This content is from the Wright Balance® Zoom session February 23, 2026

Copyright, Wright Balance® 2026

"It's not what happens to you but how you react to it that matters"
Epictetus 55 AD to 135 AD

How to Use this eBook

I have edited the video of our February, 2026 Zoom session into 11 short videos, each followed by a brief quiz. Your time is valuable, I know. If you have time to view each video, I would encourage you to do so. If time is tight, take the quizzes following each video. If you have no problem answering the quiz questions correctly, advance to the next quiz. When you struggle with a quiz, watch the brief video.

Please know that this content will appear on your annual recertification exam.

Carrying Angle

In the first video I introduce the Carrying Angle and the conversation I had with Michael Mellman, MD at the top of the range during one of our Friday AM sessions.. Dr. Mellman brought the Carrying Angle to the research setting. Little did we know at the time how important the Carrying Angle is to balance, range of motion and Core Symmetry. This is an image of Dr. Mellman in 1997 at the top of the range at Pelican Hill GC, Newport Coast, CA, teaching me about the Carrying Angle.

In the next image is the measurement of the Carrying Angle during the research at the Centinela Hospital Biomechanics Lab. This shows the Carrying Angle being measured using a goniometer.

That is JR Ruda, a Cal Berkley Golf Team Member when he participated as one of the elite amateurs. Cal Berkley won the NCAA Tournament that year.

Following the research in 2000 - 2006, we began to use a digital protractor to measure the Carrying Angle as shown in these illustrations.

For a deeper dive into the history of the Carrying Angle measurement, click on this eBook link:

The Power of Wright Balance® Angles: The Carrying Angle

https://instructions.wrightbalance.com/the-power-of-angles/

Video 1

Introduction to the Carrying Angle

Video 1 6 minutes and 45 seconds

Question

The Carrying Angle is responsible for

1. Power Recruitment
2. Range of Motion
3. Angles of the body and club through the swing
4. All of the above

Answer

4

Question

Where does the carrying Angle show up in the golf swing?

1. Down the trail arm and shaft at address
2. In the trail arm at the top of the swing
3. Down the line at address in the lead arm and shaft
4. In shaft lean
5. All of the above

Answer

5

Question

The Carrying Angle Originated

1. In basic geometry
2. In 1865 Medicine
3. In elementary physics
4. In quantum mechanics

Answer

2

Question

Why do I agree with the literature that says women have a greater carrying angle than men?

1. The carrying angle measurement has been used primarily on women
2. Original subjects in Dr Jobe's lab at Centinela Hospital showed that women's carrying angles were greater than men
3. Most Women are Middle and Lower Core. As you move from Upper to Lower Core, the Carrying Angle naturally becomes greater
4. None of the above

Answer

3

Video 2

3 minutes 46 seconds

How the Hands Hang in & Out of the Lower Core Zone PSR

Question

A Lower Core player has a Performance Stance Width Range (PSR) of:

1. 20 to 28 inches
2. The PSR always has a plus or minus 1 inch possibility when tested
3. The player's hips will always be square in their PSR
4. All of the above

Answer

4

Question

The Carrying Angle is measured

1. When palms are rotated forward,down the forearm 90 degrees to the ground
2. When one shoulder is higher and the hip on the same side is also higher
3. With consideration of chest width
4. When leg length is different

Answer

1

Question

When standing inside the PSR, the internal vs external rotation of the hands will:

1. Show greater internal rotation of the hand on the opposite side of the "low shoulder".
2. Always hang the same unless the player has a shoulder injury
3. Show no change inside or outside the PSR
4. None of the above

Answer

2

Video 3

Carrying Angle: Grip, Shoulder Rotation & Balance Over Center of Arches

4 minutes & 50 seconds

Question

What am I preparing to do in the following image?

1. Check my Grip
2. Checking to see if my Grip matches my Carrying Angle
3. Test my shoulder rotation in my backswing
4. All of the above
5. None of the above

Answer

4

Question

Prior to the Wright Balance® Express when testing my grip, as related to my carrying angle, if I have full rotation in my backswing but my shoulder rotation is limited in the through swing with the same angle as shown here,

why do I have restriction in my through swing as shown in the above image?

1. I am out of balance at ground level
2. My Carrying Angle, and therefore my grip, does not match (not the same) on my left vs right side
3. My arms position is not set properly on my chest wall
4. None of the above

Answer

2

Video 4

Squaring the Hips from 0 to 36 Inches

7 minutes

Question

What is the Performance Stance Range(PSR) for the Lower Core Player

1. 10 to 28 inches
2. 16 to 28 inches
3. 20 to 30 inches
4. 20 to 28 inches

Answer

4

Question

What impact does a wedding band on my lead hand have on my hips when I am square from 0 to 36 inches?

