Flat Left Wrist? #1 Most Popular Teacher on You Tube Shawn Clement

[Skellz022782]

I'm a big fan of your videos. I been trying to make better contact with my Irons and stumbled upon this video. I noticed that at the top of my backswing, my left wrist is cupped. So much so that my knuckles seem to be coming up much closer to the top of my forearm. Would this be a big problem for solid contact with my irons? I have had problems with the shanks before and am wondering if I maybe need to work on flattening my wrist at the top of the backswing.

[TheNYgolfer]

There always is a trade off in golf between distance and accuracy. A flat (or slightly bowed) left wrist is a MUST at impact. A flat left wrist at the top requires minimal forearm rotation to arrive flat at impact. This minimizes timing issues. Yes you will not be able to cock the left wrist as much and therefor you will give up distance but the payoff is accuracy."Flipping" the club through impact requires TREMENDOUS timing,which the average golfer does not have due to lack of practice time.

[clemshaw]

@TheNYgolfer There are so many things you just don't get about timing New York; if your grip-club is dynamically square and your action is towards a target and not the ball, YOU WILL GET THE FLAT OR BOWED WRIST AT IMPACT WITH HANDS AHEAD; see "ridiculously easy; shawn", "strike it pure; shawn", "hammer through; shawn", "Farm hammer; shawn" and many more; we are anatomically designed and wired for it for 2 million years and counting; we do it for fishing, hammering, tennis...open your mind!

[Mollineaux]

Really enjoy your videos and find them very helpful and informative. However perhaps I could just say in respect of Hogan that although he had a cupped left wrist at the top, his first move with his hands down was to flatten the wrist and also drop his right elbow towards his right hip as a result. One of the best ball strikers ever, Lee Trevino, certainly had no cup at the top.

[clemshaw]

@Mollineaux If your action is to a target through the ball, your have no choice but to have a bowed or flat wrist at impact, and you won't even have to think about it either! like I said to Ny golfer, you load a fishing pole, a tennis serve, a football throw, a baseball swing with the same hinging action...let's see you keep the wrist flat in a fishing cast...you would look and feel like a dufus...but in a golf swing, those who are strong enough can handle it; I deal with the other 95%

[Mollineaux]

@clemshaw Thanks for responding Shawn and I certainly wouldn't question your take on this at all. All I have is my own experience, and since ensuring a flat/slightly bowed left wrist at the start of the downswing, my irons have been crisper, more predictable and accurate. I am sure you could have identified/fixed my previous swing problems( a tendency to come from outside in for one) without reference to my cupped left wrist, but for me a change in wrist angle has helped mightily. Best wishes.

[mslu62]

Shawn For those of us who are good ball strikers and hit it long is this left cuped wrist at the top something that will translate to even more distance ?

[clemshaw]

@mslu62 See the answer for mighty55...:)

[mightyd55]

Sorry Shawn. Can't go with you on this. If I don't keep my left wrist flat I lose power and slice. The flat left wrist is one of the anchors of my swing. I can swing "against" it at full speed confident it will go straight (enough) and long

[clemshaw]

@mightyd55 If you are strong enough, great! I have a couple athletic students who loose their way mentally if they don't start and keep the back of the left wrist bowed or straight during the swing; so keep at what you are doing; it is plenty sound. I, as a teacher see a huge majority in the other direction because it is not only more efficient anatomically, it is more powerful for the average man, woman, junior as it gets every once of power AND THEY STILL GET FLAT AT IMPACT NATURALLY!

[Gyro911]

So he's encourageing people to cup the wrists by hinging it? i dont get it the point of this video, I hit slices when i cup the wrists and only when i keep the left straight can i hit a straight shot with a draw

[clemshaw]

@Gyro911 Hey Gyro; This is because your grip is too weak to begin with; address and impact are very different and the video you need to watch is "weak grip or strong grip; shawn clement" it will explain a lot!

BTW, the wrists cup slightly but don't COLLAPSE; if the left wrist cups too much or collapses, the right wrist will not be in it's proper hinged position; Shawn

[Gyro911]

@clemshaw You may have a point there, my grip has become very relaxed however, isnt that the common rule to relax the grip since tightening it will cause loss of distance?

[chachifeere]

@Gyro911 hey I have struggled with the grip alot and iam finnaly on my way, if you have the proper grip your wrist will automaticlly be in the right postion.pretty sure and shawn can comment, the amount of "stronge or weak grip" will determine how much cup/flat there will be in the wrist at the top of the swing. you dont want to be manipulating wrsite action during the swing. this may work at the range cause its all timing but on the course thats a different story.

