Hi, my name is Matt Baker, and I'm a Malaska Golf Certified Coach based in the UK. Today's question comes from Gonzi Trevino, who wants to know about the right wrist—specifically, what it should be doing through impact. He’s unsure whether the wrist should be in extension or flexion as it approaches impact.

Ideally, you want both the right wrist and the right arm to maintain a slight bend at impact. This is about preserving stored energy because, as the clubhead moves through the swing, momentum causes it to straighten just after impact. You don’t want that to happen too early.

In my experience, issues with early release often stem from trying to steer the club into the ball or from too much tension in the hands, arms, and shoulders. When tension builds, it prevents the natural momentum of the club from doing the work. If you let the swing flow freely, your arms will release at the right time, maintaining that stored energy through impact and into the follow-through.

A great drill to practice is the impact drill, where you rehearse the proper position. For example, as you set up in the impact position, push your left hip back, and you’ll notice your hands naturally move forward. You’ll feel a slight bend in your right wrist and a bit of bowing in your right arm as it lines up behind the shaft. If you look at this position from down the line, you’ll see the right wrist and arm in a slightly bent and supportive position. This drill helps you rehearse and internalize where the body and club should be at impact.

Another key is managing tension. Trust your hands, arms, and body to work together, allowing momentum to guide the club through the swing. Inertia naturally creates lag as the club comes down into the ball, while momentum takes over through impact. While the wrists do release, this release should occur at the right time, not prematurely. Proper sequencing means you don’t need to consciously think about releasing; it will happen naturally if you allow momentum to flow.

To work on this, keep your arms loose and relaxed. A helpful exercise is to practice swinging your arms back and forth without a club, following the motion of your shoulders. This builds a sense of fluidity. When using the club, feel its weight as it lags slightly behind, then naturally catches up and passes through the ball as you push away through impact.

Remember, trying to hold or control the wrists too much adds tension, which disrupts the swing. Instead, allow for a slight angle in the wrist at impact, which will release once momentum carries through. Practice the impact drill, putting yourself into the correct position repeatedly. From there, chip a few balls to get a feel for the position, then transition into full swings. This will help you find the proper impact position, leading to crisp, center-face contact and that satisfying compression of the ball.

By focusing on relaxation and proper sequencing, you’ll hit cleaner, more powerful shots. Let the swing flow and trust the process!