Bowed Wrist
Also known as: supinated wrist, cupped vs bowed
A bowed wrist at the top of the backswing means the lead wrist flexes toward the palm (like a bow), closing the clubface and storing power for a powerful, face-controlled delivery.
Popularized by Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm, a bowed lead wrist at the top of the backswing strongly closes the face relative to the plane, allowing the golfer to swing aggressively through the ball without fearing an open face. Combined with an in-to-out path, it produces a powerful draw. It is not a universal prescription — many elite players use neutral or slightly cupped wrists — but it is useful for players who struggle to square the face with a neutral position and who have the swing speed to handle the resulting draw bias.
Example
A player with a bowed lead wrist at the top sees the clubface point toward the ground — a strongly closed position that requires an in-to-out path to produce a straight ball.
Related terms
- Cupped WristA cupped wrist at the top of the backswing means the lead wrist bends backward (away from the palm), opening the clubface and commonly contributing to slices or weak fades.
- Lead WristThe lead wrist is the wrist of the top hand (left for right-handers). Its position throughout the swing — particularly at the top of the backswing and at impact — directly controls clubface angle and low point.
- Face AngleFace angle is where the clubface points at impact, relative to the target line, in degrees. It determines roughly 75–85% of the ball’s starting direction.
- ReleaseThe release is the natural unhinging of the wrists and rotation of the forearms through impact that squares the clubface and delivers maximum speed.
Related guides & benchmarks
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