1. I don't know. I am not allowed to remove my wedding band
2. If it is at all tight on my finger, my hips will remain open or closed EXCEPT in my PSR
3. My hips will be open or closed in every stance width, even my PSR
4. None of the above

Answer

2

Question

I have not done the Wright Balance® Express. Which of the following did adding tape to the 3 Power Spots of my trail hand NOT IMPACT:

1. Squared my hips from 0 to 36 inches
2. Leveled my hips and shoulders
3. My hands hung the same in all stance widths
4. My balance at ground level was the same in all stance widths

Answer

2

Question

After placing tape on the Power Spots of my trail hand, what do I need to do to level my hips and shoulders in all stance widths?

1. Place tape on the Power Spots of my left hand
2. Place tape on all 3 Power Spots of my right thumb
3. The Wright Balance® Express
4. None of the above

Answer

3

Question

What does the Wright Balance® research show regarding Middle Core Player, Tiger Woods' unwitting advantage when he played with tape on his Upper Core Power Spot of his right hand?

1. Tiger's hips were square from 0 to 36 inches where other Middle Core Players were square from 0 to 24 inches giving him a short game advantage
2. Tiger's hips were square from 0 to 24 inches where other Middle Core Players were square from 16 to 24 inches giving him a short game advantage
3. Tiger had no advantage on the field. That is a made-up myth by Tiger haters
4. None of the above

Answer

2

Question

Based upon what we know about the Wright Balance® Express and Performance Stance Ranges (PSR), in what Core Zone would amateurs have the greatest disadvantage in the short game, putter through short irons.

1. Upper Core
2. Lower Core
3. Middle Core
4. No Core Zone has an advantage in the short game.

Answer

2

Video 5

Hands Will Hang the Same When...

4 minutes

Question

When the trail hand has tape on each of the Power Spots and there are no 2 fingers next to each other with tape

1. Hands will hang the same but grip is not the same as Carrying Angle
2. Hands will hang the same and the grip will be different in the trail hand regardless of Carrying Angle
3. Hands will hang the same and grip is the same in both hands and directly related to the Carrying Angle of either the lead or trail arm
4. None of the above

Answer

3

Question

When a player arrives for a lesson and ask you to check their grip

1.Know that one shoulder is lower and one hip higher and the Carrying Angle will always be the same. This means I can set both left and right hand grip at the same angle
2.The easiest way to set the grip so that both the left and right hands are the same is to tape the Power Spots of the trail hand separating the tape positions so that no 2 fingers next to each other are the same. Then, the hands will hang the same and the left and right hand grip can be set at the same angle.
3. The best thing to do is not try to change the grip as the player has likely figured out what works for them.
4. None of the above

Answer

2

Question

Why does the Lower Core Player want a Carrying Angle of 148 degrees or more creating a greater angle

1. A Carrying Angle of 148 degrees or greater will move the player's balance further back in the middle of their feet promoting an easier clearance of the hips and under delivery to the ball
2. A Carrying Angle of 148 degrees or greater will promote a stronger complimentary grip that facilitates an Under Delivery to the ball through impact
3. A Carrying Angle of 148 degrees or greater (when posture is set to also match 148 in the spine and thigh angle and a 148 degree matching grip), produces the maximum opportunity to recruit the linear and rotational forces from the ground.
4. All of the above

Answer

4

Video 6

Creating an Increase in the Carrying Angle

What to do to create a Carrying Angle of 148 or greater

9 minutes

Question

I did the Wright Balance® Express at a Lower Core Stance Width of 18 inches. That produced a Carrying Angle of 152 degrees. What Stance Width do I need to use to increase my Carrying Angle to at least 148 degrees?

1. Test a Lower Core Stance Width doing the Wright Balance® Express. You would test stance widths narrower than 18 inches until you reach a Carrying Angle of at least 148 degrees.
2. Stretch your shoulders in a doorway by leaning with your forearm on the door facing and leaning forward to stretch your shoulder until you reach 148 degrees
3. Test Lower Core Stance Widths doing the Wright Balance® Express that are wider than 18 inches until you reach at least a 148 degree Carrying Angle.
4. None of the above

Answer

3

Question

What happens to the trail hip when the hips open, regardless of Core Zone, even when the player has done the Wright Balance® Express, taped the hands, etc.?

1. Nothing as long as the player does the Wright Balance® Express
2. The player's trail hip will always rise
3. The player's lead hip will rise
4. None of the above

Answer

2

Question

Why do I want to use a Complimentary Grip as a Lower Core Player?

