A polishing head for polishing machines, in particular for polishing optical surfaces, has a polishing plate that is connected to a rotationally drivable drive shaft. The polishing plate is articulated to, and rotates with, the drive shaft. A ball hexagonal socket joint provides the articulated connection. Rotating by means of the articulated connection, the polishing plate can follow the surface of the workpiece to be processed, so that the polishing covering on the polishing plate always rests on a maximally large area on the surface of the workpiece.