Golf putting tips, The right hand in the golf swing

The vast majority of all golfers have a problem with their right hand taking over the swing. They are told the right hand is where the power comes from, and who doesn't want maximum power?

The problem with this is that no one has ever said exactly how the right hand works in the swing and how to use it to generate that power without overpowering the left hand and causing the whole swing to break down.

Jack Nicklaus used to say that for the purposes of the golf swing you could cut off your right thumb and forefinger. But take a look at Vijay Singh just after impact and you will see that his entire right hand is off the club except for his thumb and forefinger.

You must hit with the right hand to get power, but the only part of the hand that you should feel is the underside of the knuckle of the right index finger. In other words, the part of the right hand that is entirely below the left hand on the shaft.

As it turns out, Jack Nicklaus was wrong. The right thumb and forefinger are the only parts of the right hand that you should be using to generate power.

Here's the test. Get into your impact position and hold it. Now move the club through the impact position using only your right index finger knuckle. You will notice the left hand turns thru without resistance.

Now try it again, but this time try to move the club through the impact area with your entire right hand. You will feel some significant resistance to the turning of the left hand.

That resistance slows the clubhead, prevents it from squaring up, and causes the left wrist to break down instead of correctly turning through the impact zone. All of these things lead to the weak slices and wild pull hooks that plaque the average golfer.

Hit with the right hand, to be sure. But only hit with the part of it that is totally below the left hand on the shaft. The knuckle of the right index finger.

Give this a try and you will find yourself hitting it farther and straighter than you ever imagined.

Your Right Hand in the Golf Swing