What does soft hands in golf mean?
James Craig
Published Jan 24, 2026
Soft Arms Defined
What does good hands mean in golf?
Hands set-up behind the ball is good for a driver off the tee. Hands in front of the ball lead to more of a downward hit which is not good for a driver off a tee, but is good for a wedge hitting down into the ball.
How do you chip soft hands?
Keep a soft grip on the club when chipping. This helps release the tension in your forearms for a smoother stroke. Then take your open stance, use your chipping swing–aiming for the back of the ball. Practice this technique until it feels second nature to grip the club lightly when chipping toward the green.
Which hand is stronger in golf?
Many sports are right hand dominant because the right hand is usually stronger than the left hand. Since golfers who swing this way tend to be athletes, they can usually generate plenty of speed with their arms and hands.
What is the magic move in golf?
What is the “Magic Move” you say? It is simply returning your right elbow to your side on the downswing. Once the right elbow returns to the body on the downswing, the entire dynamics of the golf swing become much more efficient.
45 related questions foundShould your golf swing be relaxed?
It's exactly the same as when you throw a ball or make a tennis stroke. For maximum club speed and consistency, your shoulders must be completely relaxed throughout the entire swing.
Do you pull down on the golf swing?
Pull Down. As your arms and hands start into the downswing, it is important to imagine pulling the butt of the club straight down toward the ground. This keeps your hands ahead of the clubhead – often referred to as "lag" – and keeps the power you've built up on the right side of the ball.
Which hand controls the clubface?
The left hand (the right for southpaws), is responsible for the rotational movement of the golf club, which, in turn, controls the direction of the clubface.
Which arm should dominate the golf swing?
Third, Hall said golfers must have their lead arm and hand in control of their swing. That's the left arm for right-handed golfers and the right arm for lefties. By leading, you avoid hitting at the ball.
Should you roll your wrists golf swing?
Roll the Wrist
During the swing, the left wrist rolls over as the golfer transfers from the takeaway to contact and then the follow-through. If the wrist rolls too forcefully, the shot likely will hook to the left. If the wrist does not roll enough, the shot likely will slice to the right.
What should wrists do golf swing?
How should your wrists work in the golf swing and what are the consequences of improper wrist action? A golfer's wrists act as a hinge between the arms and the golf club. Such a hinge can provide an advantage for moving the golf club faster, necessary for longer distance golf shots.
Do you hit the golf ball with your right or left hand?
Actually, it isn't so much that they over‐use the right hand as it is that they don't use the left hand enough. The good player hits the ball hard with his right hand, but makes sure the left leads the swing. The left hand largely supplies the control, the right hand the power.
Should you pull down with your left arm in the golf swing?
Golfers who can play the game every day and who start off by having exceptional control of their body action—which the average golfer doesn't—can inaugurate the downswing with their hips. For the average player, though, the best way to launch the downswing is to pull down with your left arm.
What part of the body starts the backswing in golf?
HOW TO START BACK. The motion you want off the ball is a pushing back movement by the left hand (pictured above). This creates a basically straight start to the swing and wide extension. It also gets the left shoulder turning back so the upper body starts to coil against a stable lower body.
Do you pull with your left arm in golf swing?
Swing back to the top of your backswing and pause. Start down slowly following the correct sequence. Your lower body should begin rotating first, then your torso will follow. Your left arm should lag behind your torso, which indicates it's being pulled down.
How loose should your arms be in golf swing?
Arm Slot. Teaching professional Shawn Clement agrees that the player's arms should drop to begin the downswing, but he says they must drop into the right position. Clement advises players to focus on dropping their arms in front of the body, while keeping their hands on the proper swing plane.
Why do I top my golf ball?
Typically, a ball is topped because the club has not gone far enough down towards the ball or you catch the ball on the way up, instead of at the bottom point. A lot of things can cause this to happen: A club that's too short. An awkward stance.
How do I start my downswing?
The Golf Downswing Sequence
- Plant the Left Heel. The golf swing starts from the ground up. ...
- Knees Follow the Hips. How to start the downswing with the hips is an interesting topic. ...
- Rotate Hips Before Arms. ...
- Tuck Your Trail Elbow. ...
- Keep The Lead Shoulder Down. ...
- Maintain Your Wrist Hinge. ...
- Transfer Your Weight.
What starts first in the golf swing?
The club and arms swing first, before the body. Shoulder turn comes from the club's momentum.
Do you squat on the downswing in golf?
A downward squat is a reference to the first move made at the start of the downswing. Most golfers turn the shoulders or hips at this point in the swing and attack the golf ball with the upper body. If we look at the golf swings of good golfers or professionals, this does not happen.
What starts first in the golf downswing?
Once the slight pause at the top has been completed, it's time to start the downswing. The first element that starts this sequence on the way down is the hips. If you're too quick on the way down, usually it's the upper body that starts first which makes it nearly impossible to rotate your hips fast enough.
How does Dustin Johnson bowed his wrist?
But while many golfers bow their hand on the downswing, Johnson maintains the position from the outset. At the top of his lift, he's bowed his left wrist already. Locking the wrists into place gives him more consistency for his drives. “I'm taking less, less movement out in the face,” he says.
What does a cupped wrist look like?
Cupped wrists look like the opposite and are instead visible through your hands arcing up towards the sky.