How to Keep the Wrists Close Together on the Backswing

Many factors go into an effective golf swing. Proper head placement, weight transfer and feet positions are just some of these factors. One area that sometimes gets overlooked is the movement of your wrists. In an ideal golf swing, your wrists stay together from the backswing to the follow through. There are certain tips to follow as you attempt to keep your wrists close together.

Things You'll Need

  • Golf club
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Instructions

    • 1

      Take your normal stance over the ball and grip the club properly. Your bottom hand slightly overlaps the other with some fingers laced together. In starting position, your wrists are very close and should stay this way throughout the backswing.

    • 2

      Slowly bring your club head back, moving it with your body and shoulders, not your wrists. Focusing on your wrists will result in your wrists "breaking," creating separation between them. Maintain a slow backswing, as a fast, out-of-control takeaway also can cause the wrists to lose their proper position.

    • 3

      Stop your backswing with the club head still pointing toward the sky. Reaching your wrists too far back on the backswing to generate more power often causes you to lose control and stray from the proper wrist placement. Bringing the club back until it faces the ground will cause you to unhinge your wrists, and regaining proper placement will be difficult.

    • 4

      Begin your downswing with your front elbow leading the way through the hitting zone. Your wrists simply follow along, staying close to each other and remaining firm, not yet breaking.

    • 5

      Transfer your weight to your front foot as you strike the ball. Your wrists finally break as you hit the ball and begin your follow through. Even as you finish your swing, your wrists stay close together, maintaining control.