HackMotion https://hackmotion.com Motion Capture for Sports Fri, 07 Mar 2025 19:55:29 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.5 https://hackmotion.com/wp-content/uploads/cropped-HackMotion-Profile-Icon-CIRCLE-01-32x32.png HackMotion https://hackmotion.com 32 32 Jason Birnbaum on The Role of Grip in Golf: A HackMotion Webinar https://hackmotion.com/jason-birnbaum-on-the-role-of-grip-in-golf/ Fri, 07 Mar 2025 19:35:39 +0000 https://hackmotion.com/?p=116758 We say it often at HackMotion, but the grip is your only connection with the club. If the grip is incorrect, it will impact your wrist angles and, ultimately, your ability to control the clubface. While many golfers focus on shoulder turn or hip rotation, Jason demonstrates that proper hand placement is crucial for hitting […]

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We say it often at HackMotion, but the grip is your only connection with the club. If the grip is incorrect, it will impact your wrist angles and, ultimately, your ability to control the clubface.

While many golfers focus on shoulder turn or hip rotation, Jason demonstrates that proper hand placement is crucial for hitting straighter, more consistent shots.

In this webinar recap, we’ll explore:

  1. Screening & Measurements (How Jason evaluates each student’s wrist mobility, grip strength, and hand size)
  2. Common Grip Categories (Weak, Neutral, Strong – why each matters for ball flight)
  3. Using HackMotion to Fix & Fine-Tune (Data-driven insights for shaping a grip that supports a stable clubface)

Grip Screening and Measurements

Before any technical changes, Jason conducts a quick but thorough evaluation of a golfer’s grip to fully understand their range of motion and how that impacts their ability throughout the golf swing.

Physical capabilities will play into the wrist action you can take in your golf swing.

Wrist Range of Motion

  • Extension & Flexion: Can the student flex their lead wrist enough to close the clubface, or are they stuck in extension?
  • Radial & Ulnar Deviation: Does the student have enough ability to hinge (radial) and unhinge (ulnar) without strain?

Forearm Rotation

  • Pronation & Supination: Jason checks how much the student can rotate their forearm. Limited pronation/supination can affect how they square the face.

Grip Strength Test

  • Using a hand dynamometer, Jason measures a golfer’s grip strength. If players lack grip strength, a stronger grip placement with the club more in the fingers will help square the face without excessive wrist action.

Hand Size & Grip Size

  • Small Hands: Often force the handle up into the palm, limiting wrist mobility. These players typically need thinner grips to wrap more fingers around the club and create more mobility in their hands.
  • Large Hands: Can more easily adopt a stronger, finger-based hold. They may benefit from thicker grips if they’re over-rotating (hooking).

Weak, Neutral, and Strong Grip Categories

Once Jason determines a student’s physical profile, he classifies their grip as weak, neutral, or strong. Each category has distinct effects on wrist mechanics and clubface control.

Weak Grip

  • Characteristics: The club sits high in the palm with fewer knuckles visible on the lead hand.
  • Typical Miss: Tends to open the face (slice).
  • Why It’s Tricky: There is a limited range of motion in the wrists, making it tough to square the club at impact without extreme manipulation.

Neutral Grip

  • Characteristics: The club crosses the lifeline from the base of the pinky to the index finger; 1–2 knuckles are visible.
  • Ideal For: Balanced wrist hinge and easier movement into flexion/extension.
  • Consistency: One of the best grips for helping golfers create a repeatable release position.

Strong Grip

  • Characteristics: More knuckles are visible on the lead hand, and the handle sits deeper in the fingers.
  • Benefits: It makes it easier to move into flexion in transition (closing the face sooner), reducing slices.
  • Caution: Overdoing it can lead to hooks or pulls if combined with poor face/path control.
HackMotion golf training aid wrist sensor
HackMotion - The Key to Unlock Consistency

Master clubface control to improve accuracy and consistency on the golf course.

Using HackMotion to Fix Grip Issues

Once a student’s grip is established, the HackMotion can provide real-time feedback on wrist angles and grip consistency.

Most importantly, small grip tweaks can be analyzed using the data from HackMotion on extension and flexion numbers. This process eliminates guesswork and improves the learning process.

Real-World Example: Jessica’s Setup Fix

In this webinar, Jason also goes through the process he did with Jessica a top student of his who was struggling with a weak grip that caused too much extension in the lead wrist at impact. She was measuring nearly 22 degrees of extension at impact.

Jason made the following adjustments:

  • Stronger Grip – Moved the club more into the fingers, showing 2+ knuckles.
  • Ball Position – Shifted it slightly back, ensuring the handle wasn’t lagging behind.
  • Slight Forward Shaft Lean – Helped reduce extension at address.

The results showed that Jessica moved to about 8 degrees of extension at impact, and she noticed a straighter shot and better overall compression.

Final Thoughts

From TPI-style screenings to HackMotion data, Jason Birnbaum shows how a well-fitted grip sets the stage for proper wrist mechanics.

It’s important to remember that the physical characteristics of golfers will determine some of their ability when it comes to wrist action in the golf swing.

The post Jason Birnbaum on The Role of Grip in Golf: A HackMotion Webinar appeared first on HackMotion.

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6 Proven Drills to Master Your Golf Swing Path and Lower Scores https://hackmotion.com/golf-swing-path-drills/ Wed, 05 Mar 2025 09:40:02 +0000 https://hackmotion.com/?p=90656 Getting the club on the correct swing path is essential for hitting straighter, more consistent shots. But many golfers struggle with an inconsistent path, leading to slices, hooks, and weak contact. A proper swing path takes the correct wrist action, body movements, and weight transfer. If you struggle to find the correct path every time, […]

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Getting the club on the correct swing path is essential for hitting straighter, more consistent shots. But many golfers struggle with an inconsistent path, leading to slices, hooks, and weak contact.

