Malaska Golf // How Your Hands Work During Follow Through

How your hands work through impact and follow through is essential to controlling where you want the ball to go. I see a lot of people twisting their wrists or trying to turn the toe of the golf club.
Once you have an idea for how your hands and wrists work through the ball, you'll have more consistent ball striking.
Don't just play golf. Understand it. Become a member at malaskagolf.com. Follow The M-System to learn step by step and develop the skills you need to become a complete player.

[@dominicxiong4901]

Malaska’s description of the release is pure GOLD. These vids are gems.

[@nickstephens6389]

Utterly crystal clear, an absolute relief to watch an intuitive description of this part of the swing. Thank you, Mr. M.

[@upsnowdog]

I’m 53 years old today. In my late teens and early 20’s I never came in contact with anyone who could strike their irons like me. And like you Mike I started experimenting and listening to others about the swing. Man, what a mistake that was. I truly screwed up what should have been the best years of my life chasing some kind of perfection, when I was so far ahead of the people I was listening too. I’ve watched about 3 of your videos recently and I think your thoughts on the swing are virtually identical to mine. Thank you for making your videos. You feel like a “brother from a different mother”.

[@mh_golfer]

This video has changed my entire golf game. I have been struggling with holding off the club and not releasing it, I tried th forearm rotation method but it was a disaster so I went back to holding my wrists off but just couldn't get my club face square at impact to save my life. Since watching this video I have been throwing darts at greens with my irons. My GIR has gone from 40% to almost 70%.

[@johnmclaughlin9283]

Best description for how to not get stuck! Thanks for the content!

[@daviddrake8019]

I stopped trying to hold lag angles and create artificially extreme bowed forward left wrist, driving the right elbow in front of the hip, etc., and focused on Mike’s “Malaska Move” of bringing the hands down to the right corner and simply redirecting the club and running it into the back of the ball. It took me awhile to understand the move but I think I finally got it. I felt comfortable putting it into play. I was concerned that his swing would exaggerate my flip hook but frankly it seemed to reduce it. But my favorite thing about it that I haven’t heard him say much is that the swing is easier on the body than trying to keep hands passive and firing the hips to square the club and compress the ball. I feel like I could hit balls or play all day this way. I’m an 11 index and hope to be going lower as I get even more comfortable swinging this way. I watched the KZbin channel but also subscribed to the website for awhile. Well worth the time.

[@johnrathnam5929]

Yes- easier on the body!! I tried this last night and I wasn't the least bit tired and my back wasn't killing me!!

[@chadrosin5878]

Great video. It’s something, even with lessons, I was never told. To get rid of my weak fade all I was told was to strengthen my grip and close my stance. I was getting no speed and still slicing. Trying to hit down on the ball and keep the club face square. Which made me hold it off (best way I can describe it).As soon as I started really releasing my hands through impact and follow through it completely changed my ball flight. No slice and considerably more distance. More freeing natural swing too.

[@thomasfraser9072]

Thank you Mike! You are 100 percent correct. Push the club head through the ball with the power of Ben Hogan's three right hands. By doing this you also are equally pulling the club head through the ball with the power of three left hands. For every conscious action of pushing with the right hand we unknowingly are equally pulling with the lead hand or visa versa. It is impossible for the right hand to overtake the left hand. I now swing down through and up to the finish of my swing with the power of 6 hands and you should to. Cheer!

[@decentblue1]

It's very difficult to understand first, then eventually you will know this is a comprehensive explanation of how to release the club face. Thank you, Mr.M .

[@franksampson477]

Great advice. This is the guy that I want to take lessons from.

[@johnrathnam5929]

This video (and the one where you're helping a student) just changed my swing! I've been a "flipper" for 20+yrs. This year I tried desperately to learn to roll my wrists and made it worse. I saw this video last week and decided to try it on the range yesterday - bingo!! Everything I hit was solid, straight, and high! Even my 5 and 6 irons, which were always suspect, were going long and straight! It's hard to describe how solid everything felt. No more aching hands/wrists, tendonitis in forearms, etc. I'm finally getting that zip/click sound with my irons. Thanks, Mike! Great lesson.