[MrSky57]

shawn I catch myself when I hit a weak or bad shot thats exactly what happens a"shove" instead of laging then firing the wrist thru great explaination on the subject I play with a guy who turns his wrists down at the top but releases beautifully in his downswing his ball flight is straight or slight draw

[silowhore]

ha ha ha, im not sure what's on your neck there shawn but i thought you were a preacher there for a second

[gordontucker055]

I love your videos and watch them all the time. I vary from a 8+ to a 12. I hit 50% of fairways, but only 25% of greens!

I wear my golf glove out rapidly in the heel and the right knuckle! I'm worried about this and think this is a major cause of concern.

what is causing this?

[clemshaw]

@gordontucker055 This just means that your grip and the way you release is off and causing the club to move excessively in your hands; see my "grip and swing awareness; shawn clement" and my "grip 2 wrist hinge; shawn clement" videos; Shawn

[gordontucker055]

I love your vidoes and watch them all the time. I vary from a 8+ to a 12. I hit 50% of fairways, but only 25% of greens!

I wear my golf glove out rapidly in the heel and the right knuckle! I'm worried about this and think this is a major cause of concern.

what is causing this?

[laceymania]

Shawn,

love your DVDs.

Hogan's was definately cupped at the top and very flat at impact.

you explain things extremely well.

I believe this is your best ever youtube vid.

Love your work.

regards, Mike.

[clemshaw]

@laceymania Thank you for that Mike! I am glad you were observing properly! :) Shawn

[sosawhatzup]

He looks like a priest XD

[604heatscore]

i smile when i watch you swing. although i am not a great golfer, i can appreciate a nice swing.

[markcadloni]

I really like this video. I don't get that rolling over of the right hand and turning down of the left. I think it comes from years of being told to pull with the left arm. I know it is costing me valuable distance, consistent contact, and the ability to hit many different shots. I have a difficult time drawing the ball and hardly ever take divots. Any drills or suggestions on how to cure this problem. Thanks again.

Mark

P.S. I like Henry Cottons's image of hitting past the L handw/rt hand

[clemshaw]

@markcadloni If you go to my following videos, you will see why and how the arm motion was designed to function; "golf pro lesson taut swing philosophy" "golf pro lesson fishing and golf" "golf pro lesson fine tuning arm motion plane" and " golf pro lesson arm motion" Shawn

[leighton65]

Sean, seriously love your vids and thanks a lot for taking the time to record them and put them on the web for free. I'm finding this OK in practice and am hitting it nicely. The problems arrive when I go for full swing (therefore full hinge). I find I'm thinning the ball albeit straight. It actually feels like I'm mis-timing or throwing my arms quicker than my hips. Any advice appreciated man!

[clemshaw]

@leighton65 Have a look at one of my most recent posts that have really helped; "golf pro lesson how to coordinate arm motion with body turn" and "golf pro lesson play a shot"; I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know that my new dvd series is hot off the presses and my new website has a great new forum feature that will really help everyone deepen their understanding of this game; Thank you for the comment! Shawn

[francislsp]

Hmm...... u2 probably meant conceited.What ever it is,it is still rather rude of him.

I like ythis video of yours.and will probably like the others as well once i have gone through them.

For one, I like your courage to debunk a lot of the nonsense in golf taken for granted as truths.

Will probably come back to exchange some ideas with you.

[mebagga]

G'day from Sydney Australia down under. I just wanted to give Shawn a big wrap for offering advice and instruction free of charge with these You Tube videos. Its great to see a pro giving something back and not charging $90 a half hour (that's the going rate down here) for lessons. I've learned more abut the golf swing in one week than I have from dozens of paid lessons. Whatever time and effort shawn is prepared to offer freely should be welcomed and appreciated. Keep up the good work mate.

[clemshaw]

@mebagga Thanks Mate! Shawn

[haricsl]

My main sport is tennis and I've just started playing golf. I noticed that the body mechanics are very similar (ie lead with legs, hip etc) and also the pronation aspect on impact. I think it is good that you compare to other sports as that really gives a better feel on the correct body mechanics...thanks.

[clemshaw]

@haricsl I know; isn't it great!? The human body was designed to perform on Planet Earth; it is the same structure we use with everything so of course there will be incredible similarities as the only thing that changes is the tool used; hammer nails, chop wood, cast a fishing pole, serve a tennis ball, swing a bat, swing a golf club!

