Using your wrists for speed in golf swing - 5 of 7

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Your body uses tension as its primary mechanism to sequence the golf swing. In general, the muscles that have the most tension will always fire first. If you watched last week's video on the Drag Racer and the Dump Truck then you know that we MUST start the downswing with the lower body, just like you've heard from every great golfer from Nicklaus to Tiger. But, there's a "certain" instructor out there who is yet AGAIN completely changed his teaching philosophy and come up with another goofy looking golf swing that defies common logic, biomechanics and physics. In this video I'll explain why you would never want to follow this backswing advice and how one simple feeling will help you pick up 10-15 mph of clubhead speed while putting less strain on your body.

  • Do not fully set the wrists early on in the swing. 
  • Allow for just enough wrist set to support the club
  • Keep the wrists supple
  • Allow for the weight shift to create additional angle for lag to start the downswing


One of golf instructions most important concepts for efficient swing speed is lag. In the first three videos of the "Keys to RST" series, I discussed some simple physics and how to work into a tour quality impact position, along with having a picture perfect release.

The 4th video of the series,  "The Drag Racer and the Dump Truck" showed you why you MUST start the downswing with the lower body, just like you've heard from every great golfer from Nicklaus to Tiger.

In this most recent video called "Using your wrists for speed" I am going to show you how your body uses tension as its primary mechanism to sequence the golf swing. In general, the muscles that have the most tension will always fire first.

Even with a clear understanding of physics and biomechanics, it seems as though logic is lacking for certain well known instructors. There is one in particular, that is creating quite a buzz with a goofy looking swing shape and no real rhyme or reason as to why you would actually want to swing a golf club this way.

At RST we believe in providing you students very clear information with 2 critical questions always answered...how and why.

With that said, if you are wanting to pick up more speed in your golf swing, then you MUST be able to use your wrists properly. We need the wrists for lag in the swing and we need to be able to preserve lag with proper downswing sequence.

When you complete your takeaway, you are really only looking for enough wrist set (better known as "cocking of the wrists") to support the club, leaving it parallel to the ground. If you work to fully cock the wrists early on in the swing, what is that going to do for you? Well, the real answer to that question is...nothing good. We have a great video that talks about all the terminology and functions of the wrists called "Using the wrists effectively and efficiently", so make sure you check that out.

Going back to what I said earlier in regards to muscle groups loading up in order to fire in order, think about what you have just done to the wrists and forearms in the swing. You have fully loaded them up and they are going to want to fire first which is going to cause you to throw the club from the top, lose lag and lose speed. Doesn't sound all that promising, does it?

What you need to do is save yourself from fully loading up the wrists in the takeaway and even into the top of the backswing. You need to allow the wrists to have some room to create some downcock when you shift your weight.

What is downcock?

If you keep your wrists from being at full range of motion and they remain supple, your weight shift to the lead side can actually cause the angle to increase all on its own. Yep, simple as that! Now you have you hands and arms working down in front of you body with more lag than you ever knew what to do with.

Check out a great premium video and called the “downcock and pump drill” and you will see just how easy it is to get all that precious lag and pick up an easy 10-15 mph of clubhead speed.

Hi. I'm Chuck Quinton, found of Rotary Swing Golf. One of the important concepts that we've talked a lot about in these videos, is the importance of the wrists and the angle or the lag angle that we have in a proper swing, as we bring the club down into impact. In the last video we just talk about how you use your weight shift in the dump truck to bring the drag racer down into impact. If you haven't watched those videos, go back and watch that. It'll make a lot more sense.

                One of the critical concepts that most people don't understand and don't do enough, is how soft your wrists need to be in a proper golf swing. Most people, when I grab their hands when I'm giving a golf lesson, their forearms are rock solid and I can't move their wrists around, so I grab their hands and move them around and then I touch their hand and show them how soft I hold the club and they're amazed that, that's how softly you should hold a golf club.

                If you hold onto the club tight, your wrist will be locked in place and as they're locked in place, they can't release with any real speed and you're going to be relying on your physical force to create speed, instead of using physics and the centrifugal force that your rotating body will do for you.

