The club face during the backswing

Jesse Grewal
 

The position of the club face at impact determines both the starting direction of the ball and its curvature. The club could be square (straight shot) closed (hook) or open (slice). The position of the club face at impact is controlled by the grip, the position of the wrists at the top of the backswing and the timing of the release which is the shutting action of the club.

During the take away the forearms should rotate a bit to allow the toe of the club to point upwards when the club shaft is parallel to the ground (picture 2). This is the correct position. The thumbs would be directly over the shaft at this point. When the take away starts with the right hand (for right handed golfers) bending backwards the club face shuts and the thumbs are pointing in front (picture 1). If the forearms rotate excessively the face opens and the thumbs point backwards or behind us (picture 3).

At the top of the backswing the left wrist should be relatively flat or maintain the same angle as they had at address. This would have the club face square which means the face is at the same angle as the left forearm (picture 5). If the left wrist is bowed the club face would be closed (picture 4) and the face would be pointing backwards and upwards. If the left wrist is cupped the face would be open and be pointing downwards and towards the target (picture 6).

If the left wrist is flat and yet the club face looks open it would mean that the grip is weak. If the club face is closed with this wrist position the grip would be strong. Work on the club face position on the backswing which eliminates the need to compensate during the downswing thereby improving consistency.

(Grewal has coached several national champions and professionals apart from being coach of the Indian golf team for the Eisenhower Cup (World Cup) in 2008. He is currently the Director of National Golf Academy of India and CGA Hero Honda Golf Academy. If you have any queries get in touch with him at [email protected])