Long thumb and short thumb

Question
I am 73 years old and have played golf for 60 years, currently a 7 handicap and have been as low as 1. I consider myself a student of the swing, but am now confused. I have always thought the short thumb grip would restrict the wrist cock but provide more control over the club,while a long thumb would permit more wrist cock but with a little looseness at the top. A recent article in Golf Magazine states just the opposite as to the amount of wrist cock. It doesn't mention control. Just doing it with either a long or short thumb with a club seems to support my previous belief i.e. long thumb, more cock. However I am finding  differing opinions when discussing it with friends. Now I am questioning my long held belief. What's up?

Answer
Hello and thank you for asking.  I understand exactly what you are asking and let me tell you the facts.  #1, there are more pros out there teaching the fact that a short thumb will give you better control and flexiblity.  However, I have known some  very good players (scratch or better) who have used a long thumb, and continued to do so.  The bottom line here is that in the majority, if I were teaching a kid, I would show him the short thumb.  However, every human body is different, and we all adapt differently.  The point is, forget which gives you more flexiblity.  Remember that what gives you flexibility is not 100%, or even 80% dependent on your thumb length, but more on your grip pressure and overall flexiblity.  So on the take back, think more about loosening your grip a tad, and maintaining a real soft right arm (righty golfer), and then tighten everything only right before and through contact for maximum power transfer.

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