1. I want an "under delivery" to the ball. A Complimentary grip will facilitate that "under delivery".
2. I want an "under delivery" to the ball. A Butterfly grip will facilitate that "under delivery".
3. I can just grip the club how I want and work on a motion that creates that under delivery.
4. None of the above.

Answer

1

Video 7

Increasing the Carrying Angle to 148 Degrees

5 minutes & 40 seconds

Note: This video shows me changing my Carrying Angle by 6 degrees by doing the Wright Balance® Express at 24 inches. When I did the Wright Balance® Express at 18 inches, my Carrying Angle was 152.

These results are highly individual. You must test each student to determine how much change they will experience in Carrying Angle at different Stance Widths. I moved from 18 inches to 24 inches, 6 inches wider, and changed my Carrying Angle by 6 degrees. Lower Core Players will have greater changes in Carrying Angle by going to a wider Stance Width within their Core Zone. Each of the 11 stance widths in each Core Zone will change the Carrying Angle. When you go wider to do the Wright Balance® Express, you will increase the Carrying Angle. When you move to a narrower Stance Width and do the Wright Balance® Express, you will produce a shallower Carrying Angle. The Middle Core Dominant Players will move fewer degrees than your Lower Core Dominant Player. The Upper Core Dominant Players will move in fewer degrees than your Lower Core and Middle Core Dominant Players.

Question

I am a Lower Core Player and I have done the Wright Balance® Express at a Lower Core Stance Width 21 inches. In order to change my Carrying Angle to produces a greater angle at address, I would do the Wright Balance® Express at:

1. Lower Core 9 inches
2. Lower Core 12 inches
3. Lower Core 24 inches
4. None of the above

Note: If you have the "old" vinyl strip, 9 and 21 inches don't appear as Lower Core. Please know 9 and 21 inches are Lower Core in the most recent evolution of Wright Balance® research.

Answer

3

Question

To produce the same Carrying Angle on my left and right side, I would:

1. Put tape on the Power Spots of both hands
2. Do the Wright Balance® Express
3. Stretch my shoulders by leaning forward through a doorway with my forearm in the side of the door facing
4. None of the above

Answer

2

Question

Following the Wright Balance® Express:

1. My thigh angle will be the same as my Carrying Angle
2. My grip "strength" / "weakness" will be the same in my left and right hands
3. I will have aligned my Kinetic Chain in one stance width
4. All of the above
5. None of the above

Answer

4

Note: For a right-handed player, a "stronger" grip means that their hand or hands are rotated clockwise on the club. A "weaker" grip is when the hands are rotated counter-clockwise on the club. This description is just the opposite for left-handed players. This "jargon" only confuses your students. Define the jargon for your students as you use it. Otherwise, they will likely think they should know what you are talking about and say nothing as you lose them in thought.

Video 8

The Repeating Carrying Angle at Address

7 minutes

> # Question > Following the Wright Balance Express: > 1. My hips and shoulders are level 2. My Stance Width to practice and play is generally much narrower 3. My trail hand grip is easier to set on the club due to the difference in my left and right hand 4. None of the above

Answer

1

Question

When a Lower Core Player does the Wright Balance® Express, when standing on an alignment stick, they will be in balance:

1. Over the balls of their feet
2. Over the center of their arches
3. Just behind the balls of the feet and forward of the center of their arches
4. On their heels

Answer

2

Question

What impact does a yardstick have on balance when practicing my grip?

1. A yardstick will move my balance forward since it is so small in my hands
2. A yardstick will move me back in my stance
3. A yardstick will have no impact on my heel to toe balance
4. None of the above

Answer

3

Question

In the video, I have set my Carrying Angle at 148 degrees. That measured 148 degrees shows up in my lead arm and shaft when the digital protractor is set at 148 degrees and:

1. I stand tall, hold the yardstick in my lead hand parallel to the ground and measure my forearm and shaft angle
2. I am in my address position and measure my forearm and shaft angle with shaft lean set
3. I let my arms hang at my side
4. 1 and 2 above
5. None of the above

Answer

4

Question

As a Lower Core Player, when I get set at address:

1. My spine angle will be 148 - 10 degrees
2. My spine angle will be 148 + 10 degrees
3. My spine angle will be 148 + or - 10 degrees
4. My spine angle will be 148 degrees

Answer

4

Question

My Carrying Angle will be present at address:

1. In my shaft lean
2. In my thigh angle
3. In my trail arm and shaft face on
4. All of the above

Answer

4

Question

Why do some players have a different angle of their lead and trail hand grip at address?

