Gripping the Golf Club

The grip seems very basic, but could very well be the most important part of the swing.  Gripping the club too tight or too loose, gripping it the wrong way or in the wrong place, could throw off your entire swing.  Having an improper grip can greatly detract from the power and accuracy of the swing, and for the advanced golfer, it can hamper the way they try to shape a shot.

You should never hold the club hand over hand like a baseball bat, or axe handle.  The interlocking is where the golfer slides his left index finger between the ring and pinkie fingers of the right hand.An overlapping grip consists of laying the left index finger on top of the right pinkie.The grips encourage the hands to steady the club throughout the swing.

The grip should begin about one finger width from the end of the club, or more, for shorter controlled shots.The club should lie along the callous pad line of the hands, not in the palms.The thumbs should align straight down the club when the hands are closed.  Your forearms should form a “V” down toward the club.

Although there is no hard fast rule as to how firmly the golfer should grip the club, the prevailing belief is that it should be loose, yet firm enough to keep it from moving in your hands.You will naturally want to tighten your grip through the swing, but always think "loose grip".Experimentation and repetitive practice will help the golfer find the right grip.

As with everything else, practice will make the grip become second nature.  It is not something that should require as much thought as other aspects of the golf swing, but its importance should never be forgotten.The recommendation is that a golfer always keep a club nearby to practice the grip.

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