Getting too stiff?

[miffin]

I have been playing on and off for years. However, I think I might have to call it a day unless someone has a brilliant answer. I have started letting go of the club on the backswing and re-gripping, with obviously very erratic results. I seem to have got too stiff and find it very awkward to keep my grip on the backswing. If I manage to, it really feels difficult. I have not long retired and was looking forward to playing regularly and improving. However, I have just got worse! I was playing the 3 skills but found that was even more difficult as I was taking the club back more inside.
Brian

[bdbl]

Re: Getting too stiff?

I have been playing on and off for years. However, I think I might have to call it a day unless someone has a brilliant answer. I have started letting go of the club on the backswing and re-gripping, with obviously very erratic results. I seem to have got too stiff and find it very awkward to keep my grip on the backswing. If I manage to, it really feels difficult. I have not long retired and was looking forward to playing regularly and improving. However, I have just got worse! I was playing the 3 skills but found that was even more difficult as I was taking the club back more inside.
Brian

I think even pros suffer "regripping" occasionally, however never having had the problem in any serious way I've never researched any answers but one suggestion springs to mind.

Try swinging (on the range) one handed, half swings* to start with, using only the left (leading) arm to begin with and then switch to the right (trailing) and then alternate.

I'd expect that the brain will not allow you let go because of the obvious consequences and this might "retrain" you.

* At least with 1/2 swings if you do let go it won't go that far . Hope you find a solution.

[BrianW]

Re: Getting too stiff?

How are your hands, do you suffer with arthritic fingers? If you do this may be stopping you from gripping the club correctly. Some wider grips may help in this case, maybe a midsize grip.


Do you wear a hole in the palm of your golf glove quickly? if you do this is a sign that you are regripping. Normally what happens is that you hinge back the heel pad of your right thumb (for right handers) off the shaft by allowing your right elbow to fly up high in the back swing. Take the club to the top and hold it there, now lift your elbow upwards and see how the thumb pad comes away from the grip. As you come back down you push it back and the club face can become out of square. Try these two things to fix it:

Keep your right elbow tighter to your side as you bring the club to the top of your backswing and prevent it from lifting away from the body.

keep some pressure on the right thumb pad so it is pushing down onto the top of your left thumb throughout the swing.

I hope I have explained this clear enough Brian. If not ask and I will try to help more.

[miffin]

Re: Getting too stiff?

Thanks for all the suggestions. I do have a bit of arthritis in my fingers but not too bad. I will try bdbl's suggestions when I can get to the range. Also I have checked here in the house and I can see the potential of waving the right elbow about. I will try to keep it in a bit more and try the thumb pad of the right had bit. Thanks again, I will try when I can get to range and will post the results. I don't want to give up playing just yet!
Brian

[jbrunk]

Re: Getting too stiff?

Why, yes. Thank you for asking.

[miffin]

Re: Getting too stiff?

Thanks for all the suggestions. I do have a bit of arthritis in my fingers but not too bad. I will try bdbl's suggestions when I can get to the range. Also I have checked here in the house and I can see the potential of waving the right elbow about. I will try to keep it in a bit more and try the thumb pad of the right had bit. Thanks again, I will try when I can get to range and will post the results. I don't want to give up playing just yet!
Brian

Sorry I have not updated this yet. I was out running and tripped over a high paving slab and have cracked 2 ribs. It is just impossible to swing a club. As soon as I can do that I will get down the range and update.
Bri

[LowPost42]

Re: Getting too stiff?

Sorry to hear it Brian. The only remedy I'm aware of for cracked ribs is rest. A little tape for support, but other than that...

Perhaps you can use this time to visualise the type of swing you want to have when you're healthy.

[miffin]

Re: Getting too stiff?

Sorry to hear it Brian. The only remedy I'm aware of for cracked ribs is rest. A little tape for support, but other than that...

Perhaps you can use this time to visualise the type of swing you want to have when you're healthy.

Good thought, thanks for that. I am trying to rest but had things to do. Not getting any better so complete rest now and I might try some tape if I can get some big enough.
Bri

[cyc53870]

Re: Getting too stiff?

When your ribs heal, try 3/4 swings... the ball goes almost the same distance and more accurate as well...

[fdb]

Re: Getting too stiff?

Try relaxing your target side arm. The left for a righty and let the left arm bend a little in your backswing. You'll have less tension and should eliminate the regripping problem. It worked for Curtis Strange, Nicklaus, and if you take a close look at a video of Tiger he lets his left arm bend ever so slightly. In other words don't lock the elbow in an effort to keep the arm straight.

[mattney]

Re: Getting too stiff?

Thanks for all the suggestions. I do have a bit of arthritis in my fingers but not too bad. I will try bdbl's suggestions when I can get to the range. Also I have checked here in the house and I can see the potential of waving the right elbow about. I will try to keep it in a bit more and try the thumb pad of the right had bit. Thanks again, I will try when I can get to range and will post the results. I don't want to give up playing just yet!
Brian

have u tried the moulded practice grips that can be put on one of ure clubs and used to help with the proper grip , i put one on an old club and used it at the range and its hard to regrip the club whern hitting balls with this on .

[samellis]

Re: Getting too stiff?

No, I have not tried one of those. They told me 8 weeks before I could swing a club and I think that is about right. I am four weeks in now. I am in about half the pain so hopefully I am on the way. I have had to change my name from miffin. The site did not recognize me. When I asked for a refresher password they could not seem to send me the correct thing so I just re-registered.
Thanks
Bri

[LowPost42]

Re: Getting too stiff?

Brian, contact greghutton to get your other login reinstated (or perhaps password reset)

[samellis]

Re: Getting too stiff?

I will see if I can find him.
Bri

[samellis]

Re: Getting too stiff?

Well here we go. It is 7 weeks since I tripped and it is a nice day. So, I am off to try 9 holes. I have not heard from Greg re-getting my old name (miffin) back.
Bri