June 9, 2026 3:47 pm

Improve Your Wrist Hinge for More Club Speed

A good wrist hinge can make a big difference to your backswing. In most cases, the wrists should hinge naturally on the way back. They should then release naturally on the downswing.

However, a few simple mistakes can get in the way.

Why the wrist hinge matters

One of the biggest causes of poor wrist hinge is the grip. This can happen when the hands sit in the wrong position on the club. It can also happen when you grip the club too tightly.

Another common mistake is placing the right thumb on top of the grip. This can stop the wrists from hinging correctly.

As the club moves just past horizontal in the backswing, the wrists should start to hinge upwards. If the right thumb presses down on top of the grip, it works against this movement. This can reduce your wrist action or stop it completely.

When this happens, it becomes much harder to create speed through the ball. As a result, your shot may lose distance and power.

To help improve your wrist hinge, check your grip before you swing. Keep your hands relaxed and avoid squeezing the club too tightly. Most importantly, make sure your right thumb does not sit on top of the golf club.

This small grip change can help you create a better wrist hinge, more club speed and a smoother swing.

Categorised in: Tip of the month, World of Golf London