There are 5 fundamentals of the set up (Grip, Stance, Posture, Ball Position & Alignment). Today I would like to talk further about how to set your grip correctly.

Gripping the club correctly:

The first thing to remember is that no matter what style of grip you use, interlocked, overlap/Vardon, or the 10 finger, the club should rest along the same three points on each hand.

These three points are:
1. Bottom knuckle of the small finger
2. Middle knuckle of the index finger
3. Pad of the palm

The advantages of setting the club over these three points includes; reduced risk of wrist injury, club more stable at the top of the backswing, and a more natural release of the club through impact.

Grip Pressure:

Many of my students ask me how tight they should be gripping the club. Some pros say that you should grip it with the same pressure you use to hold a bird in your hands. Other pros promote a stronger grip pressure. If you grip the club too lightly, your hands are not able to control the club through the swing resulting in it turning in your hands. If you grip the club too tightly, it causes the muscles in the arms to tense up reducing the fluidity and consistency of the swing.

Grip Thickness:

Two things to keep in mind regarding grip thickness on the club:
1. Grips have a life of two years. If your grips are worn out, or the rubber becoming very smooth, its time to replace the grips. Remember your hands are the only contact point between your body and the club. Worn out grips lead to increased grip pressure and muscle tension in the arms.
2. Make sure that your grips are the correct thickness. Grips that are too thick or thin prevent the club setting correctly over the three points. This in turn leads to excess grip pressure. To make sure that your grips are the correct thickness, hold the club in your glove hand (Left for righties and right for lefties). The tips of your fingers should just touch your palm. If your palm covers your fingers, the grip is too thin. If your fingers and palm don’t touch, the grip is too thick.

For most golfers the grip is one of the most uncomfortable parts of the set up to change. Repeating the sequence of gripping the club correctly as much as possible even without hitting a golf ball will help you develop a correct grip quicker.

Remember, practice makes permanent!

Anokh Jai
Lv. IV Master Teaching Professional