Time — and hundreds of major championship winners — has proven that there’s no “perfect” wrist position at the top. You can be cupped, bowed or neutral. They all work, but only within the dynamics of your swing. 

Here’s how to know what’s right for you.

Neutral wrist

Definition: A neutral wrist means the lead wrist stays flat — not bowed or cupped — throughout the swing. It’s a foundational piece of many technically sound, “classic” swings and is often paired with a neutral grip. 

Pros who use it: Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Adam Scott, Ludvig Åberg

How to square the face: From a neutral position, squaring the face is a blend of weight shift and torso rotation. Players shift pressure into the lead side early, then rotate the torso through the shot. As the rib cage unwinds, it exerts a force through the shaft that helps push the clubhead outward, encouraging natural forearm rotation, which is what squares the face. With this motion, the shaft leans slightly forward at impact, but not excessively. It’s a balanced impact condition that allows for both control and versatility.

Advantages: The neutral wrist gives players a lot of freedom in the downswing. Because the face isn’t overly closed or open at the top, you don’t have to rely on timing or other compensations to square it. It also makes it easier to preserve each club’s intended loft, which is particularly helpful for players who want to maintain consistent trajectories throughout the bag. It encourages natural release, solid contact and fluid motion.

Disadvantages: The biggest risk with a neutral wrist is letting the face get too open at the top. This often happens when the wrist overextends or collapses during the backswing. If the clubface opens too much, it puts more pressure on the player to time the rotation of the forearms precisely during the downswing. Without proper rotation and sequencing, the result can be blocks or weak fades.

Ways to work on your swing: Try a split-hand drill. Grip the club as if you’re a hockey player getting prepped to hit a slap shot. As you make your turn to the top, feel as if the clubhead is “light” as it works back on plane. Let your arms fall naturally as you shift into the lead side, then allow your torso to rotate through. This blend of movement keeps the clubface square and synced with your body. Good sequencing is the major key.

Bowed wrist

Definition: A bowed wrist — aka a flexed wrist — is when the lead wrist is angled upward at the top of the swing. This position closes the clubface relative to the swing path and is often adopted by players looking to preset the impact position early in the swing. 

Pros who use it: Collin Morikawa, Dustin Johnson, Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele

How to square the face: Because the clubface is already closed at the top, players who use this wrist position don’t need to rely as much on forearm rotation on the way down. Instead, they create speed and squareness through powerful lower-body movement and aggressive torso rotation. They shift hard into the lead leg and create side bend through the torso to keep the club on plane. Timing and sequencing are everything. If they don’t rotate enough — or if they stall their body — the face can shut down.

Advantages: The biggest upside of a bowed wrist is its efficiency in setting up impact. With the lead wrist already in flexion, players can deliver the club with forward shaft lean, which promotes crisp contact and a strong, low-spin ball flight. It’s also an ideal pattern for players who favor a fade, since the closed face combined with a leftward swing path produces a reliable left-to-right shape.

Disadvantages: The downside is that this move isn’t easy to repeat. It requires excellent athleticism, strength and flexibility to pull off consistently. Because the wrist is so bowed at the top, the shaft can lean excessively forward at impact, de-lofting the club and making it harder to launch the ball high. Players who mistime the rotation or try to flip the club back to square risk missing left — and badly.

Ways to work on your swing: This style often starts with a strong grip, but the key is not to overdo it. Here’s how to keep things in check and strike it solid time and again. Place an alignment stick through your belt loops and turn to the top of your swing. Initiate the downswing by shifting into your lead side, then fire your hips to open them through impact, getting the alignment stick to point left of your target. This promotes a ball flight that starts left and fades back to the right.

Cupped wrist

Definition: 3. A cupped wrist — or wrist extension — is when the lead wrist bends forward at the top of the swing, opening the clubface relative to the swing path.

Pros who use it: Shane Lowry, Webb Simpson, Will Zalatoris

How to square the face: From a cupped position at the top, players must actively flatten the wrist and rotate their body hard through impact. The combination of forearm rotation and torso unwinding is what squares the clubface. This motion typically happens later in the downswing, so timing is essential. If the wrists don’t flatten or the rotation doesn’t happen in time, the clubface can remain open, leading to weak fades or slices.