[@77bovi]

If I'm not mistaken, Mike Bender advocates left wrist turning down more to get better compression but key is it's combined with the feeling of swinging upwards so left wrist in the follow through is facing target line - target, not at the ground as shown here @3:35

[@lukenichols5528]

The open club face, forearm rotation, flip is what I subscribed to for a while but I’m tired of inconsistency and am working hard to retrain my body with your movement patterns in mind...long process but Im glad I found your channel Mike

[@MrLeftyno1]

Great video and a game changer, coupled with not rolling but hinging my wrists in the back swing, plus this release, good byr Mr Hook.

[@attuser7167]

This is the best video ever for the right hand follow through. Finally, I understand.

[@wisconsinlife3971]

Great video.!

[@hatman9089]

Mike. Love your videos and wish I had watched your videos years ago. I have always always struggled with what the hands do and your explanations are brilliant. Thank you

[@chavezfm]

Mike, Big fan of your work, but I’m having trouble trying to reconcile something...you talk about keeping the face of the club square to the arc, however, drills that you regularly demonstrate (L-to-L, casually standing with legs crossed and making little one handed swings) seem to promote a fair amount of forearm rotation. What am I missing? Thanks in advance.

[@dfrugt]

We hear a lot about the short game/chipping/pitching, advice to place the handle SQUARE in the "holster" to finish, as the Grip Handpads travel closer past the LHS Hip while the square clubface releases towards the target; this hands action seems to me to be the bigger version of the short game, here used in full/fuller swings? (to complete the earlier "Malaska move"?) I would really appreciate Mike's attention to this here to me in Australia, thank you.

[@mbrum3230]

This is the only guy not just repeating the same old tropes that dont help anyone.

[@nuchasawawiboon9103]

Thanks!

[@artpena72]

i stopped trying to manipulate the face, i just swing naturally, and wow, the ball goes far and straight!

[@user-fc9wv5gr2y]

Dear Malaska, is it the same movement for driver, wood 3 and hybrid?

[@nicolesirigampola4737]

Yes! Thanks Mike!

[@steveng8727]

The great ball striker Mac O'Grady told us in a clinic "the secret of the golf swing is Less forearm rotation."

[@77bovi]

"less" is tricky. what was the correct amount of forearm rotation Mac prescribed?

[@viperwavstudios]

Yes!.. thank you!.. this is exactly what Ive been fighting. Thanks mike!

[@Latebloomergolf]

This is basically what Mike Austin used to explain the hand action in the golf swing. The rock skip right hand motion combined with the back hand slap left hand action. This will have you crushing balls

[@dennisobrycki4029]

Joe Dante as well. Mike M has validated Austin and Dante approach

[@maxsqt]

Does this mean that the club face should stay at a 90 degree angle to the swing path in the backswing as well, cause that would result in a fairly closed face, wouldn't it? I've found that not rotating my hands helps loads with control of the face at impact, but it makes it slightly harder to rotate back in the backswing.

[@Stoyvensen]

This video helps but I’ve got a different set of circumstances and I can’t seem to find help. When you say that the lead wrist needs to be able to cup post impact. That’s where I struggle, I’m a natural lefty that golfs right handed. So I tend to pull all the way through with a flat lead wrist for far too long post impact and I feel like it’s causing issue with unintended cuts and slices. Idk what to do about it. I feel if I try to force the cupping action I will have to time it out and that would be very difficult.

[@martinshaffer2014]

Grateful for your explanation 🙏..how do I know how to setup with the best distance of hands near the body?

[@jkdurden]

A SEAL once told me: Micro muscle memory isn’t available in combat. Macro muscle memory is. When you get stressed, I think this is why you fault during your swing. The swing the timing people practice is micro muscle memory and the one available (in combat or in competition) is the one you teach. :). The SEAL was discussing, in particular, the releasing of the slide on a semi-automatic pistol reload. Instead of button release, slam mag in, bring to attention and then click the slide lock with your thumb (micro) to release the slide. He taught Macro.: Tap, tug, twist, pull. Tap the mag in, try to tug it out, twist the pistol toward the target and pull the slide to release the lock. The macro muscle memory is available in combat. I would imagine the difference from range to course has the same effect with micro to macro muscle usage. The precise timing of the hand release in your old way of swinging takes too much timing - micro. The macro approach is what you teach now...and that is available on the course and during competition. Just a thought and a comparison to keep my mind right... The SEAL told me, you will ALWAYS change your mags like this when in practice or on the range. Same applies to the swing.... Train like you’ll fight and fight like you train. :)

[@EternalBreton82]

When am I supposed to "break" my lead arm in the follow through?