                What you want to understand is that as you go back, you don't want to set your wrists right off the ball. That's one of the worst things you can do in the swing, believe it or not. Even though it seems like a logical thing to do, because what's gonna happen, is you're gonna set your wrist pretty fully. By the time you get to the top, there's nowhere else for them to go, but guess what? Out. As you create a lot of tension and force on this wrist joint, what's the first thing your body wants to do when it has a lot of muscular tension? Wants to release it, of course. You set your wrists early. You go to the top with this wrist fully set, and you start down ... Of course as you start rotating, the only thing the club can do is go out away from you. You're gonna cast the club and lose it.

                What you want to do as you go back, is stay nice and wide, and keep your wrists relatively, still extended. As you go to the top, as you use the dump truck to bring the club down, your wrists are soft, they will react, and let the club fall and get into a proper lagged position.

                Now, I have a great video on this called, The Down Cock Drill, that's gonna show you how to do a couple little float loading moves and how to keep the wrists soft and what you should look for at the top as you start down, how the club should do what we call down cock. This will give you a lot more lag and a lot more power, with way less effort than holding onto the club tight and trying to push it through impact. So, take a look at this video, The Down Cock Drill video. It'll give you a lot more speed with a lot less effort. 

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M. (Certified RST Instructor)
Hi Graig! I have a small injury and hope you have an idea where it comes from. I added a picture of my left wrist ( lead arm) and the black spot is the exact location, I feel it is related to impact and a tendon question. My thoughts are, maybe grip too weak or strong, left wrist not totally rotated to flat wrist at impact, Grip pressure to strong? My divots are thin and in front of ball so I do not drive head in the ground. Hope for some help!
December 11, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Marcel. Could you try and upload the picture again? I don't have it on my end.
December 11, 2019
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M. (Certified RST Instructor)
Hope this works Graig!
December 11, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Still don't have anything yet. Maybe file size too big?
December 11, 2019
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M. (Certified RST Instructor)
Tried to make it smaller!
December 11, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Marcel. That area would be a little more akin to pushing into the ground. But, as you noted it tends to be more thin and divot after the strike. I would make sure the grip isn't too strong. Still a little bit in the fingers and that the wrist is gradually flattening/bowing. Good visual is the up the line shot in Stop Slicing Start Releasing Video after the 4:30 timestamp.
December 11, 2019
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robert
where do I find the downcock video?
April 30, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Robert. Type Downcock Pump into the search bar.
April 30, 2019
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Mike
Should I be snapping my wrists during the release?
February 6, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Mike. The release is something you allow to happen. Not manually force a speed up. Take a look at Flip vs Release and Throw the Club Head at the Golf Ball.
February 6, 2019
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Mike
I guess I am a little confused by the snap the towel video. What does that pertain to?
February 7, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Mike. The snap the towel is displaying that the release has to work independently of the body. That the body must decelerate for the club head to accelerate into impact. By pulling the towel in the opposite direction, or stopping the towel is able to snap forward like a club.
February 7, 2019
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Asle
Some instructors talk about w-cock and that actually only happens with the L-wrist. The R. wrist doesn't cock - it turns (to the R) (RH'ed golfer). In the release thru impact the LW uncocks. What does the RW do - does it "unturn/bend" or is this turned position upheld at least to impact? Why is the power from the RW and not the LW? Some players almost let go of the RH and still hit it a long way.
January 14, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Asle. Take a look at Using the Wrists in the Golf Swing and How to Avoid a Cupped Left Wrist. A lot of your answers will be there. For the ones not in those videos. The trail hand will maintain a little hinge into the strike and straighten after. Some players do almost let go with the trail hand, but your dominant side (even when it doesn't feel like it) will help you add core rotational speed in the downswing because of the placement of the scapula in the backswing.
January 15, 2018
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Gerald
Craig, I copied the video title you gave in the search box for videos, and it did not find it. Can you give me a more specific video name to find? Thanks, Jerry
March 8, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Gerald. I just copied the titles and both picked up in the search bar. I apologize. Copy exactly "Using the Wrists in the Golf Swing" and "How to Avoid a Cupped Left Wrist". Keep me posted. Or, type in the first few words and a drop down menu will show up.
March 8, 2018
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Gerald
Found them! Thanks -- sorry for the confusion. Jerry
March 8, 2018