Advantages: One of the main benefits of a cupped wrist is that it creates a wide, flowing motion — especially with longer clubs. It often feels more “free-wheeling” and athletic, giving players a sense of rhythm and fluidity. It also encourages a higher launch with more spin, which can be a huge asset for players who need help getting the ball in the air.

Disadvantages: Because the face is open at the top, it needs to close more aggressively through impact. That means more room for error. If the timing of the rotation is off — or if the player tries to “save” the shot with their hands — it can lead to a flip through impact and inconsistent strikes. The clubface can stay open too long or close too quickly, creating volatility in both direction and contact.

Ways to work on your swing: Start by managing your arm depth. Try to avoid lifting your arms too vertically during the backswing. Instead, let them move around your body and get a little deeper. This shallows the shaft and makes it easier to rotate from the inside. During the downswing, feel like you’re falling slightly into your lead side while spinning through the shot. That combination of pressure shift and rotation allows the wrist to naturally flatten and the face to square on time — without needing a flip.

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The key to powerful shots is knowing where and, more importantly, when to create pressure in your swing.

I have an easy way to explain both by using a homemade training aid (a streamer wrapped around the hosel of my driver) to explain.

At the start, the takeaway, the clubhead moves back, away from the target, and by the end of the backswing, it has traveled back toward the target. The secret to applying pressure to create power is moving your pressure with the clubhead. So, as you take the club back, away from your target, your pressure (or, if you prefer, your weight) should do likewise.

In the photo above, you can see (with the help of the streamer) that the club is moving away from the target and that I’ve matched this move by shifting my pressure away from the target, into my trail leg.

As soon as your club reaches parallel to the ground in your backswing, however, the clubhead actually starts its journey toward the target, culminating at the top of your backswing. So it’s at this point — the first time the club gets parallel to the ground — when you need to begin shifting forward.

This might be earlier than you’ve ever imagined. Timing this pressure shift (from back to front) turns on the jets on your down-swing. Bombs away!

Dom DiJulia is director of instruction at Jericho National GC in New Hope, Pa.

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Mizuno have announced the release of new finish options across two core models in its current lineup: the JPX 925 Hot Metal irons and Mizuno Pro T-3 wedges.

These latest additions reflect Mizuno’s ongoing focus on player preferences, craftsmanship, and tailored performance.

Each new finish maintains the underlying design philosophy and engineering integrity of the original model, while offering golfers refined aesthetic options to suit individual preferences and playing environments.

JPX 925 Hot Metal: Black Ion, Revolutionary Iron

The JPX 925 Hot Metal irons, recognised for their blend of distance, control and fitting versatility, are now available in a standout Black Ion finish.

Built around a Nickel Chromoly chassis with strategically placed tungsten weighting in the 4–7 irons, the Hot Metal design continues to provide a high-launch, high-speed platform with consistency across the face.

The addition of the Black Ion finish offers a fresh visual identity while maintaining the same trusted performance, reducing glare, and aligning the iron’s look with its modern, technology-led profile.

Mizuno Pro T-3: Stability Reimagined in Black

The Pro T-3 wedge, recognised for its blend of forgiveness and feel, returns in a commanding Black Ion finish.

Its shallow cavity back, combined with a longer head shape, offers increased stability on off-centre strikes, perfect for golfers seeking consistency without sacrificing finesse.

The forging process, groove structure (Quad Cut + Hydroflow Micro Grooves), and copper underlay remain unchanged, ensuring the T-3 continues to deliver reliable spin and control in all conditions.

Three grind options (S, M, and C) support various short game needs, and the darker finish offers a cleaner visual at setup, particularly in bright light or firm turf conditions.

A third new colourway, the Mizuno Pro T-1 in Denim Copper, will be available exclusively in the US, while Europe will see the JPX 925 Hot Metal in Black Ion and the Mizuno Pro T-3 in Black Ion.

