"Setting the wrists" is the act of bending your wrists towards you on the back swing, creating a "right" angle (about 90 degrees).
The moment of when you set the wrists during the back swing is somewhat irrelevant. Johnny Miller, winner of 25 PGA tour events, including the U.S. OPEN and British Open always set his wrists early. Phil Mickelson, winner of 37 PGA tour events including 2 Masters and a PGA Championship sets his wrists late in the back swing. There really is no wrong time to do it, as long as it is being done, correctly.Common Error #1: Re-gripping
A Common error that occurs during the back swing is the wrists being overextend in their "set.'' This occurs during the transition of the back swing to the down swing. This erroneous action usually results in a re-gripping of the golf club.
It is also the main reason some of you have rips and tares in your golf gloves regardless of how new or old they are. This tare always occurs in the left hand on the palm because of re-gripping during the swing. If the club is let go of and re-gripped at any time during the swing, you will lose the solid connection of a stable grip and it will not be recreated during the motion of the swing. If the club is re-gripped during the swing the face angle will change as well, resulting in a near impossible situation of trying to return the club to the square position at impact.Common Error #2: Breaking down of the wrist.
Another error that commonly occurs during the "setting of the wrists" is when the golfer wants his back swing to be longer, therefore breaking the wrists down, in an attempt to set the wrists with a greater potential for lag at the top of the back swing. This action is setting the wrist under the recommended 90 degree angle, creating an acute angle. To achieve this without re-gripping the club, your left wrist will buckle and break down.
This break down then opens the club face at the top of the back swing never allowing it enough time to rotate through, causing a severe slice at impact, also resulting in a huge loss of distance.Proper Wrist setting is displayed in the photos below.
Both Phil and Tiger show perfectly set wrists at the top of their back swing. A wrist that is flat with the forearm is ideal, but not always necessary in every ones golf sing. Another note, the club face is perfectly parallel with the left wrist, which promotes a square club face through the entire swing.
Ben Hogan also a flat left wrist and fore arm with a square club face.
I also maintain a parallel wrist and club face, with a flat wrist and forearm.The correct wrist angle and setting:
A Proper wrist setting will allow for more control and power transfer through the golf swing. Your swing will stay solid and you won't have to worry much about face angle because it will stay square due to proper positioning.
Tip: To achieve proper positioning, First, a proper grip must be used (see Lesson #3). Second, practice steady back swings allowing the wrist to stay strong and firm during the "set" of the back swing. Look back at your hands at the top of your back swing and notice if the back of your hand and forearm are aligned. Try and "set" your back swing at a 90 degree angle. Try not to go beyond 90 degrees. Repeat the motion for several minutes before practice. Constantly repeat the motion to create muscle memory. Once you have set the wrist on your back swing, swing through to a balanced finish, feeling the motions of your arms and wrists firm and connected. Once you have created the muscle memory through hours of practice it will become natural, and you won't think of it much after that.
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