Greetings Coach I just want to make something clear in my mind On the back swing do you want the club to come level with the ground, i should say parallel, before the belt buckle starts to move in the one piece takeaway?
The hips would have moved very little at this point. There is not no movement. The belt buckle may have rotated about 1 inch at this point going back. Think of a spring. If you coiled the top it would move the most, the hips would follow the shoulders and the knees follow the hips.
I remember seeing this tip on your site in the past and, having followed it I learned to hinge. I was told that if I think, when I practice, to hook on purpose, that would also be a way to make sure I hinge. What do you think about this swing thought?
Hooking on purpose makes you re-hinge in the down and through swing. Not sure why it would be making you hinge going back. Don’t get me wrong. I want everyone hooking it then backing it off with lower body so this is an important element of the swing so keep doing it but you should be feeling the wrists hinge fully at the top and also watching for it in a mirror or reflection in a window.
I was just working on this yesterday. My son observed that my hinge was really me folding my right wrist ‘backwards’ (folding the back of my hand instead of hinging my wrist with my thumbs in line with my arm – this was opening the club face and was probably causing my slice for the last 20 years). It’s hard to describe. Anyways, I started hinging more in the swing plane and getting the butt of the club pointing backwards. So, I do understand the hinge concept much better and I was definitely hitting better with less power. I was wondering if you had a lesson on the hinge from ‘down the line’ and specifically what the wrists should look like at the top from down the line – Thanks so much – I am really inspired by your lessons
It all starts in the takeaway. You are fanning it open so make sure you work on the one-piece action going back. Then hinge up with the thumbs to the ear as I suggest.
Paul, the reason I was thinking about the hooking motion was the tennis serve, where we let the head of the racket drop in the back, as part of a “snap”, creating a glancing blow.
Well, I am good with whatever works so long as it works. A lot of people do something thinking they are doing it but they are not so just check to see if your wrists are fully hinged at the top. Then keep doing it until you are always in this same position. I am not thinking of hinging because I know I always hinge fully. So this would be the ultimate goal for you too.
Hi Paul I watch with considerable interest that Matt Kuchar has a completely different practice swing than his swing to hit the ball. On the practice swings the path of the swing is noticeably across the line and on his shot swing the path is from the inside down the line.
Really enjoy your website and lessons. Also really enjoy your “say it as you see it approach.”
In regards to the hinge, if your wrist are loose do the naturally hinge as you move to the top of your backswing, or should you be actively/consciously hinging your wrist as you move into this position?
Yeah, I never hold back. If I don’t tell it like it is no one else will. If people can’t handle it … too bad. I am about making people better and telling people why they have to do it. I guessed for many years which was a total waste of time. No one answering my questions etc. I can’t do this to people. They need to know why.
My wrists are very loose so momentum of the club swinging back hinges them without me thinking of hinging them. This take a little work but usually withing 2 weeks I can get people to master. This is 2 straight weeks doing practice swings. Here are a few tips to follow.
Thanks for the great hinge tip. I just started to notice I didn’t have any hinge last week. Once I started hinging my wrist it also delayed my swing and let my hips open before my hands came through. Wow!
This is where the power comes from (as you just found out). It’s a hinge. A hinge is loose. The looser the hinge … the faster it swings. Keep doing it.
Paul–what are you thoughts on setting the wrists early during the backswing? I seem to hit the much more consistently , solid pure shots–I can hear the difference. I have filmed myself and I fully hinge at the top…and I am not letting go of the club, but when I set the wrists early in the backswing night and day difference. I am puzzled.
For me I don’t like it. I tried it and totally wrecked my golf swing. It activates your hands and arms immediately as you go back. In your case though you have probably done this a long time so you are more used to doing it this way. The whole point of powerless arms is in the downswing not trying to hit or help the ball. If you can set it early (your way) and be in great position at the top and not try to hit it coming down then it should work.
Over the years, I have let people get away with this when doing private lessons with them. I weight up them setting it early or late and sometimes make the determination that early would be better (do you tell Ernie Els to not set it early?). It depends on the person, experience level, position at the top etc.
So if it is way better setting early and you know for a fact you are in good position up there and you can stop trying to hit it hard in the downswing then do it. This is a choice you are going to have to make.
Hi Paul, Your ” Hinge and Turn ” tips for pitch shots are amazing and have helped me to develop really loose wrists for the first time. I’m extending this progressively while coiling and eventually should be able to use this with my driver.It does entail hinging earlier than you recommend during the backswing. Otherwise I’m slowly improving thanks to your great coaching.
Ian.
Thanks. Glad you like it. It works amazingly well and keeps it simple.
Glad you are getting it. The early hinge may be getting your wrists fully hinged at the top. If so, this would translate into a better release. Just be careful with the early set. Didn’t work for me (years ago).
One question: is it ok that I manually do full hinge before I move club at the top of backswing, say around 3 o’clock or my lead arm almost parallel with the ground? Thanks
Hi Paul I am 65 started golf four years back and playing 3 days in a week 18 holes competition.I am not creating lag and have not tried ever.My question is that is it possible in my case,should I try for it.My G A handicap is 25.
