Wrist
Wrist is the English word for the wrist — in golf, it almost always refers to the movement and position of the wrists in the swing.
The wrists are the joint between forearm and club and thus the last movable link before the clubhead. They share in deciding clubface position, swing radius and timing. In the Backswing they hinge up, and in the Downswing they release that angle again at the right moment. This late release produces a large part of the Clubhead Speed. Anyone who opens the wrists too early wastes distance and often hits the ball fat or thin.
In practice, this shows at Impact. An example: you play a mid Iron and the palm of your lead hand faces the target at the moment of contact, with the lead wrist flat or slightly bowed. This keeps the clubface stable and the ball starts with compression and Backspin. With the Putt, the opposite applies: the wrists should stay quiet and the stroke comes from the shoulders. Every unnecessary wrist movement changes start line and tempo.
A typical mistake is consciously "hinging on command". Many amateurs actively snap their wrists into place instead of letting them work in response to the swing. The result is Hooks and uncontrolled ball flights. A helpful thought: the wrists follow the swing, they do not lead it. Calm practice swings at half speed show you the right feeling faster than any burst of force.
FAQ
How do I train the correct wrist behaviour in the swing?
Best with slow swings at half speed on the driving range. Let the wrists hinge passively in the backswing by simply letting the club swing up instead of actively setting them. At impact, check whether the lead wrist is flat — a glove with a tee tucked in helps as a feel check.
Why do I lose distance even though I swing hard through the ball?
The most common reason is opening the wrists too early in the downswing. The stored angle is lost before it can act on the ball and clubhead speed drops. Remember: the wrist follows the swing, it does not lead it.
Should the wrists stay quiet when putting?
Yes, when putting the opposite of the full swing applies: the wrists stay still and the movement comes from the shoulders. Every active wrist movement changes start line and tempo — two factors that decide whether short putts finish over the hole or in it.