[@lightshadow44]

Addendum, The only shot you weaken the grip with little exception is bunker shots and you don’t substantially.

[@wesleyhilde1]

He is so right here! He is the best coach out there at the moment!

[@wasatchgolfacademy1046]

I got hammered and still get hammered for teaching this I guess different ideas are subject to criticism.,

[@mairj23sp33]

I need an explanation to that throwing motion in relation to the Malaska move! Malaska move is twisting the fore arm, isn't it? I also need an explanation to the throwing motion in relation to the hinged, Dustin Johnson-like wrist because I saw on your video saying that you're not very fond of it!

[@mairj23sp33]

Now all of a sudden you start saying you're doing throwing motion like DJ. This makes me confused a lot!

[@azcharlie2009]

Rotating the forearms will get you more speed - if you hit it perfectly. But, what good is it when you don't time it correctly and miss hit, or push, or pull, hook, or fade the shot? You're in the crap! The hockey type release is the best way to release the club. You will hit it solid more often, and much straighter. I've spent the last seven or eight years trying to rotate the forearms. Finally, went back to the hockey release about a month ago. I shot 74 yesterday. I'm 72..... Yeah, I almost shot my age!

[@gdlblues1]

Hey Mike,is that not a flip when you say throw the right arm and wrist and let the left wrist hinge up.

[@pigslefats]

Yes, but it's post impact

[@laxbro7ify]

Brilliant

[@Robert-ts2ef]

Mike I am a 73 yr old golfer with a back that goes out occasionally, what would your advice in terms of which method to use to, minimise any back problems - the modern method of body and hands working together and swinging left through the ball or swing down the target line and roll the hands? Appreciate a reply if you could. Thanks.

[@golfpro47]

Hello Mike. I have been teaching 38 years. Don’t disagree but the wrists need to perform a certain way in the backswing and I don’t think most would know what that is. So That would be a good video to run with this one. Personally, I use my wrists in the hogan fashion. Open or slight cup then supinate into ball and beyond. I have had pretty good success teaching that. I probably only have 25% that release this way.

[@CarlKuzmich]

Mike, one question if you have a few minutes. One thing that I’ve noticed is that if I throw the club like your describing,my right wrist gets a little sore? So, am I doing it wrong? Or is it just the fact that different muscles are in play? Thanks in advance.

[@23Jake24]

MIKE MALASKA - I've been watching your videos for about 2.5 yrs and they've dramatically improved my understanding of the game. My question, though, is this: One of the first videos I saw of yours was a video that involved the grip, where you say the left hand should be placed on the club in a natural way...mine being in a stronger position. With the teachings in your recent videos of the right hand/arm movements, wouldn't a stronger left hand hinder the correct path of the right? Wouldn't you want your left hand to mirror the right so it can fold correctly and not impede the right hand's movement? Thanks in advance...Ryan Jacobs / Clearwater, FL

[@SethKash]

I think the main reason I go to this channel is because it lies in between the new flat bellies and the old senior stuff. Like today. I was taught the same stuff for twenty years and when it was timed, it worked. The trouble is it would never work two days in a row because I simply didn’t have the time needed to practice. When I got to my late thirties I knew I had to make a change if I were to ever have fun again because I could go at lunch because a change in job and location close to work. Funny thing. For the first time because of the mats it was like a beginner. Could not get a ball to do anything. I wasn’t hitting down on the balls made clear by the reaction with the same swing. Always able to get it out there with a driver but now the irons was worse than ever. Really in trouble now. Finally worked it out and as I thought the old hand reaction would never work again doing the new change in irons. And I did. The most fun ever with the effortless power in what I call a more body hit than before. This is my stuff you’re teaching and so grateful to find someone who “speaks my language.” Thanks!

