Harper Lin
Golfing great Ben Hogan's signature move was a bowed left wrist at impact, which is considered the key to his extraordinary ball-striking. A bowed wrist in golf means your lead wrist (left wrist for right-handed players) is flexed, not cupped, at the top of the backswing. It is one of the most talked-about positions in the modern golf swing. While the bowed wrist is not something you need to fix, it is something you need to understand. When used correctly, a bowed lead wrist can square the face, add shaft lean, and provide a more consistent and powerful impact.
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What You'll Learn
Ben Hogan's signature bowed wrist
Ben Hogan is widely considered to be one of the best ball strikers of all time. His signature move involves a bowed left wrist at impact. This move has gained a lot of attention, and many have tried to learn from and emulate it.
The bowed left wrist is relevant for right-handed golfers only. It is most easily observed at the top of the backswing. When the club transitions from backswing to downswing, it is easy to tell if the left wrist is bowed, flat, or cupped. At the top of the backswing, the wrist is bowed when the back of the hand is facing the sky.
To achieve a bowed left wrist, hold your arms out in front of you so that your palms are facing down towards the floor. Then, relax your hand muscles so that they fall limp from your wrists. This will result in a bowed wrist position.
Hogan's signature move involved supinating his left forearm through the ball, which means rotating his left hand from a palm-down to a palm-up position. This move helped him cure a wicked hook that he had struggled with early in his career.
While the Ben Hogan bowed wrist position has its virtues, it is not for everyone. It is a tall order to copy the swing of one of the greatest golfers in history. However, there are some lessons to be learned from his technique.
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How to achieve a bowed wrist
A "bowed wrist" in golf means that your lead wrist (left wrist for right-handed players) is flexed, not cupped, at the top of the backswing. It is a highly debated position in the modern golf swing. Some golfers argue that it is the key to compressing the ball, hitting a powerful draw, and controlling the clubface.
To achieve a bowed wrist, you must first understand the different positions your wrist can be in during a swing. The first is flexion or extension, which refers to the bowing (flexion) or cupping (extension) of the lead wrist. Bowing closes the clubface, while cupping opens it. The second is radial or ulnar deviation, which is the hinging of the wrists up (radial) or down (ulnar). Radial adds power but can accidentally open the face if overdone, while ulnar helps shallow the club on the way down. The third is rotation (pronation or supination), which is the twisting of the wrist and forearm during the swing.
To achieve a bowed wrist, you need to focus on flexion. This can be influenced by your grip. If your grip is too weak (lead hand more on the side of the handle), it is more likely your lead wrist will move into extension, forming a cup. Therefore, to achieve flexion, you should adopt a stronger hold. Get your hands more on top of the handle (rotated to the right for a right-handed player) so that when you look down, you can see at least two knuckles on your glove hand. This will help preset flexion in your lead wrist before you start your swing.
To practice achieving a bowed wrist, you can try the following drills:
- Mirror Drill: Stand in front of a mirror and perform your backswing while watching your wrist position. This visual feedback can help you get a feel for the bowed position.
- Impact Bag: Use an impact bag to practice swinging through while maintaining a bowed wrist. This drill helps you focus on keeping the wrist position through impact.
- Slow-Motion Swings: Practice slow-motion swings, focusing on the transition from a flat to a bowed wrist at the top of the backswing.
It is important to note that a bowed wrist is not a magic fix for everyone. Golf is a game of nuances, and what works for one player may not work for another. Experiment with different techniques and see what suits you best.
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The impact of a bowed wrist on your golf shots
A bowed wrist in golf is a widely discussed topic, with many golfers striving for a flat lead wrist position to hit straighter shots. However, a bowed wrist can have several impacts on your golf shots, and it is essential to understand how it affects your swing and ball-striking ability.
Firstly, a bowed wrist can help close the clubface, promoting a draw and improving compression. This is because the bowing motion closes the clubface, while cupping opens it. A slightly bowed wrist at impact can lead to straighter and more powerful shots. It also adds shaft lean, providing a more consistent and powerful impact. This is evident in golfers like Dustin Johnson, who is known for his bowed wrist and ability to strike the ball solidly.
