What does the trail hand do in the golf swing?
James Craig
Published Jan 17, 2026
It is important for the trail arm to rotate externally which allows the right elbow to move closer to the body. You want to tuck the right elbow close to the body in order to let the club head move behind the hands and into a power position moving to impact on an inside path.
What do you do with trail arms in golf swing?
Elbow on trail hip
As you come through, and specifically at impact, you want your trail elbow (your right elbow for right-handed golfers), to re-connect with your lead fist, which should still be on your trail hip. It'll give your arm a tucked look, which keeps your swing path in a neutral spot.
Which hand is trail hand in golf swing?
As Tattersall says, your trail arm — which is your right arm for right-handed golfers, or left arm for left-handers — can and does a variety of different things on the backswing.
Which hand provides the power in a golf swing?
The right side is the power side. We only get in trouble and hit crazy shots when the right hand and right side of the body get involved in accelerating too early, If you are very right-side dominant, go ahead and use your right side, and your distance will improve by just being natural.
Which arm is more important in golf swing?
You keep your left arm straight to get the maximum arc out of your swing. The more arc you get from your swing, the more power you will have. Allow the left arm to push the club into the back swing and keep your right arm tight to your body to keep the swing straight.
26 related questions foundShould elbows be tucked in golf swing?
Your right elbow should be consistently tucked throughout the backswing and downswing, because that arm position will help you trace the proper swing path with the club. If you let the right elbow get away from your body early in the swing before trying to recover later on, it will be too late.
What 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 hand is most dominant in golf swing?
The left-hand dominant golf swing is known to be very powerful, and it will help correct some misses golfers have in their game. If you are a player who wants power and you like the classic methods of pulling the golf club through your swing, then left-hand dominance is the right idea for you.
What hand controls the downswing?
The club is thrown forward, over the left arm to an outside line. As long as the left hand and arm remains in control, the right hand will play its proper part, at the proper time. It is essential to realise the shaft and club-head are maintained behind the hands during the downswing.
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.
What is a trail hand?
trailhand (plural trailhands) (US) A cowboy or skilled horseman who routinely rides through the rural countryside. quotations ▼ (US) In the Old West, a mounted worker employed on a cattle drive.
How do you hold a trail hand?
Why is the trail-hand grip important, and why do you need to know which one is right for you?
- Get into golf posture and make sure your arms are hanging freely, so that your middle finger is at the top of your knees. ...
- Put your hands together and lower your trail arm so that your hand is a little lower than your lead arm.
What should the right arm do in the golf swing?
The right arm should rotate externally, so the elbow can move slightly closer toward your body. This should help you shallow the golf club and get your hands ahead of the club itself.
Does the right hand do anything in the golf swing?
The truth is, in a right-handed swing the right arm is crucial in supporting the club on the downswing, ensuring it's on the right path, developing lag and assuring the clubface rotates to a square position at impact. Its role is something that should not be minimized.
What is the most important move in the golf swing?
The first move down from the top is one of the most important in the golf swing. No matter how you take the club back, the transition into the downswing has to be smooth, and the club needs to come into the ball from inside the target line. And the overall downswing has to start from the ground up.
How do you drop your hands in the golf downswing?
On the downswing keep the wrists cocked and allow the right elbow to fall against the right ribcage while engaging the hips. Allow the right elbow to ride on the ribcage until impact, the left elbow for the left-hand golfer. This will force the club to approach the impact zone from the inside path.
What is right-handed in golf?
You will probably most comfortable swinging a golf club from the same side of the ball. As a right-handed hitter, or golfer, you will stand to the left of the plate or ball with your left hand at the bottom of the bat or club. The opposite is true if you are a lefty.
What is the proper grip pressure on a golf club?
One a scale of zero to 10 – with 10 being the hardest possible grip pressure and zero being no pressure at all – you should aim to grip the golf club with a pressure rating of around two or three. You should then aim to maintain that constant, light pressure throughout the backswing.
What starts the golf downswing?
The correct golf downswing sequence starts with a pressure shift to the lead leg, followed by an externally rotated trail arm to shallow the angle of the club, before rotating the torso through to impact.
Do you roll your wrists in a 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.
Why does my club face closed at impact?
The palm of your right hand essentially mimics your face angle – if your palm is open to your target line at impact, the clubface will be open. If your palm is closed to your target line at impact, the clubface will be closed.