Downswing Pattern & Drill 2

Class 6 - Basic Lead Arm & Wrist Patterns

Nick Clearwater

Head of Instruction at GOLFTEC

Summary

This lesson explains the essential techniques for managing wrist and lead arm movements during the downswing, using Tiger Woods as an example. It highlights the importance of maintaining the wrist cock, straightening the lead arm, and practicing these movements in a controlled manner to achieve better swing mechanics.

Key Takeaways:

Wrist Cock and Uncock:

During the backswing, cock your wrist to create a 90-degree angle between your forearm and the shaft.
On the downswing, further cock the wrist to decrease the angle to around 45 degrees before releasing it at impact to approximately 180 degrees.

Lead Arm Straightness:

Keep the lead arm straight throughout the backswing and downswing.
Avoid flexing the lead elbow just before impact to maintain control and consistency.

Maintaining Wrist Position:

Keep the wrist relatively flat (neither cupped nor overly flexed) from the backswing through impact.
Focus on maintaining this flat position for better clubface control.

Practice Techniques:

Use slow, deliberate swings to practice wrist cocking and uncocking, and maintaining a straight lead arm.
Practice squeezing elbows together on the downswing to aid wrist cocking.
Utilize swing capture apps to record and analyze your form from different angles.

By mastering these wrist and arm movements, golfers can significantly improve their downswing mechanics, leading to more accurate and powerful shots.