Additionally, a bowed wrist can help prevent hooks and improve your swing. When the wrist is bowed, it is nearly impossible to hit a hook, as it prevents the wrist from breaking down and turning the clubface over prematurely. This was a technique famously used by Ben Hogan, who, after struggling with a wicked hook early in his career, adopted a bowed left wrist to cure his issue.
While a bowed wrist can have benefits, it is important to find the right balance. Overdoing the bowing motion can lead to low hooks, poor contact, and struggles with shot direction. It is crucial to understand how your grip, hinge, and movement patterns affect the bowing of your wrist. A bowed wrist can also be player-specific, as it depends on factors such as grip strength and hand positioning.
In conclusion, a bowed wrist can impact your golf shots by improving compression, promoting draws, and preventing hooks. However, finding the right balance and understanding its interaction with other aspects of your swing are key to utilising this technique effectively.
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Training aids for achieving a bowed wrist
Golfers who have a tendency to slice the ball should make sure their wrists are not cupping. Cupped wrists promote an open clubface at impact, and a clockwise sidespin. On the other hand, bowed wrists open the club at the top and rotate it back during the downswing into a closed clubface, resulting in a hook.
The following training aids can help you achieve a bowed wrist:
- Impact Snap: This training aid teaches you to get the correct wrist position at impact by forcing you to feel the correct movements in your wrists and forearms. It can also be used to train a proper wrist position at the top of the backswing.
- Smart Ball: The Smart Ball is an inflatable ball that you place between your forearms to help you achieve the correct wrist position and prevent cupping at the top of your swing.
- Swingyde: The Swingyde is a simple training aid that attaches to your club and helps you achieve a proper wrist position at the top of the backswing. It is designed to help you maintain a straight left wrist throughout the swing.
- HackMotion: This device gives you instant feedback to train your wrist the right way. It helps you take control of the clubface and your game.
- TacTic Wrist Aid: The TacTic Wrist Aid provides you with immediate feedback if you are cupping your wrist at the top of your swing, letting you know that your clubface is open. It helps you keep the leading wrist firm throughout the stroke.
It is important to remember that using a training aid is not a substitute for proper instruction from a qualified golf instructor.
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Differences between a bowed and cupped wrist
In golf, there are three common wrist positions: cupped, bowed, and flat. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. The ideal wrist position depends on the player's grip and swing.
A bowed wrist in golf means the lead wrist (left wrist for right-handed players) is flexed, not cupped, at the top of the backswing. Bowing closes the clubface, while cupping opens it. This is the key movement that controls face angle. A bowed wrist can help eliminate slices and promote a draw. It can also square the face, add shaft lean, and provide a more consistent and powerful impact. However, severe bowing can lead to big hooks, and players may need adjustments to correct this.
A cupped wrist, on the other hand, is when the lead wrist is bent backward, causing the top of the hand to move toward the top of the forearm. This opens the clubface, leading to a slice. Most amateur golfers cup their wrist at the top of the backswing or during the transition. A cupped wrist requires more manipulation on the downswing to get the club back to square by impact. However, a cupped wrist can lead to a square clubface if the grip is strong.
The grip strength plays a significant role in whether the wrist is cupped or bowed. A bowed wrist is typically the result of a weak grip, while a cupped wrist is associated with a strong grip. Additionally, a flat wrist is preferred when the grip is neutral.
In summary, the main difference between a bowed and cupped wrist is the position of the clubface. A bowed wrist closes the clubface, leading to a draw, while a cupped wrist opens the clubface, resulting in a slice. Other differences include the level of manipulation required during the downswing and the grip strength associated with each position.
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Frequently asked questions
A bowed wrist in golf means that the lead wrist (left wrist for right-handed players) is flexed, not cupped, at the top of the backswing.
A slightly bowed wrist can help close the clubface, promoting a draw and improving compression. This can lead to straighter and more powerful shots.
You can use training aids such as the Impact Snap or Swingyde to help achieve a proper wrist position. Additionally, you can try an exercise where you hold your arms out in front of you with palms facing down, then relax your hand muscles so they fall limp from your wrists.
One common mistake is overdoing the bowing, which can lead to low hooks, poor contact, and struggles with shot direction. It's important to have proper instruction from a qualified golf instructor and not rely solely on training aids.