We are still subject to the same gravitational force and it's close cousins; centrifugal and centripetal forces...All the best! Shawn

[TheBBusher]

@clemshaw Shawn just wondering, is pronation of the left wrist and forearm a concious move in the backswing? I cant seem to get a definitive answer to this.

[clemshaw]

@TheBBusher NO; NOT AT ALL; anatomically we are designed to do this! See my "takeaway and starting swing: shawn clement" and "Arm leverage; shawn clement" videos; Shawn

[lewiskane24]

hey shawn, do i need to brace against my leftside for every club.. or is it just for my irons?

[Vundi228]

Vundi228- Love the biomechanics. As a Sports Med doctor, it helps me visualize this better. Any ideas on how to keep the hing a little longer in the downswing?

[clemshaw]

@Vundi228 Yes! Stay focused on the target! See "golf pro lesson proper focus part 1 and 2. New DVD is here by the way; new website as well! same address new digs and forum;

[mjburke43]

Thanks Shawn. Your explanation definitely answered my question. I really appreciate it very much.

[senorchipotle]

howdy from texas shawn. been going through your vids for a diagnosis of my current issue, but i can't seem to find it. with my short irons i've been hitting off the toe, and as i hit blades, it just sort of shanks almost dead right(i'm a rightie) and goes about 100 yards. i tried getting some width in my downswing, but it is still happening. thanks for any advice you can give!

[clemshaw]

@senorchipotle

Have a look at my "golf pro lesson tilted spiral" part 3 and hit some shots that start to the right and draw back to the target; you can use the one leg drill to feel this as well; Shawn

[mjburke43]

Shawn, at the moment of impact with the irons, your hands are in front of the ball, your left hand and wrist are straight (or slightly bowed?) and the shaft is leaning forward. Can you please tell us what the correct impact position would be with the driver vis-a-vis the left wrist, hand and shaft. I would assume the left wrist and hand would still be straight, but the shaft wouldn't be leaning forward since you are playing the ball further up in your stance. Thoughts?

[clemshaw]

@mjburke43

The hands, left arm and club would almost be straight but still leaning slightly towards the target as we collect the ball slightly open; then the ball compresses against the clubface and rides on it for a tad and then releases from it; you will often see the shaft releasing way too early for many golfers including many pros; the shaft should release towards the target only; I hope this answers your question; Shawn

[clemshaw]

@AlwaysTopTT,

Often when you get too technical with your swing thoughts, the ball will become your target. Shanks are very likely to be caused by trying to hit the ball, rather than swinging to the target. Have a look at "Golf Pro Lessons: "Fishing and Golf", "Insanity of Golf", and "Fix your Shanks!"

[coopersx19]

Shawn, Should both wrists be hinged on the snuffboxes? Or only the left wrist cocked with the right wrist bent back? Not sure if this is what you are saying when you comment on the manipulated position. Cheers.

[clemshaw]

BOTH WRISTS ON THE SNUFF BOXES! very important for accuracy and allowing centrifugal force to work it's magic...

Thanks for the question! Shawn

[trolloone]

3:20 its called hitting against a strong left side.. you dont have to be an athelete to keep your wrists and forearm flat and a accomplish a full hinge. if people try and copy that impact position the will shank it

[clemshaw]

The key here is to not try to achieve the position through manipulation; if you give the swing to centrifugal force (resulting from centripetal), and send the energy towards a target (that is not the ball), then you get the good stuff through impact; Shawn

[coopersx19]

So Hogan when he rolled the club face open to get additional wrist cock (or to delay release) as opposed to say the "cupped-looking" wrist caused simply by gripping the club and "bulging" the wrist out did not require additional manipulation on the way down because the centrifugal force undid this for him? Is that correct? Can deliberately cupped or bowed wrists undo themselves automatically on the way down? Really interested in this aspect. cheers.

[clemshaw]

First question is Yes! Second question is maybe if you completely abandon the arm club unit to centrifugal force they would eventually get "righted"; whether this "manipulation" causes the body to react in other manners and dislodges the centers of the body is another story...I am on the side of letting the wrists find their slot as opposed to "making them"; Shawn

[claytronica23]

Shawn - great lesson! I am having a breakthrough year and finally getting some compression. What I'm still sorting out is that I don't want to feel any wrist manipulation on the down swing, but at this point I'm still thinking about bowing the left wrist before contact to pinch the ball, and it's working up to a point. I no longer hit weak fades, but now my misses are pull hooks. Keeping my right heel grounded lessens the pull, but still looking to SIMPLIFY. Any tips appreciated - and thanks!

