Maintaining that "light grip"

[Martin Levac]

Re: Maintaining that "light grip"

Hi chessbum,

I read somewhere that the club can weigh up to about 60lbs right at impact because of centripetal force. How can a light grip hold such weight even for just a fraction of a second?

Instead of thinking about grip pressure, think about pressure points.

Rule of thumb: Grip the club so that it does not twist in my hands during my swing.

The condition is not: With enough pressure or with light pressure or whatever.

Pressure points, with which fingers do you actually grip the club and which fingers do nothing much besides sit pretty next to the others?

Counting from the pinky on the left hand, 1-2-3 pressure points, 2-3 pressure points. These five fingers hold and control the club, all other fingers just go along for the ride. You could take them off the grip as you swing the club with only the five fingers controlling it, try it it's fun to do new things once in a while.

Once you got it the way you like, forget about it and focus on proper contact with the ball. I mean, if the club twists in my hands, I can't make proper contact, can I?


Martin Levac

[chessbum]

Re: Maintaining that "light grip"

Dear Timothy Slaught,

Thanks for the great advice on the "Accu-Hit". I had never heard of this device but when I found their website, I ordered one immediately.

For anyone else that is interested:

www.accuhitgrip.com


Thanks for the great post!!!

Chessbum...

[mattpodger]

Re: Maintaining that "light grip"

Chessbum

Not at all. I too have read everywhere that a lighter grip was preferential. the point that was trying to be made in the article was that quite often amateurs tend to go the 'other way' and grip too lightly, with the club flying out of their hands! Stenson said that what needs to be remembered is that tour pro's due to their training, will have a firmer grip than the average player anyway, so the '5 out of 10' rule (or whatever) for them would more likely be and '8 out of 10' for mortals.

I think, as with all these things, it is a comfort issue, with the emphasis on staying relaxed. It's another case of finding what works for you.

Cheers

Matt

ps check the link if you're interested, details on how to subscribe

http://www.golfpunkonline.com/

A correction - the article I was referring to actually appeared in Todays Golfer - http://www.todaysgolfer.co.uk/

Thanks

Matt

[GoNavy]

Re: Maintaining that "light grip"

Years ago I had a coach give me this drill, I still use it from time to time, line up three golf balls, and hit them one after another, with out, regripping. You should be able to do this if your grip is correct. If the you get to the second or third ball and the club face is no longer square, your grip is too, loose, it will probably be open, and the face is turning on you at impact Too tight and you will begin to hood the face. This little drill works quite well for finding YOUR correct grip pressure. It is not a quick fix, you will have to spend some time on the range to get it down.

[chessbum]

Re: Maintaining that "light grip"

Thanks, Gonavy,

A very good sounding drill. I will give it a try. But can you clarify what you mean by "put the balls in line"? I am not quite sure in my minds eye how they should be set up.

Thanks,

Chessbum...

[GoNavy]

Re: Maintaining that "light grip"

Place three ball in a line at a 90 degree angle to line of flight, so that after you hit one, the only adjustment you need to make is move closer to address the next, again make sure you do not release your grip on the club or manipulate it in any way, you should be able to hit, step forward and hit again, then step forward and hit the third. Take your time and make each shot, but you need to finish with the same grip you started with, probably won't happen the first time, but once you zero in on the correct grip and grip pressure, you can do it quite easily.

[chessbum]

Re: Maintaining that "light grip"

Okay, I have it now. I will give it a try.

Thanks,

Chessbum...