LETTER FROM THE TEACHING PROFESSIONAL
TRAIL HAND GRIP AND MATCHING MOVEMENTS
Happy New Year Eaglebrooke ! I hope you all have had a great Christmas and New Year ! As we move into the new year , how about playing a simple game of matching ? If we match the way you grip the club and match the way you use forces in your golf swing , the result is great ball striking and improved distance .
Let ’ s start with your dominant hand grip , or trail hand grip . There is a weak , neutral , and strong grip . We have gone over in previous months a lot about how the trail hand grip is essential in the golf swing . A weak grip , also known as on top or side cover . A neutral grip , also known as side on . And a strong grip also known as an under or side under .
Some golfers like Zach Johnson , for instance are best suited to a strong grip . To compliment this hold on the club , these golfers need more side-to-side , lateral movement in their hips . The more I ’ m under [ with my trail hand ], the more I want to slide toward the target so the hips move lateral and the upper body hangs back , creating side bend . So under grip golfers will need lateral motion to create power in the swing .
Next is the neutral or side-on golf grip . Many golfers are first taught a neutral , side-on grip , and for some it ’ s the perfect option . One great example is Adam Scott . It ’ s a common hold on the club and one that ’ s in-between both extremes . Those golfers need to think about adding more turn in their swing . With a side-on grip , if I was to push against a wall , my hips are going to open up , creating more rotation . So a neutral grip will need more rotation in the golf swing to create power . eaglebrooke newsletter 5