Thanks in advance for your Advice
At your level right now, I would be focusing on other things before you get to working solely on lag. Make sure the following are correct; grip, setup, follow-through and then work on some fixes like getting your wrists looser and stretching your arms out and curing any sort of chicken wing. If you work on these areas you will start to create some lag angles. Then once you perfect these, get your handicap lower, then you can add some lag angles.
Hi Poul
I am writing to you here from Denmark. It is a pleausure to watch your dayli tips.
For some times I had a tendency to slice – as many other golfers. Then somebody showed me to hinge in another way. I bend my wristh volart and not radial., and then release when I hit the ball This has helped mee a lot. I have seen some pros do the same
What do you think about this ?
You want to be hinging and rehinging correctly, any other way that is not how the wrists naturally work then you are going to be manipulating the clubface. Check out this tip:
Hi Paul I’m 67 year old started golf 10 years back having a 21 handicap playing three days in a week I can’t put a lag , even in this case I should have a fully hinge.
Thanks
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28 Responses to “Power Leak Series – Backswing Hinge”
December 22, 2015
johnhoyleGreetings Coach I just want to make something clear in my mind On the back swing do you want the club to come level with the ground, i should say parallel, before the belt buckle starts to move in the one piece takeaway?
December 24, 2015
Paul WilsonJohn,
The hips would have moved very little at this point. There is not no movement. The belt buckle may have rotated about 1 inch at this point going back. Think of a spring. If you coiled the top it would move the most, the hips would follow the shoulders and the knees follow the hips.
December 22, 2015
DavidWeinsteinHello Paul
I remember seeing this tip on your site in the past and, having followed it I learned to hinge. I was told that if I think, when I practice, to hook on purpose, that would also be a way to make sure I hinge. What do you think about this swing thought?
Thanks
Davidw
December 24, 2015
Paul WilsonDavid,
Hooking on purpose makes you re-hinge in the down and through swing. Not sure why it would be making you hinge going back. Don’t get me wrong. I want everyone hooking it then backing it off with lower body so this is an important element of the swing so keep doing it but you should be feeling the wrists hinge fully at the top and also watching for it in a mirror or reflection in a window.
December 23, 2015
MatthewHalpinI was just working on this yesterday. My son observed that my hinge was really me folding my right wrist ‘backwards’ (folding the back of my hand instead of hinging my wrist with my thumbs in line with my arm – this was opening the club face and was probably causing my slice for the last 20 years). It’s hard to describe. Anyways, I started hinging more in the swing plane and getting the butt of the club pointing backwards. So, I do understand the hinge concept much better and I was definitely hitting better with less power. I was wondering if you had a lesson on the hinge from ‘down the line’ and specifically what the wrists should look like at the top from down the line – Thanks so much – I am really inspired by your lessons
December 24, 2015
Paul WilsonMatt,
Glad you like the lessons. I appreciate it.
Yes, this would be fanning it open which is a serious problem. Good catch by your son. Below are some tips you need to watch:
DRILL: Half back and up: https://ignitiongolf.com/half-back-and-up
One Piece Takeaway: https://ignitiongolf.com/master-one-piece-takeaway
Shake Hands at Halfway Back?: https://ignitiongolf.com/shake-hands-halfway-back/
DRILL: Make Sure You Are Moving Your Head: https://ignitiongolf.com/drill-head-move-shadow/
It all starts in the takeaway. You are fanning it open so make sure you work on the one-piece action going back. Then hinge up with the thumbs to the ear as I suggest.
3 Ways to Set The Top of the Backswing: https://ignitiongolf.com/backswing-top-3-ways
Also:
Cupped or Flat: https://ignitiongolf.com/top-backswing-cupped-flat
Top of Backswing Square: https://ignitiongolf.com/backswing-square-at-top
December 27, 2015
MatthewHalpinPerfect, thanks so much – Have a great new year!
December 27, 2015
Paul WilsonMatt,
Have a great new year too!
November 12, 2021
NickZavolasNeed my book
December 24, 2015
DavidWeinsteinFollow up:
Paul, the reason I was thinking about the hooking motion was the tennis serve, where we let the head of the racket drop in the back, as part of a “snap”, creating a glancing blow.
December 24, 2015
Paul WilsonDavid,
Well, I am good with whatever works so long as it works. A lot of people do something thinking they are doing it but they are not so just check to see if your wrists are fully hinged at the top. Then keep doing it until you are always in this same position. I am not thinking of hinging because I know I always hinge fully. So this would be the ultimate goal for you too.
December 29, 2015
DavidMoninHi Paul I watch with considerable interest that Matt Kuchar has a completely different practice swing than his swing to hit the ball. On the practice swings the path of the swing is noticeably across the line and on his shot swing the path is from the inside down the line.
kind regards
David Monin
December 30, 2015
Paul WilsonDavid,
Interesting. I will have to watch for it. Don’t like his swing but you can learn from everyone.
February 15, 2016
DamienCharlesHello Paul
Really enjoy your website and lessons. Also really enjoy your “say it as you see it approach.”