[clemshaw]

Use the tilted spiral as the axis to allow the body to clear out of the way of the arm-club unit; "Golf Pro lesson tilted spiral" part 1, 2 and 3 as well as the "golf pro lesson timing and tempo update"; this should do the trick! Shawn

[cmsima]

Shawn - regarding the squaring of the club face. Based on lessons I've taken and a comment you made in your video ... someone might focus on wrist/forearm rotation to square the clubface, while someone else might focus on extending the right arm through impact-and-to the target. Both essentially achieving the same result of squaring the face.  Agreed? Chris

[clemshaw]

Yes, you could say that! They are all connected like a domino set! :) Shawn

[xivietal666headx]

Hi Shawn, you videos have helped me a great deal, Thank you for the tips. I do want to ask you though, do you feel like you are slapping the back of the ball with the right hand to square the clubface or is it all centrifcal force that squares you up. I feel like I have a very strong grip to compensate for poor form somewhere on the downswing ( I dont roll my forearms) and because of this I almost feel that I am Chopping down on the ball. It works well with irons but not the driver.

[clemshaw]

Terrific question!

See the "golf pro lesson feet together drill" and the "golf pro lesson one leg swing no weightshift" for the right feel of the returning of the butt that squares and catapults the arms towards the target! You will see that keeping that right foot on the ground through impact when both feet start on the ground is very important: "Golf Pro lesson leverage power" and Golf Pro lesson catapult power" videos to explain; Shawn

[secrettogolf]

Shawn do any players uncock to a square position before impact to add speed.Iknow Darrell Klasson believes that in the backswing there is a vertical hinge so therefor in the downswing he releases back down from vertical.He has a drill called ,The Collar Bone Drill at UTUBE which illustrates this.Wanted your insight.

[clemshaw]

You get way more speed and power swinging THROUGH THE BALL AND NOT AT THE BALL; golf is about sending the ball to a target; never let the ball BECOME YOUR TARGET! Stay focused on that nice effortless snap to the target; just ask any long ball competitor! Shawn

[jduncanm3golf]

nice work Sean. tennis serve very interesting

[veryspecialsteve]

by using the throwing motion through the ball the right wrist is taken out of a cupped position and fully extended. I have been told numerous times about keeping the right wrist cupped and that the muscles used to bend the right wrist to the target are not used?

[clemshaw]

The most dangerous thing here is body part teaching; there are over 220 muscles that fire in the swing in milliseconds; to isolate one or 2 is sabotage; you can visualize trapping the ball against the turf with the club face and let your body respond to it; let your instincts work for you, don't work against your instincts...Thanks for the question! Shawn

[jack10boy]

poor alignment??????lee trivino...way left hips and feet shoulder right???tom lehman aims left and hits a draw???john daly and fred couples hits a huge cut with a super strong grip?????snead had a closed hips and feet and open shoulders??poor alignment whats that???????????????

[jack10boy]

poor grip?????whats that ????theres about 28 diffrent ones on tour.if your getting the face in the same position at impact at a regular basis and bottom out in the same spot you have a good grip for you swing....same with ball position....same with pousture..watch the stack and tilt founder video as he questions the "fundementals"so what are you saying?????????your lame thats about it

[jack10boy]

alan your a idiot shawns had every basic lesson on here this is very important for the golf swing and teaching its obvious hes wants golfers to get better and loves golf..its only complicated cause you dont know what hes talking about..its about the least amount of resistance of the face threw the swing except when you need threw impact,face of the racket is the same.take the cotton out of your ears and put it in your mouth you might learn somthing

[clemshaw]

Thanks for the nice defence Jack; much appreciated; but take it easy on the poor guy! :)

[jack10boy]

ive tried keeping a flat wrist and felt unnatural hand just hooked it alot but with a cupped wrist i can really pour on the release and turn it over without worring on a hook but if you have a cupped wrist with a tense gripe youll leave it wide open and push it right iv tried keeping or holding off my back left wrist to the target and had nighmares of wide open faces thats only for the pros with huge amount of body rotation and 120 mh club speed shawn your the best you rock!!!!!!!!!

