Golf Tips

If I had to choose the most important fundamental in golf: posture, aim, or grip, I would select the grip. Having the correct grip on the club is in many ways the most important pre-shot fundamental. Here are some must do's for the grip:

1- The club must be gripped be more in the fingers than the palms. For both hands, set the club diagonally at the base of the pinky finger at the top of the palm, and lay it across the hand into the middle joint of the index finger. Close the fingers first, then the rest of your hand around the club. (Securing the club properly in your fingers allows you to set the club properly and use your wrists correctly, which is a tremendous source of power and leverage in the swing.)

2- Make sure the "V's" formed by your thumb and forefinger of both hands point between your neck and shoulder of your right shoulder (if you are a right-handed golfer)

3- When the grip is too weak, i.e. less than 2 knuckles of the top hand are visible, and the bottom hand is too far on top of the club, it becomes next to impossible to square the club through impact. The result for many golfers is a ball that slices, because the clubface stays open at impact.

4- Conversely, a grip that is too strong, or underneath, can promote hooks because the clubface will close down too quickly at impact. However, if you are going to err from "neutral," do so on the side of too strong. Hitting weak slices is no fun and more of a distance zapper than a hook.

The grip is not the sole determining factor in whether or not you hit solid golf shots. However, it is so crucial because when done correctly, it lets the golfer have the chance to reach impact with a square face.

Remember: the clubface angle at impact determines ball flight: open=slice, closed=hook

So pay attention to your grip, and how you apply your hands to the club. I also find it helpful to take your grip before you approach the ball... it is one less thing to worry about while standing over the ball.

One final thought...once your hands are on the club, no re-gripping. Keep the pressure light, and swing away.