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GC
What are the exercises to help accelerate the wrist release after the lag is formed?
December 28, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello GC. You are relying more on physics than strength at this point. The rotation of the wrists are gradual and not a manual speed up of force. Some towel forearm exercises will help with the strength, but you don't want to try and create the speed.
December 29, 2017
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Randy
Hey guys. I'm struggling to find the right swing thoughts related to weight shift vs the release. In this series, it talks about the supple wrists and how the weight shift and posting up releases the club. I hear that and think that it means the wrists, arms, are almost completely passive. This feels sloppy though. Should I be thinking of my wrists as active at all during the swing?? If so, when and how much? It seems like I'm hitting it a lot thin (off the sole of the club) and missing the compression somehow. Maybe I should be thinking of actively letting my hands release down?? Thanks as always.
September 2, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Randy. The wrists need to be supple. But, you still want the ability to have control. I agree. You don't want to get sloppy and too passive. Most students have to train the proper motion to release the club. This will be active thought and motion. Once, the newer movement pattern gets ingrained. You will require less thought for the proper release to happen. Therefore, using the legs and lag for good power. The legs acting as a trigger motion for the club to start rotating aggressively through the hitting area. You always should have some awareness of the lead hand. Which is why we have the 9 Day Series to understand controlling ball flight.
September 3, 2017
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Randy
Thanks, Craig. I'll send in a video next week. I'm the meantime, I seem to now be hitting either a beautiful effortless compressed shot down the middle or a horrifying low-ish hard slice to the right. I can't seem to figure out the right swing thought that keeps me from what I think is pushing through from the right side causing me no hope to square up the face at impact. Have you seen any kind of similar issue from another student who is working on the proper relaxed release. Note that I'm not an over the top swinger. I'm historically notorious for coming too far from the inside / getting stuck under the plane. These changes have helped with this a lot but again I can't seem to stop pushing through about 50% of the time. Thanks again in advance for your thoughts.
September 3, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Randy. If you typically are too in to out and getting stuck. The push/fade still could be lack of allowing the release and adding push. Take a look at You Throw the Club Head at the Golf Ball Video. Or, for really inside Trace the Plane Line Video.
September 4, 2017
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GC
On the down cock drill. In my swings I can retain the lag at the top when my arms are parallel to the ground (same position as Chuck for the Downcock) As my arms reach my belt / thigh area, even when my shoulders are reasonably quiet, all that lag is already lost whilst the pros continue to hold on to a lot of lag. Between the time when arm is parallel to ground and when arms reach the thigh area - how to retain the lag?
July 13, 2016
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Sounds like you are pushing against the club with the right hand or left thumb quite a bit in your downswing. If you do left arm only downswings, are you seeing a good portion of lag?
July 13, 2016
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Charles
Where do I access the "Down cock drill"
June 8, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Charles. The Downcock Drill is located in the Recommended Tab to the top right of this page or the Advanced Downswing Section.
June 8, 2016
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Robert
I recently wrote you in reference to drills to get me from lifting up and keeping my head down on the downswing, you responded but i was having problems with my computer, once resolved i lost your response could you please send another. Thank you very much. Robert Coleman bolkowbob58@yahoo.com
January 27, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Robert. Do you remember what video you posted the question under? To help with the head lift. Use the Level Shoulders Drill and work on the 5 Minutes to the Perfect Release. The lead shoulder staying down and releasing properly will help with the head.
January 27, 2016
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Brandon
Great video - as a student who used the A method in high school, Chuck is spot on. I was able to maintain/increase my lag coming into the ball but I was so steep that I had to laterally shift my hips to shallow out the club path, which led to lead-side hip pain in the 11th grade. Awesome video, wish I came across this earlier!
January 22, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Brandon. Appreciate the post and glad you learned some of the potential pitfalls of that early wrist load.
January 23, 2016
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Loran
The, the wrist lag and release associate loosely compared to the rythm and tempo that glue the entire swing altogether? The only tense part of the body physically should be the "box" or obliques area, no?
January 16, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Loan. The glutes, box and obliques will exert more tension or engagement. Loosely associated. Lag and release is a bi-product of good body motion and suppleness.
January 18, 2016
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Loran
