From the Pros

From The Pros

The Grip
By Patrick Wabel
Head Golf Professional/Director of Golf

    If you were to ask one hundred recreational golfers what the most important element of a good golf
swing is, you may get ninety nine different answers. The answer you would hear the least, (if at all), is
"The Grip". Ask the same question of the same number of tour players and you would probably hear at
least ninety five "the Grip".

      You can have all of the right swing mechanics but if you have a poor grip you will never play your
best. The great Sam Snead once said " If a lot of people gripped a knife and fork as poorly as they grip a
golf club, they'd starve to death".

      Let's see if we can eliminate some of the confusion. The following is demonstrated for right handed
people, if you are a lefty simply reverse the hands.

      Without a doubt the most common "bad grip" is when both thumbs point directly down the center of
the grip and shaft, (figure one). This is done in an attempt to "steer" the club head and the ball but stops
the hands and wrists from working properly throughout the swing and robs the player of most of the
power through impact.

       The second most common mistake is rolling the right hand "under" (figure 2). This is a mistaken
effort for more power, in fact it not only stops the club head from getting back to "square" but also is a
power thief.

       A proper placement of the hands on the club (put simply) is when the right thumb lies in front of
the club head and the left thumb lies behind the club head, (figure 3).

       Here's a tip. Pick up an ordinary ruler or yard stick and hold it in both hands, (figure 4), this is how
your hands should be placed on a golf club.

       If you are only going to take one golf lesson in your life, please be sure that it includes the proper
placement of the hands on the golf club.

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