[mycatrocko]

I had a very bad inconsistant swing and bad shots hook and slices, when I first changed my weak grip to a strong grip it got a little better but not what I wanted but after I changed my wrists and putting the two with each other I had much more consistancy and more distance, if anyone has problems I would say check your grip and wrist first.

[alanwilliamson35]

all of this is totally irrelevant if you have a poor grip, like 95% of golfers (yes 95%), poor alignment (90%), poor posture (90%) bad ball position, poor elasticity, a sway, a reverse pivot, etc etc etc......you need to adress the basics befors you can claim to make the swing seem EASY with lame, over complicated, irrelevant movements like these.

[clemshaw]

This is why I have 150 videos that address all these issues; this video is to address all the different opinions out there about flat wrist vs cupped wrist; if you want basic, please see my "Golf Pro lesson posture and Balance" video; it is 2 minutes long and should be much easier to understand for you; it is too bad your comments cannot be more constructive but I still wish you all the best; Shawn

[sandmanlogan]

Hey Shawn -

Great information, as always.

Do you have any specific video's and /or tips that will help stop casting? I hate watching video of my swing because I keep my wrists tight and they breakdown way before impact and I lose a lot of power. I try to get the mental image of whipping and fishing but I'm just not connecting to that. Any advice on maitaining loose wrists?

Thanks!

[waikikibill]

Wow, Mahalo nui loa (Thank You very much), I have a broken left wrist and love golf. It hurt keeping a flat left wrist. I'll try it your way.

Bill

[spords]

Shawn, with your words about the correct right wrist (right hander) position echoing in my ears, I went outside (live in country), and hit six arrow straight drives with my  new 9.5 degree Adams driver.

So thanks for your comment. Incidentally, health forced me to retire at an early age and i picked up golf. Went from 100's four years ago to 10 handiacapp thanks to Greg, a past Canadian touring pro who lives in town who's buddies with Canadian Mike W., Both of whom, I'm sure you know well.

[acc771]

please try to help me with this! i know its very confusing, but when i saw your video you understanding REALLY caught my eye, you know what you're doing and its obvious, you're the only one who can help haha - thanks!

[acc771]

wonderful video and understanding of the golf swing. I think i am one of the few who do have enough wrist hinge for the flat wrist at the top, Im actually told too much wrist hinge sometimes. However i do encompass a problem every few months - my left wrists has a CRAZY desire to cup a TON! and it doesnt feel right unless i cup it, which leads to MANY MANY shanks and banana balls. Im a low handicap, i know what im doing, but when i get this problem, its the feeling thats hard to get back.

[clemshaw]

Hey acc! Have a look at my "golf pro lesson grip 2 wrist hinge" video to start; then make sure that your arms do not collapse against the body in the backswing...see "Golf pro lesson ball bearings and sockets" and "perpetual motion drill" and "Golf Pro lesson elbow close?" and "golf pro lesson training aids" part 1 where you see the Izzo Blue strap that goes over the elbows...If the elbows split apart in the backswing, the grip and cup of wrist takes a beating! Shawn

[smoothswinging14]

I believe it is up to your left hand grip to determine if you will have a cupped wrist at the top. Strong left hand grip will be cupped at the top, and more neutral or weak left hand grip will lead to flat wrist position at the top. Also, I feel a strong left hand grip, thus providing a cupped position at the top (like Hogan) is easier for most people.

[spords]

Shawn,

Tonight, I spent two hours researching whether cupping the right wrist ( if you're right handed) is correct when you're at the top of your backswing. Half said,"Yes, cup the right wrist". Half said, "No, don't cup the right wrist."

I decided to come to you, Shawn, for the final word as you're the most helpful voice on the internet.

From backswing to downswing, is it like hammering a nail; casting a fishing rod?

Please help. I'm a confused 10 handicap. Cup or no cup?

[clemshaw]

Hey Spords! Sorry I did not see your comment man! Yes, of course it is like hammering a nail and casting a fishing pole and throwing a football!! This is pure biomechanics and like you, I am so sick of the ignorance out there!! All those pros need to do is get themselves a human anatomy book, check out you tube for animated wrist function or do like me and get a full fledged human skeleton!

Now get back to work! :) Shawn

[josh3564]

i have recently taped my left wrist so there is no possiblility of it being able to move and yes it works and makes me 100 percnt more accurate and ball striking is great also is this a good training aid and if i cant work my way out of it could i use it in tournaments

[clemshaw]

Actually; have a look at Jim Thorpe on the Champion's Tour; I don't remember ever seeing him without the tape around his left wrist; and he is a big guy!