I see Chuck's takeaway is approximately 2 feet from his right thigh...I know a player should only move his arms and rotate the upper torso...I remembered from Chuck's takeaway video that he says the end of the takeaway should only be about 2 two inches away from the right thigh? Is there such a thing as taking the club too far from the right thigh? Does this somehow affect the right arm fold if I extend my arms too long and far away from my body?
December 26, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Loan. You can over extend in the takeaway creating problems with folding the trail arm in the backswing. You don't want to create added width from push. Solely using rotation and a little elevation the arms will have width. Maintaing the trail arm in a straight position is all the width you need. If you create the over extension with the lead arm it will tend to over rotate pushing down the trail elbow and making harder to add proper flexion.
December 28, 2015
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Ernie
downcock
December 12, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Ernie. Do you have a question about downcock?
December 12, 2015
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Seth
so is there no wrist flex at all in the swing? The wrists should be completely loose from the top of the back swing all the way through the follow through? I'm assuming that some tension will need to be maintained in the wrists on the takeaway in order to keep the club from falling behind (in front of ) the hands on the take away but as soon as I get to the top of the backswing, are the wrists completely listless through the follow through?
July 11, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Seth. There is gradual wrist set in the golf swing. However, no quick or max set off the ball. There is roughly 25% in the takeaway and gradual from there. Take a look at Using the Wrist Effectively and Efficiently in this section. The wrist will be loose, but not so much that they aren't under control.
July 11, 2015
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Kip
In trying to make a proper backswing with moves 1 and 2, I may be the only guy on the planet who has to consciously cock his wrists somewhere along the line ... it isn't happening naturally by just thinking of shoulder elevation. If I don't do that, I tend to end the backswing with my hands too low and have no idea that they are. Thinking about cocking the wrists upward, at least gradually, seems to prevent that from happening, especially if I have a fairly definite sense of a wrist set at the top. Is it a proper feeling to pull back with your right shoulder with both arms straight while gradually cocking your wrists all the way to the top ... deliberately ... or is there a better way to get your hands high enough at the top of the backswing? The only other option is to feel like I'm "lifting" my arms near the end of the backswing. BTW, thanks for all you do ... I took a nine-lesson DL course years ago in Las Vegas and was hopelessly confused for years thereafter. Ditto for another series from Claude Harmon III. I know that has to be more the fault of the student than the teacher, but this is by far the best instruction I've ever seen.
June 21, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Thanks for the compliments of the site Kip. There is gradual setting of the wrist in the golf swing. You just want to shy away from the quick set and or too late set. Take a look at a few videos for me. Using the Wrist Efficiently and Effectively in this Section, 5 Mins to the Perfect Takeaway (Roughly 22 mins in) Takeaway Section, and the RST Pencil Tee Drill Advanced Takeaway Section. 25 % of wrist set is in the takeaway and it will work gradually from there.
June 22, 2015
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Leland
The "dj release drill " video was recommended to learn secret. I cannot find it. Where do i go to see it?
June 4, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Leland. That would be the Vijay Release Drill . Advanced Downswing Section.
June 5, 2015
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Paul
I would like to see some more videos on the downcock drill. This is really difficult at full speed. I can take it apart at slow speed no problem. Even more difficult with the driver. I find that I have to really slow the back swing down a bit, otherwise momentum brings the club back quite far but this is actually different ? or the same as the downcock ? it does preserve or at least create lag...but when I see videos of myself the angle opens up during the downswing rather than closes as it should. should I pull down a bit more with the left arm ?
June 1, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Paul. You want momentum change to help you with lag and/or if you get the club swinging back too far. The Start the Downswing Before Completing the Backswing Video in the Weight Transfer Section will cover this. If you are able to create lag, but losing it early you probably need to exaggerate the lead arm pull. Take a look at the Transition Drill in the Advanced Downswing Section.
June 2, 2015
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David
How soft are my wrists, hands, grip...really supposed to be? if i go super relaxed, i can barely swing. when i do it once on a while, the ball goes. Most of the time the club goes straight into the ground - a fat shot. How does Sergio get the lag he does? are his hands truly that soft?
June 15, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello David. The wrists need to be supple/soft. The grip pressure will tend to increase throughout the swing. Its about having control over the club with the grip and the wrist staying relaxed. You want it to feel syrupy. Sergio uses a combination of weight shift, lead arm pull and really soft hands. He has done it all his life. If the club is going into the ground then you are firing the angle too soon. Work on keeping the wrist soft, but pulling through the shot and getting stacked to stop the chunk. Take a look at the Taking a Divot Video in the Downswing Advanced Section.
