In the same way that someone is right handed or left handed, a golf swing can be dominated by either side. Most amateur swings are right side/arm dominated. You can see this in the over the top moves and the flipping action of the club face. This is typically considered pushing and results in a weak slice.
Conversely a golf swing can be more left side/arm dominated. This is typically called pulling and results in more consistent ball striking, and improved golf ball launch conditions.
Both ways can be effective provided the player plays to their tendencies or has practiced enough to know what the swing is going to do. However, I think left side/arm dominated can be more consistent based on the work I have done with my swing, and from what I see from the average golfer.
I’ll refer to left side dominated swings as pulling, and right side dominated swings as pushing.
A swing with the left side of the body pulling can be more consistent for a number of reasons.
- Flipping is less likely. The left arm/hand alone is not strong enough to overcome the huge forces created in the golf swing in order to flip the club. If you try to flip the club with the left hand only, it is very awkward and unnatural.
- A swing with the left side pulling will more easily clear the hips allowing the club head to more consistently come into the ball square.
- Pulling low and left creates an impact condition with the shaft leaning forward and allows a golfer to compress the ball more easily because the long lever of the left arm and golf club remains stable.
- This type of swing leads to a more consistent and fuller release, thus adding distance while maintain accuracy.
If you have a pushing type of swing, where the right side of the body dominates, the 4 points above will be more difficult to achieve consistently because the right hand has to make those things happen and the body is fighting with itself.
If you are unfamiliar with the pulling sensation, do the left wrist supination drill for a while and try to feel which side is more dominant. Once you can identify which side of your body is dominant, try to do the drill consciously forcing the left side to be dominant. It’s not easy to do, but I think it is well worth doing.