In regards to the hinge, if your wrist are loose do the naturally hinge as you move to the top of your backswing, or should you be actively/consciously hinging your wrist as you move into this position?
thanks in advance
Damien
February 17, 2016
Paul WilsonDamien,
Great thanks.
Yeah, I never hold back. If I don’t tell it like it is no one else will. If people can’t handle it … too bad. I am about making people better and telling people why they have to do it. I guessed for many years which was a total waste of time. No one answering my questions etc. I can’t do this to people. They need to know why.
My wrists are very loose so momentum of the club swinging back hinges them without me thinking of hinging them. This take a little work but usually withing 2 weeks I can get people to master. This is 2 straight weeks doing practice swings. Here are a few tips to follow.
Secure Top of Backswing: https://ignitiongolf.com/secure-top-backswing/
3 Ways to Set The Top of the Backswing: https://ignitiongolf.com/backswing-top-3-ways/
Why Hinge The Wrists At The Top?: https://ignitiongolf.com/why-hinge-at-top/
Left Arm at Top: https://ignitiongolf.com/left-arm-backswing/
Extended But Not Locked: https://ignitiongolf.com/extended-but-not-locked/
Cupped or Flat: https://ignitiongolf.com/top-backswing-cupped-flat/
Top of Backswing Square: https://ignitiongolf.com/backswing-square-at-top/
July 25, 2019
DonaldMunsThanks for the great hinge tip. I just started to notice I didn’t have any hinge last week. Once I started hinging my wrist it also delayed my swing and let my hips open before my hands came through. Wow!
August 7, 2019
Paul WilsonDon,
This is where the power comes from (as you just found out). It’s a hinge. A hinge is loose. The looser the hinge … the faster it swings. Keep doing it.
July 25, 2019
joelweistPaul–what are you thoughts on setting the wrists early during the backswing? I seem to hit the much more consistently , solid pure shots–I can hear the difference. I have filmed myself and I fully hinge at the top…and I am not letting go of the club, but when I set the wrists early in the backswing night and day difference. I am puzzled.
August 7, 2019
Paul WilsonJoel,
For me I don’t like it. I tried it and totally wrecked my golf swing. It activates your hands and arms immediately as you go back. In your case though you have probably done this a long time so you are more used to doing it this way. The whole point of powerless arms is in the downswing not trying to hit or help the ball. If you can set it early (your way) and be in great position at the top and not try to hit it coming down then it should work.
Over the years, I have let people get away with this when doing private lessons with them. I weight up them setting it early or late and sometimes make the determination that early would be better (do you tell Ernie Els to not set it early?). It depends on the person, experience level, position at the top etc.
So if it is way better setting early and you know for a fact you are in good position up there and you can stop trying to hit it hard in the downswing then do it. This is a choice you are going to have to make.
July 25, 2019
IanBernadtHi Paul, Your ” Hinge and Turn ” tips for pitch shots are amazing and have helped me to develop really loose wrists for the first time. I’m extending this progressively while coiling and eventually should be able to use this with my driver.It does entail hinging earlier than you recommend during the backswing. Otherwise I’m slowly improving thanks to your great coaching.
Ian.
August 7, 2019
Paul WilsonIan,
Thanks. Glad you like it. It works amazingly well and keeps it simple.
Glad you are getting it. The early hinge may be getting your wrists fully hinged at the top. If so, this would translate into a better release. Just be careful with the early set. Didn’t work for me (years ago).
November 23, 2020
LennyLinHi Paul,
One question: is it ok that I manually do full hinge before I move club at the top of backswing, say around 3 o’clock or my lead arm almost parallel with the ground? Thanks
November 25, 2020
Paul WilsonIf it helps you to get the fully hinged position then yes, it is ok.
November 8, 2021
SurjitSidhuHi Paul I am 65 started golf four years back and playing 3 days in a week 18 holes competition.I am not creating lag and have not tried ever.My question is that is it possible in my case,should I try for it.My G A handicap is 25.
Thanks in advance for your Advice
November 16, 2021
Paul WilsonAt your level right now, I would be focusing on other things before you get to working solely on lag. Make sure the following are correct; grip, setup, follow-through and then work on some fixes like getting your wrists looser and stretching your arms out and curing any sort of chicken wing. If you work on these areas you will start to create some lag angles. Then once you perfect these, get your handicap lower, then you can add some lag angles.
November 15, 2021
Finn ReinauLarsenHi Poul
I am writing to you here from Denmark. It is a pleausure to watch your dayli tips.
For some times I had a tendency to slice – as many other golfers. Then somebody showed me to hinge in another way. I bend my wristh volart and not radial., and then release when I hit the ball This has helped mee a lot. I have seen some pros do the same
What do you think about this ?
November 16, 2021
Paul WilsonYou want to be hinging and rehinging correctly, any other way that is not how the wrists naturally work then you are going to be manipulating the clubface. Check out this tip:
Oil The Hinge To Cure The Slice: https://ignitiongolf.com/oil-hinge-cure-slice/
March 14, 2024
SurjitSidhuHi Paul I’m 67 year old started golf 10 years back having a 21 handicap playing three days in a week I can’t put a lag , even in this case I should have a fully hinge.
Thanks