Grip Question

[BDR444]

Quick grip question.. I was hitting every shot fat today and my playing parter told me to grip it a little differently with my left hand.. with the left hand a little more under the shaft (and made it feel like the grip was a little stronger with the last 3 fingers). It seemed like because of the hand location I was getting the club face a little more closed to straight instead of slightly open(fade) and I want to be hitting a little more of a closed shot such as a draw. Just curious about what anyones thoughts are on this. I don't want to screw anything up here since messing with a grip can sometimes mess other stuff up. I usually hit every shot with a fade but after moving my left hand a little more under the shaft and gripping it a little stronger, with my usual swing, I was hitting a 9 iron around 150, straight as a bullet. Knowing my luck, however, this will be one of those things that is a one time fix and won't work again.

Thanks.

[gord962]

Re: Grip Question

Your grip plays a big part on whether your club face is open/closed/square at impact.

Check your clubface alignment at impact with this drill:

In your address position, grip two golf clubs (of similar length), one in each hand. Slowly take the clubs away with your normal backswing and go through your normal motion for the downswing. Stop at your impact position. More than likely one (possibly even both) club faces are not in line with the target. Adjust your grip (stronger or weaker depending on if the clubface is open or closed) and repeat the drill until both clubfaces are square at impact. Once you have the correct hand positions for both hands, try hitting a few balls and see if this has made any difference.

[BDR444]

Re: Grip Question

Thanks Gord. As I said I usually always hit a fade, however, when I look at my swing in video or a mirror, I don't see what's causing it. It would be great if this would be my fix to my fade. I'll be sure to try that drill out next time.

Thanks again.

EDIT: Yup. Using the old grip my left hand has the face open. Right hand was fine.

[ph_kingston]

Re: Grip Question

It's almost certainly your grip that's caused the fade and the slight adjustment that's now turned that into a draw. If you can groove both of them then there's some real shot making power there. Personnally I hit with a draw but there are a couple of holes I play at my course where a fade is a distinct advantage so spend some time thinking about whether you want to draw or fade the ball as your normal shot. Bear in mind that a fade that cuts a little more is nowhere near as destructive as a draw that turns into a hook.

As the for original problem. I don't think your grip would have any effect on whether you are hitting the ball fat or not. That would be caused by incorrect address either 1) Standing too close to the ball or 2) Having the ball too far forward in the stance. The other alternative is that you're not maintaining a constant knee flex or spine angle during the swing causing the clubhead to drop below the correct swing plan and ploughing a furrow along the fairway.

Thanks for the drill Gord, I'll try that one out myself.

[gord962]

Re: Grip Question

Yes, the original problem. Ever see Tin Cup? Move your change from your right pocket to your left pocket. Put your hat on backwards, and a tee behind your ear. His brain was stuck.

Getting Brandon to think of a something other than why his swing was making him hit the ball fat got him swinging with his 'own' swing. If you develop something over a round (like hitting it fat) you are constantly trying do correct your error. If you can take your mind off hitting it fat, you will probably return to hitting as normal. His playing partner distracted his thoughts from a 'swing' issue to a 'grip' issue, which caused hit to go back to his regular swing, which there was nothing wrong with in the first place.

[BDR444]

Re: Grip Question

Played again today, was bombing the 9 iron 150yds again straight. Used to be around a 6 or 7 for 150.

[BDR444]

Re: Grip Question

Had the great shots for 3 days in a row, practiced again today (practicing in my book is going out of the course about an hour before it gets dark, when it's not busy, setting up camp on one hole, practicing a particular shot over and over. The past few days I've been working on 150 in.) Started off not the best, was hitting a strong fade, but nothing like a pull-slice. Noticed that I was playing off my old grip and then did the drill again and sure enough the face was opening up on the left side. Made the correction, and it was back to beautiful, 150 yard, straight, and high shots with the ole' 9 iron. Thanks again for the drill gord, It's had pretty good results so far.

[gord962]

Re: Grip Question

It's amazing how old habbits sneak back in! Glad to hear the drill worked. Keep us updated on your success!!!

[LowPost42]

Re: Grip Question

Gord- I'm LOVING this drill.

Are you going to post it in the drills section?