A proper swing path takes the correct wrist action, body movements, and weight transfer.

If you struggle to find the correct path every time, here are some of the best swing path drills to help you stay on track the next time you practice.

Which Drill is Right for You?

If you don’t want to work your way through all of these drills, here are some shortcuts to help you figure out which one is best:

If you struggle with an out-to-in swing path (slice/over the top)

If you struggle with an in-to-out swing path (blocks/hooks)

If you struggle with consistency or casting (early release of wrist angles)

The Secret to a Better Golf Swing Starts with Your Wrists

Your clubface angle at impact determines 80% of your shot’s direction—your wrists control that angle. Click here for the best drills to master your wrist mechanics and take control of your game.

6 Simple Drills to Fix Your Swing Path

Two Headcover Drill

The Two Headcover Drill can help get the club on the proper neutral path. The great thing about this drill is that you likely have all the equipment you need to do it, and you can reverse it to work on out-to-in or in-to-out issues.

If you have your HackMotion, wearing it while you work on the Two Headcover Drill can lead to quicker results and better accuracy.

  • Video Timestamp: 4:06

Two Headcover Drill – Step by Step:

  1. Setup: Place two headcovers on the ground. One goes just behind the ball on the “outside,” and the second goes just inside the ball closer to your feet. Put on your HackMotion sensor to monitor wrist angles.
  2. Execution (Neutral or Inside-to-Out):
    • Address the ball with a square clubface.
    • Swing back while keeping your lead wrist from cupping or bowing excessively (check HackMotion feedback).
    • On the downswing, deliver the club from the inside path, avoiding both headcovers.
    • If you clip the outside headcover, you’ve swung out-to-in; if you clip the inside one, you’ve swung too far from the inside.
    • Focus on stable wrist angles through impact for a square face.

    Reverse if necessary: If you struggle with too much of an in to out path, reverse the headcover positions: one headcover goes inside the ball behind it, and the other goes outside the ball in front.

Clockface Entry Drill

One of the issues golfers can struggle with when it comes to swing path is the overall visualization of what the swing path should look like.

Looking at the center of a clock face is a great way to visualize the swing path and fix issues with both a hook and a slice.

  • Video Timestamp: 0:04-4:49

Clockface Entry Drill – Step by Step:

  1. Visualize the Clock: Set the ball at the center; 12:00 points to the target, 6:00 is behind the ball, 3:00 is away from you, and 9:00 is closer to you.
  2. Identify Your Typical Path:If you slice, your club enters around “5:00” (too steep, out-to-in). If you hook, your club enters around “7:00” (too far from the inside).
  3. Adjust Accordingly: Visualize the path of the club and what it needs to look like in order to have the club enter at the right position on the club.
    • Slice Fix (Inside-to-Out): Aim your stance slightly right, feel the club entering the ball from “7:00.”
    • Hook Fix (Outside-to-In): Aim your stance slightly left, feel the club entering from “5:00.”

Back to the Target + Straight Trail Arm Drill

The Back to the Target drill helps prevent the trail arm from tipping under or getting stuck behind you.

Most importantly, this Back to the Target drill helps establish a proper sequence with the hips leading the downswing on a more neutral path.

  • Video Timestamp: 0:02-6:20

Back to the Target Drill – Step by Step:

  1. Setup and Feel: Take a normal backswing. Pause at the top, keeping your back facing the target as your initial move down begins.
  2. Straighten Trail Arm Gradually: Let the trail arm straighten smoothly rather than yanking the club from the top. This promotes a shallower path from the inside without excessive tilt or “tipping under.”
  3. Swing Through: Once the lower body initiates and the trail arm is correctly extended, rotate through to a balanced finish.

Hip Turn Drill (No Sway)

When you sway your hips in the backswing, it can throw off your swing path and make it less consistent.

Use the Hip Turn Drill to eliminate swaying in the backswing, promoting better balance and creating a more consistent path.

  • Video Timestamp: 4:50-8:20

Hip Turn Drill – Step by Step:

  1. Set up a small barrier: Use a tripod, golf bag, or alignment stick just off your trail hip, something that reminds you not to bump into it.
  2. Turn your hips “behind you”: Avoid all contact with the barrier.
  3. Let the trail leg straighten slightly: Straightening the trail leg can help ensure you don’t slide or sway.
  4. Check HackMotion wrist angles: If you wear your HackMotion while working on the drill you should notice more consistency and less chance of flipping or compensating at impact.

Tees Under Arms Drill

The Tees Under Arms Drill prevents lifting the arms away from the body.

The connection you create when your arms stay more attached to the body will keep your golf club on plane and improve the overall path to impact.

  • Video Timestamp: 8:40-12:20

Tees Under Arms Drill – Step by Step:

  1. Tuck a tee (or small object) under each armpit and keep them there through the backswing.
  2. Avoid letting the tees drop as you swing back: Keeping the tees in place maintains a connected, on-plane move.
  3. Let the arms fall: In the downswing, let the arms fall and rotate with the body instead of lifting or chopping down.
  4. Practice with and without golf balls: At first practice the feel without hitting golf shots. When you get the hang of it, try to hit some half and then full-swing shots with the tees in place.

HackMotion Casting Drill

The HackMotion Casting Drill helps to eliminate issues with the club getting off path in the downswing. At the same time this drill teaches how to add lag and properly sequence your golf swing.

