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BACK TO BASICS - THE GRIP
BY TOM ATKINSON, PGA GOLF PROFESSIONAL
As we start a new year we are going back to basics - starting
this month with the grip. Here are examples of the 3 grips that we see out on the course week in
and week out.
One of the phrases I use most when giving golf lessons is that
'there’s no right or wrong way to play the game' - this is true
of the grip. Fred Couples for example played with a super
strong grip, far from the ‘neutral’ one in all the magazines,
it worked for him, however as an amateur and especially if
you’re struggling with your ball flight then gripping the club
as neutrally as possible will help the club to arrive square to the
intended target at impact. It can be achieved as follows: STRONG GRIP
This can lead to a closed
clubface.
1. Grip the club in the palm and fingers of your hands. For the
ideal neutral grip, your left thumb should be positioned just to
the right of centre.
2. From there, attach your right hand by gripping with the
middle two fingers and forefinger. Your right thumb should sit
just to the left of centre.
3. The PGA always taught us that both the thumb on the right
hand and the ‘V’ shape formed between the thumb and first
finger on the left should point over your right shoulder.
NEUTRAL GRIP
This is the easiest way to keep
the clubface square.
4. For extra control try leaving around an inch from the top
of the grip to the end of the club having gripped it, you’ll see
players like Tommy Fleetwood holding it even further down
than that.
5. Grip pressure is also a preference but if you have tension in
your forearms at address, you’re gripping the club too tightly,
this can affect how the club is allowed to act during the swing.
Focus on soft hands and not gripping the club too tight - I think
6/10 is a good number.
You can contact Tom at Heswall Golf Club on 0151 342
7431, www.heswallgolfshop.co.uk or @heswallgolfshop.
72 wirrallife.com
WEAK GRIP
This can lead to an open
clubface.