HOW TO SET THE PERFECT TOP OF THE BACKSWING POSITION (Simple Drill)

In this tip, I show you a simple way to set the perfect top of the backswing position with irons and driver. This answers the question if the wrist should be cupped, flat or bowed. Once you watch this tip you will finally have the answer.
Please visit the link below and I will send you free samples from my Body Swing book and video series: bodyswing.com/...
For years people have been confused as to whether the lead wrist position at the top should be flat, cupped or bowed. With confusion comes doubt. So make sure you try this drill so you can see for yourself the perfect top of the backswing position.
The position I promote requires you to do a neutral grip. If you haven't seen my tip on it please go here: • The Neutral Golf Grip ...
With the neutral grip in place you will clearly see the wrist position I want at the top of the backswing. This is a square position with the leading edge of the clubface in line with the lead forearm. From here, you do not need any other flaws or compensations in your swing to hit the ball long and straight.
So if you want to set the perfect top of the backswing wrist position learn the neutral grip first then follow the steps in this tip.
Please visit the link below and I will send you free samples from my Body Swing book and video series: bodyswing.com/...
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Tip Link: • HOW TO SET THE PERFECT...

[@markl577]

This is exactly what the average golfer (like myself) needs to hear. I've gone down that rabbit hole of 'bowed wrist' and 'shallow the club', not to forget 'shaft lean' nonsense we're constantly fed on here, it just melts your head in the end. This is the first swing concept on yt I can identify with, mainly because it's achievable. Top work Paul, cheers! 👍🏻

[@paulwilsongolf]

Exactly. Me too! Keep it simple.

[@MrMeloster]

This simple adjustment has improved my game and confidence to most always hit solid shots.

[@paulwilsongolf]

Very good. Keep it simple.

[@apcfiltrationinc.1374]

Oh I needed this fix today. Completely lost my swing yesterday but got it back today after searching your video library. Thank you Paul!

[@paulwilsongolf]

Glad it helped! This is a highly debated position. Stay focused and do it as I instruct and you will have no issues into the future.

[@thomasmyer4544]

Best and most reasonable explanation of this subject I’ve ever seen. Thank you Paul!

[@paulwilsongolf]

Thanks. I appreciate it.

[@aaajjworm]

I'm pretty sure you just identified why I keep spraying to the right: "severe cupping due to holding the golf club in my left (back) hand in the fingers. Gotta fix my grip. Thanks for all the free lessons. When I get back to Vegas, I'm coming to Bear's Best!

[@paulwilsongolf]

Not sure if you saw it but here's the neutral grip tip: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIK9faNul6tgjdk I literally just taught someone doing the same thing. As soon as he put it across the palm the overcupping was gone. Definitely work on it. You don't want to be overcupped up there.

[@aihcmot]

Hi Paul, recent watcher of all of your videos here, love your instruction, and your philosophy on the swing, and I’ve been going to the range to try to implement the stuff you teach into my swing. A quick funny question for you here though...while watching this video, when you hinge the wrist at set up ( toward the nose), then bring the arms to top of back swing, and check the cupping of the wrist, you’re almost in perfect position at the top...this got me thinking...why can’t we actually start the golf swing at this position..( say we do have the weight shifted to the right and body is coiled..) instead of starting the swing at addressed position..? I know I’m thinking weird..I’m sure momentum and rhythm will play a roll...but is it theoretically possible??! Seems like it may be easier... Thank you for your thoughts in advance! If I’m ever in Vegas and up $500 from the craps table, I’m coming in to see you for the 2-hrs lesson! :) God bless

[@paulwilsongolf]

You answered your own question. As you coil you build torque through your body mass and momentum. Kind of hard to hold this for any period of time although it has been done. Hideki Matsuyama golf swing. He is about the longest I have ever seen. Amazing.

[@xNIKEGOLFx]

So good!! Everywhere you read and watch says to flatten your lead wrist but that led me to constant drawing and occasional hooks which I hated!! I've seen way less draw bias now doing this and feels much easier on my hand and wrist as I'm not manipulating my wrist into a flat position! Literally a game changer!!

[@paulwilsongolf]

Yeah, that is a nightmare position. Causes you to manipulate the face. Stick to this tip. If so you will hit it dead straight.