The goal here is to initiate your downswing with your hips rather than your arms and prevent the early release of wrist angles.

The HackMotion app lets you practice this drill in real-time.

Fix Your Casting with HackMotion

Train to fix casting by generating power with your core and lower body.

HackMotion Casting Drill – Step by Step:

  1. Slow-Motion Rehearsal: Take a normal backswing. Begin your downswing by shifting weight to your lead side and rotating your hips—do not pull down with the arms.
  2. Maintain Wrist Angles: Monitor your HackMotion feedback. Keep the trail wrist bent (extended) as you transition; avoid “throwing” the club or straightening the wrist too soon.
  3. Relax the Arms: Let the arms fall naturally into position behind the body (this shallows the club). Feel the trail arm gradually straighten, but only after the hips have initiated.
  4. Build Up Speed: Start slow, then increase speed once you can keep your angles intact.

Conclusion

Narrow down which drills will help based on whether your swing is in to out or out to in. If you know what your swing path issue is, fixing it becomes easier.

Wearing your HackMotion as you work on golf swing path drills can help to clue you in to the proper wrist positions for these drills.

Not only do your wrists determine the angle of your clubface, but they can also help you get the club on the proper swing path.

Combine the right path and the proper clubface, and you’ll be able to hit any golf shot you want.

The post 6 Proven Drills to Master Your Golf Swing Path and Lower Scores appeared first on HackMotion.

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7 Best Impact Drills That Will Transform Your Golf Game https://hackmotion.com/best-impact-position-drills/ Mon, 03 Mar 2025 06:25:04 +0000 https://hackmotion.com/?p=90913 Impact is all that matters in golf. If you get impact right, you’ll hit a good shot. Seems simple, right? It’s not. The best way to improve your impact position is through practice and drills focusing on your wrist position. We have put together the best impact drills for golfers. Each is simple to start […]

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Impact is all that matters in golf. If you get impact right, you’ll hit a good shot.

Seems simple, right?

It’s not.

The best way to improve your impact position is through practice and drills focusing on your wrist position.

We have put together the best impact drills for golfers. Each is simple to start today and can help you make big changes in your game.

If You Struggle With… Try This Drill

7 Golf Impact Position Drills That Always Get Results

“Stop the Flip” with an Alignment Stick

Flipping at impact hurts your consistency and can decrease your power and even the control of your ball flight. Flipping happens when the clubhead passes your hands at impact, which essentially creates the flip.

The Stop the Flip drill trains proper forward shaft lean and helps you feel the position the lead arm and hands should be in at impact.

With the Stop the Flip drill, you won’t be able to let the clubhead overtake the hands.

Click here to access our Stop Flipping Wrists at Impact video course. This free 8-lesson course will teach you how to stop flipping, square the face, and strike with precision every time.

  • Video Timestamp: 7:10-8:40

Stop the Flip Drill – Step by Step:

  1. Place an alignment stick to rest along your lead side, roughly parallel to your club’s shaft at address.
  2. Set up with a slight forward shaft lean (hands a bit ahead of the ball).
  3. Make small half-swings, feeling the club shaft never “catches up” to or passes the stick/lead arm.
  4. Keep the stick and lead arm in line through impact and into a short follow-through.
  5. Progress to longer swings once you can maintain the alignment.

Punch/Chip Shot Drill for Forward Shaft Lean

If your impact position is unstable and you feel like you aren’t compressing your golf shots, practicing punch shots is a great way to fix it.

When you work on punch shots or punch chips, you will have your hands forward of the clubhead at impact, the shaft leaning, and a square clubface.

For clean, ball-first contact, the Punch Shot Drill is a perfect drill.

  • Video Timestamp: 9:10-10:35

Punch/Chip Shot Drill – Step by Step:

  1. Take a mid-iron and address the ball with a slight forward shaft lean.
  2. Make a short backswing (waist high or less).
  3. Focus on leading with your hands as you strike the ball, stopping the clubhead very soon after impact (like a firm “punch”).
  4. The flight should be relatively low, with a crisp, compressed feel.
  5. Once consistent, lengthen the backswing but keep the same firm, hands-forward position at impact.
  6. A bonus here is that you can use this shot on the course in certain situations.

“Toe Down” Checkpoint at Waist High

At impact, the clubface should be square. The Toe Down Checkpoint drill will help ensure the clubface isn’t too open or shut as you are taking the club back.

We know from analyzing over 1,000,000 swings that golfers with consistent and stable wrist extension/flexion in their backswing have a much easier time achieving the ideal impact position.

If you are a golfer who likes checkpoints and knowing the proper position of the club, the Toe Down Checkpoint drill is a great place to start.

  • Video Timestamp: 2:00-3:00

Toe Down Checkpoint Drill – Step by Step:

  1. Set up normally and begin your takeaway.
  2. At the point where the club shaft is parallel to the ground (waist-high backswing), check that the leading edge (“toe”) of the club is angled slightly downward (about 15–20 degrees).
  3. If the face points straight up, you are too open/extended in the lead wrist (slicer tendency). If it’s facing the ground dramatically, you’re too closed/flexed (hooker tendency).
  4. Work small half-swings at a slow speed, pausing waist-high to confirm the correct “toe down” look.
  5. Gradually blend this into a normal backswing. Feel free to use it as part of a pre-shot routine if it helps get your club in the right place.

Flat Lead Wrist at the Top

While it’s important to train the impact position, sometimes mistakes at the top of your backswing leave you unable to reach a perfect impact.

