LEAD LEFT WRIST
 

I'm curious to know if others have difficulty with the lead left wrist wanting to bend, or is it just because I did it for so many years? I have to keep LOOKING to check it, because if I don't . . . well, there it goes. I KNOW it must NOT bend, but it sure seems more natural to me. Anyone have any suggestions for eliminating it altogether, or do I just need to establish a new habit, which is what I suspect?

Edit: I am referring to the BACKSTROKE. Sorry I forgot to add this before Bagger's post.

Thanx in advance . . .

Dave

The Bell Curve
 

DES,

My guestimate is that over 95% of all golfers do not maintain a flat left wrist through impact. How's that for a common affliction?
Of the remaining 5%, they are low handicappers, amateurs, and professionals. Of course there are more essentials (imperatives) than a flat left wrist; specifically a straight plane line and lag. Sounds simple but the devil is in the details. Super important that the left wrist stays flat through impact with any and every shot.

In my personal experience, it has been a real battle training that left wrist from breaking down, but over time it is PROVING to be a VERY good friend.

The Golfing Machine and it's messengers; this forum, AI's, and the associated information that Lynn is developing are all the tools you need.
Just sponge it up and apply the basics little by little, and watch your game go to a whole new level.

Bagger

Re: LEAD LEFT WRIST
 

Dave,
If you would- what is your golf handicap or average score, and how long have you been playing the game. And how are you looking to check your left wrist- during the full motion or just practice swings, or some other way? What do you do to keep it straight or what do you notice that bends it? Are we talking about bending during release and impact or some other place in the movement?
Thanks,
Mike O.

MISTATED QUESTION
 

Bagger -

Thanx for your reply. I just realized I misstated the question! I was referring to the BACKSTROKE. My lead left wrist wants to bend as well as cock.

Dave

The Flat Left Wrist
 

I have a few thoughts on this.

First, I believe that there are only two ways to learn how to maintain a flat left wrist. The first way is that you know you need it because you've stumbled upon The Golfing Machine. The second way is that you've accidentally figured it out. The latter column is where the majority of golfers with flat left wrists fall.

Now, I was fortunate enough to have found the correct information almost from the outset of taking up this game. I had only a few years, at most, to develop bad habits. I was lucky enough to learn from those who really knew their stuff way back in fall 2000 when I began with the book.

That said, I've developed an idea regarding the whole 'flat left wrist' concept. After going to St. Augustine and learning from Lynn and Chuck, it really sunk in. It was already firmly in my head before, but after the workshop even more so. Over this past summer, I can probably count on both hands the number of times I made a stroke with a bent left wrist. And that isn't that large of an exaggeration either.

Once you 'get it in your coconut' that you will not hit good shots without having a flat left wrist, things really take off. Read that a few times until it really sinks in. I will not consistently hit good shots without having a flat left wrist. Now go out and practice it, starting with short wedge shots and progressing your way up to the longer clubs.

Once you have it dead set in your mind...your Computer won't let you do otherwise! When you know that you need a flat left wrist, your mind just won't let it bend! That's the way I see it, and my results back it up. When your mind is entirely wrapped around a concept, doing otherwise is 'not allowed' and your Computer knows that. Give it a try.

Shifting gears...
 

DES,

Assuming you are a swinger, then you may very well have bend in your left wrist in your takeaway as you drag the club back. It's a part of 10-19-C drag loading. Certainly not a bad thing and many great players past and present do that. If it is causing problems, I would suggest making sure extensor action is also present in your swing. This helps keep the club on plane and also helps set the wrists (wedges) in the backswing among other things.

Bagger

NOT A SWINGER
 

Sorry, not a swinger.

Start your stroke from the impact fix position.....with hitting or swinging until you get the feel of a flat left wrist and a bent right wrist....then you should be able to both start your swing or hit from standard address or impact fix.

DG

TOP POSITION
 

I guess I didn't present this question too well - I apologize. I do start from the Fix position.

The question has to do with the BACKSTROKE as I'm approaching the TOP. In that process my LEFT LEAD WRIST wants to bend. It seems the "natural" thing. I have to constanctly monitor it, because if not, it starts doing it again. Do others have that issue or is it just because I've done it incorrectly for so many years. "Flat" seems unnatural, although I know it is correct.

In answer to a previous question, I've played 45 years and am a 9HC and just recently introduced to TGM.

Dave

Des,

All that matters is that the Left Wrist is Flat or Arched from Impact to Separation.