Thumb Problem

[jimleigh1313]

Hello,
I started playing golf 3 years ago. I played fine with my irons until about a year and a half ago when I injured both of my thumbs through repetiion of working @ UPS (grasping packages over and over again) After that I started shanking the ball and though it was my thumbs not being able to hold the club square @ impact. I didn't know what shanking was until a few months ago. So I got back in the game after a year and a quarter layoff. I have been doing okay, however, I notice my thumbs hurt while I play and I get to thinking about my swing and if the thumbs should be in the position they are in. And then the shanks come back in the middle of a round. I was wondering what the thumbs role is in the golf swing and how they should be positioned. I also want to know if on the backswing at the top if most of you stop the backswing with your thumbs. Any advice about anything would be appreciated.

Thanks
Jim

[lgskywalker37]

Re: Thumb Problem

i would say slow your tempo down and don't have such a hard backswing if you do, as it sounds you do to me. you shouldn't throw the club back so fast it makes your thumbs hurt.

maybe a grip change. my forefinger is under my thumb on my grip so that i am pushing my thumb into my hand instead of pushing my thumbs into the club with my left hand under it.

that just my opinion, but i am not sure what to tell you with out a picture of you grip/swing

[jimleigh1313]

Re: Thumb Problem

Well, I have another question regarding this. Are the thumbs important in the swing in keeping the clubface square? I've noticed when the imflammation starts in my thumbs the clubface opens and i hit everything short and right.

[lgskywalker37]

Re: Thumb Problem

i don't think the thumbs have a role in squaring.

as far as it hurting, and opening maybe you arehitting it too far on the toe of the face?

go to this website.
http://members.cox.net/gregjwillis/LESSON3.htm

and also look at this previous post
http://www.golf-tuition-online.com/w...u-s-again.html

it explains why hitting the ball with cupped right wrist causes less of a pain. it is almost like you can't feel the ball hit the club at all

[jimleigh1313]

Re: Thumb Problem

It wouldn't be hitting too far to the toe because I have a sh@nking problem every now and then that I have to work on the fix. It just seems like I have to use my thumbs a lot to control the club. Is this normal? Also when I put my right thumb along the right side of my driver my slice disappears and I am able to hit my drives straighter and longer. So it seems that my thumb is doing something.

[lgskywalker37]

Re: Thumb Problem

your grip shouldn't be thought as where your thimbs are, but mor of how many knuckles are showing. neutral left hand grip will have about 2.5 knuckles showing and the thumb happens to be right of the top of the club. if you have your right thumb on the right of the club that mean you have a very strong grip. but a thumb problem i don't think it is. but it would be easier if you had a video of pics to look at