[@nicholasdemetriades9154]

Hmm? Many teachers advocate the right wrist flexing. I guess this is compatible with the professionals swings? I am confused? I am closer to the method you explained. What are the advantages/disadvantages of this other method?

[@paulwilsongolf]

If you are talking about right wrist flexing to bow the left wrist do not do that. You need slight cupping relative to a 2 knuckle grip position I show in this tip. If you bow this wrist you will hit it left forver.

[@Brian-lh7jj]

Unfortunately b/c of arthritis, I don't have as much play in my wrists as you do. I can only hinge so much. This is very frustrating indeed.

[@paulwilsongolf]

Yep. You need the wrists hinging and rehinging as much as you can. Watch this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5CyYXtohrN5pZI and see how it all fits together here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/roDHlX9rmKZofMk so if you can't do one of those you better get real good at powering it with your body rotation.

[@joakimfredriksson3889]

Thanks for all the great info Paul. Almost broke 80 for the first time last round but collapsed at the end and doubled 17 and 18. Great start out thou at 37 shots on par 35 and started back 9 par par par

[@paulwilsongolf]

Nice work! But maybe a little more concentration at the end of the round next time, every shot counts. You can break 80 for sure. Keep practicing and you can do it!!

[@zatoichi-sm8mj]

thank you

[@paulwilsongolf]

You're welcome

[@Superutubeking]

Watched your tips with driver , I used the lower body like you said and get the hips firing. I was hitting much longer and nearly got a hole in one today I was 2 inches off the hole thank you 😊

[@paulwilsongolf]

Wow, that's great. Sounds like a huge breakthrough you are having. Stay focused. If you lose it immediately go down to swinging at 50%. This will loosen you back up so you can build it back up again.

[@russellpeveto1725]

U have answered many many doubts i have had! Great videos!!

[@paulwilsongolf]

Glad to hear it!

[@kevinwong3860]

This tip was extremely helpful. I was taught to hold grip in my fingers and didn't realize how much cupping there was in my wrist. Feel so much more secure now that it's more in my palm.

[@paulwilsongolf]

Yes, I did this too. I used to have a huge blood blister on the palm of my left hand so this is definitely not the way to hold it. Across the palm is the way to go.

[@natekummer6984]

Thank you Paul for another great video. I’ve been working to incorporating your swing tips. I’ve gotten great results with all my clubs except my hybrids. I usually top it. Any advice?

[@paulwilsongolf]

Excellent. Swinging too hard. Slow down. You never top it when you swing easy right? So topping is a clue you are trying to hit it too hard.

[@scarney29]

@@paulwilsongolf This is so true. When I hit hybrid I'm preoccupied with how much distance I need. I either top it or push it far right.

[@drmuron115]

Another great tip. We'll all be shooting like pros soon!

[@paulwilsongolf]

No doubt. My students have been getting amazing results for years. Those who don't want to follow me will be missing out.

[@josephrice29]

Paul...when Im at the top of my backswing, should my club face be exactly parrellel to my lead arm, or should there be a slight angle... THANKS

[@paulwilsongolf]

The leading edge needs to match your forearm parallel.

[@drmuron115]

The leading edge is different from the club face. I used to think it was the same.

[@mr5039]

Would having a closed face at address counteract over cupping?

[@paulwilsongolf]

Why would you want to counteract it? Why not fix it. You would be over cupping from holding the club too much in the fingers of the left hand. You need to hold it the way I suggest in my grip video. If so you will find it difficult, if not impossible, to over cup. Pay particular attention to the left hand position across the palm: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIK9faNul6tgjdk

[@mr5039]

@@paulwilsongolf understood sir. I am at the range now. I will get the grip 100%. Thank you for your response:)!

[@paulwilsongolf]

Very good. 100% is the key.

[@michaelkrailo5725]

Nice detail in this tip. I like how you acknowledge the different teaching methods out there but clarify precisely why you don't recommend certain aspects, like the lead hand being too much in the fingers. That is small but important difference and you explained how that promotes too much natural cupping at the top. I have at times felt like I force my left wrist to be flat at the top and that does work with other swing methods but with this one it's much better to stick to establishing the correct neutral grip and remain more passive about it. It's easy to check this on video at the top too.

