Strong wrists aid a better swing
Published 2:46 pm Friday, March 21, 2014
Strong wrists aid a better swing
Short Takes
John Lucas
All good players have one common position in their swing, no matter how different they may look.
At impact, the left wrist is bowed and the right wrist is flexed and the shaft of the club is leaning forward. Poor players usually do the opposite, uncocking the wrists before impact so the club is in front of their hands at impact.
If the club head is even or in front of the hands at impact, power is lost and hitting the ball solidly is all but impossible.
With the club head behind the hands, the club is lagging – this is a good thing – thereby putting pressure to the ball and creating a more powerful force.
Most people’s forearms are strong enough to produce adequate power but few unskilled players have wrists that are strong enough so that when their forearms are relaxed and turning with the body, the club won’t feel like it will fly out of their hands.
Here are two wrist-strengthening exercises using simple dumbbells. You can do them at home while watching TV. Start with lighter ones at first, then increase the weight as you get stronger.
1. Sitting with your feet on the floor directly below your knees, lay your forearms on your legs, palms down. Now just flex the dumbbells all the way back and all the way forward.
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3. Now turn your palms upward and repeat the same motions. Be careful not to move your forearms in either exercise.
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Hey, winter is almost upon us, so on these upcoming rainy days, why not improve?
Rules teaser:
A player playing from a bunker hits the ball onto an adjacent teeing ground. Another player on the teeing ground was making a practice swing and hit the ball into a water hazard. Ruling?
Answer to last teaser:
In stroke play, in the process of marking his ball, a player drops his marker and strikes his ball causing it to move. Ruling? One stroke penalty and replace the ball.
John Lucas is the professional at SkyRidge Golf Course. He can be reached at john98382@olypen.com.
