The Correct Golf Grip - Part 3

Posted on April 10, 2008 in Recreation and Sports by admin

A good golf swing starts off with the correct golf grip. There is however no such thing as one correct golf grip. In this the third article of this three part series I will explain the four elements of the correct golf grip.

I shall refer to these four elements as the four P’s.

Placement: This is how we put our hands on a golf club relative to one another, high or low on the grip.

Positioning: This is the amount of rotation of the hands clockwise or counter clockwise, generally referred to as a strong or a weak grip. The positioning is dependent on the size and strength of the player’s hand plus the shape of the shot he is trying to hit.

Pressure: This is simply how hard one is squeezing the club.

Precision: Is whether one grips the club in a precise manner (the same way each time) or is careless so that it is a different grip each time a shot is played.

Let’s cover each of these individually.

Placement. Ideally placed the hands should be in such a position that the player has control over the club. If the hands are too far back on the grip control is lost, too far forward and power and distance are negatively affected. When held correctly and inch to an inch and a half of the shaft should stick out above the back hand. Try moving it different distances until you are comfortable.

Positioning. The positioning of the hands determines whether or not one has a weak, neutral or strong grip.

A weak grip is one that is turned counter clockwise (right handed players) on the grip and the back of the target hand points slightly left of target – more towards the ground with one knuckle on the left hand visible. A weak grip encourages an open club face, resulting in a push, slice or a push slice depending on the swing path of the club.

A neutral grip will encourage a square club face at impact. In this position the hands are on either side of the shaft and are square to the target. There will be two to two and a half knuckles showing. A square club face will result in a draw, fade or straight shot depending on the swing path of the club.

With a strong grip the hands will be turned clockwise on the shaft (away from the target) with 3 or 4 knuckles showing and will encourage a closed clubface. This will result in a hook, pull or a pull hook.

Pressure: The correct pressure for holding a club would be to imagine that you have a small bird in your hands. You want to be able to hold it firmly enough so that it won’t escape but loose enough so that you don’t kill it. We don’t want the SPCA after you!

Tighten your grip and you will lock your body muscles, limiting your range of movement and your ability to create power.

Precision: It goes without saying that holding the club precisely for each shot will help with consistency.

That concludes the 3 part series on The Correct Golf Grip and I trust it has gone some way to helping you with your game.

As a qualified EGTF golf professional teacher I get great pleasure in helping people improve their game. Why not head over to Better Golfing and take up my challenge to reduce your golf handicap by 25% within 6 weeks?

Tags: Correct golf grip, correct grip, golf club grip, golf grip, how to grip a golf club, right golf grip

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