Get a Grip!

Written By Eric Shulman

My father, Carl Lohren, Master PGA Professional and author of “One Move to Better Golf” and “Getting Set for Golf” always told us “whether you all play golf or not, you’re gonna have a good grip.” 

I was one of three girls and the middle child (aka Trouble).  I took up the game a little more seriously than my other two sisters, but they could both hit it pretty well when they played.  Every night after dinner we had “grip check”; that’s growing up with a golf pro as a dad. Learning how to hold the golf club correctly early in life was the most important golf lesson we received, other than listening to the Word of God on a daily basis. God and golf definitely go hand in hand; no pun intended.

In order to have a fighting chance in golf, one must learn how to hold the club correctly.  The only connection you have with the club is through your hands. If they are off just a hair, that could create chaos in how you setup to the ball resulting in a flawed swing. 

Let’s review how to hold the golf club properly as a right handed player.  If you are a left handed golfer, simply reverse it.

LEFT HAND GRIP

  • Club lies in the 2nd crook or 2nd joint of your index finger and under the heel pad.

  • Balance check

    You should be able to hold and balance the club with just your index finger and heel pad (not in the last three fingers; that causes too much tension).  There will be a downward pressure in the 2nd crook of the index finger and an upward pressure under the heel pad. This causes an alertness or tautness in the upper left forearm, which causes it to be fairly straight in the backswing. Depending on how your hands hang naturally will depend on how weak or strong you hold the club. (That will be discussed another time).

  • Left thumb pad needs to be on the club.

    The left thumb is the “General,” giving orders to the right hand. 

RIGHT HAND GRIP

  • Club lies in the 3rd pads of the middle and ring finger (counting from the tip of your fingers). NOT in the palm.

  • 2nd crook or 2nd joint of index finger is the variable.

    Depending on how your hands hang by your side and other nuances, depends on where the crook of the index finger is placed (Discussed at another time). The crook may be on the side; top side; or bottom side of the grip/handle. That again, depends on how your arm and hand hang naturally by its side. 

  • The lifeline of your right hand, analogous to a hotdog bun, fits along the side of the left thumb, analogous to a hotdog. 

    It should fit like a puzzle.  Remember, the left thumb is the “General,” giving orders to the right hand. This is where the right hand is mounted on the left hand.

  • The pinky/little finger is homeless and goes on last for many reasons.  It can piggy back or overlap the index finger of the left hand, or, if you have short fingers you can use the interlock grip; but when it runs out of room, it runs out of room, which means, do not slide the pinky in closer to the left hand creating a stronger hook. 

    Doing that, which 9 out of 10 players do, causes the whole right hand to shift its position.  The shift will probably result in the club being in the palm of the right hand. Wrong! If you hook your pinky in first or try to hook it where it is deeper in towards the left hand, you create a battle or a conflict between your right and left hand. This could lead to set up problems, which transfers to swing flaws. The left is in command of the right. 

The grip should be practiced at home.  Take your hands off the club and put them back on going through the checklist; off - on - checklist.... repeat 60-100 times a day for a week. Eventually, it will become second nature once you get out on the golf course if practiced.  Remember “grip check” every night after dinner.

In summary, the grip is the nuts and bolts of the golf swing.  It can and should be practiced at home. It is the only connection you have to the club. If it is off just a little bit, it can and will cause a whole array of things to go wrong in your set up which leads to swing flaws. At least 98% of swing flaws can be attributed to how one sets up to the golf ball and the grip is 98% of the set up.  It’s worth the work. 

To find out more about modifying the grip for you personally, and your setup and swing, fill out the form below. Contact me to sign up for a Virtual or In-Person private lesson.

Eric Shulman