Let Head PGA Professional Sarah Smith show you how to make sure that you grip the golf club correctly
Basic swing thoughts in the set-up are of utmost importance for a good golf shot. The grip is the only physical connection between you and the golf club, so you must grip the club correctly for consistent results. Faults can creep in, so here are some tips.
An incorrect grip can lead to backswing faults, which then subsequently lead to the clubface being open or closed at impact. Warning signs of a bad grip are usually shown on a worn-out glove. The most common sign is a worn-out palm, and a golfer who holds the club in the palm of her hands will usually lose distance and have a tendency to hit a slice or fade the ball.
Strong golf grip
This grip is classed as being too ‘strong’. As you look down, three to four knuckles will show on the glove hand.
A strong grip leads to shots going left; this is due to the clubface being closed at the top of the swing, and then over rotating and closing too quickly through impact.
Weak golf grip
This grip is classed as being too ‘weak’. As you look down, you either see one or no knuckles on your top hand.
A weak grip leads to the player subconsciously opening the clubface at the top of their swing with a lack of rotation through impact, leading to mishit shots right - a fade or a slice!
Fix your golf grip
The correct way to grip a club is to hold it more in your fingers, as this will result in you having more control and more distance.
For a right handed player:
- Place your left hand on the top of the grip. You should see two knuckles.
- Place your right hand below, ensuring there is no gap between your hands.
- On the bottom hand, look for the V-shape between your thumb and first finger that should be pointing at your right shoulder.
Three most common types of golf grip
The three most common types of golf grips are: overlapping (also called the Vardon or Vardon overlap), interlocking and ten-finger (also called a baseball grip). Choose the style that feels the most comfortable. The simple fix is to place one hand on at a time. As long as your hands are in the correct position, the clubface will be square on the backswing, and this will lead to a square clubface at impact.
Tip: Spot the dots
Draw two dots on your glove to show where you should see only two knuckles on your top hand!
To find out more about Saffron Walden's Head PGA Professional Sarah Smith please visit her website here or follow on Instagram @smithperformancegolf.
The above Instruction article was taken from the Mar/Apr 2019 issue of Women & Golf magazine.
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