Grip Pressure

[dannyra]

I've been playing around with my grip pressure the last couple days. I'm amazed at how light you can grip it and still be in complete control. I started with a hand me down set of clubs from a friend. With poor grips so I learned by gripping way to tight.

Now that I'm gripping it lighter I noticed that I'm fading or worse. I know it will take a little time to get used to. Does this happen because I maybe releasing the club to early now?

I'll probably use my death grip at league tomorrow, but will try to get enough practice in over the weekend to switch for next week.

[gord962]

Re: Grip Pressure

Lighter grip pressure should create a draw, not a fade. As for release timing, a fade is created by an open clubface to the target line, so if anything you are not releasing soon enough.

[GreeBoman]

Re: Grip Pressure

I discovered (in a match last night!) that in an effort to keep my hands ahead of the ball I have been gripping the clib way to tight, basically this means that when I do manage to keep my hands in front the club is way open.
Last night I loosened up a bit and the difference was unreal, much better release with a longer follow through, like Montys nearly, whereas I used to have to force the club on the followthrough.
Takes some getting used to but well worth the effort, was hitting much better irons, crisp and straight.

[sinuetblue]

Re: Grip Pressure

I agree with Gord962, lighter grip pressure should promote a draw. One way to prevent a draw or hook, when there is bad trouble on the left (RH golfer), is to grip it tighter. Like almost anything else in golf, nothing is straightforward, sometimes if you grip it too tightly at address, grip pressure naturally reduces too much at the top and the pinky of the left hand lets go, causing the clubface top close. We all try to delay the release to increase clubhead speed but it still has to happen before you reach the bottom otherwise you hit with an open clubface. My advice would be to stick with as light as possible a grip pressure.

[braveheart]

Re: Grip Pressure

I wonder if this is the cause of some of my errant shots. I hook my irons shots. The trajectory and distance are fine but the shots are offline to the left. Practicing swings recently I notice after follow through when I bring the club to address position the clubface is closed. If I swing the club left hand only and bring it right back to address it is closed too. I might go back to gripping a little tighter if that is what will help. Interesting, that although I use overlap grip and this happens when I switch to ten finger clubface is more square. Whats happening here? Thanks for posting this thread. Take care.
Mike

[GreeBoman]

Re: Grip Pressure

A couple of things, but its probably your grip.
Try this drill. Take your stance as if you are addressing the ball. Now close your eyes and lift the club out in front of you by cocking your wrists. waggle the club around a bit and the place it back on the floor, open your eyes and see if its till square. If its not (and it sounds like its not) you need to adjust your grip.
during the swing your hands will move into a square position, if they are not square at address the club face will not be square at impact.
If you are sure its not your grip:
You could be rolling your arms to early, or perhaps have the ball a little too far forward.
Try moving the ball back a little and see does that change it.

[gord962]

Re: Grip Pressure

If you are looking for a good alignment drill try this one:

http://members.shaw.ca/gord962/drills/clubface.htm

[braveheart]

Re: Grip Pressure

GreeBoman,
Tried the drill you recommended and find the clubface closed a bit.

gord962,
I also did the drill you linked me to and find that the clubface is closing in the Left hand (I am a righthanded golfer).

What do you guys suggest I do? I compensate for this with placing the ball closer to heel of club and ball in middle of stance with some success. Since most hits with my irons are off toe if ball is aligned in center of clubface. But when not focused on the problem it happens and the ball is to the left. I come from the inside well and hip turn is at times slow but this should not be involved with club twisting in my hand, I think.
Thanks

Mike

[gord962]

Re: Grip Pressure

You need to adjust your left hand so that when you do the drill, the face stays square. This will be your new grip position with that hand. Don't start messing with ball alignments closer or farther away, that will only lead to trouble. For shorter irons, the ball should be in the middle of your stance, gradually working their way to your left heel for your driver. As for distance away from your body, your arms should hang loosely from your shoulders and your left wrist should be flat.

[braveheart]

Re: Grip Pressure

Gord,
Played around with what you said to do in the backyard tonite. I have to weaken my L hand (move it to the left)quite a bit to make the clubface square up. Feels very awkward with a tendencey of my L hand wanting to move more on top of club to the right. I flipped the club over so the thinner end of grip was in left hand and thicker part in right and it felt easier to hold that way. Makes me wonder if a thinner grip or a Full Release grip would make it easier. I have standard size with two layers of tape on my clubs. I havent hit any balls with my finding yet. I am going to the range tomorrow, so I will experiment then.

[gord962]

Re: Grip Pressure

If your left hand is that closed at impact, you need to delay your release a bit. Your left hand should not be as shut as you described. As for using a thinner grip, that will only make you release your wrists more - see this active thread for explanation: http://www.golf-tuition-online.com/v...ead.php?t=2619

[braveheart]

Re: Grip Pressure

Perhaps, experimenting with Jumbo grips on a couple clubs might be a way to offset the early closing of the clubface. Thanks for your time and effort to help me. Ill let you know how it works out.Take care.

Mike