[@cshawncarr1]

i really like this concept but struggle to understand. i watched another video where @mike talks about a chopping down motion with that bump getting the weight of the club moving. this seems different when i rehearse as this hand motion isn’t the same as the pull down motion chopping motion he references. with this my hands feel they are going back whereas using what i perceive to be the chopping motion my hands feel more up and down. it’s deffo not the ideas, it is my perception of my bear concepts being different. love mikes ideas just can never square these two concepts

[@rikkousa]

Great video. I developed tennis elbow after adding forearm rotation after a lesson to draw ball and reduce early release-after a week of heavy practice l of rotation , i nearly had to drop out of a golf tournament the pain was so bad. Ultimately , I had to wear a brace for several weeks until the pain went away. Needless to say, I have never tried to square the club or add ball speed using forearm rotation. Working with speed sticks , straighten my left leg and turning through impact has added 20-30 yards on my drives and 10-15 yards on irons (also got new Sims which helped a lot too). As a lifelong tennis player I had never developed tennis elbow . My orthopedist said it is a common golf injury. Who knew?;)

[@lightshadow44]

I view plenty of instruction on line. This professional is the only one to view with his principals on hand action as they relate to face control . Grip in the fingers with a strong grip and don’t twist the grip. ( You don’t have to as the face will come into the ball square ) Play better golf instantly !

[@frankb1928]

Thanks mike love the channel changed my game. Was a natural in baseball once i got that right hand working wow what a difference. Why do so many teachers want to take the game away from the right side if we are right handed makes no sense. Especially if we are not pro and dont practice 8hrs a day.

[@olleedsbacker3015]

I do like your videos. Finally I am convinced that this is a good way to play and avoiding back injuries. A comment about your frequent talk about “coming in to the hitting area with a wide open face, forcing the player to twist the forearms”, I don’t thing anyone teaches this these days. Thank you for a lot of good materials.

[@otisregatoni617]

Good opinion....worked well for me today. About 10 yards longer, with more accuracy. Way simpler than my forearm rotating.

[@g4lamos]

Excellent information. BUT, how do you get your students to actually DO this? You don’t explain that part......

[@erichanfland5407]

Got a lesson last week from a popular pro in my area. Said golf is all timing. Telling me to roll my wrists and see what the feel / timing is around a square impact. Really hard to replicate that timing every session 🤦‍♂️ .

[@madisonmasontv]

I was taught the same stuff, turn the hands over. Watch the hands turn over. The timing and variables of that swing drove me nuts! I remember Mike Austin at the range telling me to throw the club and I rebelled because I knew I had to flip those hands. But you guys are so right. And when I execute, it's a beautiful thing. So glad I found you.

[@xpress7578]

Hi Mike Do you hit hard with the right hand? Many are teaching that the arms are just along for the ride by keeping the wrist passive. Using this method I can't get enough club head speed. Cheers Lee

[@golfpro47]

It is difficult to time the squaring of the club face if you don’t have an awareness as the backswing takes place.

[@gkarakosta]

Just perfect explanation. Mike I love your teaching. My golf game is improving exceptionally because of your videos. Single digit handicap now. I went from face rotation to face square to the swing arch and so much more consistent and control. Thank you so much for what you do for this game .

[@alvor2762]

Thank you. I have found this very beneficial.

[@Brian-lh7jj]

Great tips, great advice! Thank you. Question for you: Would this hand/wrist action benefit a person with arthritis in the hands and wrist?

[@OrvinReyes]

Dude. this absolutely cured my chicken wing!!

[@The_Norse_Hunk]

Mike, do you think good advice (as an addendum to this) is to point your left glove golf emblem toward the target? Or any part of the outer left hand?

[@chachifeere]

Hey mike. If the hands stay a bit closer to the body past the ball. I find that the hands automatically do “your throw “. I feel like it happens a bit more easy than if I “try” and do it . If the hands go away from the body. I tend to hold off and have to much shaft lean. What should you say to this

[@will8804]

Feels really weird at first but works a treat. I try and focus on the top of the handle going behind the trail wrist. Cheers, Mike.

[@thomassmith878]

Thanks I’m an old guy but that keeps me showing up at the golf course.

[@zimmiwatson4187]

Ahhhhh If You & I could only go back 30 years.....!! 😁

[@giveupgoogleno3450]

Wow. Just wow. What a great way to explain it. I kept thinking of it as a backhand with top spin in tennis and this video validates it

[@capkarr]

Mike RULES!!

