Golf Grip

A good grip is essential to playing a good game of golf. If you are gripping the club incorrectly or too hard, you will end up with shots that go places you don't want them to go. There is no one exact science to the grip, but there are three basic grips that golfers use today:

* The overlapping grip is the most common grip used. It is used mostly by male golfers and those with strong wrists and forearms. The little finger of the right hand lies on top of or overlaps the index finger on the left hand.

* The baseball grip is most commonly used by younger golfers, females, seniors, and those with weaker wrists and arms. The index finger of the left hand and the little finger of the right hand meet but do not overlap or interlock.

* An interlocking grip will be used by golfers with shorter hands and fingers, those with thicker or chunkier palms, and golfers who have difficulty with the overlapping grip. The index finger of the left hand and the little finger of the right hand overlap each other and interlock.

Here is the basic way to grip a club no matter which grip you use. Start by holding the club directly in front of you with your right hand with the club head pointing away from you at about a 45 degree angle.

Next grip the club with your left hand. The club will be mainly in the palm across the pads at the base of the fingers. However, the club will lie across the first section of the index finger. The thumb will be positioned straight on top of the club shaft. Relative to the club, the thumb will be in the twelve o'clock position.

Now, with your right hand, grip the club just above your left hand with the fingers, not the palm, of your right hand. The thumb will be positioned slightly off to the left. Relative to the club, the thumb will be in an eleven o'clock position.

If you have gripped the club correctly, only the first two knuckles of your left hand will be visible. Also, your left thumb should be completely hidden under your right hand. The index finger position of your right hand will look and feel like a gun trigger finger.

If your grip pressure is right, the club could almost be pulled out of your hands, but not quite. A correct grip will make you feel as if you are holding the club mostly in the palm and last three fingers of your left hand. Regardless, both hands should hold the club with equal pressure. A correct grip doesn't guarantee a successful swing; however, a defective grip will almost always result in a failed swing.

Author Information

Mark Hamilton of Golf2Win.com. This Golf article may be reproduced provided the author's information and web site link is kept intact

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