Golf Lesson — The Grip

This is the first basic fundamental of the golf set-up and is often the most difficult to correct as it provides the golfer with feel. A correct grip provides a solid connection between golfer and golf club however should not be a dominant force during the swing.

A golfer with a correct grip is more likely to hit straighter, better flighted shots than a golfer with an incorrect grip. This is because a correct grip at address provides the golfer with a square club-face at impact thus complementing the natural rotation of the club-head through the shot.

A golfer with a bad grip will be more likely to rely on the timing of the hands into the impact position. This can be managed by altering or creating certain differences through impact but is not always consistent. For example a strong top hand (too many knuckles on top) can be managed by delaying the natural rotation of the club head until after the ball has been struck (Paul Azinger, Bernhard Langer) and is often referred to as “holding off”. Push/Block/Hook.

A Weak top hand (Knuckles too much underneath the club) can also be managed by a dominant bottom hand which often causes an “out to in” swing path through impact (Lee Travino). Pull/Slice

One of the great masters of the game Ben Hogan highlighted a significant fault in his own grip which he called “the long Thumb” however I believe the real improvement came by moving his left thumb (top hand) more on top of the golf club to eliminate his tendency to hit a hook.

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