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HENDERSON, NV — Golf Brands Inc. will unveil a comprehensive range of new product launches at the PGA Show, Booth #2301, across its MacGregor Golf and Ben Hogan brands whilst showcasing existing Ram and Zebra inventory.

Alongside the latest 2026 introductions, the stand will also feature a broad selection of established, best-selling products displayed in both component and fully assembled formats. These will include package sets, accessories, golf bags, and a full complement of woods and irons, highlighting Golf Brands Inc.’s depth of offering across all key equipment categories.

MacGregor Golf

MacGregor Golf will introduce several significant new products for the 2026 season, including the MacGregor Tourney driver and fairway woods, MacGregor Tour Grind Forged Wedges, and the MacGregor Tony Penna CB/MB irons. Also on display will be the highly successful V-Max Junior package sets, CG-4000 package sets available in both graphite and steel shaft options, and the ZT1 package sets offered in cart and stand bag options.

Ben Hogan Golf

Ben Hogan Golf will present a comprehensive lineup reflecting the brand’s performance heritage and modern design approach. Featured products include new Fort Worth Grind wedges, new Legend Driver, and the highly acclaimed PTx wood and Hybrid range. The display will also include a wide range of its popular package sets, highlighted by the FW-817 and TX-682 sets, alongside the new TC1 All Black Package Set. New Ben Hogan premium 4pc golf balls, the GS53, will also be introduced. Completing the showcase will be the existing iron portfolio of Fort Worth CB/MB irons, PTx Tour and Pro irons, as well as Edge and M50-01 iron ranges.

Zebra Golf

Zebra will showcase its full range of acclaimed AIT and Milled Series putters, continuing the brand’s reputation for precision-engineered performance and distinctive alignment technology.

Ram Golf

Ram Golf will display its full product portfolio, including a comprehensive selection of package sets, its popular FX putter range, Ram golf balls and SDX junior sets.

Visitors to Booth #2301 will gain a complete view of Golf Brands Inc.’s 2026 product strategy, combining iconic golf brands with accessible performance, innovation, and value across all player segments.

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Swinging over the top is a problem that so many golfers struggle with.

It doesn’t matter if you are brand new to the game or have been playing your entire life; getting a swing path that is a bit over the top is something that needs to be fixed.

For some golfers, a simple swing thought can have you on your way to square shots. However, for most players I have worked with, a combination of drills, training aids, and good old-fashioned practice have been the only ways to fix your over the top golf swing.

Take a look at my six key steps to finally fix your over the top golf swing, and start swinging through the golf ball with confidence.

Step 1: Record a Video

The first step in this process may seem like a simple one but both pro golfers and average golfers that have done it will tell you it’s a must.

Start by recording a video of your golf swing.

One of the most challenging things about the game of golf is that we can’t see the golf club when we swing. Trying to determine where the swing path or swing plane is wont’ be easy. However, with modern technology, a quick video will let you see quite a bit.

So many players say to me, “I don’t know how to diagnose the video.”

I understand you may think that is the case. However, chances are you will be able to see a great deal of what you are doing wrong. Also, you want this video as a comparison when you finish fixing your over the top swing.

Take two videos with the help of a friend. One of the videos should be down the line; another should be a face on video.

If you don’t hit the big slice that has been bothering you, record a few swings so you have some evidence of the problem.

Step 2: Check Your Setup

The next part of this process is to look at the most obvious errors in the game. Players who have their grip, feet position, shoulder line, hips, or even their head position wrong at setup.

So many players want to fix their over the top swing by working on their angle into the ball, their rotation, or ensuring they make a good transition. These are all important but are you setting yourself up to get to this position?

If your feet and your shoulder lines are crossed, straight shots are hard to achieve.

We know that practicing your setup and stance is quite boring compared to other things on this list; it’s well worth getting this down before you try and fix something that may or may not even need to be fixed.

Step 3: Perfect The Takeaway

The takeaway of your golf shots should be low and slow. Taking the club back with just your arms, swinging back really fast, or forgetting that important transition between backswing and downswing can cause poor shots and an over the top swing.

Most golfers struggle at the top of the swing, but there are issues at the start of the swing that can cause this problem.

