The golf swing consists of various mechanical steps and cues to optimize contact with the ball. Perhaps one of the more overlooked aspects of a golf swing is the releasing of the hands, or the point at which the hands and wrists rotate over each other. Releasing the hands at the correct time can help improve your ball flight distance, as well as trajectory.
Function
The purpose of rotating the wrists during a golf swing is to transition from your downswing into your follow-through. In the process, contact is made between the club head and the golf ball. In a right-handed golfer, the right hand and wrist rotate over the left hand and wrist as the transition occurs, which is known better in golf as releasing the hands. Properly timing this split-second action can help optimize the contact that is made with the ball. In an ideal swing, the club face is perfectly square to the ball when the hands are released.
Mechanics
Your wrists should remain hinged throughout your backswing and into your downswing. Unhinging the wrists before the club face reaches the ball can result in poor contact and typically causes the ball to hook. It also greatly reduces the amount of energy that is transferred from the club face to the ball, which results in short shot distances. Ideally, the hands are released precisely upon impact and fully rotate as you begin your follow-through. Releasing the hands too late usually causes the ball to slice and, much like a hook, reduces the distance of your shot.
Results
Two things should happen when you correctly time the release of your hands in a golf swing. First, the ball should fly along its intended trajectory. And second, your shot should travel a considerably longer distance than if you were to mishit the ball. Ultimately, the distance of your shot is determined by the club you use and your own strength, but solid overall golf swing mechanics greatly affect how far the ball will travel. Think of the releasing of the hands as the point in the golf swing when all the potential energy created during your backswing and downswing is transferred into the ball.
Practice
A good way to practice the motion of releasing the hands is to set up next to a ball and perform practice swings. Focus on timing the release as you sweep the club face through where the point of contact would be. Repeat swinging the club back and forth without pausing, completing only half swings. Hit a few balls eventually to test your timing for the release. Releasing the hands properly is one of the finer points of a golf swing that takes time to learn. With experience, your feel for timing the release at the right moment should improve.
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