Too Much Face Rotation In Golf Swing: Control Your Club Face

on June 30, 2022
A perfect golf swing does not guarantee a good and accurate golf shot. You can execute the best swing but still end up with a slice. Ball contact is the most important phase of the entire swing sequence. Your clubface control determines your ball flight and distance.
Keep your club face square. Is probably one of the most common pieces of advice beginners often hear. But it’s easier said than done. Oftentimes, too much face rotation in golf swing sabotages your game. 

 

Why keep your clubface square?



A square clubface will guarantee you a straighter and more accurate shot at impact.
You can set your clubface square in the address position. However, once the takeaway begins, all full swing clubfaces open up. This is because of your body rotation and forearm rotation during backswing. The more you rotate your forearm, the more open the clubface becomes. This could greatly affect your downswing and cause timing problems. The goal is to put the clubface square as you downswing.

 

Why do we over rotate our clubface?


As mentioned, the clubface will open as soon as you rotate on your backswing. It is the natural tendency for your forearms to rotate while it also has to cross over. The problem is, amateur golfers tend to rotate way more. Most amateurs swing straight up and down making the downswing come down leaving the clubface stay open on impact.

 

 

How to control your clubface at impact


Too much face rotation can ruin your game. It leaves you with problems with timing and impact. While the swing path is important, clubface control is everything in playing golf. The clubface is a byproduct of your swing basics - takeaway, wrist hinge, downswing rotation, and impact position. It may be incredibly difficult to keep a clubface square after a full swing, but if you are able to execute the 4 basics well, then you can have better control of your shaft and clubface.


How to square the clubface consistently


Remember the 4 basic fundamentals of swing? A golfer has to be aware of these 4 core elements of the swing to be able to control the clubface.


1. Good takeaway

Coordination and timing are important to get a good takeaway in golf. It should be repeatable and smooth flowing. However, many new golfers struggle to achieve. A good and correct takeaway has these qualities - smooth, low, passive wrist hinge, no excessive elbow bend and body rotation. A good takeaway stays in the swing plane without being too far, or too deep. It is leveled and in line with your hands.

2. Passive wrist hinge

Wrist movement during the golf swing is passive. It allows the body to fully rotate and trail fast and slow without leading the hands. Not being able to hinge your wrist properly can throw off your clubhead’s speed and strike the ball with the wrong angle. Let the club trail and its energy take the lead instead of manipulating your arms and hands to do the swinging.

3. Downswing rotation

Forearms rotate as you backswing, and therefore requires you to rotate it back during the downswing. To be able to rotate back your forearm on the downswing, it must first rotate clockwise during the takeaway. Failing to rotate your forearm at the end of your take away will result in your clubface matching your spine angle leaving the clubface open, and missing your timing to square it.

4. Impact position

Yes, your impact position affects your clubface as it takes the effects of the body momentum and energy you put in the backswing. As you downswing, your legs should be stable and your knees slightly bent and in a firm position to prevent you from swaying. Your hips should be pointing at the target and your palms and back of your hands should be pointing at the target as well. Doing so before impact will return your clubface in square and send the ball right to the target.

 

 

Most swing errors happen in the arms and hands. Too much face rotation in golf swing is one of them. Like any other sports, clubface rotation takes practice and awareness of your movements. It requires practice with your timing while maintaining angle and posture.

SwingPro Plus training aids are PGA-approved and especially designed to resolve swing faults that most amateur golfers struggle with. Practice with these training aids and see how you advance your golf play without spending too much time and money on training sessions.

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