For the right handed golf, the right hand is very important in the golf swing.
It can help generate plenty of speed and also greatly impacts the direction the clubface is pointing at impact.
Let’s start with the why!
Why is the right hand important in golf?
Two of the most important elements of the golf swing are the following:
- Speed
- Direction
Without enough speed or a lack of directional control, the golfer is going to struggle to play quality golf. The right hand plays a significant role in the golf swing.
The more the golfer can train the right hand, the better golf he or she will be able to play.
We believe in 3 fundamentals in the golf swing:
- Controlling the low point (quality of contact)
- Starting the ball on the proper start line with a predictable curve
- Having enough speed to play the course
The right hand in the golf swing will impact all 3 of the key elements above.
Golf Impact Positions (3 Drills)
The Right Hand and Directional Control
Recently, we wrote about the impact position in the golf swing. For years, the right forearm and hand rolled over the shot. Much time was spent on teaching forearm rotation which as a result had the right hand moving in a counter clockwise direction in the golf swing.
This led to an over reliance on the proper timing and can lead to a rather inconsistent golf swing. On a day when you are timing everything up well, you will control your direction. On the other days, watch out for some struggles!
If you take and hold the clubface in your hand you can imagine the clubface sitting in your hand and depending on the movement of the hand during the swing, the direction the clubface is facing will be impacted by the smallest movements.
We know the following from the ball flight laws:
- The ball will start relative to the direction of the clubface at impact.
- The ball will curve away from the swing path
- The greater difference between the path and the clubface will lead to the most significant curving shots.
For example: A clubface that is 2 degrees open with a path that is 4 degrees inside to out (or right) will start to the right and draw back towards the target resulting in a push draw.
Ultimately, to have great directional control, the golfer must train the right hand to control the clubface to get the ball started in the desired direction.
The most recent teaching of the right hand movement is more of a slapping or throwing motion through the hitting zone vs a rolling motion of the past. If you think of throwing a baseball over your shoulder and then taking and making that same movement with your arm in a golf swing position, the motion is very similar.
Develop Your Stock Shot Today!
I would highly recommend checking out this Mike Malaska video on the right hand:
The Right Hand and Speed
Those that say to take the hands out of the golf swing might be robbing you of distance. Instead the hands can be active as long as they are moving in the correction manner. Taking the hands out of the golf swing can provide some clubface stability, but this same stability can be accomplished through the proper movements, which the most recent teachings in the game have been promoting.
A great deal of speed can be generated from the arms and the hands in the golf swing. Too many golfers try rotation and twistturninghing to create speed, when they might be surprised what they can generate from using their arms and hands effectively. Not only can they gain speed, but the clubface stability can be established.
While the body is important to support the arms and hands, it doesn’t have to drive everything.
Here is a great overview provided by Mike Bender on the Arms and Hands in the Downswing:
The Right Hand and Arm Throw
The right hand and arm in the golf swing can be a powerful combination for speed and total distance. Making a throwing like motion through the bottom part of the downswing can produce distance results that you may not have experienced yet. There are two common swing thoughts or feels I will utilize:
- Load up the right hand in the backswing.
- Throw the hand and arm through the ball.
- Speed out of in front of the ball
This allows the golfer to generate new speed without trying to control everything through the golf swing. Oftentimes, we can be too careful or too hesitant as we make the swing and strike the ball.
Here is my number one recommended video for the right hand and arm throwing motion:
The Right Hand: Next Steps
Golf can be complicated, but you can find a way to simplify it by having the right movements of the right hand and arm through the downswing. Too often, golfers spend too much time trying to squat, turn and rotate with a body that can’t handle it all. Instead, train those hands and learn to control the clubface.
The combination of understanding the ball flight laws, training the right hand and then seeing the results can allow you to start playing golf and managing your shots and misses around a course for 18 holes.
Mike Malaska Training the Right Hand:
My Secret To Golf Improvement
Let’s face it, in order to get really good at golf, we must practice frequently. About four 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.