Many golfers unhinge their wrists well before impact in an attempt to help the ball off the ground. This is called casting, like you cast a fishing line, and it usually leads to poor contact—fat or thin. For solid strikes, your wrists should not unhinge fully until after impact. Get a feel for this with my punch drill: Using a 7-iron, hit punch shots with an abbreviated finish, keeping your hands ahead of the clubhead well past impact (left). Hit 10 punches, then try some normal shots re-creating that feel.—Rick Smith / Golf Digest Teaching Professional
The Big Key Everyone Forgets
Check your right hand for better ball-striking
Palm Reading: Swing halfway back: The palm of your right hand should be at a 45-degree angle (top). Facing the ground (lower left) is not enough hand rotation; facing the sky (lower right) is too much.
One of the least understood elements of the swing is the position of the bottom hand (right hand for righties) in the backswing. If you're right-handed, you have tremendous feel in that hand -- not tapping into it makes no sense. Plus, getting your right hand working correctly is a major key to hitting longer, straighter shots.
Swing a club halfway back, and open your right hand on the grip. Your palm should be at a 45-degree angle to the ground, somewhat facing the sky (above). This forces your right elbow down, putting it in a powerful, hinged position. Assuming you have a neutral right-hand grip at address (the V formed by your forefinger and thumb pointing to your right shoulder), the 45-degree palm angle also means the clubface has stayed square to the swing path. From there, your chances of producing power and accuracy are good.
JIM MCLEAN, a Golf Digest Teaching Professional, is based at Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami.
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