Q: I’m unclear about the correct position of the wrists at the top of the golf swing.

Please explain the role of pronation and supination of the wrist joints in creating a proper release. Mark.

A: I know a lot of talk about pronating and supinating of the wrists in the golf swing was introduced by Ben Hogan.

Hogan used to say you create pronation when making your backswing because it is a slower movement and you would create more speed by supination on the downswing.

The easiest way to understand what pronation and supination mean in the golf swing is: pronation means simply the back of the left wrist and forearm will face toward the sky at the top of your backswing and supination means as you start your downswing it's a rotation in the opposite direction as you get to impact there is a slight bowing of the left wrist and forearm facing the target at impact.

After you strike the ball the back of your left hand and forearm will continue to rotate. A good check point is make a slow swing with a mid-iron. Stop at waist-high in your follow through at this position. Check to see if the back of your left hand is facing toward the ground. If it is then you created supination.

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A good drill to feel pronation and supination is take your 5-iron in your left hand only and make some full swings. You will feel the pronation of the left wrist when you reach your backswing and when you swing through you will feel supination of your left wrist all the way to your finish.

This movement will happen naturally if no tension is created in your swing.

Have fun and enjoy the game.

Daril’s credentials

