power from my left side which allowed me to hit down the line. And thank you so much to suggest I don't need to flatten my wrist at the top.!

[@blue24563]

A cupped wrist usually happens because of a fault in the cocking of the wrists. Amateurs tend to cock their wrists with radial deviation rather than extension of the right wrist. The radial deviation makes it extremely hard to get the club face square at impact.

[@nathanperry9593]

I love this! I appreciate a teaching talking about matchups. So many don’t and it causes so many issues. People need to know they aren’t going to be professionals. Just like I’m never going to be a billionaire.

[@billcampbell6857]

Fantastic insight and so so relevant.

[@hammy1704]

Class video again Mr Johnston!

[@martinmoore7551]

Steve. First off, thank you so much for the advice on using the bounce to improve chipping , I had the best round for a year last Saturday as a result. With regards to this video. I have adopted a flat left wrist recently and achieved much better results, so I am confused by what you have just advised. Please explain.

[@wallstreetoneil]

What he's saying is the guy who came to him was a hooker of the ball - and he had a strong grip - deadly combo. Guys on tour with strong grips learn to fade the ball if they want to keep their PGA card - weaker grips are usually drawers - easier to control from a weak grip. Anyways, if this guy further strengthened his clubface at the top by flattening or even bowing his lead wrist, it would have only made things worse, in his case, because his rolling his forearm release through the ball, with his already strong grip, would have been a disaster - whereas, with DJ, Keopka, Morikawa, Hovland and their strong grips/faces at the top, their release doesn't have a violent forearm roll - they drive their right palm more to the sky, through the ball, and are able to play strong grips or strong grips and faces at the top, yet they play fades from this position - which is really the new modern Pro style swing - stronger grip, toe-down takeaway, clubface pointing at the sky at the top of the backswing with a bowed left wrist, which is really just further loading the right wrist into further extension and power. From this really strong position at the top, which historically would have been called massive shut and a hook machine setup, these top, long-hitting Pros play fades. As an ice hockey and tennis player myself, this is exactly the position that we take a slapshot from or rip a looping tennis topspin forehand from - it's a strong position - and it doesn't require that you just play a draw from - and in fact, it is very easy to hit a fade from this position as DJ and Kepka do on every shot.

[@williammacdonald9271]

I started playing 10 years ago, I had a natural cup swing and was told flat or bowed only, damn I wasted a lot of time and lost distance, thank you!

[@royclose946]

Well done Steve 👏

[@eeeewalk]

Interesting video. Main takeaway for me - spend less time attempting to teach myself via hundreds of online instruction videos, and find a golf coach I'm confident is providing instruction based on my swing, and not just going through the motions.

[@jonprown9017]

Such a valuable insight…I’ll let my son know.

[@hammy1704]

Mr Johnston, I’m back playing golf after a long lay off. Have never bought brand new clubs! I am lucky enough to be in the position to buy myself a new set of clubs, should I get fitted? Oh I’m 64 🙄

[@johnwhite7320]

Good advice. Thanks

[@jamiejohnston6671]

Thanks so much for this great video! My swing looks a lot like yours. I try to keep my hands nice and soft. This helps me release the club properly. I have some lower back issues and the wrist cup allows me to get the club in a better position at the top. We may be ancestors somewhere down the line. All of my relatives were from Scotland. Never know

[@blaghaus]

Steve, so you swing the handle or the club head?

[@peterhammer6915]

I have a tendency that my left wrist rotates wrongly in the backswing. I rotate my clubface from closed to open and that is wrong. Now I am trying to rotate from cupping my left wrist to flat at the top and the weight of the club takes care of the rest. My top of the backswing looked perfect from behind but I was reaching the top in a wrong way. It should be open to closed, not vice versa.

[@jroberts2535]

I have a relatively weak left hand grip and relatively strong right hand (Collin Morikawa).. forcing my left wrist to bow.. slow methodically takeaway and I’ve had by far my best ball striking. Period

[@pigslefats]

Hogan had a weaker left hand grip but was cupped at the top Steve

[@JamesRFlynn]

I agree.

[@lynetteaster5190]

Terrific demo - thank you so much, I believe this will help me.

[@richardbolen1929]

I know a guy who is lead hand cupped at ADDRESS! Hands opposite his right thigh on take away causes a whipping action going back. He hits the same position you do changing direction with a slightly bowed lead wrist. He murders the ball. Hits tight 3-5 yard draws consistent and hits PW 145

[@rbmsound5865]

Fantastic!

[@golfbarefoot]

I have no idea what this video was trying to say. Strong grip will cause cupped wrist.. which is ok, but never said what is the change? Start with lower body and let it open to square up? Trying to decipher what he actually talked about as a remedy???

[@gtflyer]

I've just recently adopted Mr. Hogan's weak grip. What happened is, I'm now making much better contact with all of my clubs. My previous grip was fairly strong, 3 knuckles, it is now 1 knuckle.

[@lageronimo8012]

So many people don't realize this. This kind of stuff separates you from other instructors.

[@nelsdawgy]

i have a flattened wrist. I don't slice. Then I tried your cup at the top of the backswing. now i slice.

[@aaajjworm]

i want to take a lesson from you!!

[@ArcherTheGolfer]

I cup my wrist and slice the ball so currently trying to fix this

[@johncox3712]

Hogan was cupped at the top almost purposely opening the club so he could get deep and close hard and bow on the downswing imho

[@alanfairley1387]

Your wrist is cupped but you don't across the line at the top. That's must help to get more off a draw flight .

[@49giantwarriors83]

I have a cupped wrist and hit draws.

[@josephwhelan9028]

Hogan had a cuped wrist at the top

[@IrelandsEireians]

"cupping" your left wrist up,opens the face,"bowing it down" closes the face,flat is neutral,so depends what kind of shot you want to play,depends on what you do with your wrist.

[@OrvinReyes]

You forgot something: what grip do you have

[@drpiercy]

worried, correction

[@bobmac004]

If a flat left wrist is good enough for the likes of Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Tiger, Scottie Scheffler and Rory, it's good enough for most

[@billday837]

Well, to be fair, Watson, Hogan, Webb Simpson, Couples Mickelson and Singh did okay with a cupped left wrist. Different body types require different things.

[@MSDOGS1976]

Couldn’t agree more. There’s more than one way to skin a cat.

[@j1238066]

It's easier for me to have a flat wrist all the time & not worry about cup or bowed

[@Ben59910]

If I flatten my wrist I hit shots with the face way way open