Overview
This lesson covers the fundamentals of achieving a proper golf grip, including hand positioning, grip types, common mistakes, and practical techniques for grip pressure. Key teaching points and corrections to frequent issues are emphasized.
Fundamentals of the Proper Golf Grip
- The left hand should be placed first, with two knuckles visible and the V between thumb and forefinger pointing to the right shoulder.
- The left thumb should be positioned down the right center of the shaft.
- The right hand covers the left thumb, with the pad of the right thumb on top and the right thumb pointing to the left side of the shaft.
- A slight separation between the forefinger and middle finger of the right hand helps cradle the club without excessive tension.
Grip Pressure and Key Pressure Points
- Grip pressure should be focused in the last three fingers of the left hand and the middle two fingers of the right hand.
- To find ideal grip pressure, hold the club vertically, let it drop slightly, then grip just tightly enough to prevent it from falling.
- When swinging to horizontal, increased pressure should be felt in the specified fingers, avoiding over-gripping.
Types of Golf Grips
- Overlapping (Vardon) grip: right pinky overlaps the left forefinger and middle finger.
- Interlocking grip: right pinky and left forefinger interlock (used by Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus).
- Full finger (baseball) grip: all ten fingers in contact, often taught to players with smaller hands for added power.
Common Grip Mistakes and Corrections
- Incorrectly placing both thumbs down the top of the shaft restricts wrist action and speed, leading to improper swing mechanics and potential slicing.
- Over-rotating the left hand (seeing too many knuckles) puts the club in a "power position," often causing the clubface to close at impact.
- The correct grip facilitates proper wrist hinging and swing control.
Key Steps for Proper Grip Setup
- Position left hand to see two knuckles, V pointing toward right shoulder.
- Align left thumb down the right center of the shaft.
- Right hand pad sits over left thumb, right thumb points left on shaft, V points just right of chin.
- Maintain a slight gap between right forefinger and middle finger for ease of grip.