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Golf Question: What Is Correct Wrist Hinge In The Golf Swing?A correct wrist hinge in the golf swing is important so players can experience the maximum amount of consistency and distance.


The wrists should hinge upward as the club is swung around the body until the angle between the wrists and club shaft reaches approximately 90 degrees. This angle will give a player extra power as it creates a lever between the hands and club. It will also allow golfers to create the optimal impact position with irons, fairway metals and the driver.

The hinge should be natural and fluid as a jerky or fast wrist hinge can cause issues with the angle of attack into the ball. Most golfers have a natural hinge when they swing the club although this is not always the case and is can sometimes go drastically wrong! Follow this guide to ensure your wrist hinge is correct and watch out for some of the common pitfalls players can fall into.

  • The following swing is based on the assumption that the golfer is using a neutral or near neutral golf grip.
  • As the club moves away from the ball, the club face should rotate away with the path until the club shaft and head reaches a point where it is parallel with the ground.
  • At this point the club face should have rotated away from the ball and the club toe should be pointing up at the sky.
  • The hands will have also rotated and the thumbs should sit on top of the grip.
  • From here the body continues to rotate away from the ball as the arms lift upward.
  • From the point where the club shaft is parallel with the ground, the wrists should begin to hinge upward. Golfers can feel like they are getting the club shaft to point at the sky or getting their thumbs into the “thumbs up” position.
  • At the top of the back swing when the shoulders have rotated 90 degrees in relation to the ball, the angle created between the wrists and club should have reached 90 degrees.
  • This hinge should be maintained into the down swing to create power through impact.

    • A correct, full and natural wrist hinge during the back swing will help set golfers up for a more successful through swing.

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    When hingeing the wrists during the back swing the motion should be as natural as possible and not forced. A fast wrist hinge can be employed to better effect on specialty shots such as the flop shot to steepen the angle of attack into the ball.

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    Keeping the wrists firm and unhingeing throughout the swing will cause a number of different issues including limited club head speed and a very shallow angle of attack. Firm wrists can be employed on certain short range shots such as a chip and run.

    Sorry Try Again! - See Explanation Below

    Actively trying to increase the angle between the wrists and club shaft during the down swing is known as increasing the “lag”. However, most people who can maintain the 90 degree angle between the wrists and club into the initial part of the down swing will see the best combination between club head speed and consistency of strike.