[@paulwilsongolf]

Glad you liked it. Details are very important for sure.

[@Peter-we8iw]

Hi Paul. I have been watching Tom Watson videos and his swing technique mirrors yours. Very basic and simple.

[@paulwilsongolf]

For sure. I like his videos too. Then only issue would be keeping the head still. I like it moving a little as you coil back Saw a video of his once saying to keep it still.

[@scottrecinos9952]

Paul-my practice swings without a ball are a lot better than my swing with a ball in front of me. Clearly my subconscious is taking over when stepping up the ball. Do I just keep practicing the good swing/habits as much as possible w/o a ball and eventually I’ll start doing it when actually hitting a ball?

[@paulwilsongolf]

You need to find an ending point in your swing then think you are swinging through to this very same ending point every time. I have taught the follow through first since my first lesson 29 years ago. This is the most important position and it's in The Body Swing. Not sure I will be doing any tips on it.

[@tiagoalmeidacarvalho2844]

Hi Paul Thanks for the video. You use as a reference the setup position. However, is this position de same if you hit the ball with shaft lean forward? Do you advocate to hit the ball with a non forward shaft lean?

[@paulwilsongolf]

You get the lean with the right fundamentals. So you need the lean. I did a whole tip on it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iH6XgItpopdgb5I

[@tiagoalmeidacarvalho2844]

Ok Paul Thanks for the reply. Being so, you agree that the left wrist at impact is not in the same position as at setup? It will be there later after full release (at more or less 45 degrees forward).

[@paulwilsongolf]

Correct but you are not trying to get that wrist position. You are working on the fundamentals to get it. This is loose wrists and using your body to hit the ball.

[@tiagoalmeidacarvalho2844]

As I thought. Thanks for the replies

[@tomfagan3341]

Paul,I have the bodyswing and Swing machine ,I’m still having a problem with hitting ground first,help!

[@paulwilsongolf]

You go to the Fix Your Own Swing section of The Body Swing. You try that. If you still have problems (which I highly doubt) you email me.

[@dennispieri1996]

Thanks so very much for the detailed explanation. It was extremely helpful.

[@paulwilsongolf]

Glad it was helpful! This is a big one. Lots of new guys trying to tell you to box the wrist. Choose wisely.

[@jereschultz7906]

Thankyou Paul will do the double knuckle grip as opposed to my single knuckle nuetral grip. The ball throwing drill keeping the weight on the front leg less weight transfer to the back helped me to hit better iron shots. Gracias jere

[@paulwilsongolf]

Single knuckle is weak. 2 knuckles are neutral. Yes, do my grip. Watch the video I posted it shows you exaclty how to do it.

[@robertpickle1300]

Paul, WOW! Having watched your videos, you make it so easy to understand. Yes, it’s true! Your teaching works! The swing feels so smooth & effortless, one won’t try to hit the ball! Thank you, Paul, for this great, new swing!!! Robert P., MS

[@paulwilsongolf]

Fantastic! This is a swing for a lifetime.

[@ronadkins287]

Paul, THANK YOU for your explanation AND CLARIFICATION !! This really helps me a GREAT DEAL and I've been golfing 33 yrs !!

[@paulwilsongolf]

Glad to help

[@patrickmurphy4912]

Excellent advice Paul. You explain the problem clearly for us along with offering more reason to do the 2 knuckle neutral grip. I 'm taking off my anti cupping wrist band, Thank you !

[@paulwilsongolf]

Glad you liked it. Yes get rid of that thing. You need slight cupping relative to a 2 knuckle grip position. Make sure you follow my top hand grip position in the tip below. If you hold it across your palm it is near impossible to over cup. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIK9faNul6tgjdk

[@patrickmurphy4912]

@@paulwilsongolf I got rid of it, kinda feel like I visited Lourdes and got rid of my crutch. Little cupping with neutral grip is working well! Thank you

[@steejsjurgens2107]

Two words again and again...simple and effective...💯

[@paulwilsongolf]

For sure. Why complicate things. If I complicate it you will never try it or get it. Simple is the way.

[@jonstoops5850]

Been trying your swing with some good results but tonight at the range I found it it all came together....I'm swinging easier yet hitting it farther thank you!