The Flat Lead Wrist at the top drill is easiest if you have the HackMotion, but you can still train the position without it.

wrists at the top of the backswing

This drill will help prevent excessive cupping or bowing and give you a neutral clubface position at impact. (Watch the video above: timestamp 3:45 – 4:30).

Flat Lead Wrist at the Top Drill – Step by Step:

  1. Take your normal setup and note your lead wrist angle (many players have a little extension at address).
  2. Swing to the top and check (with video or feel) that the back of your lead wrist aligns roughly with your forearm (flat or very slightly flexed).
  3. Practice slow, deliberate backswings, pausing at the top to confirm the flat lead wrist.
  4. If your lead wrist is cupped (extended), feel extra “bow” (flexion). If it’s overly bowed, feel a bit more extension until it’s flat.
  5. Continue into your downswing, keeping that stable, mostly flat lead wrist.

Chip and Run for Correct Impact

The Chip and Run drill is similar to the Punch Shot Drill, but it simplifies the motion further.

If you need a clear picture of what impact looks like, one of the easiest things to do is shorten the golf swing. That’s exactly what this drill does.

You’ll have to create forward shaft lean, keep the lead wrist stable and slightly flexed, and you’ll have to avoid the flip of the wrists to be successful with the Chip and Run Drill.

This drill should build confidence and it’s also a shot you can use on the course if the situation allows for it.

  • Video Timestamp: 1:53

Chip and Run Drill – Step by Step:

  1. Start by setting the ball back slightly, with a little extra weight on your lead side.
  2. Take a chipping stance (narrow, slightly open if comfortable) and keep your hands ahead.
  3. Make a short, low backswing—just enough to strike a small, running shot.
  4. Hold the handle in front at impact, feeling the lead wrist remain flat or slightly flexed and the trail wrist bent back.
  5. Clip the ball first, then the turf, letting the shot roll out low.

Hit Hard, Stop Quick Drill for Body–Arms Synchronization

The interesting thing about the Hit Hard, Stop Quick drill is that it teaches you so many things about the impact position, but you won’t even realize you are learning them.

The drill is designed to help sequence your body turn with your arm swing to increase speed at impact.

If you are a player who has been known to slow down the club through impact, the Hit Hard, Stop Quick drill will help you start transferring the energy in your clubhead where it is needed the most.

  • Video Timestamp: 7:20–10:30

Hit Hard, Stop Quick Drill – Step by Step:

  1. (Optional) Place a small inflatable ball (or “smart ball”) between your forearms to maintain connection.
  2. Make a full backswing.
  3. Swing down aggressively through the ball, but focus on stopping as soon as possible right after impact (the club barely passes hip-high in the follow-through).
  4. Gradually increase speed. The harder you swing, the more you must feel a “hard stop” in the follow-through.
  5. Monitor ball flight: you want a powerful, stable strike rather than a wild finish.

HackMotion Impact Release Drill

If you need more guidance in your impact position practice, consider using the Impact Release Drill built into the HackMotion App.

The drill helps you achieve the correct wrist angles from waist-high to waist height.

If you’ve noticed the theme throughout these impact drills, one of the key things to work on is shortening the golf swing while you work on impact. If you can get impact correct on a chip shot, then a half swing, then a ¾ swing, you can do it on the full swing.

The Impact Release Drill trains a stable low point in your swing arc and makes it possible to transfer the knowledge to the full swing.

Perfect Your Release with HackMotion

Fine-tune your release for consistent contact. Start with a short swing to master control before adding power.

HackMotion Release Drill – Step by Step

  1. Put on your HackMotion sensor (or just be mindful of wrist angles if you don’t have one).
  2. Take the club back only to the waist high, feeling the lead wrist in a slightly flatter or flexed position to keep the face squared.
  3. Swing through to the opposite waist-high position, monitoring that your lead wrist remains flat (or slightly flexed) and the shaft still “trails” the lead arm.
  4. Keep speed moderate at first—focus on crisp ball-first contact.
  5. Once you master stable wrist angles in this shorter swing, gradually increase speed or length. The sensor (or your own feel) should confirm no flipping occurs through impact.

Final Thoughts

Having a perfect wrist position at impact will improve ball striking, total distance, and distance control.

You can wear your HackMotion while completing any of these impact drills. While doing impact drills, you often have issues with your takeaway or backswing that need to be addressed before you can improve impact.

Take a look at all of our best golf drills to work on any area of your game.

The post 7 Best Impact Drills That Will Transform Your Golf Game appeared first on HackMotion.

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Wrist Action in Golf Swing: Practical Guide with Drills to Help You Master It https://hackmotion.com/wrist-action-in-golf-swing/ Mon, 03 Mar 2025 06:04:02 +0000 https://hackmotion.com/?p=62873 A complete guide detailing everything about how the wrists work in the golf swing.

The post Wrist Action in Golf Swing: Practical Guide with Drills to Help You Master It appeared first on HackMotion.

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Could you analyze a golf swing and tell whether or not the wrist action was correct? If you answered no, you are not alone.

Even many professionals struggle to fully understand how wrist positions affect ball flight.

Wrist action in the golf swing can be confusing – but it’s also one of the most important factors in controlling the clubface and hitting consistent shots.

With the right tools, knowledge, and practice, you can optimize your wrist mechanics and take control of your game.

Ever heard the phrase, “It’s all in the wrists”? In golf, that couldn’t be more true.

Wrist Action in Golf Swing (Key Takeaways)

After analyzing more than 1,000,000 golf swings, we’ve poured a lot of detail and discovery into the information here.

