Being able to establish a perfect grip goes a long way in striking the ball cleanly. Read this article and learn some vital golf grip tips to help you with the same.
In golf, holding the club in the correct way is the most crucial aspect of hitting the right stroke. You may choose any type of grip, but fundamentals remain the same. While striking, both hands should work together as a single unit. Also, you should apply moderate pressure on the club when you strike the ball. Holding the club tight can lead to a slice shot which everyone despises. A lighter grip will improve your wrist hinge and also increase the quantity of club face rotation. Thus, you will be able to hit a powerful stroke with a squared club face during impact.
All About The Grips
Overlapping Grip
This grip is also known as the Vardon overlap, and is the most preferred among great players. It was Harry Vardon who made it famous somewhere in the late 1990s. Most instructors choose to teach it to youngsters. For this, you will have to place your little finger of the hand below, between the middle and index finger of the hand above. The thumb of the above hand should be placed in the lifeline of the hand below.
Interlocking Grip
This is another common grip in use by famous golfers, including Tiger Woods. The name comes from the fact that your hands interlock when you hold the stick this way. Golfers with small hands or weak forearms prefer the interlocking grip. Chances of the stick handle slipping onto the palms are high with this grip. In this style, the little finger of your hand below should be intertwined with the index finger of the hand above. The thumb of the hand above should be placed in the lifeline of the bottom hand.
Baseball Grip
Of all the three grips, the baseball or ten finger grip is the least preferred among golf instructors. There are some advantages though of the baseball grip. It is used by people having joint pains or small hands. Beginners are often taught this one, as it is easier to learn compared to the other two. For this, hold the stick in the proper lead hand grip position, and then position the little finger of the bottom hand near the index finger of the hand above. The thumb of the top hand should be covered with the lifeline of the hand below.
Important Tips
These tips given below are for a player whose leading hand is his right hand. However, players looking for left hand techniques can simply substitute their left hand for the leading hand and follow them.
Tip #1
The grip plays a very important role when it comes to fixing a slice. To ensure you have the correct one, look down the handle and you should be able to view the first two knuckles of the lead hand. Also, a 'V' should be formed on the lead hand between the index finger and thumb, and pointing in the direction of your right shoulder. The right hand 'V' should be pointing in the direction of your chin.
Tip #2
A basic tip which most beginners ignore is the alignment of hands along the club head. It needs to be aligned with the club face before you swing. In case the shaft rotates from this position, the club face moves away from its position, resulting in a bad shot. Spend some time on this basic aspect so that you do not face problems later on.
Tip #3
When you grip your right hand tightly on the stick, unwanted tension is created. This causes the swing to go awry as the stick cuts across the ball. To avoid this, try relaxing your arm, shoulder, and wrist muscles before you swing. Apply moderate pressure on the stick with your right hand as well.
Tip #4
The wrists need to work together while putting. If you are having problems in coordinating your wrists, try switching hands on your grip. Place your right hand where your left hand normally is, and your left hand takes position of the right hand. It may be difficult to adjust to this grip at first, but your wrists do work together and help you while putting.
Tip #5
To ensure a successful golfing stint, it is vital to have strong forehands and wrists. The wrist on the leading hand often breaks down from the pressure of the trailing hand, resulting in the shot being a miss-hit. A good way to strengthen your forearms is to hold the club suing last three fingers of your leading hand in a straight position in front. Now, with the help of your wrists, move the club up and down about 15 times. Do three sets of this drill and your muscle memory will get the correct movement while swinging.
Tip #6
The ball's flight is directly affected by your hand movement. To get this right, take your normal grip and let the index finger of your trailing hand lie pointed down towards the ball along the stick. While swinging, the finger should be pointing down on the target line at the time of follow-through.
These tips should definitely help in improving the way you strike the ball. I will end my article with one final tip -
Hold the club like you are holding a baby bird in your hands, and you should be good.
