I can never overly stress the
importance of a great grip. Here’s how I think many (as in MANY) poor shots happen…
Poor Shot caused by Poor Swing Finish caused by Poor
Impact caused by Poor Downswing caused by Poor Backswing caused by Poor Set Up
caused by POOR GRIP!
It's amazing how many golfers who come
to me for lessons to gain more consistency, respond with “UGH!” when I suggest
that we have to start with a grip change. It’s almost like I can hear them thinking,
“Nooooo…. I’ll do anything but change my grip!!”
But the grip is key! The hands (the
grip) are the only link to the club.
For a right-handed golfer, if the
hands are holding the club grip in what’s known as a "weak" position (this
means the hands are rotated too much toward the target or to the left of the
club) the ball will have a tendency to go high and curve to the right… like a LOT !
If the hands are holding the club
in a “strong” position (this means the hands are rotated too far away from the
target or to the right of the club) the ball will have a tendency to go low and
curve to the right… like a LOT (redux!).
Strong or Weak grip positions cause
much, much more than directional problems. They affect the entire swing. For
example, when the hands hold the club in a weak position (the most common grip
I see as an instructor), it may…
1.
Cause the club to rotate to an "open" position on the takeaway and backswing...
2.
Cause overuse of hands when hitting the ball in efforts to make the ball go
straight...
3.
Cause the direction of the ball to slice or fade to the right. But
occasionally, to the left as well, because now the swing relies heavily on timing.
On days when timing is good, shots will be decent, but when timing is off...
shots will suffer (as will your score!)...
4.
Cause the ball to fly too high which will result in distance loss...
5.
Cause to hit behind the ball, but more often... there will be no divot when the
ball is struck… causing a thin or topped shot.
CURE: When placing the club in your hands, hold the
club up and in front of you. Place the left hand on the club first and make
sure that the end of the club handle is tucked under the muscular pad of your
palm... not in the lifeline or pad of your thumb. You should be able to suspend
the club in your hand just by the pad and first finger.
 |
| Club Suspended by Pad and First Finger of Left Hand |
Once your left hand is on the club,
check to see that the crease made by your thumb and palm is facing somewhere
between your chin and right ear.
When placing the right hand on the club, check to make
sure that the left thumb fits completely in the lifeline of the right palm.
When checking the crease of your right hand, it should be pointing someplace
between your right ear and right shoulder.
Both creases should be parallel to each other and
favoring the right side of your body. When looking down to the ball at set up position...
you should be able to see two-three knuckles of the left hand and the
fingernails and first knuckle joints of the middle two fingers of the right
hand.
 |
| Properly Positioned Hands |
It doesn't matter if you use a “ten-finger” grip, “Interlocking”
grip, or “Overlapping” grip. More importantly is the position of the hands on
the club.
Enjoy! And don’t forget to check out my new book at the top
of this page. For Kindle users, it’s now available on Kindle for a mere $4.99. Even if you don't have a Kindle... you can download the app to your phone, PC or Mac! AND you can download a free sample of the eBook! Here’s the link:
Peace… Love… Golf!
Ted
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