How close should your hands be to your body in a golf swing?

The hands-to-body distance varies depending on the club you are hitting. A good rule of thumb is to have the hands a palm's width from the body for short and middle irons (4 to 6 inches) and a palm's length—from the bottom of the wrist to the tip of your middle finger—for long irons and woods.

Should arms be close to body in golf swing?

PGA Tour player Jonathan Byrd always keeps his upper arms close to his body, which keeps his swing more compact.

Where should your hands be when hitting a golf ball?

Because the ball is on a tee, the driver will hit the ball on the upswing and your hands will be in the middle of your body at impact. Your hands will not be forward at impact with the driver! The ball position is also slightly forward in your stance with fairway metals.

Should hands be in front of ball at address?

At address, your hands should be slightly in front of the ball – exactly where you want them to return when you make contact. Also, make sure your left wrist (for a right-handed golfer) is in a relatively flat, firm position.

Should hands be high or low at address?

The idea of low hands through impact is trying to return your hands to where they started at address, even though this is nearly impossible. This idea and feeling encourages the shaft to shallow out on the downswing, thus, preventing a steep or vertical attack.

26 related questions found

Which arm is more important in golf swing?

Overview. For right-handed golfers, the left arm is one of the most important aspects of the golf swing. The left arm determines the swing arc for a shot and helps release and rotate the wrists and club on the downswing.

How loose should arms be in golf swing?

Teaching professional Shawn Clement agrees that the player's arms should drop to begin the downswing, but he says they must drop into the right position. Clement advises players to focus on dropping their arms in front of the body, while keeping their hands on the proper swing plane.

What happens if you stand too close to the golf ball?

What Can Happen If You Stand Too Close To The Golf Ball? Standing too close to the golf ball will result in a posture that's too upright, which could result in inconsistent shots and no control over the ball. Standing too close to the ball can result in slices and shanks, which are very common among average players.

What does the trail hand do in the golf swing?

It is important for the trail arm to rotate externally which allows the right elbow to move closer to the body. You want to tuck the right elbow close to the body in order to let the club head move behind the hands and into a power position moving to impact on an inside path.

Should hands be passive in golf swing?

You want your arms and hands to be very relaxed and passive. That's going to allow the club to release and time the release due to physics on its own, rather than ripping the club back.

Where should hands be in downswing?

At the top of the backswing, the right elbow should point to the ground but stay away from the body, much like a quarterback throwing a pass. On the downswing keep the wrists cocked and allow the right elbow to fall against the right ribcage while engaging the hips.

Should there be tension in the golf swing?

Ideally, on a scale of 1-10, your grip pressure should feel like a 4. On short game shots, try for a 3, or even 2! Most importantly, keep your grip pressure consistent throughout the entire swing. Change in grip pressure is a killer in both the short game and full-swing shots.

What hand controls the clubface?

The left hand (the right for southpaws), is responsible for the rotational movement of the golf club, which, in turn, controls the direction of the clubface.

Should you pull down with left arm in golf swing?

You should pull the butt of the club toward the ball. Remember, this pulling down is done by the left arm. It's the controlling agent, and if you let it be you will escape the many troubles that result from trying to push the club down from the top with the right hand and the right shoulder.

How do I make my golf swing smoother?

Move into a backswing, and as the hands get to chest height, step forward, start to move towards the target and then swing through. This will help to join the moveaway to the downswing and create that smooth, complete swing that you're looking for.

What moves first in golf downswing?

The correct golf downswing sequence starts with a pressure shift to the lead leg, followed by an externally rotated trail arm to shallow the angle of the club, before rotating the torso through to impact.

What is the correct path of a golf swing?

The club should track down to the ball along the target line or from slightly inside of it. It then should move back inside the target line quickly after impact. You're not cutting across the ball like a traditional open-face wedge shot. This is a medium-trajectory pitch that makes it easier to control distance.

What should I focus on downswing?

The Proper Golf Downswing Sequence

  • The Pause. ...
  • Rotate the Hips. ...
  • Drop the Hands. ...
  • Keep the Back Elbow Close. ...
  • Maintain Wrist Angle. ...
  • Back Foot. ...
  • Head Position. ...
  • Weight Moving Forward.

Are wrists active in golf swing?

In the golf swing, the movement in the wrists is incredibly important for both the distance and direction of a shot. Without the proper wrist action, a player will struggle to do what the game requires; get the ball in the hole.

How do you turn your hips in the golf swing?

To turn your hips faster in the golf swing, you need to put pressure into the ground. You do this by driving your lead hip and leg into the floor, creating flexion in the lead knee, when beginning the downswing.

What should your right arm do in a golf swing?

On the backswing, the right arm and elbow should stay relatively close to your body. On the downswing, the right arm should tuck so that you can shallow the golf club. This allows you to rotate your body through the swing and provides a great position at impact.

When should I extend my right arm in golf?

Keep your right arm slightly bent during impact with your left knuckles facing the ground. After striking the ball, continue straightening your right arm until it becomes fully extended in the follow-through.

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