[@KMSchriver]

The club face at 90 degree angle to swing arc is 🤯 So good! Thanks.

[@ERFNED2926]

Any drills for this?

[@philmickful]

Good Stuff Mike

[@alannapoli78]

best video on release I ever watched! Thank you Mike!

[@rtmiv2030]

Best explanation ever. Subscribed.

[@tlavery59]

How important is the ball position with this hand release?

[@johnh613]

Thanks Mike at 77 yrs old the last couple of years I've been having trouble powering the ball down the course now that I've been following your instructions with simple hand movements my balls are going straighter and longer back to my 10 handicap 👍

[@garyplunkett1625]

Gold

[@DM-bx1zv]

Interesting concept. I’ll have to try it.

[@paulwebber7497]

Now I understand...... thank you

[@MSTRto20K]

Terrific video. Thanks.

[@Badfinger4]

This is a really eye-opening video. I definitely feel like I rotate my hands hard through impact, and I hook the shit out of everything. I don't know why I just can't seem to replicate the "throwing" movement Mike talks about. I wonder if it's due to some poor wrist conditions in my backswing that necessitate my hands turning over through impact. Anybody have any ideas about how to actually put this into practice?

[@mrm700]

The best way to start is to hit balls only using your right arm. I.e holding the club with the right hand only. Swing short and slow to start and then progress to longer swings.

[@MrMcLovinOhYeah]

Dave - you need to get the face square to club path earlier on downswing, with your right hand pressuring the club along it's path. Most come in with toe point straight up and have to flip.

[@jwsprad]

When you throw your hands doesn’t that encourage flipping of the club

[@mh_golfer]

I had that question after a shared video he did with Eric Cogorno and Eric replied flipping is when you release it prior to impact causing the club to race past your wrists. What he is saying here is happening just after impact. I made this switch as I was struggling with blocking it right or hitting huge hooks when I tried to rotate my forearms and this fixed it. I have been struggling a bit to not release my hands until after impact with my wedges which causes the ball to go really high and lose distance, however, when I do it right I hit a baby draw every time with good compression. Anyway GL.

[@legend9018]

Really excellent

[@joshuamclean6241]

Great video! Thank you

[@brianmenendez]

but the other instructor said I should rotate my forearms

[@azcharlie2009]

Forget it! Use the hockey style release.

[@tpdtopcop2010]

Great video. I have been following you and this channel for two years and my golf swing feels so much better. Anything practice wise to do to feel this action?

[@ericbarbour5547]

Practice this drill with just your left arm. You don't even need to hit balls...just practice it to feel this. Once you get, the power you can generate and straight ball flight will shock you. Pure right arm throw is the power driver. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3KslXyajNSYb8k

[@trotamundo8]

that's right...

[@MrDent495]

Brilliant!

[@marcussheldon8717]

Brilliant at last. Thanks Mike showing how to realise the club head like the late Mike Austin way. And the only way to generate club head speed and accuracy thank u. 🏌️‍♂️😃

[@77bovi]

how does this match up to the L to L videos you teach Mike? those seem to require more forearm rotation than showed here.

[@robmccance]

I don't see how it lines up with that at all. It also does not line up with his tipping the club out - the Malaska move. But whatever - he needs to make videos!

[@77bovi]

@@robmccance I'm not sure if its the curse of producing more content but the instructors with steady stream of new videos seem to have the most contradicting or jumbled up information. I know there are many ways to swing, but for instruction there needs to be a clear connection between each video and clear line of which kinda swing is being taught (match ups etc).

[@maeu59]

@@77bovi I agree, all these different videos are like links to a chain but never connect.

[@Charlyky]

Finally someone is talking about this. I’ve been turning the face down forever with no consistency.

[@gysgtallen1]

Another great explanation Mike! I love your videos they have transformed my golf game.

[@MsFlyingpiglet]

Love it

[@maxwired2235]

Awesome!

[@glennwiebe5128]

I just discovered Mike Austin and I see a lot of similarities here. Am I missing something?

[@jmarsh4653]

Hi Glenn. I teach the Austin swing in Atlanta and you are absolutely correct about the similarities. Minimal face rotation makes anyone a better and more consistent player.

[@mwgilmore9953]

this does not work. no one does this.