[@paulwilsongolf]

Great job!

[@Somefatdude]

Unlike your video about hitting down, this is a great video. I’m of the same opinion as to the grip, hinging the club head up, and having a slight cup. If a person suffers from hooks, they should adopt this method. As to the rest of the swing, I like to see a bit of movement off the ball like many of the greats used to do. Tiger did this under Butch. There’s a video on KZbin of Butch on the golf channel discussing moving off the ball a bit to get behind it. He also talked about hinging the club up more to create some leverage. Additionally, to your point, hinging the club head up more and getting that slight cup is great for those of us who want a more neural flight and less maintenance. I fought hooks in the past and this is great for that.

[@paulwilsongolf]

The cup is relative to a 2 knuckle grip position. The only way you are going to get it flat at the top is to manipulate it. So if the person is manipulating the club that's not going to be too consistent at impact. Some Tour Pros do this but they are pros who have done this hundreds of thousands of times and do it daily. If the average person is bowed up there they will never get it. So slight cupping relative to a 2 knuckle grip, hinge the club, move your head as you coil. All good things to me. Glad you like them too.

[@Somefatdude]

@@paulwilsongolf I agree with you. 👍

[@DavidKarns]

I'm very grateful for your teaching methods. If I ever get to tour musically again I look forward to playing on courses all over the world thanks to spending time with your videos during the pandemic. Just letting you know I let the ads play before your videos and would encourage anyone watching to do the same to hopefully generate some more income to keep you teaching. Hope to see you in Vegas at some point in the future.

[@paulwilsongolf]

Thank you very much!! If you're coming through Vegas, let me know. Thanks for watching.

[@DavidKarns]

@@paulwilsongolf Will do for sure! Looking forward.

[@fooalvinado1394]

The path of inside out swing and on the top swing is very close. 😅

[@paulwilsongolf]

It can be.

[@barbedfinger]

Never would have thought someone would make a video on this, heck I thought I was the only one with this issue. I overcup and try to consciously flatten it at the top of backswing but it feels so awkward and I often misfire.

[@paulwilsongolf]

Big position that most people are doing wrong and so many are being taught to keep it flat. Do that and you are manipulating the face. Good luck with that.

[@barbedfinger]

@@paulwilsongolf Thank you for the reply. As you said in the video, I hold the club in the fingers to get a sense of extra power, which also causes my left hand to automatically rotate to a strong grip. I will try to transition to the palm grip next time.

[@jm0180]

Paul you're the best instructor on KZbin and there sure is plenty. Thanks for another great, easy to understand video.

[@paulwilsongolf]

Thank you very much!!

[@phillipsmith1720]

Hit it good today using your methods. Misses were left?

[@paulwilsongolf]

Pull you are pulling it down with your arms. Need the body first arms second.

[@ST-xg3gy]

Concern with "cupping" is an open face at contact, correct?

[@paulwilsongolf]

Severely cupped would be open at impact unless you rolled it excessively.

[@andrikristianto2577]

Hi Paul, it’s me again..it’s almost 2 months after I have been implementing your brilliant advice on neutral grip, and my game pretty much consistent ever since, with dead straight iron. I’m though still struggling with push/slicing driver, hence I came across some instructional video on youtube emphasizing flat left wrist when back swing, together with tenth of videos in youtube suggestion the same. I started learning this game 9 months ago and I have always cupped left wrist naturally from the first day. For me, flatting left wrist feel so awkward, and last 2 weeks I fell that I had to practice everyday at home without ball drill for flat wrist and at the driving range with balls. And, as expected, I struggle too much, and it messed my already establish swing thoughts. And then, I came across this video. This is the only instructional video that encourage or at least ‘endorsed’ slightly cupped wrist. You have no idea how much I felt so relieve, which I could come back to my natural swing, and feel comfortable, with more consistent result. Thank you Paul. I,m still now trying my best to build consistency with my driver, and woods off the tee, but I know I’m getting there. Thank you again Paul. You are definitely ‘the’ coach for me.

