Technological advances have taken golf professionals to new levels, and complicated bio-mechanical studies explain the perfect golf swing. But if you ever get a golf lesson from a professional, the first thing he will concentrate on and emphasize the importance of is how you grip the club. Coaches teach two variations of the same grip: Overlapping or interlocking.
Before Gripping the Golf Club
Approach the golf ball and stand as you would if you were taking a shot with the club in your hand. Let your arms relax and notice how the palms of your hands naturally face each other.
The majority of golfers on the Professional Golf Association Tour, and around the world, wear a fitted golf glove. These are cheap and easy to find, and highly recommended because they allow your hands to create a secure and solid contact with the club. Golf gloves also reduce any slipping that can occur when your hands sweat.
Grip Tension
Gripping the club too tight is the most common mistake made by novice golfers, and also the easiest, cheapest and quickest to change.
Pick the golf club off the ground and hold it straight in front of you, gripping just hard enough to keep it straight. That is the perfect tension for holding a golf club. If you only slightly release the tension of the grip, the golf club falls toward the ground. Keeping the same tension, lower the club to the ground until the bottom of the club head is resting on the floor.
Top Hand
Once the club head is resting on the ground, place the grip of the club in the palm of your left hand with the back of the hand pointing toward the target and the thumb pointing straight down the shaft.
Bottom Hand
Place your right hand onto the grip of the club directly below your left hand, establishing the same tension you have when picking up the club. The two thumbs should be pointing in precisely the same direction, almost forming two V shapes aiming toward the ball and down the shaft of the club.
Overlapping or Interlocking
You have to decide whether you want the little finger on your right hand overlapping the forefinger on your left hand or whether should it interlock with the forefinger to decrease the chances of your fingers coming apart when the club head strikes the ball. Although PGA golfer Tiger Woods uses the interlocking grip, the most popular technique advocated in the modern game is the overlapping option. The most important consideration when deciding which grip to choose is not copying your favorite player, but finding whatever is most comfortable for you.
Left-Handed Players
This has been written for a right-handed player. For left-handed players, all instructions are the same, just with the opposite hand.
Member Comments