Slow Motion Wrist Action in Golf Swing & Proper Wrist
Hinge golf
When it comes to building a powerful and consistent swing, the wrists play a bigger role than most golfers realize. The right golf swing wrist hinge adds power, improves ball flight, and keeps your swing on plane. At Scratch Golf Academy, we break down the details into clear, practical steps that actually work on the course.
Why Wrist Hinge Matters in the Golf Swing
- Adds Power: A proper wrist hinge stores energy during the backswing, which gets released at impact for extra clubhead speed.
- Controls Ball Flight: Poor wrist angles often lead to slices, hooks, or thin shots. Correct hinge helps square the clubface consistently.
- Improves Consistency: The right hinge puts your swing on plane, reducing unnecessary movements.
If you’ve ever studied the Dustin Johnson swing slow motion, you’ll notice how his wrist angles stay controlled yet powerful. His technique shows how hinge and extension work together to create both power and precision.
How to Practice Proper Wrist Hinge
- Start with the takeaway. Let your lead wrist hinge naturally by the time the club is waist-high.
- Start with the takeaway. Let your lead wrist hinge naturally by the time the club is waist-high.
- Use slow-motion drills. Practicing in slow motion wrist action in golf swing builds awareness and muscle memory without rushing.
- Check impact. At contact, your wrists should release smoothly, squaring the clubface for solid strikes.
Pro Tip: Record your swing in slow motion on your phone. Comparing your hinge to a pro’s, like Dustin Johnson’s, gives instant feedback.
Common Wrist Mistakes to Avoid
Many golfers know they should hinge their wrists, but the execution often goes wrong. A few small errors can derail your swing:
- Over-hinging the wrists. Setting your wrists too steeply during the backswing makes it difficult to square the clubface at impact. The result is often a slice or pulled shot.
- Releasing too early. Known as “casting,” this happens when golfers unhinge their wrists before reaching the ball. It robs you of stored energy and usually causes fat or thin contact.
- Keeping wrists locked. On the other end of the spectrum, refusing to hinge at all leads to weak shots with limited distance. Without proper hinge, the swing lacks coil and speed.
- Forcing the motion. A hinge should feel natural. Forcing your wrists into positions adds tension to the arms and shoulders, which disrupts rhythm and tempo.
The key is balance. A controlled hinge provides leverage without strain. If you’ve watched the Dustin Johnson swing in slow motion, you’ll see how his wrists set early, hold position at the top, and then release smoothly. That fluid motion — not a forced one — is what produces both power and precision.
Drills to Master Wrist Action
Practicing with intention is the fastest way to build a reliable hinge. Here are three simple drills you can try on the range or even at home:
- The Half-Swing Drill. Take the club back only halfway, focusing on setting your wrists to a 90-degree angle. Swing through and make clean contact. This trains you to hinge properly without over-swinging.
- The Mirror Drill. Stand in front of a mirror and rehearse your takeaway. By waist height, the club should be parallel to the ground and your wrists beginning to hinge. Visual feedback makes it easy to self-correct.
- The Tee Drill. Place a tee a few inches in front of your ball. Practice hinging your wrists on the backswing and then striking through both the ball and the tee. This encourages a later release and prevents casting.
Each of these drills is designed to simplify your practice routine and build confidence in your wrist action. With consistent repetition, you’ll notice more solid ball striking, better control, and a swing that feels naturally powerful.
Your Next Step
Mastering wrist hinge takes practice, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Start slow, build awareness, and focus on clean contact over power. As your hinge improves, you’ll notice straighter shots, more distance, and a swing that feels effortless.
At Scratch Golf Academy, our goal is to make these mechanics simple to understand and easy to apply on the course. With structured lessons, video breakdowns, and guided practice routines, you’ll build the muscle memory needed for a consistent swing.
Learn not just how to hinge your wrists correctly, but how to blend it with grip, stance, and tempo for a complete swing transformation.
