Archive for the ‘How to Grip a Golf Club’ Category
How to Hold a Golf Club – Part 2
There are varied methods as to how to hold a golf club and each serves a specific purpose. Most golf professionals have command of different grips for a variety of shots, whereby they would expect different results depending on how they held the club in their hands. The pros can adjust their grip to alter the ball flight specific to the layout of the golf hole. For a right to left ball flight, also known as a draw, for a right handed golfer, the professional would take a stronger grip, which means their hands would be adjusted to the right of a neutral grip. If the pro would like the ball to do the opposite, then they would adjust their grip in the opposite direction and turn their hands to the left for a left to right ball flight, which is also called a fade. The position of the feet in relation to parallel to the target line may also be adjusted but let’s concentrate on the grip for now.
The grip shown on the left is a relatively neutral grip and would be most effective for a golf hole layout whic
h is relatively straight ahead. The right hand should also grip the club neutrally and the grip method shown in the photo left is known as the the interlocking grip method which is the preferred method of many of the top golf professionals, including Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and also my personal grip preference. It is quite obvious from viewing the photo on the left that the pinky finger of the right hand interlocks with the index finger of the right hand which is why it is known as the interlocking grip. The golf grip and method a golfer uses to hold a golf club is an important step by the golfer in preparation to address the golf ball. This is a fundamental of golf and well worth the time and effort to practice for a more consistent golf swing.
TIP – Make sure to allow the top of the top of the golf club to protrude appoximately 1- 1/2 ” past the top of the left hand when the grip is taken. (See photo left) This will prevent the top of the grip from rubbing the glove and prevent excessive wear out of the glove in the meaty part of the glove hand. It will also allow more control of the golf club during the swing which will promote consistently better results from your shots.
So Get A Grip and Happy Golfing to All!
The grip on the golf club is the first step taken during the set up for the golfer as he prepares to swing. If this key element is not performed correctly it can greatly affect the outcome of the shot. That being said, it is important to rehearse how to hold a golf club as you prepare to swing. There are diffferent methods for gripping the club and the three most common are the Vardon Grip, named after the great golfer, Harry Vardon from the early 20th century. It is a grip method whereby the pinky finger of the right hand overlaps between the index and middle finger of the left but does NOT interlock, the Baseball grip, which is pretty much as it sounds and is taken by butting the hands together similarly to holding a baseball bat and the Interlocking Grip, which is the grip preference of Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and my also personal favorite.
The Interlocking Grip is performed by taking the left hand, laying it open and cradling the top part of the shaft of the club in the crease of the two middle fingers of the hand not counting the thumb. The club should protrude approximately 1 1/2 “ below the bottom part of your left hand as illustrated in the photo on the left. This is primarily to allow the golfer to maintain better control throughout the swing and also not to cause the golf glove to wear excessively from the friction between the hand and the top of the golf club rubbing together. As the right hand holds the club the grip is also set lightly in the crease of the fingers while the pinky of the right hand interlocks the index finger of the left hand to allow both hands to work together while swinging the golf club. See Illustration above. The grip on the club should be relaxed and tension free at all times to allow for greater accuracy and speed as you swing. Practicing how to hold the golf club will increase your chances for a successful result so don’t neglect this important part of the swing. Happy Golfing to All!
Interlocking Grip