Developing a Sound Grip

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Developing a Sound Grip

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The grip is one of the most important areas of the golf swing, as it's what connects you to the golf club. It's role is similar to that of a tow ball when a car is towing a trailer. If the tow ball is fitted incorrectly,there is every chance of disaster.

There are three type of grips on my recommended list.The baseball, interlocking and the Vardon, also known as the overlapping grip.

In the majority of cases I prefer my students to use the Vardon grip, as I believe it offers the best gripping and tension qualities of the three.However, due to some physical ailments or characteristics of my students, I do recommend the interlocking and baseball grips.

In the following six steps, I have described how to achieve the Vardon or overlapping grip for a right handed golfer. If you are left handed, reverse all hand positions.

STEP ONE

If you look at the top of the grip on your club, you should notice that there is a line going around the grip which is just below the top of the grip. This line represents the end of the shaft. The small area above this line is just rubber. So there is nothing to be gained in gripping above this line with your left hand. Place the heel of your left hand so it's below this line and put your thumb so it is directly on top of the grip.

STEP TWO

As you look down on your grip, you should see the top knuckles of your pointer and middle fingers. If you can't, move your left hand to the right or left so you can see these two knuckles. When moving your hand around make sure that your thumb stays in the same position.

STEP THREE

Place the little finger of your right hand on top of the pointer finger of your left hand. Take particular care that you place it on top of the pointer finger and not in the crack formed by your pointer and third fingers.

STEP FOUR

Lay the club across the middle joints in the fingers of your right hand. Don't place it across the calluses of your hand. You should feel that you are gripping in the fingers and not the palm of your right hand and it should feel very weak. Place the pad under the thumb of your right hand, over the thumb of your left hand making sure that your thumb is completely covered.

STEP FIVE

As you look down on your hands on the club, move your right thumb slightly to your left, so that there is a " V " formed between your thumb and pointer finger. This " V " should be directly on top of the grip.

STEP SIX

The correct grip pressure should feel like you are gripping a tube of toothpaste with cap unscrewed. You should grip firm enough that you won't let go but light enough that you won't squeeze any toothpaste out of the tube. If you are gripping with too much pressure you will only succeed in locking up your wrists which will result in a loss of club head speed and therefore distance.

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This page was last built on 5/6/99; 10:35:14 AM.
It was originally posted on 30/5/98; 5:45:56 PM.
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