However, if you’re short on time, here are a few of the most essential facts to take with you right now:

  • The wrists move in three ways: extension/flexion, radial deviation/ulnar deviation, and pronation/supination.
  • Flexion and extension in the wrists are most critical for learning to control the clubface and hit straighter shots.
  • The wrist position changes throughout the swing, so it must be correct at setup and at the top of the backswing to have the best chance for a square and solid impact.
  • The best way to measure and analyze wrist action in golf is to use the HackMotion wrist sensor and record data at setup, top of the backswing, and impact.
  • A quick way to fix slices, hooks, pushes and pulls is to get the proper wrist action in your golf game; wear your HackMotion as you practice. It’s like having a coach with you on the range.

If you prefer to watch instead of read, here’s a recap of all the basics of wrist action. This video will help you understand the role of the wrists and how wrist action impacts your golf game.

What Should the Wrists Do in The Golf Swing?

It helps to have a basic understanding of what the wrists do in the golf swing.

Your wrists control the clubface.

Why does that matter?

The angle of the clubface controls where the golf ball goes!

That should motivate you to stick around and fully understand how you can improve your wrist action in your golf game.

Wrist Positions in Golf (How do the Wrists Move)

Wrist action in golf is best understood when you know how the wrist can move.

wrist positions in golf

Extension/Flexion

Extension and flexion are more commonly referred to as bowing and cupping or arching and bending the wrist.

This is the wrist action that will open and close the clubface. Extension will open the face of your golf club; flexion will close it.

As you swing the golf club, if you can control the extension and flexion in your wrist, you will have more control over the direction of your golf shot.

Common Issues Seen in Golf

  • An open clubface at impact is caused by too much wrist extension in the lead wrist.
  • Flipping at impact because of a poor position at the top of the backswing.
  • Adding too much extension to the lead wrist during the backswing from the setup to the top.
wrist action in golf - open vs square clubface

More extension (cupping) opens the clubface and delays squaring it to the target. More flexion (bowing) closes the clubface earlier and helps to square it to the target.

Radial Deviation/Ulnar Deviation

It’s easiest to think about radial and ulnar deviation as cocking or uncocking of the wrist.

The movement here is more side to side. When you cock your wrist, the thumb gets closer to your forearm; when you uncock, the pinky finger moves closer to your forearm.

Radial deviation increases the wrist cock, whereas ulnar deviation decreases it. This is where the power comes from.

radial deviation and ulnar deviation in golf swing

Common Issues Seen in Golfers

  • Increasing radial deviation too much and extended the wrist.
  • Early wrist hinge opening the clubface, making it difficult to recover.

Rotation (Pronation/Supination)

The third of the key wrist movements in golf is wrist rotation.

forearm rotation in golf swing

Pronation and supination mean more of a turning of the entire wrist.

In fact, the rotation almost feels more in the forearm than in the wrists.

Take your hand and hold it out before you so that your thumb points up to the sky. Now, turn your hand so that your thumb is facing the ground; that is wrist rotation. With this movement, you will feel more like your entire forearm rotates, not just the wrist.

Common Issues Seen in Golfers

  • Lack of proper rotation through impact leaving the clubface open.
  • Too much rotation right before impact causing the shot to pull.

How do the Wrists Work Throughout the Golf Swing?

Wrist action in golf will change as you move from setup to backswing to impact.

Understanding these motions will make it a little easier for you to repeat them.

Setup

The grip is one of the most important things to focus on at setup.

If the hands are not on the club properly from the start, the chance of getting your wrists into the right position throughout the swing is significantly reduced.

Grip the club in the fingers of your hand.

If the club is too much in the palms, wrist action is challenging to feel and keeps you from getting the wrist angles that could generate the most power.

Use HackMotion to check on the consistency of your grip position.

Backswing

The tricky part about the top of the backswing is that more than one position can be considered correct.

A neutral or flat lead wrist position will give you the easiest route back to the ball, but many great players are flexed with their wrists at the top.

wrists at the top of the backswing

With backswing positions in the golf swing, there is no perfect amount of flexion.

You will notice more of a range of what is acceptable instead of one specific number or angle you should be attempting to reach.

Great ball strikers have consistency in the positions they reach at the top of their backswing.

Downswing and Impact with the Ball

The downswing and the area just behind the ball before impact are where most amateur golfers need help with their wrist position.

With the proper wrist mechanics in the downswing and at impact, you will see a better swing path, more consistent strike, higher clubhead speeds, and the desired ball flight that you are looking for.

To get to impact with a square or closed clubface, you need to get your lead wrist to a flexed position before you get to the ball.

wrist position at impact - flexed and extended lead wrist

Here are a couple of key things to keep in mind here:

  • Experiment with more flexion in your lead wrist and see if it helps you hit more consistent shots.
  • More radial deviation through impact is best for golfers looking to increase club head speed.
  • Additional wrist supination will lead to a more out-to-in path; the opposite would create an in-to-out swing path.

The golf swing has too many moving parts for us to find an exact number for flexion/extension or rotation through the ball.

Instead, maintaining consistency and learning what that square clubface feels like will get your game to the next level.

Lead Wrist vs Trail Wrist Position in the Golf Swing

When working with HackMotion, you can focus on either the trail or lead wrist. The lead wrist is the most common, but the trail wrist is the dominant hand for many golfers.

The wrists work opposite of each other. For instance, if you want more flexion in the lead wrist at impact, you’ll need more extension in the trail wrist.

Since golf is such a feel-based game, it’s worth experimenting with both the trail and lead wrist to see which one helps you achieve quicker results. HackMotion can be worn on either wrist.

To learn more about the trail wrist in golf swing, follow that link.

How to Troubleshoot Bad Wrist Action in the Golf Swing?

