Effect of hands at address - Forward, mid, or back

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holeout

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I'm wondering what difference (if any) it makes to have one's hands forward, mid-body, or back at address. By this, I'm wondering what kind of effect it would have to have the hands set more towards the left leg at address vs. more towards the center of your body or right leg (or with the shaft leaning towards the target vs. away from it at address).

It may be an elementary question, but I'm curious. Thanks in advance. :)
 
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Jim Kobylinski

Super Moderator
It effects where the clubhead goes on the takeaway and each has it's own options when it comes to keeping the clubhead tracing the plane going back.

Hands more foward USUALLY means the club is going to get much more "in" on the backswing.

Hands more mid-body USUALLY means the club is going to trace the plane line more on the backswing.

Hands further back than mid-body USUALLY means the club will tend to start more outside the plane line.

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Notice how "usually" is capitalized. This isn't always the case because people will vary how fast/soon they bend their right arm. I could setup with very foward hands and then bend my right arm very soon and still go right up the plane. However most won't and it will lead to a very inside takeaway which will then lead to some compensation to get the club to the TSP.
 
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holeout

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Thank you!

Clarity!

Thanks Jim. I experimented putting my hands more mid-body today (I've had a tendency to set up with them heavily forward-pressed) and it straightened out a low hooking ballflight. My ball seems to want to go a little straighter now, with the tendency towards a slight block right.

Before this explanation, I'm thinking, "Just putting my hands back can't make THAT much of a difference." :p
 
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flapro

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Jim is right but there are shots where hand position can be very valuable.
Examples: those little delicate chips around the green, forward press your hands and let the wrists hinge a little
Want to hit a fade driver with power, place the hands slightly behind and swing away.
Want to keep shots under the wind, play the ball back of center and forward press your hands.
Want a nice high flop shot, play the ball off left instep, hands behind and take a full easy swing with the lob wedge open faced.
Rule of thumb on irons shots: the long irons-hands even; mid to short irons-hands forward pressed(more with short irons)
 
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Jim Kobylinski

Super Moderator
You are right flapro, you can change things around a lot. However i prefer mid body hands for all standard shots (not including short game shots) including driver and short irons.
 
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johngolf33

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It seems to me that the Mid-body hand position allows you to have your weight more evenly distributed between your feet at the start of your backswing.
 
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holeout

New
What I'm having to get used to is flattening the left wrist during the backswing. I was forward pressing to where I didn't need to do that much to get it flat. Almost like set-up mirroring impact.

While it seems like this kind of a forward-pressed set-up would simplify the swing (less for the hands to do, right?), I can't think of any great player who EVER did this.
 
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Jim Kobylinski

Super Moderator
holeout said:
What I'm having to get used to is flattening the left wrist during the backswing. I was forward pressing to where I didn't need to do that much to get it flat. Almost like set-up mirroring impact.

While it seems like this kind of a forward-pressed set-up would simplify the swing (less for the hands to do, right?), I can't think of any great player who EVER did this.
Click to expand...

I can think of 2 really good swingers who setup with mid body hands but have a SLIGHT foward press to start their swing:

VJ
Mike Finney (in some footage i have of him)

It's OK to do, but you just have to guard against the too inside takeaway.
 
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puttmad

New
holeout said:
What I'm having to get used to is flattening the left wrist during the backswing. I was forward pressing to where I didn't need to do that much to get it flat. Almost like set-up mirroring impact.

While it seems like this kind of a forward-pressed set-up would simplify the swing (less for the hands to do, right?), I can't think of any great player who EVER did this.
Click to expand...

Gary Player....
 
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holeout

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What would one have to do to accommodate a forward-pressed set-up? Take the club more outside on the backswing? Make sure there is enough lift earlier in the swing?

I ask because I'm curious. I'm new around here and am amazed by the knowledge displayed in such a small community. It's neat to see.
 
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Jim Kobylinski

Super Moderator
holeout said:
What would one have to do to accommodate a forward-pressed set-up? Take the club more outside on the backswing? Make sure there is enough lift earlier in the swing?

I ask because I'm curious. I'm new around here and am amazed by the knowledge displayed in such a small community. It's neat to see.
Click to expand...

I'm a stickler for a good backswing. I know it isn't AS important as the downswing but how you make your backswing will really effect HOW you make your downswing.

So, imo if you want a hands foward setup you need to do a lot more "lifting" before you do any "turning" otherwise you'll be too inside imo.

Now that isn't set in stone. Same Snead had one of the most inside takeaways ever, however he did make it all the way to the TSP however most amatuers won't and thus will suffer ballstriking problems.
 
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Brian Manzella

Administrator
The Forward Press...or not.

I like forward presses for new golfers who are being taught in large groups.

I used to teach it to 99% of all my students...now maybe 5%...so, I figured out some stuff. ;)

I also like forward presses that "return to center."

If you can utilize one without it creating more problems than it solves, you'll be amazed a how much it can help.
 
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