Fix Your Inside Takeaway: Master the Left Wrist

Learn how to fix an inside takeaway by mastering your left wrist in the golf swing. Discover effective techniques and drills for better shots.

Watch the full 7-minute video lesson

Understanding the Inside Takeaway

Many golfers struggle with an inside takeaway, where the club moves too far towards the body during the initial phase of the swing. This common mistake can lead to various issues in your swing, including poor contact and inconsistent shots. In this article, we'll break down how to correct this issue by focusing on the left wrist's position and movement during your takeaway.

The Ideal Takeaway Position

To achieve a proper takeaway, the club should ideally remain over the edge of your toes, moving straight down the target line and parallel to the ground. The clubface should be slightly towed up or slightly towed in at this point. Unfortunately, many golfers find themselves with the club too far inside, which leads to complications down the line.

The Role of the Left Wrist

A significant factor in achieving the ideal takeaway position is the state of your left wrist. When golfers take the club inside, it often results from flattening the left wrist, typically because the right wrist has been ex-hinged. When this happens, the clubface is likely to go back inside rather than staying on the correct path.

Correcting the Left Wrist Position

To prevent the left wrist from flattening and to maintain the correct position during your takeaway, a simple but effective drill can be employed. Here's how to do it:

Place your thumb in the crease of your left wrist joint.
Maintain this thumb position throughout your takeaway.

By keeping your thumb in place, you'll notice that your left wrist retains its cupping (or at least stays closer to the original position at address). As you take the club back, your wrist will not deviate or flatten out, allowing you to maintain a proper takeaway.

Using the Right Shoulder for a Better Takeaway

Another essential concept to grasp in the takeaway is the difference between pushing and pulling movements. When executing your takeaway, you want to focus on pulling your right shoulder back toward your spine. This pulling motion helps stabilize your head and keeps it centered, leading to a more consistent takeaway.

Implementing the Pulling Motion

Here’s a simple exercise to incorporate this pulling motion into your practice:

Stand in your setup position with the club held against your shoulders.
Without moving your arms or hands, focus solely on pulling your right shoulder back.

As you do this, you will see how the club naturally moves to the correct position, reinforcing the idea that pulling rather than pushing is crucial for a successful takeaway.

Key Concepts to Remember

Throughout your practice, keep in mind these vital concepts:

The club should move away from the ball along the target line without going inside.
The left wrist should maintain its position to prevent flattening.
Focus on pulling your right shoulder back to achieve the correct takeaway.

Key Takeaways

Maintain a proper left wrist position during your takeaway to avoid an inside path.
Use your right shoulder to guide the club into the correct takeaway position.
Practice pulling rather than pushing to maintain center and stability in your swing.

See What GOATY Finds in Your Swing

Upload a swing video and get your GOATScore, root cause diagnosis, and personalized drill prescription in 60 seconds.

Analyze My Swing Free

or

Try a Free Live Lesson