Different Grips

[dant]

I used to grip my clubs with a interlocking grip. When my shots were bad they were hooks or a nasty duck hook line drive. I have changed to a overlapping grip (little finger of right hand over lapping forefinger of left hand) and now I am slicing the ball more. So what gives I can't figure this one out.
Dant

[rotator]

Re: Different Grips

Hi dant,

The only apparent difference in the grips is the forefinger of the left hand. In the interlock, that finger is virtually off the grip, whereas in the Vardon grip that finger is on the grip. Perhaps that is creating an opening or closing of the face during the swing, to result in the respective slicing or hooking.

Also, take a look at your both your hands, and check to see if they are matched to each other, when you take each grips, i.e. the thumbs lined up the same way. Perhaps, as you take each of the grips, it creates a mismatched alignment.

Other than that, I don't know what it could be.

Ted

[Hobeze]

Re: Different Grips

Hi Dant,

It doesnt really matter whether you use the baseball grip, the vardon grip, the interlocking grip or any other variation. The key is to use that which feels natural for you, and gets your two hands working in unison as one connection to the golf club.

What does matter is the positioning of your hands on the club. If you are slicing the ball it is either due to a 'weak grip' or an outside-in swing path. If you can only see one / one and half knuckles of the top hand on the grip try and strengthen it to two and half / 3. This is a stronger grip that will enable an anti clockwise rotation of the club through the ball at impact thus ensure your face is not open. If you are still slicing the ball, then your issue is either alignment or outside-in swing path.

Generally for a neutral grip the back of your left hand and the palm of your right hand should face the target. If they are facing the sky your grip is strong and you may hook the ball. if they are facing the ground your grip is weak and you may slice unless you make some compensations in your golf swing.