The best way to troubleshoot bad wrist action in the golf swing is to look at your struggle and then decide if you have an extension/flexion, radial/ulnar deviation, or rotation problem.

Once you have that narrowed down, using HackMotion and drills will help you figure things out.

Slices and Hooks (From Slightly to Severely Offline)

Most amateur golfers struggle with slices and hooks due to improper wrist movement—specifically, too much extension in the backswing and not enough flexion in the downswing. This prevents the clubface from squaring at impact.

To fix this:

  • Maintain a flat wrist at the top of your backswing.
  • Focus on flexing your lead wrist as you start your downswing to help square the clubface.

Drill to Try: The Motorcycle Drill

Grip the club as if holding motorcycle handlebars and “rev the engine” by rotating your lead wrist down through impact. This helps train the proper wrist action for a square clubface and straighter shots.

Pulling and Pushing Shots

When you have the right drills, a pull or a push can be much easier to fix than a hook or a slice.

Many golfers who struggle with pulling or pushing their golf shots have trouble with forearm rotation and ball position.

In this video from Rob Cheney, you can learn how to adjust your wrist angles, ball position, and forearm rotation to hit straighter shots. One of the best drills that Cheney uses is a simple headcover drill, in which the headcover is placed just on the inside of the golf ball.

You’ll learn how to attack the ball with the correct angle and hit straighter shots.

Loss of Power and Proper Golf Ball Compression

Professional golfers do an excellent job of maintaining wrist extension on the backswing.

The amount of extension at the start is not as important as it is to maintain that throughout the backswing. The average amateur player adds unnecessary extension in the backswing.

From the top of the swing and towards the ball, professional golfers move from extension to the point of flexion in their wrists to close the clubface. This video from Rob Cheney will help you work out the proper wrist action for a variety of shots.

Inconsistent Impact Position

While all areas of a golf swing are important (setup, takeaway, backswing, transition, etc.) the most important is impact.

If you can produce a square clubface consistently you’ll see better shots and lower scores.

The impact position will change slightly depending on what club you have in your hand, but there are some basics that all professionals and amateurs need to have in place to square the face at impact.

How Do You Measure Wrist Movement?

Before the release of the HackMotion wrist sensor, measuring wrist movement was very difficult.

What a wrist angle looks like and feels like can be different than what it actually measures. That’s where HackMotion comes in.

With the HackMotion wrist sensor, you can hit golf balls as usual and have your wrist angles and positions measured throughout the swing.

The most valuable information here is the ability to see if your wrist motion compares to that of the best ball strikers in the game.

In addition, you can track your progress from one practice session to the next and use biofeedback and real time drills to get better.


Level 1
Release drill Train your release before working on other aspects of your swing
Level 2
Dynamic transition drill Train your sequencing and pivot, as well as punch shots or your wedge game
Level 3
Impact full swing challenge Train your maximum power swing

How Do I Know if My Wrist Angle is Correct?

There is no single “perfect” wrist angle for every golfer.

HackMotion uses your address position as a baseline, then guides you to be more or less extended/flexed at the top and impact, relative to that starting point.

  • Individual Baseline: Your initial setup (e.g., +15°, +20°, or +25° of extension) is unique to you.
  • Customized Adjustments: HackMotion suggests a range of change from your address angle for the top and impact positions.
  • Different Grips, Different Ranges: If you start at +20° extension, your recommended impact range will be different from someone who starts at +25°.

Example Ranges for a Neutral Grip

Here’s what your wrist angles might look like if you have a fairly neutral grip at address. (Exact values vary based on your own setup).

  • Top of Swing: Aim to keep your wrist within about -20° to +5° of your address angle.
  • Impact: Target 15° to 30° less extended than you were at address to promote forward shaft lean.
hackmotion neutral grip target ranges

Can Improving Wrist Angles Make You a Better Golfer?

Many amateur golfers shy away from learning about wrist angles in golf simply because the topic is so complicated.

Improving wrist angle in the golf swing can help you return the clubface of your golf clubs to square each time you swing.

When your clubface is square, and you have control over it, expect:

  • Straighter shots.
  • More distance.
  • Easier workability.
  • Less dispersion.
  • Better compression and spin.
  • Lower scores.

Drills to Improve Wrist Movement in Golf Swing

In addition to the drills shown above in our troubleshooting section, you can also do these drills to help improve your wrist action.

HackMotion Motorcycle Drill

Working with the HackMotion wrist sensor is like having a coach with you at the driving range.

While wearing HackMotion, collect data on where your wrist angles are and how they compare to those of professionals.

The Motorcycle Drill is built into the HackMotion app and it allows you to work on adding flexion in the transition between backswing and downswing.

Motorcycle Drill – Master Wrist Flexion in the Downswing

Focus on continuously adding flexion until the club reaches parallel, then smoothly complete your swing.

HackMotion Motorcycle Drill – Step by Step:

  1. Set Up: Address the ball as usual.
  2. Downswing Flexion: As you begin your downswing, gradually add wrist flexion so that by the time the club is parallel to the ground (P6), you’ve achieved your desired wrist bend.
  3. Continue to Impact: Maintain that flexion into impact, then release naturally through the finish.
  4. Experiment with Speed: Start slowly, then increase speed while retaining proper angles.
  5. Practice while hitting golf balls but also work on this drill by completing the motion and not hitting shots.
  6. Find your “just right” amount of flexion—too little or too much can cause mishits.

HackMotion Release Drill

The release drill is a great practice drill for golfers who struggle with their wrist position at impact.

With this drill, you train your release on a short swing before adding more power and length to the golf swing.