The golf takeaway is often overlooked by amateur players.

One of my favorite swing tips for golfers working on their takeaway is to take a small blade of grass or even a leaf and place it just a few inches behind the ball.

On your backswing, make sure you may contact with this. To do so, you will have to engage your lower body, keep the arms out of it and ensure you are having the golf club and the body work together.

Step 4: Get To The Inside

Now that the basics are out of the way, it’s time to do the actual work to fix your over the top golf swing. There are two things you need to think about here, getting the club path more on the inside and ensuring the club face is rotated so that it is square at impact.

The first part of this process is ensuring a more inside club path. This club path encourages a golfer to keep their right elbow (right-handed golfer) more connected throughout the swing. The right elbow should even feel as though it is touching your body as you make your transition at the top of the downswing.

One of the simplest and best drills for this is to put a golf glove or even a towel under your right armpit and ensure it stays in place as you make a good transition.

Another drill to consider here is over-exaggerating the inside to out swing path. Most golfers that come over the top have an out-to-in swing path. What this typically looks like is a golf club that starts coming down with the arms and shoulders from the top of the swing.

The club never appears to drop into place and fill in that space that you created with a good rotation.

Exaggerating this move so that you feel as though you are coming way inside on the approach to the ball is a good way to get your lower body sequence worked out and feel what you need to do.

When you go back to hitting balls, chances are you won’t be exaggerating nearly as much, and you will actually be in the correct position. Some players that struggle with this common problem of coming over the top will add an exaggerated inside approach to their pre-shot routine.

The next thing to work on is the club face angle. If you get to the inside, but your club face is not square to the target line, the shot won’t work out. Most golfers struggle to rotate their forearms.

Step 5: Training Aids to Help

Feeling this inside-to-out path and getting rid of the over the top swing plane will be hard for some players. If you have been swinging like this your entire life, you won’t fix it with one good swing. In fact, it will take quite a bit of time and effort to work this out.

Some of the best options for fixing coming over the top is to use alignment sticks or something like the Eyeline Speed Trap. All you need to do with an alignment stick is set it in the ground at an angle just above the golf ball.

The goal is to swing under this alignment stick. If you swing over the top, you will hit the alignment stick.

Start with slow swings here, as you won’t want to make contact with the alignment stick and hurt yourself.

The Eyeline Speed Trap is another excellent device that allows you to see the proper path and eventually leads to golfers having a square face at impact. The latest release of the Eyeline Speed Trap makes it much easier to use the device without damage to your club or yourself.

I love the visual benefits of a tool like this.

When you head out to the golf course, you can be sure that your mind is in the right place and that you are prepared for what impact position should look like.

Step 6: Transfer to The Course

As a golfer (and teacher of the game) who has had issues with swing path in the past, I know how it can feel simple to fix issues on the range and then an entirely different situation to fix them on the golf course.

You are not alone in this frustration of transferring knowledge to the course.

The best way I have found to help this issue is to work on making your driving range practice more like the course.

Most amateur players head to the driving range with a bucket of 75 golf balls and then just start firing away. This is, of course, not the solution. Even if you do come closer to fixing your over the top swing, chances are you have ignored other issues that could be creating inconsistency.

Instead, take some time to work on the drills we talked about. Hit ten or twenty golf balls using the drills. Then take out a training aid like alignment sticks or a path trainer and work with that for some swings.

The idea is that you are building the muscle memory to then use when the pressure is on.

Once you feel like you understand the motion, you have to start putting pressure on.

Pick a target and try to hit it just as you would on the golf course. If you miss the green because of a slice, chances are you were over the top. If you hook it or draw it, maybe you came a little too far from the inside.

Make a mental note of this shot and then move to the next one. Don’t stand there and rapid-fire golf shots; it gets you nowhere. Make your practice like the course, and everything will transition to the course independently.

Brittany Olizarowicz

Britt O has been playing golf since the age of 7. Almost 30 years later, she still loves the game, has played competitively on every level, and spent a good portion of her life as a Class A PGA Professional. Britt currently resides in Savannah, GA, with her husband and two young children. Current Handicap: 1

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