A Bad Grip Results in a Bad Swing

Mark Oswald
General Manager
The Highlands at Dove Mountain in Marana, AZ.
Marana, AZ
oswaldpga@gmail.com

More Information

You have probably heard this before…a bad grip usually results in a bad swing. If your grip is out of position you must make adjustments in your swing to get the golf club square with your target. If you start with a good grip that positions your hands on the grip in a position that best fits the ball flight you desire and compliments your golf swing, you have greatly increased your chances of hitting the shot online.

Let’s begin with the starting position for the right-handed golfer. This grip is the medium point between the “strong” and “weak” grip. This grip is for a straight ball hitter.

1) Place left hand on the club so that your left hand is not going past the end of the grip.

2) Position the club in your fingers at the base of the palm. You will be holding the club in your fingers, not pressed against the center of your palm.

3) Keeping the clubface square, rotate your left hand until you see the knuckle of your first and second finger from your set up view. The “v” line created between your thumb and first finger should be pointing toward your right eye.

4) Position your right hand on the club again with the club in your fingers at the base of your palm. The “v” line on your right hand will be pointing at your right shoulder.

5) Rotate your hand until you see the finger tips of your second and third finger.

6) Maintain a light to medium grip pressure throughout the swing.

The Grip for the Slicer. If you slice the ball, you will want a “stronger” grip position. This position promotes more hand rotation in the swing and will help to square the clubface at impact. The stronger your grip is the more you will rotate your hands during the swing and square the clubface at impact. Your clubface is coming into impact open or pointing right of your target.

1) Place your left hand on the grip so that you can see three or even four knuckles on the left hand. The more knuckles you see the more hand rotation is possible.

2) Place your right hand on the grip where you can see three of the first three fingernails and the “v” line is pointing right of your right shoulder.

3) Lighten your grip pressure to help allow your forearms and hands to rotate.

The Grip for the Hooker. If you hook the ball, you will want to “weaken” the grip to promote less forearm and hand rotation during the swing. Your clubface is coming in at impact closed or pointing left of your target.

1) Place your left hand on the grip so that you can see only one knuckle, the “v” line should be pointing more at your chin.

2) Place your right hand on the grip where you can see only the ends of your fingers, not any fingernails. The “v” on your right hand will also be pointing more at your chin or left side of your face.

**Key to all these grips is to have both hands in the same grip positions. If you are doing this correctly, with all of the above grips, your palms will be facing each.

Find the right grip and stay with it.

For more information, contact Mark at moswald@orovalleycountryclub.com.