The drill is located in the HackMotion app, so you can practice it in real-time. If your release from club parallel to club parallel is perfect, the results at impact will be more consistent.

Perfect Your Release with HackMotion

Fine-tune your release for consistent contact. Start with a short swing to master control before adding power.

HackMotion Release Drill – Step by Step:

  1. Set Up: Address the ball with a shorter swing in mind.
  2. Club Parallel to Ground (P7) to Impact: Swing from club parallel in the downswing into impact.
  3. Hands Forward: Aim to keep your hands slightly ahead of the ball at impact.
  4. Check Wrist Angles: Use HackMotion to confirm that your wrist angle is in the correct “in range” zone.
  5. Perform at least 10 reps before you pick up speed a little with the Dynamic Transition Drill.

Top of the Backswing Drill

Whether you are working on wrist action at the top of the backswing or you want to try and groove some wrist consistency in your swing, the Top of the Backswing drill is a great place to start.

Your goal for this drill is to have roughly the same wrist flexion/extension at the top of the backswing that you do at address. This drill is included in the HackMotion app so you can practice it in real time.

Top of the Backswing Drill in HackMotion

By working on this drill, you can create muscle memory and achieve a flat lead wrist at the top of the backswing.

HackMotion Top of the Backswing Drill – Step by Step:

  1. Set Up: Stand still at address with your HackMotion sensor on.
  2. Move to Top: Slowly rotate into your backswing until you reach the top (stop here).
  3. Adjust Wrist Angles: Use real-time feedback to get your wrists into the green zone.
  4. Reset & Repeat: Return to address, then repeat.
  5. Perform at least 10 repetition and aim for at least 50% of reps in range.

Golf Driver Hold the Finish Drill

When working on wrist action, iron, and wedge shots are most often discussed. However, the wrist position in the driver’s swing greatly impacts the results of your drive.

With this drill, you’ll learn to hold your finish with the driver to make sure it’s headed in the right direction toward your target with the proper wrist action.

Driver Hold the Finish Drill – Step by Step:

  1. Set Up: Take your normal driver stance with the ball positioned under your lead shoulder. Slightly flare both feet outward for better rotation.
  2. Swing Path Awareness: Maintain a connected arm structure to avoid excessive lifting or steepening of the club path.
  3. Follow-Through Position: After impact, extend your arms fully and hold the finish when the club is parallel to the ground.
  4. Wrist Stability: At the follow-through checkpoint, your lead wrist should be neutral (0° flexion/extension)—not excessively bowed or cupped.
  5. Experiment with Speed: Start with controlled, slow swings, ensuring stability before increasing speed.
  6. Practice Variations: Work on this drill both with and without hitting golf balls, focusing on holding the correct finish position each time.

Final Thoughts

There is a lot of information here about the proper wrist action in the golf swing.

When you consider golf concepts, wrist action is undoubtedly one of the most complex.

Now that you understand better, it’s time to get out there with your HackMotion and see what kind of progress you can make.

The post Wrist Action in Golf Swing: Practical Guide with Drills to Help You Master It appeared first on HackMotion.

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Golf Drills to Do at Home: The 9 Simple Drills for Indoor Practice https://hackmotion.com/best-indoor-golf-drills/ Fri, 28 Feb 2025 11:22:13 +0000 https://hackmotion.com/?p=81317 Golf practice does not need to happen at the course. In fact, great players find a way to incorporate their practice into all areas of their lives, from work to home. One of the best ways to practice your golf at home is to work on drills. Even if you can’t hit full golf shots, […]

The post Golf Drills to Do at Home: The 9 Simple Drills for Indoor Practice appeared first on HackMotion.

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Golf practice does not need to happen at the course.

In fact, great players find a way to incorporate their practice into all areas of their lives, from work to home.

One of the best ways to practice your golf at home is to work on drills. Even if you can’t hit full golf shots, you can still work on motions and techniques that make you a better player.

We have put together the best indoor golf drills to do at home.

You won’t need much equipment for these; you can simply work with some of the things you have and create your own golf learning center from the comfort of home.

If You Struggle With… Try This Drill

If you already know the issues you are going to want to work on at home, here are some shortcuts to the drills that will help you:

The Secret to a Better Golf Swing Starts with Your Wrists

Your clubface angle at impact determines 80% of your shot’s direction—your wrists control that angle. Click here for the best drills to master your wrist mechanics and take control of your game.

The 9 Best Indoor Golf Drills to Do at Home

Swing Path Correction Drill

Working on your swing path is a great indoor activity.

If you are struggling with an over-the-top move or an inside path and want to find a more neutral or slightly in-to-out path, this is a good drill to consider.

  • Video Timestamp: 1:33-4:25

Swing Path Correction Drill – Step by Step

  1. Identify the current swing path using a simulator or a simple face-strike indicator (e.g., foot spray on the club face).
  2. Place a spare ball or obstacle just outside (target side) of your actual ball to block an out-to-in path. (Headcover works great.)
  3. Focus on swinging inside-to-out to avoid clipping the obstacle.
  4. Track progress by checking your path metrics or observing the ball flight indoors (if possible).

Club Face Control Drill

One of amateur golfers’ most common faults is leaving the clubface open at impact. Learning to control the clubface requires awareness of the lead wrist position throughout the swing.

The best way to fix these issues is to wear your HackMotion and monitor the position of the clubface angle.

  • Video Timestamp: 4:27-6:26

Club Face Control Drill – Step by Step

  1. Use the HackMotion wrist sensor to monitor wrist angles.
  2. If slicing, focus on keeping your lead wrist more flexed (flatter) through impact.
  3. Practice half-swings first, checking data or ball flight for face-angle improvements.
  4. Gradually lengthen the swing while maintaining correct wrist positioning.
  5. Utilize the HackMotion built-in impact drills to monitor your wrist action during impact in real-time.