June 15, 2015
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David
Which angle may I be firing too soon? My lag angle?
June 16, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Yes. Firing the lag too soon and not retaining shaft lean.
June 16, 2015
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Fred
Just letting you guys know I really like the "Transcription" component, including the links to additional videos. Great addition! Hope you use it in more videos.
May 31, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Thanks Fred!
June 1, 2015
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Michael
Hi While I am not a huge fan of David Leadbetter, I think many of the things he advocated in his first book were quite insightful and advanced teaching at the time e.g. dog wags the tail. Much of it has also been shown to be wrong. Re the wrist set, I think there is some logical reasoning behind an "early" wrist set. At some point in the backswing the wrists must set (or more specifically radially deviate, which is not the same as right wist dorsiflexion). Trouble with doing it late is that the club head will have already developed significant momentum and setting late will make it more difficult to not "collapse" the wrists at the top (over radial deviate). This is a cause of inconsistency and an overly steep shaft at the start of the downswing. An early set helps players "firm it up" at the top....
May 30, 2015
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R.J. (Certified RST Instructor)
Michael, setting the wrists early also loads up the forearm muscles too early and once a muscle is loaded up, it wants to unload almost immediately. So, if the forearms are being loaded up before the lower body, then in the downswing sequence, the forearms are going to want to unload the wrist cocking before the bottom of the swing, causing a casting motion at the beginning of the downswing. If the "V" in the right hand is closed (thumb pressed firmly against the side of the hand), it would be impossible to over set the wrists and control of the club will be maintained. Using a light grip pressure and allowing the wrists to set at the top when the momentum of the swing begins to shift into the downswing is still the best way to generate club head speed. R.J.
May 31, 2015
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Ray
Oh, well. I already bought the book, and have been trying it out. Chuck's point is well taken re early wrist cock. I wonder if this move is necessitated by the new grip suggested in the book. My experience with this has been mixed, but I do seem to make better contact. (BTW, doesn't DJ start his takeaway by cocking his wrists?) I do like the rhythmic figure-8 hip motion. Seems to bring everything together for me. Anyway it all helps me to be a better golfer, so, both of you, keep up the good work.
May 30, 2015
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Steven (Certified RST Instructor)
becoming a better golfer is all what it's about. Keep up the good work Ray.
December 21, 2015
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Loran
Throughout the downswing, both wrists and arms will be flexible and light, as opposed to rigid, to take advantage of the physics of momentum? Does not the wrist gets tighter near the thigh, the point of lag before release, for briefly?
May 29, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Loan. The wrist and arms need to be light in order to achieve maximum angle. This allows you to take advantage of physics to apply effortless speed to the ball. The wrist shouldn't get too much tighter, but you might notice an increase in grip pressure.
May 29, 2015
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Ken
Brilliantly explained! There is also a "certain golf instructor" out there who advocates the theory that most golfers shouldn't learn to have soft wrists, build lag or create more speed, because they're "never going to be as good as a tour pro." I find this train of thought to be absolutely contradictory to any coach or instructor's core value. To me, there's something wrong with that man's psyche. Yes, it takes hard work to adjust and improve, but if it makes me better, bring it on. RST has definitely made me better. Coupled with all the other parts of the swing outlayed in detail by RST's staff, I'm seeing good results in this most critical of all sequences, the downswing. Thanks Chuck & Staff.
May 29, 2015
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Chuck (Certified RST Instructor)
This type of stuff drives me mad! You'll never be ANY good if you don't learn the RIGHT things and EVERYONE can learn the CORRECT moves! It just takes time and dedication and the right information, just like everything else we've all learned in life...
May 29, 2015
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Ken
There are some good articles on GolfWRX, but, like most other things, you need to sift through the chaff. Sometimes I wonder what kind of credentials you need or how easy it is to get them so you can write stuff for public consumption. But when does your common sense kick in?? I suppose "Caveat emptor" is just as true in the golf world as it is anywhere else. BTW, I've found that performing the Downcock Pump Drill with a weight on the end of the club has been very beneficial. It helps me stretch those muscles a bit, and builds some strength as I incorporate the drill into a full swing. See? Building more lag AND more speed. It can be done!
May 29, 2015
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Ray
