Power and Clubhead Speed

The “L” (a graphic description of the angle created by bending the wrists - about 90-degrees between the arms and the shaft of the club) adds to the amount of wind up during your upswing. When your wrists are unbent during the downswing, additional speed is added to your club, hopefully adding more distance. 

Like all sources of speed and power in your golf swing, too much “L” without the ability to control it will lead to an inconsistent result. John Daly’s swing, which creates great distance, can also cause nightmares when it is not in the groove. We recommend no more than a 90-degree “L” until you are very comfortable with your swing.

A critical question for most beginning and intermediate golfers is - when do I create the “L”? If you follow many instructional manuals for beginners, they advise that you actually being your swing by bending the wrists. You can see photos in these manuals of the golfer holding the “L” before beginning any other portion of the takeaway.

The Virtue of the Early “L”

Bending the wrists early and setting up the “L” allows you to establish a stable position for the wrists and to feel the swing plane during the takeaway. It’s relatively easy to set a consistent groove for the shoulder turn this way, and it is one way that you can develop a consistent swing if you’re a beginner. The downside of the early “L” is that it makes for a swing with little, if any, release. If your golf swing is consistent but lacks distance, you may be using an early “L” and not lreleasing at impact.

The “L” and Your Rhythm

Most golfers in the Top 100 create the “L” much later in their swing. Watch a few of the best drivers and you’ll see that during the takeaway the club remains straight. In the classic Tiger Woods swing above, his “L” builds gradually and doesn’t reach the perfect position shown in the still photo until just at the top. Because of his superb timing, the release - when the club returns to the position he took at address - builds throughout the entire downswing. Go to Step Eight to read about the role of the hands in the perfect golf swing. Problems with a slice? Check out some suggestions here!