Golf Grip Fo Dummies

A good golf 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 golf grip, but there are three basic golf grips that golfers use today:

* The overlapping grip is the most common golf 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.

*Baseball grip: This grip is common among younger, female, or senior golfers due to the weaker arm and wrists. To position this grip, simply allow the index finger of your left hand and the little finger of the right hand to meet. However, they must neither interlock nor overlap each other.

*Interlocking grip: This type of grip is ideal for those with shorter hands and fingers, thicker palms, and those players who have difficulty mastering the overlapping golf grip technique. To secure this grip position, allow your left hand's index finger and your right hand's little finger to overlap and then interlock.

Here is the basic way to grip a golf 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 golf club shaft. Relative to the golf club, the thumb will be in the twelve o'clock position.

Then, use your left hand to grip onto the club. At this point, the club is situated on your palm across your finger's base. Make sure that the club is at the first section of your index finger. Keep your thumb straight and resting on top of the shaft. The perfect position for your thumb would be that of a 12-o'clock position.

If you have gripped the golf 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 golf grip pressure is right, the club could almost be pulled out of your hands, but not quite.

A correct golf 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 golf grip doesn't guarantee a successful golf swing; however, a defective golf grip will almost always result in a failed golf swing.