We have all been there!
We hear one piece of advice from one instructor and then a different piece of advice for a different instructor.
Some of the most mind boggling advice I have heard golfers give other golfers is to “take their hands out of the swing.”
For some reason, the hands in the golf swing remains one of the games greatest mysteries or misunderstood part of the golf swing.
At the end of the day, we all want a consistent golf swing.
One where our start line is predictable and the ball curves the way we intended for it to curve. Lastly, we want to ensure we have enough distance to play the course.
With these three basics, the game can be enjoyable.
Here at golfjourney365, we love the journey involved with the game of golf. We strive to play as frequently as possible and enjoy the physical and mental challenge that each round of golf presents.
We know that no two rounds of golf are the same, but if we focus on some fundamentals with our golf swing, we can improve over the course of a season and over the course of several years.
Too many golfers seem to stay stagnant with their ball striking, distance and even short game.
We are here to help. Today, we dive into the topic of the hands in the golf swing. Below, we will discuss the following:
- The most frequently asked questions related to the hands in the golf swing
- The correct way to use the hands in the golf swing (based on today’s top instructors)
- Drills you can use to create more speed in your swing
- How to measure your swing with a launch monitor
Before we dive in, let’s first clarify three great measuring sticks for any golf swing that you are experimenting with on your journey in the game of golf. As you experiment and work on training your hands in the golf swing, you can use the assessment listed below to see what is best for your game.
We often refer to these at the fundamentals of golf and they simply break down the key skills needed to effectively strike the ball and reach your scoring goals.
Three Measuring Sticks or Fundamentals of Golf
- Fundamental #1: The golfer’s ability to control the bottom of the golf swing. The best golfers will hit the ground in the intended spot, close to 100% of the time.
- Fundamental #2: The golfer’s ability to control the curve of the golf ball. The best golfers are able to start the ball to the right or left of the target line and have the ball curve towards the target without the ball over curving past the target.
- Fundamental #3: The golfer’s ability to have enough power to play the golf course. This means they are able to hit the ball far enough to play the course in regulation.
You can reach your full potential with different golf swings and approaches. You can follow any of the teachers listed above and use the three fundamentals listed above.
Quick Assessment:
- Fundamental #1: How many times can you strike the ground in the spot where you want out of 20 attempts.
- Fundamental #2: Can you start the ball at your intended target 7 times out of 10?
- Fundamental #3: Does your swing provide enough power to play the course you play?
You can revisit these three fundamentals frequently to measure your growth and to keep you on the right track towards reaching your goals.
Frequently Asked Questions: Hands in the Golf Swing
#1 What role do the hands play in the golf swing?
The movement of the hands might be the most vital part of the golf swing. As we know, the hands are the only connection to the golf club. They play a significant role in the direction that the ball starts as the club head will respond and point in the direction that the hands direct it to.
There are ways to train your hands to control the club head and help build the consistency in your start line of each and every golf shot. One of our goals with golf is to ensure our start line is consistent (Fundamental #2).
#2 How do I release my hands in the golf swing?
The release should be a throwing like motion in the golf swing. From the top of the backswing a main swing through is to have a throwing like motion with the hands as if you were throwing the club towards the target. Too often golfers try to golf off the release to get better lag when in reality they are creating more difficulty in producing a consistent golf swing.
The golf swing can produce its greatest speed (fundamental #3) when the golfer allows the club to naturally and athletically respond to a throwing motion. Too often we see the swing sequences in a golf magazines and try to recreated these positions instead of swinging through these positions.
Here is a great video on the throwing motion in the golf swing:
#3 Which hand controls the club face?
The right hands for right handed golfers and the left hand for left handed golfers plays a significant role in controlling the club face. As your right hand opens or closes and turns or comes under, you will see different results in your golf swing and the flight of the ball.
The example of placing the right club face in your hand and drawing the outline can help a golfer visualize the importance of the right hand.
The great news is that the right hand can be trained to hit the shots that are needed. The right hand can play a significant roles in controlling your start line (fundamental 2) and help you reach your goals in the game of golf.
Check out this Mike Malaska video on training your right hand in the golf swing:
#4 Do the hands help produce speed in the golf swing?
Yes! A high percentage of the speed in the golf swing is a result of the hand movements. The arms and the hands produce close to 90% of the speed in the golf swing. An example of this is when golfers hit shots from their knees, they are still able to hit the ball a good distance.
Oftentimes, you will hear about ground reaction forces or the speed of the hips. Did you know that the LPGA golfers on average have a higher hip speed than PGA Tour golfers, but on average the club head speed with a driver for a PGA Tour player is 19 miles per hour faster?
This shows the importance of the hands and the throwing motion explained above.
This is a must see video by Mike Bender on the role the arms and hands have in producing speed:
#5 Should I take my hands out of the golf swing?
No! Your hands play a significant role in producing speed and controlling hte club face. Instead, train your hands to work in the golf swing and you will hit the ball further and straighter. The key is to control the speed, start line and curve of the ball!
This advice is some of the worse advice ever. Do this simple test to see for yourself:
- Simple grip a golf club and raise your hands to waist high. Without moving your hands or arms just move or body and see how fast you can swing.
- Now, do the same thing, but this time just use your arms and hands and see how fast you can swing.
This quick demonstrating should be all the proof you need to see the major role the hands and the arms play in producing speed! The body works as a supporting or resistance based part of your golf swing. The hands and arms should driver the swing!
Too many golfers stand there trying to get extra distance by moving their body all over the place, they end up losing sequence and actually slowing down.
#6 Should I roll my hands over in the golf swing?
