If the backswing is overly flat, at the top of the backswing, the karate chop aiming direction will be above the ball toward the tree line. If the backswing is very upright, at the top of the backswing, the karate chop aiming direction will be at the grass between the ball and the feet. For the average backswing, the karate chop aiming direction will be approximately towards the ball, but not necessarily exactly at the ball.

During the initial part of the downswing, the heel of the leading hand maintains its leading position, as if to actually making a karate chop to strike the ball with the heel of the leading hand. This karate orientation of the leading hand during the first part of the downswing will have the top (back) of the leading hand facing about half ways up, and facing to the front of the player, so as to keep the clubhead inside to prevent both slicing and straight pulls.

It is during the later release phase of the downswing, when the karate orientation of the leading hand and arm is switched to the “punching” orientation with the knuckles of the leading hand, and the back of the leading hand facing in the direction of the target.