1. They have gripped the club incorrectly in both hands
2. They have 2 different angles of their left and right hands as their hands hang at their sides
3. They change their grip too often
4. None of the above

Answer

2

Video 9

Lead Hand & Hip Alignment

30 seconds

Question

If I have placed tape on the Power Spots of my Trail Hand separated by a finger between each Power Spot and do the Wright Balance® Express

1. My hips square
2. My Shoulders Level
3. My Hips Level
4. My Carrying Angle is the same on my Left and Right Side
5. All of the above

Answer

5

Question

My hips and shoulders are level and my hips are square in all stance widths. I have tape on the Power Spots of my trail hand. Following the Wright Balance® Express. I place a ring on my trail hand, what happens to my Kinetic Chain?
.

1. Nothing
2. My hips open and my trail hip rises and trail shoulder lowers
3. I experience a sensation of better balance
4. None of the above

Answer

2

Video 10

The Carrying Angle and Arms Position Relationship

4 minutes & 50 seconds

> # Question > When I set my arms on my Chest Wall as shown in this video, as I stand tall, my:

1. Forearms are equal to my Carrying Angle
2. My Upper arms are equal to my Carrying Angle
3. My shaft hangs at 45 degrees and is equal to my Carrying angle
4. My Carrying Angle won't be present in this standing tall position
5. None of the above

Answer

2

Question

I use my repeating Carrying Angle when created in this standing tall position with the club shaft parallel to the ground to:

1. Set my distance from the ball
2. Set my ball position
3. Set my secondary tilt
4. All of the above
5. None of the above

Answer

4

Question

True or False

When standing tall, my left and right hand grip have produced freedom of shoulder rotation back and through when tested. My club shaft is parallel to the ground and my arms are set on my chest wall. I must leave my arms on my chest wall until the club is grounded while setting my secondary tilt, posture, ball position and distance from the ball.

Answer

True

Question

When your hip line is level and posture and secondary tilt are "neutral" when set at address, the weight distribution in my feet will be 50 percent left and 50 percent right. My hips and shoulder angles will be parallel and my spine, when observed from the front, is 90 degrees to the ground, all equal to my Carrying Angle.

What happens to the angle of my hips, shoulders and spine at address if I setup before I do the Wright Balance Express and I have a high trail hip?

1. The angle of my shoulders and hips will not be parallel or equal to my Carrying Angle
2. The angle of my spine when observed from the front will not be equal to my carrying angle
3. My left to right balance at address will not be 50-50.
4. All of the above

Answer

4

Question

Note: I am not doing the Wright Balance® Express in the following illustrations.

I extend my arms out as shown here...

...and then, I keep my arms fully extended and "firm" and let them drop to my chest as shown here

What position of my Carrying Angle have I created in this Standing Tall posture?

1. My arms position on my chest wall at address
2. My Lower Core Thigh Angle
3. My Lower Core Spine Angle
4. None of the above

Answer

1

Question

There has been a good bit of discussion regarding a butterfly versus complimentary grip. Remember, I am still in a 148 degree Carrying Angle and in my Lower Core. What do you notice in the trail hand once the arms have dropped on the chest wall.

1. The hands naturally appear to be in a complimentary grip position
2. The trail hand is set for a Lower Core Under Delivery to the ball
3. My Grip will be rotated to a Strong (clockwise) position
4. All of the above

Answer

4

Question

When my arms positions are not set the same as my Carrying Angle on my chest wall, what happens to my shoulder rotation

1. Arms position on the Chest Wall has nothing to do with shoulder rotation
2. I will have restricted shoulder rotation
3. Neither 1 or 2
4. It is time to go to lunch

Answer

2

Question

True or False

When the Lower Core Player is set at address, they will have the least amount of Secondary Tilt.

Answer

False

Video 11

Grip Size and Balance

7 minutes & 21 seconds

Question

True or False

You are testing grip size using the Wright Balance® bat measurement system. When placing your hand on the bat, you must engage the Power Spot of the Middle Finger Core Zone you are measuring or your measurements WILL NOT be accurate

Answer

True

Question

When the hips first square on the lowest point on the Wright Balance® bat measurement system, you have

1. Approximately 1/2 inch tolerance from that point on the bat
2. Approximately 25 thousandths of an inch tolerance from that point on the bat
3. Approximately 50 thousandths of an inch tolerance from that point on the bat
4. Approximately 1/4 inch of tolerance from that point up on the bat

Answer

3

Question

Standing on an alignment stick

1. Will move you off balance
2. Is a way to determine exact balance and estimate Dominant Core Zone
3. Is how you should have your student hit balls
4. None of the above
5. Two and three above

Answer

5

Question

True or False

My Grip Size no longer matters as long as I have done the Wright Balance® Express

Answer

False