Question:
Actually, I think you have it mixed up a little. The rigth hand being underneath, for a right handed golfer, having the right hand under the club is more "strong." It usually feels pretty powerful, basically because just a little rolling of the wrists will now snap the clubhead over and through quite well. The problem is, this assumes that you are TRYING to snap the clubhead through, rather than just allow it to release on it’s own. I *think* most teachers agree that regardless of how strong your LEFT hand grip is, the right palm should face towards the target. (Some say that the palms should face each other, but everyone of these teachers teach a pretty neutral left hand grip. My advice would be to try a right hand grip that allows the palm to face the target, regardless of what your left hand is doing. This also allows the right forefinger to be in the "trigger" position you hear so much about. One last thing….make sure the right thumb wraps over the shaft. Keeping it on top or to the right of the shaft is a big no-no for most of us, although a select few seem to be able to manage it. Mark P.S. It’s much more likely that your slice is caused by A) gripping too tight, which inhibits wrist release and leaves clubheads open. Or B) an out to in swing plane that imparts serious sidespin and makes your balls go right.
Response:
I shoot in the mid-90’s and recently, in an attempt to help cure my slice off the tee that creeps up every once in a while, I decided to try a new grip. Before, my right hand was way underneath the club (I believe this is called a weak grip?!?). I tried to switch to a strong grip, where my right hand is way over the top of the club. It felt good at first, but when I went to the practice range to practice irons I shanked ‘em left and right, hit ‘em fat, some went way right. It just didn’t work out. So is it generally okay to use the weak grip? What are the benefits/disadvantages between the two grips? Is my weak grip a cause for slicing by not allowing me to get my hands around correctly? What are ya’lls thoughts… Thanks, James
Response:
A bad grip is one of the hardest things to cure because of how much it effects the swing. It will take a while for you to start hitting the ball consistently with the new grip. From the sounds of it, you may have gone from one extreme to the other, going from a very weak grip to a very strong grip. Neither will be very effective in the long run. If you look at most pros and top amateurs (other than say Paul Azinger), the grips are fairly consistent. I’m a 3 handicap, so I can tell you the way I grip the club. However, I’m not saying that this is completely correct. It just works for me. First, take the club in your left hand. If your grip is solid with the left hand, you should be able to hold the club with no difficulty using your little finger and palm. Next, overlap or interlock, whichever you prefer, and your thumbs should point in the same direction. That’s what works for me. I’m a very good ballstriker, so maybe this will help. If not, sorry. It’s always worth a try though to lower your scores. Remember, don’t strangle the club either. It’s much easier to swing and keep a solid grip when your not tensed up. — Jonathon Ice IC Fab Intern 900 Lowater Road (Office #132) Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 (715)726-6518 Quotes For The Week The creator of the universe works in mysterious ways. But he uses a base ten counting system and likes round numbers. Scott Adams Always be nice to those younger than you, because they are the ones who will be writing about you. Cyril Connolly
Response:
So is it generally okay to use the weak grip? What are the benefits/disadvantages between the two grips? Is my weak grip a cause for slicing by not allowing me to get my hands around correctly? What are ya’lls thoughts…
Sounds like you may have overdone the grip change just a tad, James. Try backing off with the right hand a little bit, making it more "neutral" instead of extremely weak or extremely strong. A lot of folks who have had a slicing problem have done what you’ve done, with often the same results. Modifications to the golf swing should be done in small doses, not in radical chunks.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Actually, I think you have it mixed up a little. The rigth hand being underneath, for a right handed golfer, having the right hand under the club is more "strong." It usually feels pretty powerful, basically because just a little rolling of the wrists will now snap the clubhead over and through quite well. The problem is, this assumes that you are TRYING to snap the clubhead through, rather than just allow it to release on it’s own. I *think* most teachers agree that regardless of how strong your LEFT hand grip is, the right palm should face towards the target. (Some say that the palms should face each other, but everyone of these teachers teach a pretty neutral left hand grip. My advice would be to try a right hand grip that allows the palm to face the target, regardless of what your left hand is doing. This also allows the right forefinger to be in the "trigger" position you hear so much about. One last thing….make sure the right thumb wraps over the shaft. Keeping it on top or to the right of the shaft is a big no-no for most of us, although a select few seem to be able to manage it. Mark P.S. It’s much more likely that your slice is caused by A) gripping too tight, which inhibits wrist release and leaves clubheads open. Or B) an out to in swing plane that imparts serious sidespin and makes your balls go right.
Thanks for the help everyone. From what people have told me, my grip was fine the first way I had it, in the "strong" position. I may try to change it to a more neutral position in the near future though just because I am at the extreme of the strong grip. As for the slice, my problem is I’m not getting my hands around correctly. Everytime I start slicing badly, I take a lesson and the first thing the pro tells me "Hey, you’re not getting your hands around." After one lesson, my slice is cured for a month or two but then creeps back up. I just find it difficult to get those hands around sometimes and assumed it must be my grip. Oh well, thanks again, James