Setup Distance Consistency Drill

Great players have consistent setups throughout a round of golf. They know the changes they have to make when moving from a driver to irons to wedges.

What many amateur golfers don’t realize is that setup can be practiced.

If you want to make sure you know exactly what position you should be in at address, try this setup distance consistency drill.

  • Video Timestamp: 1:00-5:14

Setup Distance Consistency Drill – Step by Step

  1. Lay down one alignment stick aimed at your target and a second stick perpendicular (forming a “T”).
  2. Place the ball a clubhead’s width from the perpendicular stick (adjust for wedge vs. driver).
  3. Take your stance so that your arms hang naturally, then mark or note foot placement with a piece of tape, etc.
  4. Repeat for wedges, mid-irons, and drivers to create reliable references for all clubs. Leave this on your mat as you practice and work through issues in your game.

Impact Fix Drill

Flipping at impact is a last-minute effort to square the clubface and get the ball headed towards your target.

The impact fix drill can help you keep your shaft lean and lead wrist flexion through impact.

The drill has you mirror what the perfect impact position looks like, and then you will try to replicate that when hitting a shot.

  • Video Timestamp: 5:46-7:19

Impact Fix Drill – Step by Step

  1. Set up normally, then move into your ideal impact position (more weight on lead foot, hips slightly open).
  2. Alternate between setup and this “impact fix” position to build muscle memory.
  3. Make small half-swings, ensuring you return to that same impact position each time.
  4. Gradually extend the swing as your comfort improves.

Strike Location Awareness Drill

How often do you think you hit the center of your clubface? For most golfers, the answer is not often.

If you hit on the toe or the heel consistently, it’s important to make changes to your setup and swing path to fix it.

For any golfer looking to tighten dispersion and maximize ball speed, the Strike Location Awareness Drill is a great at-home drill to try (watch the video above, timestamp: 8:46-10:50).

Strike Location Awareness Drill – Step by Step

  1. Spray the club face foot spray or apply impact tape.
  2. Hit several shots, noting the location of impact.
  3. If patterns cluster on the heel or toe, adjust the stance or swing path.
  4. Practice deliberately hitting different parts of the face to develop a “feel” for center contact.

Chipping Plane Drill

Having the proper swing plane in chipping will help you hit more consistent golf shots.

If you want your swing to be more on plane instead of over the top or too far inside, then this chipping plane drill is a good one to practice.

It works best if you have some water bottles or something similar to use as you set up the drill.

  • Video Timestamp: 0:22-1:59

Chipping Plane Drill – Step by Step

  1. Arrange four water bottles around the ball, creating a pathway for the club.
  2. Use foam or wiffle balls indoors to avoid damage.
  3. Make short, controlled chipping swings without knocking over the bottles.
  4. Narrow the gap as you improve for a tighter swing plane.

Toss Drill for Chipping Feel

Distance control and feel can be difficult to practice when you are working on your golf game at home.

If you are one of those players that tends to rocket your chips across the green, try this Toss Drill. You will actually work on tossing golf balls (not even hitting them with a club).

The concept will help you focus on a smooth tempo and release and learn to translate that to the chipping motion.

  • Video Timestamp: 2:12-3:52

Toss Drill for Chipping Feel – Step by Step

  1. Set a bucket or small target a short distance away.
  2. Toss golf balls underhand, focusing on a smooth release—similar to a chip shot.
  3. Track how many you land in the bucket or near your intended landing spot.
  4. Vary distances to build a better overall feel.

Head-on-the-Wall Stability Drill

Most great golf instructors will tell you that swaying in the golf swing is inefficient.

If you are losing your posture in the backswing, swaying off the ball, or even standing up early in the downswing, the Head-on-the-Wall stability drill could help.

You’ll learn how to make the correct hip and shoulder turn without swaying.

This drill is good for golfers who are losing power and accuracy due to an inefficient swing.

  • Video Timestamp: 0:19-1:45

Head-on-the-Wall Stability Drill – Step by Step

  1. Stand so your forehead lightly touches a wall (or a stick set up vertically).
  2. Make your backswing, keeping your head in contact with the wall.
  3. Transition while staying in contact; avoid sliding your head off the wall.
  4. Practice reaching a good impact and follow-through position (arms parallel to the ground) before allowing the head to come off.

Low Point Control Drill

In golf, we always want to make sure the club comes into contact with the ball first, then the ground.

If you top the ball, hit fat or thin shots, and experience general inconsistency in the strike, a Low-Point Control Drill is a good one to work on.

All you need is a piece of masking tape. Even Bryson Dechambeau uses this drill when he practices.

  • Video Timestamp: 6:00-7:35

Low Point Control Drill – Step by Step

  1. Use a divot board or place a line of masking tape on the ground.
  2. Place the ball just forward of that line.
  3. Make swings, focusing on contacting the ground on or just past the tape line.
  4. Check the board or tape after each swing to confirm the proper low point location.

Final Thoughts

At this point, you have plenty of indoor golf drills to do at home. You can keep yourself busy completing a few of these drills each day. You’ll find one or two that stand out and help you get into the desired positions.

Establish a routine when you can’t be at the course that helps you prepare your golf game for the next round.

Use your HackMotion in combination with any of these drills to track progress and make indoor practice more effective.

The post Golf Drills to Do at Home: The 9 Simple Drills for Indoor Practice appeared first on HackMotion.

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