 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Keeping a healthy grip
Written by Alex Nicolson, PGA coach
Learn more about Alex or to book a lesson, click here
When a golfer loses his accuracy and/or strike, the sensations he often gets back are that his swing is wrong, or that his body is out of place. Sometimes that is the root of the problem, but more often than not the real culprit is an element of the set-up that is out of position. The grip only has to be marginally wrong to have a negative affect on the shot. Do yourself a favour, and before you start pulling the swing apart - check the fundamentals - it could save you a lot of time.
Position
Left hand - sometimes overlooked is where the handle of the club dissects the left hand. Many players get the handle too high in the palm which restricts the wrists from hinging freely. As in the picture, ensure the handle nestles snugly underneath the fleshy pad at the base of your palm. On top, you should see at least two knuckles and the V points towards your right ear. Lastly, the left thumb sits on the right centre of the grip, which will support the club nicely at the top of the swing.
The right hand can join either by overlapping or interlocking with the left, as shown. Interlocking is often favoured by players with smaller hands. Either way, the aim is to allow left and right hand to work together . Unlike the left, the right hand holds the club almost completely in the fingers.
The finished product sees the V's formed between the thumb and forefinger of each hand pointing in the same direction, towards the right ear.
Essentially, this sets you up as if you are ready to play a backhanded shot with the left, and a forehand shot with the right.
Pressure
If you are somebody who describes his or her best rounds as feeling effortless, and you want to recapture that feeling, start with the grip. When hitting balls experiment with how loosely you can grip the club and still maintain control. You may be surprised how relaxed it can be . A good clubhead waggle before you hit is also a good way of relieving tension.
Associate power with freedom of movement . It is wise to remember that much of a good swing's power is contributed by freedom of movement not muscle tension. Sam Snead used to prepare for a big drive by saying to himself, "Loose as a goose" to counteract the natural tendency to tighten up.
Routine
The only thing worse than a bad grip, is an inconsistently bad grip. This is when the hands form a variety of different positions on the club due to lack of consistent method and routine. With an inconsistent grip the swing would have to make adjustments each time the ball was hit, which is something not to be recommended. If you watch the best in the world, they each have a specific way of forming their grip. If you find it difficult to maintain a good grip, try holding the club up and taking your grip in front of your eyes. This makes it easier to see the right position. But however you decide to do it, make it the first part of your set-up routine, and the consistency will spread into your shots.
Learn more about Alex or to book a lesson, click here