JOSH APPLE can typically work the ball well . These more “ handsy ” players can execute some of the most interesting golf shots , making them highly entertaining players to watch .
The modern movement in golf has been toward a handle-oriented swing ; current tour players who are handle swingers include Cameron Young and Will Zalatoris . These players get the club to the top of the swing with big movements of the body and arms , but with incredibly stable wrists .
Handle swingers may not have quite as much “ wow ” factor typically , but they tend to be the most consistent and win with precision . If you move the club head around less , the swing requires less precise timing and the face is more likely to be square at impact . Handle swingers aren ’ t necessarily short hitters as they are still able to produce speed by swinging big with the body and arms instead of the hands .
There are some current players who are more active with the club head in the swing , such as Justin Thomas or Cameron Smith . In the example of Thomas , he has brought the “ wow ” factor throughout his career , but struggles with consistency , especially off the tee . However , he almost never struggles with wedges because he has excellent hands . Similarly , Smith is known for this prowess around the greens more than his ball-striking consistency .
When looking through PGA Tour leaderboards , the players who are more extreme in their results with multiple wins and multiple missed cuts tend to be head swingers , as they are more likely to lose their timing . The cut-making machines who have steady results tend to be handle swingers who use less wrists and require less timing .
For the average amateur golfer looking to gain consistency , I recommend being a handle swinger . This is not an excuse to swing small , but rather a way of getting the club to the top with the body and arms more than through a big wrist set . More stable wrists through the backswing and into impact gives you the highest chance for a repeatable golf shot and a square club face .
However , if you are competing in a longdrive competition at your home course , you have my permission to go full John Daly style and throw the club head around your back . You will likely miss the sweet spot the majority of the time , but if you catch the center of the face then you have more potential output .
Brady Orr ( Paul IV HS Class of ‘ 25 ) is a clear handle swinger as he pushes the handle high in the backswing and pulls it through on the downswing , all while holding off excess club head movement .
Short Game Styles In terms of short game , being able to execute both styles is valuable . A natural head swinger in short game who likes to get the wrists more involved will be best at hitting higher , softer shots around the greens . A natural handle swinger who is more stable with the wrists will be better at hitting lower , faster moving golf balls .
For high and delicate shots around the greens , I recommend being more active with the club head . This will involve more wrist set through the back swing , as well as throwing the club head through impact . This technique is important for short-sided shots or bunker shots as it increases the loft of the club and slows down the speed of the ball . Phil Mickelson has always been a master of flop shots and bunker shots because he is a natural head swinger .
The opposite extreme would be pulling the handle through the pitch shot by actually downloading the grip end of the club and delofting the wedge ; this involves using the wrists but in the opposite manner to a flop shot . By pulling the handle through and holding off the club head from releasing , you can create low , spinning shots . Rory McIlroy tends to use this shot around the greens , as he often drives his pitches in extra low with lots of spin , the famous “ one hop and stop ” shot . This style is especially difficult for most amateurs to execute because it involves using the wrists but to decrease the loft rather than
increase the loft , and it involves increasing the speed of the golf ball .
In between these two extremes are the players who appear to be using no hands at all , such as Steve Stricker or Jason Day ; they are not literally using no hands , but that is the appearance of the technique . These players essentially move the head and handle the same amount , making it seem like there is no hinge or wrist set . These golf shots aren ’ t especially low and fast but aren ’ t high and soft either , rather they are more of a neutral golf shot .
This middle ground of stable wrists is the style most amateurs should be living in , as it is the easiest to repeat . Using the other two styles , more can go wrong , even though the other two styles may be more fun to practice and are more interesting to execute . That being said , it is perfectly acceptable to practice all three styles and see how you do . Keeping the club head stable will likely be the most consistent , but see if you can challenge yourself and execute lower , faster balls by excessively pulling the handle , or execute higher , slower balls by really throwing the club head through the strike .
Next time you watch elite players whether on TV or at your home club , take a note of what part of the club is moving the most and what part of the club is the most stable . Most likely , the players , who really “ wow ” you are more active with the club head and the players who kill you with consistency are more active with the handle .
vsga . org N OVEMBER / D ECEMBER 2023 | V IRGINIA G OLFER
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