The golf swing has evolved from rolling hands over to more of an underhand slap with the right hand in the golf swing. This helps produce great club face stability through the hitting zone, which requires less timing.
Golfers in the past were taught to roll their right arm over, but high speed cameras and launch monitors have proven that the slapping or throwing like motion can produce great speed and club face stabilization.
The Correct Way To Use The Hands in the Golf Swing
I believe two golf instructors have truly hit the nail on the head as far as the hands in the golf swing. Their communication is excellent and the logic is very clear.
They provide great demonstrations and allow the golfer to be free from all of these swing thoughts about shoulders or legs or what direction your head is moving.
These two instructors are:
- Mike Malaska
- Mike Bender
Check out these two golf instructors as each of these videos are some of my favorite and most highly recommended.
Mike Malaska
Mike Bender
Some major takeaways from these videos:
- If you are seeking extra speed, try engaging the hands.
- Train your hands to do the work of controlling the club face.
- Do not try to hold a certain position for lag. Instead let the swing go and direct the momentum of the club.
Drill To Create More Speed in Your Golf Swing
Once you have the proper mechanics down and can activate the right hand, it is time to start training for some additional speed. This is a drill and training protocol that I would highly recommend.
SPEED DRILL: Increase your swing speed through overspeed training
- Check out SuperSpeed Overspeed Training Protocols
- Train every other day for 10-15 minutes.
- See a 4-6% increase in swing speed as early as the first training protocol.
The number one thing that has helped me gain significant distance is the SuperSpeed Training System. This overspeed based system where you train every other day for about 10-15 minutes with different swing sticks can help you increase your swing speed by 5-8% which can be 20-30 yards. Who wouldn’t want an extra 20-30 yards. Plus it helps improve your mechanics.
SuperSpeed Golf – Use Discount Code Golfjourney365 for some savings!
The analytics are pretty clear on the importance of speed in the game of golf. Would you rather hit your approach shot from 130 yards of 160 yards? The answer is pretty simple!
We know that over the course of time, we will hit shots from 130 yards much closer than from 160 yards, whether we are an average amateur golfer, a scratch golfer, or a PGA Tour member!
The key is having shorter approach shots, so we can hit the ball closer to the hole and then make more putts! Speed is king in the game of golf! Make sure you check out SuperSpeed Golf!
How To Measure Your Golf Swing with a Launch Monitor
In today’s golf world, there are now affordable golf launch monitors that every golfer can have as a part of their golf setup to ensure they are using the best equipment and keeping their swings on track.
With today’s topic, I would highly recommend measuring the difference in swing speed and ball speed with the different tips provided above.
Being able to make your own conclusions on changes in your golf swing before hitting the course will go a long way in helping your experiment and have your game reach its full potential.
With anything in golf, we recommend testing it out for yourself. We know that every golf swing is slightly different and that golfers have different expectations and budgets.
As a result, we highly recommending testing products out for your game and your swing. This is now affordable and can be done! We live in an amazing time!
There are three excellent options in today’s market that allow you to measure your swing at the driving range, in a net, or in a home golf simulator. These versatile options below give you instant feedback and the information you need to experiment and see what works best for your!
I would recommend one of the three launch monitors listed below:
I personally use the SkyTrak Launch Monitor and am able to use it in my golf simulator setup in my garage and take to the driving range or course. The real time data on ball speed, spin rates and spin axis gives me the feedback I know to test out different clubs and setups on my drivers or what clubs I am hitting the best.
The affordability of these products is rather impressive and if you are serious about improving your game, you have to check these out!
My Secret To Golf Improvement
Let’s face it, in order to get really good at golf, we must practice frequently. About three years ago, I made the leap and invested in a golf simulator build for my garage.
I went with a SkyTrak Launch Monitor and the TGC software and can now play over 100,000 courses including Augusta, Pebble Beach, Bethpage Black, Whistling Straits. St. Andrews and many other of the top 100 courses in the world.
This golf simulator setup, which is more affordable that you might imagine, has been a game changer. I can now play golf everyday of the year regardless of rain, snow, cold weather or time of day. I can practice or play rounds of golf. I can stand in the 11th fairway at Augusta and with the auto-rewind feature I am able to practice my approach shots from various differences.
It is worth checking out through Rain or Shine Golf as they offer some incredible packages along with financing offers that are difficult to beat.
Some direct links to Rain or Shine Golf for pricing and financing:
Take Action – What You Can Do Today to Get Better
What does this mean for you? I believe in the following recipe to get better:
1 – Improve your motion in the golf swing by identifying a golf instructor. Here are some options:
Here is a list of golf instructors that we have reviewed:
2 – Train to swing faster and improve your swing speed. Here are some options:
Looking to gain more Speed and Distance in your swing. Two Options:
3 – Understand course strategy and work to break through your next barrier. Here is a series on breaking through:
We have provided guides on how to break 100, 90, 80 and 70. Check out more below, if interested.
4 – Practice Frequently
Did you know that I build a golf simulator in my garage and have played over 500 rounds of golf on my SkyTrak system? It has been a game changer and one worth checking out. Here are some of my other posts on golf simulators frequently asked questions:
- Is a Golf Simulator Worth It?
- How to Build a Golf Simulator?
- What is the Best Golf Simulator?
- Golf Simulator Accessories?
- How to Build a Golf Simulator for under $7000
- Top 11 Reasons to Buy a SkyTrak
- How to Build a Golf Simulator for Under $1000
- Why Build A Golf Simulator?
- What Space is Needed?
- Can A Golf Simulator Improve My Game?
- How Much Does A Golf Simulator Cost?
- Don’t Forget to Check out our 15 best golf swings of all time.