For years Leadbetter advocated letting the wrists set "naturally" by the turning of the body and the position of the arms. I used this method very successfully for 15 years. When I changed my swing to a wide takeaway, similar to Nicklaus and Hogan, I struggled with the release at impact due to the fact that I consciously sets the wrists, and therefore, had to consciously fire them at impact. This is a recipe for disaster. What Chuck is describing is 100% correct. Soft wrists allow for proper arm rotation and wrist set and release. Whatever got into Leadbetter these days is between him and his shrink. The setting should be natural and therefore a later set not an early conscious one. Name one great ball striker that set his wrists early. Faldo said he did yet video proves he did not. Good works guys!
May 29, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Ray. Thanks for the compliments on our work and appreciate the post!
May 29, 2015
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W.J.
As I early mentioned I think that the principles of the A Swing (DL) are not far from the RST fundamentals, except probably the fast cocking / hinging of the wrists. It is a fact that for me (the older golfer 65+) it helped a lot and I lowered my scores drastically - within two weeks. Opinion: On this level of teaching 'jalousie de metier' is a negative emotion to discuss this item. WillemJan
May 29, 2015
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Ken
Fellow Dutchman? May I say, I don't think it's so much a case of professional jealousy as it is a desire to get the correct information and instruction out. I imagine it can be very frustrating when an instructor finds him/herself not only battling the students' minds, but other instructors as well. Just my point of view. Tot ziens!
May 29, 2015
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Chuck (Certified RST Instructor)
Ken, you hit the nail on the head. When a new fad comes out, I get bombarded with "What do you think about the hot new XYZ?" Everyone is looking for a quick fix, they don't exist in the real world for the long term. Learning is learning, here's a great video that perfectly demonstrates this concept: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFzDaBzBlL0 Many instructors try to come up with some great "thing" to hang their hat on and "cash in" on it, but the simple reality is that learning is learning, fundamentals of biomechanics and physics are unarguable and this is the 4th time that some certain instructor has done this game of coming up with "something new" in the past 15 years - again, that's unarguable fact, do a little digging, it won't take much, and you will see that every so many years "someone" tries some new gimmick, cashes in, moves on. Rinse, Recycle, Repeat.
May 29, 2015
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Anthony
At Impact should you still have some bend in right wrist and right elbow with the left wrist flat and then the right wrist and elbow fully straighten after impact.
May 29, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Anthony. Yes. If the trail arm were to be fully straight with the trail wrist. It would be hard to apply the force from core rotation.
May 29, 2015
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Anthony
Thanks Craig, can you explain to apply the force from core rotation, not sure what that means; wrist rotation or body rotation. Thanks
May 29, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Anthony. If the trail arm were to straighten too early then the shoulder protract too soon. Causing you a loss of connection between the scapula and the torso. Therefore, this loss would wouldn't allow the upper torso to help apply force.
May 29, 2015
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Anthony
Thanks Craig, can you explain how force and speed work in the golf swing. Does the body supply force and the arms and wrist supply speed?
May 29, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Anthony. The body is supplying force (or rotational speed) to be applied into the strike. The angle of the wrist and release supply (width and leveraged speed) at impact.
May 29, 2015
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WILLIAM
You missed the point of the A Swing. He advocates many of the things you do...soft arms and hands, initiating the down swing with the lower body, etc. I never did understand the principal of a wide backswing if the downswing was to immediately become narrow by the cocking of the wrists. In the "A Swing", most of the speed and power comes from the uncocking of the wrists, just like in RST.
May 28, 2015
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R.J. (Certified RST Instructor)
William, the reason that we want to use a wide backswing is that forces the club head to create speed naturally when the swing becomes narrowed in the downswing. The reason that this happens is that the club head is traveling a greater distance on the swing; however, seeing how the body is rotating the same amount with the A-swing and the RST swing, the amount of time that it takes for the swing to start and finish is roughly the same. What's speed? Distance traveled divided by time traveled. If the club head in the RST swing with a wide backswing travels several feet further than the A swing in the same amount of time, it will generate more club head speed with the same amount of physical effort. There's nothing wrong with the A swing, it just won't produce as much club head speed as the RST swing will. David Ledbetter developed an easy swing to learn that all amateurs have time to practice and perfect to hit the ball solidly and accurately. However, I would be very shocked to see any tour pros adopt the A swing method. R.J.
May 28, 2015
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WILLIAM
