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April 2011 |
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Get A Grip!
Far more than any other single fault, I see most students grip the club incorrectly with their left (target or lead or upper) hand. This single fundamental, building-block error is what causes many of the most common swing afflictions and compensations that lead to inconsistent ball striking and chronic loss of distance. |
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I’ve seen enough proof in my life to realize that you can achieve a very respectable level of golf proficiency with a poor grip. A bad grip just makes mastering the game a heckuva lot harder!!
"If a lot of people gripped a knife and fork the way they do a golf club, they'd starve to death." -- Sam Snead
“What difference does it make how I hold the club?” “Why can’t I just hold the club in a manner that’s most comfortable to me?”
The answer is, “The hands are the only part of our body which touch the club.”
I can not emphasize enough the importance of that statement.
Think about that profound statement. The hands touch the golf club. Therefore, it is only through the hands that we can pass any kind of power our arms and body are generating, any kind of control over ball flight such as high or low shot our swing is generating, and any kind of direction our stance or alignment is imparting to the golf shot. Consequently, a proper grip is essential to a controlled and constant swing.
The answer is, “The hands are the only part of our body which touch the club.”
I can not emphasize enough the importance of that statement.
Think about that profound statement. The hands touch the golf club. Therefore, it is only through the hands that we can pass any kind of power our arms and body are generating, any kind of control over ball flight such as high or low shot our swing is generating, and any kind of direction our stance or alignment is imparting to the golf shot. Consequently, a proper grip is essential to a controlled and constant swing.
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Left hand first. . . 1. I actually draw lines on the glove, which is legal by the way. 2. Side is a reminder to put the side of the grip against your fingers, with the toe up. 3. The handle rests UNDER YOUR HEEL PAD (hypothenar eminence) and runs to your index finger. |
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Lay the club in the fingers, or where your fingers meet the hand
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Here’s The Key: Make sure your heel pad is on the top side of the club’s grip!
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Squeeze lightly with last three fingers
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Many amateurs — higher-handicappers and even really good players — are not precise enough when they put their hands on the club. In a sound grip, your palms should face each other, and your wrists should be able to hinge up and down. You want your hands to work compatibly, so one doesn’t override the other.
Place the club in your fingers to enhance your sensitivity for the weight and position of the club. For more feel, let your right index finger separate slightly from your other fingers.
Place the club in your fingers to enhance your sensitivity for the weight and position of the club. For more feel, let your right index finger separate slightly from your other fingers.
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. . . And then add the right hand 4. The grip touches the middle joints of your middle two fingers. 5. Your right-hand lifeline fits over your left thumb. 6. Hold club at a 45-degree angle to feel wrist hinging and proper grip pressure. |
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Follow my six steps to create your own grip. Placing your hands on the club the same way every time will make your shots longer and more reliable. |
"If you don't have a good grip, you don't want a good swing." -- Harvey Penick
I hope this all helps! See you soon! Book a Lesson now – email, phone or on-line at www.jimpetersgolf.com!