Thanks for the great comment! Shawn

[Scampern]

You said that flat wrists are a manipulation. However I noticed that I have this in my swing and I have never thought about this. Never!

How can I then have manipulated my flat wrists?

Maybe because I have not allowed my wrists to hinge enough?

[clemshaw]

What a great comment!!

I am talking about golfers who are trying to keep their wrist flat at the top and who are probably hinging decently already or have no hinge at all...The ones who do without thinking and are great ball strikers are in a different league; you will notice your right wrist is quite cupped at the top as well when you do this; it help close the face though! For some it is fine, for others it is not so fine...:)

Shawn

[quixoticfox]

Shawn, in your "Analyze Your Own Swing" video, you mention that at the top your club is pointed right of target. I have the same problem but magnified. I thought I was over swinging, but my arms and spine are in the proper position. Its not too much of a problem because by the time the club is perpendicular to the ground, i've manipulated it back on plane. But i'd still like to get rid of it. The left wrist is slightly cupped (as it should be, i think). Thoughts?

[clemshaw]

Wrists are OK as long as they hinge together as one unit; as for the other, I have many videos to help there: "Golf Swing Medicine", "momentum Toss" part 1 and 2, then look at the "Chicken Wing Across The Line" and the "Elbow Close?" videos; They are all on my "You Tube Shawn" page of my website;

Shawn

[athleticguy08]

nice video shawn. im curious though if anyone here is familiar with the swing jacket. any opinions on it? I need to see how it feels to swing the club correctly and it seems like the swing jacket would do that. any opinions would be appreciated. thank you

[wucrew666]

Great video Shawn.

[pecky1234]

also, i saw a great pic of novak djokovic hitting a double handed back-hand. you could see a flat lead wrist and bent trail wrist

[pecky1234]

what i see, is that many great players, before the video era, players like nicklaus, player, snead and palmer all had a flat wrist at the top. palmer had an arched wrist at the top! i just believe it seems it may well be a manipulation, but one that seems work

[berntmuus]

Shawn,

Thanks very much for posting your Youtube videos. They are very helpful. I have a question about Joe Dante's book the Four Magic Moves. He describes an early wrist break where the left wrist seems to bend in (not back like Hogan). I've tried this but it does not make sense to me. Do you know this method or have any comments on it? Thanks again!

[clemshaw]

Thanks for the comment!

All I can tell you is that the best, most efficient and anatomically correct way to do it is in my "Grip 2 wrist hinge video" which you will find on the "You Tube Shawn" page of my website;

Shawn

[berntmuus]

That's all I needed to hear, and what I suspected. When my kids get older I may have to make a trip to Canada for a lesson. You videos have been just what I needed. Thanks again!

[wallreader]

Shawn,

Thanks, because of certain dogma about the right hand hinging I have always concerned myself with not over hinging the right hand, even knowing that I hit my best shots when being loose not thinking about it.

And watching slow motion videos of Hogan it looks to me like he fully hinges his right wrist on the downswing, yet the "dogma" people say he doesn't.

They have hurt more than helped I think.

thanks, your dvd was great

[clemshaw]

I like your DOGMA EXPRESSION!! Very accurate thanks!

Shawn

[karmye]

Shawn: Another outstanding video. This is very minor but you talk about the wrist position at impact the correct pronunciation of the word "bow" should rhyme with "no" not "now".

Your pronunciation means to bend one's back forward from the waist like an actor at the end of a play. The proper one, like arrow and bow, means something curved in shape. Karl

[clemshaw]

I stand corrected! Thanks very much for the comment and correction! Shawn

[Scampern]

Thats actually very interesting. The fact that the racket is not released until the moment of impact makes the racket cut through the air.

If one releases to early the air resistance will be greater and the there will be a power loss.

I really enjoy your teaching. Anatomical correct, using gravity, inertia and now letting physics work for you. (air resistance)

By the way, will we see you on the senior tour ? With the advantage of playing both ways you could do it?

[clemshaw]

The though has entered my mind once or twice...:) Shawn

[Scampern]

If you did and only allowed to have 14 clubs as the rule say, wich clubs of right and left would you include in your bag :)?

Maybe enough with only a SW-7 iron from the leftie department?