In both swings the club head travels slower at the beginning of the downswing and doesn't pick up real speed until the player begins to release the lag that has been built up. I agree that it is likely that a tour player will never use a swing that looks exactly like the A swing. And a tour class player would probably produce less club head swing with the A swing. But Lydia Ko is doing pretty well using elements of the A swing. And David Leadbetter certainly does not need me to defend him. But Chuck just makes himself look small by his remarks.
May 28, 2015
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Chuck (Certified RST Instructor)
One of the major reasons to not make a narrow or collapsed swing as is advocated in the A swing is muscle fiber recruitment. If you don't load a muscle you can't use it, that should be obvious. So, when you fold your arms and set your wrists to move the club to the top, there is no need to turn your core very much as the arms are doing the vast majority of the movement. Therefore, the primary power source has been shut off and the wrong muscles have been loaded in the wrong sequence. Imagine a baseball pitcher using just their arm to throw a ball and you can understand the detriment here in laymen's terms. It takes about 32 pounds of muscle mass to generate 100 mph of club head speed. Unless you're a body builder, you won't have that in just your shoulders and arms. But you will have it in your trunk. That's why RST and most all powerful golfers on the planet have a wide swing, it recruits more muscle fiber and loads them in the correct sequence so they can unwind in the correct sequence like I discussed in the Dumptruck and Drag Racer video.
May 29, 2015
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Caleb
God I "love" you; you just explained exactly why you need a wide narrow wide back swing and William just doesn't get it??? I personally think Lead screwed up Lydia's swing, but she is so talented that she can make anything work. I also love the "decision line" thought process; I just match my best birdie round at Lakeridge in Reno, NV with 5 and shooting 77 on a golf course I never played before!!
July 30, 2016
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WILLIAM
Just read it. Leadbetter emphasizes coiling of the core and gives drills to develop the feeling. You and Chuck should not criticize something you haven't read.
May 29, 2015
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Chuck (Certified RST Instructor)
I've known lead for years and know exactly what he's teaching. I studied under one of his top guys for years.
May 29, 2015
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WILLIAM
Fine, then you know that he does not advocate making a "a narrow or collapsed swing as is advocated in the A swing is muscle fiber recruitment". Such statements make it obvious that you have only watched a video and not read the book.
May 29, 2015
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Chuck (Certified RST Instructor)
We shall agree to disagree. Let us know if we can help you with RST in the future.
May 29, 2015
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Don
Were can I find Using your wrist for speed- videos 1-3
May 28, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Parts 1 - 3 are located in the Introduction Advanced Section.
May 28, 2015
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Bernie
got the A Swing book and put it down right away. i knew you would come up with this comment. David screwed up royally on this one. RST teaching is the right approach Thanks Chuck
May 28, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
You actually paid for that? . I'm just being hard on you.
May 28, 2015
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mark
Hi Chuck. Thanks for the video...its an important concept...something I've been working on. What do you think of this little trigger: when I start my one piece takeaway, I let the club head lag behind my arms and body for a fraction of a second. Its almost like I'm creating mini-lag at the start of my swing. Then when I get to the top with soft wrists it feels like the club head slings a little behind me, and I repeat that oily takeaway feeling through the transition helping me come down with lag. Is that a legit swing thought or crazy idea?
May 28, 2015
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Chuck (Certified RST Instructor)
Mark this is called "float loading" and is a good thing to practice, but you just don't want to overdo it. I use it an exaggeration drill for my students at times to get the feeling of letting the club swing under momentum rather than yanking it around with the hands.
May 29, 2015
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Michael
I do the same thing, it seems to help.
May 28, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Mark. I understand your thinking and where you are going with it. The only problem I foresee is if you start dragging the handle back. That will lead to a quicker wrist set and thus defeating the purpose by over loading too quickly.
May 28, 2015
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Kim
when I go to the search for videos search box at top right I never find what video Quentin suggested like today he said go to "down cock video" The search said could not find that video? KIm Lilly
May 28, 2015
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Chuck (Certified RST Instructor)
When using the search feature, understand that it's very specific, so if you don't find exactly what you're looking for at first broaden your search terms, ie start typing just the word "down" and results will be begin to show, then "downcock" etc.
May 29, 2015
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alan
Click on the tab "recommended videos" and it's there. You don't have to "search"
May 28, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
It's also located in the Downswing Advanced Section.
May 28, 2015

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