[@paulwilsongolf]

Glad you are still improving. The wrist should be slightly cupped at the top. Watch: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4O6emuDndOml5o You need to roll it and get it hooking. For this you will need to feel your wrists and make it happen. Once you can hook 10 in a row then switch to firing your body. If so you will hit it perfectly. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqPSkGSEjrWXbsU kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZ-0Y3mcmbZ1etE kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5CyYXtohrN5pZI kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpyapWyvfaiCY6s kzbin.info/www/bejne/baDPc6Stjatmf80

[@jmack619]

@@paulwilsongolf Paul, Thank-you for all your great work ! I have been working on an in to out swing, or as trackman would read, + 4 to 8 degrees . It seems to give à more deliberate flight path back to the target line. What are your thoughts on ...club face sends it , club path bends it ? No golf here yet in Canada !

[@paulwilsongolf]

Well the path is only 80-85% of direction so if it's not 100% then there is an issue with the face determining the direction. Also, you have to take into account the players ability. I can change my direction with my path. Tilt left I can make the path and face swing left. Tilt too much right and the opposite happens. The way I teach is the wrists affect spin. the body affects direction. Been doing this for over 31 years and get people to hit the ball wherever I want so I am going to keep doing what I am doing. Too many people getting too much into trackman numbers manipulating the face. This is futile. 1 degree open to the path at 250 years is 14 years offline including spin. A tick on a clock is 6 degrees. So just the slightest manipulation is going to hand you hitting it sideways. This is what I did pre 1999. Then I stopped trying to hit or help the ball with my arms thus not manipulating the face. This took me from sideways to straight instantly. So for you I would be hinging and rehinging purposely rolling the wrists before impact getting the ball too hook consistently. Once you can do that you have the wrists and release mastered. At this point you switch to starting the lower body first in the downswing. Watch your ball. You need to fire the lower until the ball is straight. If you blow it right you roll it again in practice swings. So use the ball as a guide to what shape you want. For a draw you need to start the lower body add a little extra lateral to tilt you fractionally too much back at impact. This will create the path from the inside. Couple this with a slightly strong grip (with loose wrists) and you will get a perfect draw. This shouldn't even take you an hour.

[@jmack619]

@@paulwilsongolf Thank you so very much for all the help you provide to the Hackers Association ! : ) . It,s hard to believe that à game with a ball , à stick , and 300 acres can be made so complex by over or under-utilized Grey matter! Your swing appears to be 145 % efficient. A great rôle model for all âges to build on! At plus 65 years, I have to get it together, or quit. No fun looking for drives in the woods. Thankyou for providing some much needed predictability. John Canada

[@jmack619]

@@paulwilsongolf Paul, I etched out the ticks of à clock for 12 o'clock,( target line), and the seconds, or minutes to about 4 minutes, on the garage floor with a practice mat. I could not imagine swinging from less than à minute (4 degrees face) , and slightly more than a minute, (8 degrees path at contact) , until the clock hands were 10 feet long! Now very visible. I had been removing the wrist action , as suggested by many, but it,s going back in as per your description, with some predictible control. Thankyou

[@paulg.5511]

Very simplistic. Love this tip.

[@paulwilsongolf]

Simple is the name of the game.

[@jonasbertilbellander]

Thanks very easy.

[@paulwilsongolf]

Welcome 😊

[@larrybeavens7580]

Paul, I’ve been trying something as a drill that works so weIl it has me puzzled. I get set up to a ball, then hinge my wrists up as you demonstrate here. That move brings the club up to about parallel with the ground. From there I make a full swing and hit the ball, just as I would if the club were sitting on the ground. The quality of my shots is so much better when I do that, and I can’t figure out why. It feels like my hands are lower coming through impact than they are with a normal setup, and I don’t know if that’s good or bad. Any thoughts?

[@paulwilsongolf]

Probably because you are hinging and getting the slight cupping in the wrist now.

[@teddyworldexgaming3444]

I went through this recently. I was manipulating the club during the takeaway. Really have to focus on taking away with my left shoulder and torso. So much easier to repeat when you don't use hands and arms. It just took a while for the penny to drop that you literally don't your hands and arms at all. Another great video!

[@paulwilsongolf]

I think we all have. Too much confusion out there. Turn the arms off once you have trained them to be in the right position though. Most people do have to do some work to set the club at the top. Once you get it set right then it is all about turning them off.