[clemshaw]

4,6,8,pw, LH

3,5,7,9,sw, RH

If Driver RH then 4 wood LH and vice versa...this is how I always play golf since 1985...Shawn

[TGChicago]

Hey Shawn:

I am very pleased with my backswing fundamentals and am making solid contact with the ball and my shots are all straight, however, my shots aren't going as far as they should. My 6i regularly goes 120 yds on the carry. I will say that on video my hands are even with the club upon impact. Could this be the main factor for my lack of distance? If not, what else can I focus on to help me get my distance up?

I appreciate any advice. Thank you for posting these tips!

[chinadonkey]

hi shawn

great videos keep up the good work!

just one thing, when i try to hinge my wrists at the top of my backswing, i nearly always push/slice the ball, probably because my club face is open at impact. to stop this i have to try and reduce my hinge, and it feels like i have lost all feeling in my swing. do you advise that you positively try and make an effort to hinge your wrists at the top of the swing, or should you let it go naturally?

thanks very much

[clemshaw]

Hey Chinadonkey!

Your clubface at address is too open! Have a look at my "Golf Pro Lesson Braced Tilt part 2" to see how to tweak the club face with the tilt of the body;

All my videos are on my website at shawnclementgolf dot com on the "You Tube Shawn" page; Shawn

[WilsonStaffCPGA]

Shawn what is your take on Butch Harmons theory that a strong grip makes it okay to cup the wrist at the top of the swing. I know in his books he talks about a straight wrist is only good for someone with a weak grip. By the way Im still working on what you taught me last year and my tempo is so much better. We need to connect soon.

dane

[WilsonStaffCPGA]

The other theory I was wondering is that a lot of teachers say that a cupped position will make you slice and a bowed position will make you hook? When I used to try and have a flat wrist at the top it felt un natural and there wasnt alot of hinge.

[clemshaw]

Hey Dane! Nice to hear from you!

You are right about it not feeling natural as it is not anatomically correct; cupped with a weak grip will make you slice and it can collapse beyond that too where as neutral to strong grips will cause a hook if you bow at the top or don't swing through the ball enough...

Shawn

[Scampern]

Maybe not the right video to comment in but could weak wrists cause me to not be able to release properly?

Strength wise my wrists have always been my weakest link and I think it affects my release. The first 10-20 shots on the range is problem free wrist wise but after that they get tired and I feel the hands are doing whatever they want and not getting consistent results.

Do you think strong wrists or at least normal strength is aquired to be a consistent golfer?? Thanks for the answers man

[clemshaw]

It certainly does help; It is easy to make them stronger; Use a gallon of water in it's original plastic container and tie a 5 foot long piece of rope to it; tie the other end to a nail sticking out of the middle of a 12 inch piece of 2x2. Holding your arms in front of you, palm down, roll the piece of wood so that it lifts the gallon of water; you can start with the container half full and work your way up...this will build your forearms big time!

Shawn

[pecky1234]

thinking about flat vs hinging, sergio goes from flat at the top, to bent to allow his huge 'lag' then flattens it thru impact. hows that for a move!!!

[clemshaw]

Thanks Jordan!

This is what I was describing in this video as some who have more than average mobility in the wrists will need to keep the "wrist and back of hand" flat at the top to reduce the hinge so as not to lag too far past the ball and loose the ability to compress the ball; this gives Sergio more power because it increases his "Smash Factor"; I have only seen a handfull of such golfers in my 20 years of teaching...

[pecky1234]

the article with tiger about hitting the ball with the back of his left hand will only work if you have a grip like his, where the club-face matches the back of his left hand. whereas someone like david duval had a grip much stronger and it doesnt match, if he did what tiger describes, he would hit the ball miles left

[clemshaw]

Absolutely! Thanks Jordan!

Shawn

[waycoolkennel]

The disussion of flat or cupped wrist is all very interesting... the issue I see is that it seems to be rather unnatural and more of a manipulated postion... For most of us mid to high handicappers attempting to manipulation a postion tends to be rather disasterous.. at least for this hack :-)

What say you Shawn ?

[clemshaw]

At the beginning, yes; things tend to be mechanical with any new venture; what is important is to try to do it in the anatomically correct way to maximize the potential and efficiency of the movement. This will give you a fighting chance under pressure later on...especially if you have done this movement in other sports like football, fishing and tennis! Then it becomes natural and ingrained! Shawn

[812ekoms]

Shawn, in your DVD, you instruct us all to pivot and toss the arms wide in the backswing. The key that open the door to a better swing for me is to cloak the arms, hands and club from my minds eyes and then let everything else fall into its place. Like you said, "the pivot of the crane moves the wrecking ball." So, there's no need to think about what the arms, hands and club are doing at the top of your swing.

