Wondering about people's thoughts on this:

Through trial & error and hitting a zillion balls, I eventually stumbled across the notion that the wrists should be very loose such that the momentum of the swing and weight of the clubhead causes the wrist hinge, the lag, and eventually the wrists to snap forward at the bottom of the swing arc. In other words, those things (i.e., wrist hinge, lag, etc.) are not something that is consciously done, but instead is a byproduct.

Once I discovered this, I turned my 230-240 yard drive into 260-290 yards. My 9 iron became my 150 club, whereas it was previously my 7 iron. Not saying I alway achieve those numbers, but I do when the ball is well struck.

Yet, I have taken many lessons over the years, and watched a thousand YouTube instruction videos, and almost nobody talks about that (certainly none of the in-person instructors)! Intead, they talk about the wrists like you need to purposely bow, hinge, unhinge, etc. As if you can consciously unhinge and snap the wrists in 1/100th of a second at the bottom of your swing arc if you just practice it enough.

After I discovered loose wrists myself, I was able to find a few videos about it on YouTube, but they are rare (one particular instructor comes to mind). Why is that? Or do you guys not even know what I'm talking about (maybe I'm crazy?).

Paul Wilson YouTube videos are exactly what you are describing. Check him out - a bit odd but…..🏌️‍♂️🏌️‍♂️🏌️‍♂️

    Eguller

    Yep, he's the guy that came to mind. I discovered his videos after searching for "loose wrists golf" in YouTube. He's the notable exception.

    Another rare one:

      Paddy’s Golf Tips. Wrists in the Golf Swing. Part 1 & 2.


      The less I think about my hands or wrists the better I hit it. I actually try to take the club straight back with no hinge. The hinge will happen any way and trying to do something will just make things worse for me.

        🤣
        Another thread about people 'thinking' while trying to play.
        A wonder anyone breaks 90. Front tees or back.😉

          Korean Pro Golfer Heo for the win.

          Par4QC Another thread about people 'thinking' while trying to play.

          "If you're not thinking about pussy, you're not concentrating".

            KCee

            I’m the same. When my wrists get to active the ball will hook on me. That’s not want I want to see!

              If one wants to understand supination, radial/ulnar deviation, flexion, and how the clubface is controlled by the hands/wrists refer to Homer Kelley's book "The Golfing Machine". <---Mac O'Grady and Gary McCord go nuts on TGM. 99% of hacks have no interest nor any idea what this is about nor do they care. BUT, all pros do these factors some of them somewhat differently, but ALL do them very well. In fact, I'll go out on a limb and say 80%+ on this forum have never felt what Marty Nowicki shows in the use of Kelvin Miyahira's invention the Impact Snap. The Impact Snap puts your hands, wrists, arms in these positions which like I say most have never felt. BTW, there is no right or wrong if you don't like this stuff just pass over it. This is for folks that want to understand more. The OP asked a question so here's more info. that many have not even considered.

              scotts33 Homer Kelley "The Golfing Machine" anyone?

              I got my Engineering degree; no interest in a Phd in Physics lol.

                azgreg

                Yeah, that sounds like the point I was making. Why are so many intructors teaching people to do something with their wrists when it seems they should be doing nothing with their wrists?

                  I practice swinging occasionally with a 90 degree wrist brace. I don't think it will ever happen, but I want every thing to be in the same place at the same time every time.

                  Your wrists are levers. They’re being used in the golf swing (for good or bad) whether you consciously feel it or not. No one can swing the club without the wrists involved. Even Steve Stricker.

                  I see lots of instructors teach supple wrists. Not sure where you'd get the idea it's rare.

                    If you want to be loosy goosy in the wrists great as long as what ever you do in your swing is repeatable.

                    garyt1957 I see lots of instructors teach supple wrists. Not sure where you'd get the idea it's rare.

                    I've been to 6 different instructors over the years. Nobody told me anything about wrists, except "don't cup at the top." Would have been nice if I was told "here's something you're not doing that can add 20-30 yards." I guess I saw the wrong instructors! 🙂

                        GimC "don't cup at the top."

                        😉Have you hit enough balls in your lifetime that you can say you've never done that since it was pointed out?

                        • GimC replied to this.

                            Par4QC

                            Never done that? I used to do that (apparently). I don’t anymore. Sorry, not sure where you’re going with that.

                                GimC Just wondered how much that is taught, is practiced. And if it ever becomes totally ingrained, with little to no practice, and few rounds played monthly.

                                • GimC replied to this.

                                    Par4QC

                                    Oh, got it. I was told not to cup when I first started playing in the ‘90s. Wanted to get rid of my slice, and so I definitely practiced it (along with fixing my swing path). Eventually I became a hook machine and I stopped purposely trying to flatten the wrist.

                                    Interestingly, I stopped playing regular golf for about 12 years (because of time, kids, expense, etc.). Picked it up again in 2018, but rarely fade/slice, so cupping is not something I thought about. I do not see cupping when I look at my swing on video, so I guess it was ingrained.

                                    The biggest change I found when picking up golf again is lost distance.

                                      4 days later

                                      Phillip Sparks posted this on 8/10. Worth a look especially for seniors with lost distance.

                                        Eguller That's basic Manuel de la Torre. There is much aligned with MDLT/Ernest Jones and Sparks/Easiest Swing. Free wrists, centered ball position and NOT a body-oriented swing. When my game goes off the rails this is the main reason why also why I can play golf at 75 without any body part replacement so far. ☺ And still walk and carry 7-8 clubs for 9.

                                            scotts33

                                            For most golfers, it takes trust, practice and a solid mind set to execute this swing with confidence in ‘tournament play’. The urge to HIT under those conditions is almost irresistible. 🏌️‍♂️

                                                Eguller For most golfers, it takes trust, practice and a solid mind set to execute this swing with confidence in ‘tournament play’. The urge to HIT under those conditions is almost irresistible. 🏌️‍♂️

                                                Agreed Dan! It takes a solid mental game to play golf hence the issues with majority of hitting from the top hackers. I was lucky I got slapped on the ass from Manuel at 12 trying to hit at the ball. I'm still a hacker but I understand why, the majority of golfers never understand the why's. And therefore can never "fix" themselves.

                                                Basically, IF I follow thru to a full finish the resulting shot will be 90% good to great. To me it's the end to the means. ("something that you do because it will help you to achieve something else") Free wrists and low tension is all part of that. Low tension stops that temptation to hit at the ball.