The Top Of The Swing Can Influence The Strike!!

Now most instruction deals with the first position of the golf swing when the club reaches parallel to the ground. This position really does set-up the entire golf swing as it involves early arm and body connection. However the top of the swing can also give real clues in how the ball will react to the clubface through impact. Now the most important part about the top of the swing is to ensure that the arms and hands finish approximately above the right shoulder (opposite for a left hander).

The other important element is the clubface. Typical 'slicers' of the ball tend to have their left wrist cupped at the top of their swing. This cupping makes the 'toe' of the cub point down which in turn causes an open clubface. Once you then start the downswing , the hands generally start to push away from the body causing an outside-in swing path. This creates the dreaded 'slice'.

The other position that is quite common is when the the left wrist is bowed at the top causing a closed clubface. In this position you will see the clubface pointing to the sky. If no compensations are made during the downswing, the tendency will be to have more of an in-out path causing a 'hook. This position at the top however is common for even elite players like Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka. They though compensate extremely well by rotating hard left through the ball to neutralise their path.

The ideal technical position would be to have your left wrist quite flat at the top. You want to have your left arm, hand and clubface all on the same angle. Great examples would be Tiger Woods and Rory Mcilroy. When the left wrist is flat, no compensations are made and the left arm will be more likely to rotate effectively through the hitting area. The best way to achieve this position is actually when the club reaches parallel to the ground. Just ensure the angle of the club is just one to two degrees closed at this position with the effort to maintain this angle all the way to the top of the swing.

If you'd like you swing analysed just contact myself at David Waters Golf located at Emerald Lakes Golf Coaching Centre.