[clemshaw]

Thanks very much for the great feedback 812!

Very much appreciated! Shawn

[pecky1234]

heres what i think. the advantage of having a flat left wrist at the top is A.) it helps prevent the face getting too open at the top, so good for slicers. B.) it helps those who have the left wrist break down thru impact and scoop at the ball. C.) and so, so many great players have had a flat left wrist at the top, why wouldn't you want to have one???

[richl777]

shawn,can you confirm that you are trying to hinge both wrists as fully as possible at the top of the swing.

Would it be better to feel fully hinging the left wrist at the top and have the feeling of 'folding ' the right at the bottom.Many thanks

[clemshaw]

Both wrists! Just like the fishing analogy in here; you want to feel that the natural pull of gravity sets the wrists from waist high to the top...Shawn

[waycoolkennel]

Great stuff again Shawn ! Hope the DVD arrives today !.. Finally played yesterday I have hit 2000 or more balls using your videos.. My ball striking is the best its EVER been... my score unfortunately was terrible (88) my biggest issue was a big blocked cut off the tee.. So the block/push/cut .. is my focus .. I will try the braced tilt vids.... I feel like I'm late or quitting on the swing.. ???

Thanks for keeping us hacks motivated to learn !

[clemshaw]

I am sure the DVD has answered you by this time; but if you have not seen the Braced Tilt Part 2, it is worth a look!

Thanks for the comment! Shawn

[waycoolkennel]

Shawn !

DVD made it ! AWESOME ! VERY well done !

And braced tilt 2 did the trick !!!! I try to remember that feeling of driving a nail in the 2x4 ... bingo ! whats odd is ... I dont seem to need to do that with my irons so much... but with the driver .. amazing !

Thanks Shawn ! oh ..do you have a drill to help keep hands in front ? (I spent most my life crossing a top/detached)

[clemshaw]

Great Man! You are welcome;

Yes I have a drill; the "Chicken wing across the top", "Arms in front of body" and "Elbow Close"vids will do the trick; give yourself some time for this one and make it gradual; I had the same issues and if you do things too radically at first, you will not like it!:)

Shawn

[pecky1234]

Shawn, i respectfully disagree

i've got myself a flat left wrist at the top, like tiger and sam and jack and ben before his accident, and hev started hitting the ball alot better

[clemshaw]

Yes but Jordan, you are a star bud! :)

Shawn

[pecky1234]

thanks friend

[Scampern]

Nice video, really cool to see how sampras leeds with his elbow and releases just in the last second to get maximum speed.

However, when I hinge as much as I can I always slice the ball, compared to my hinge when Im not trying to hinge it more. Is this because you actually can hinge more than 90 degrees if you intentionally do it and don`t let gravity do its work?

Or could it be that the body is ahead of the ball at impact and a the club with full hinge cannot be squared up?

[clemshaw]

Hi Scampern; yes;

First thing is check your brace..."Braced Tilt Part 2 video" and then make sure your focus is to skip the sole of the club across the turf through the ball..."fairway woods and skipping technique video"

[pecky1234]

well 'hinging' the wrist opens the face at the top.

open face = slice

[clemshaw]

I understand that you are getting success out of what you do. I do advocate the firm left wrist at impact and this HAPPENS as a result of a good swing (with the proper grip which you forgot in your equation about the open club face) which HAPPENS as a result of the proper "focus" at address which is swinging the club through the ball towards the target in the most effortless manner possible and not "defaulting to the ball". By the way, Great players are trying everyday to get better!!:)

[pecky1234]

true, i'll give you that lol

well i suppose we'll have to agree to disagree. i think you have done some great thinks through teaching all of us so much about golf. this is just one thing we wnt be able agree on. doesnt mean either of us are wrong, just different ways, not better or worse

[clemshaw]

Here! Here! Well said!

Shawn

[zaphod2]

good stuff

[goku1113]

great vids clemshaw, your "stacked & balanced" "braced Tilt" "grip wrist 2"to mention a few have really help me get that few more yards and kill my slice... but in doing this i seem to hit the ball more left not hook but as if im aiming left, i not sure why this is any ideas?? thanks again

[clemshaw]

Did you see the Braced Tilt Part 2? Also, you want to have a look at the "Swing Sequence" and the "Sequence Power Drills" video as well as another one just about to upload as we speak about the "Downswing Weightshift"

Thanks for the kind words! Shawn