The Grip

Golf instruction books have always taught that the grip pressure is mild and like holding a live bird. I find that this is not true for me whenever I play my best golf.

In order to eliminate extra unnecessary movements (enemy of consistency) of the club, it is desirable to make the two hands act like one. In my case, I jam - with a lot of pressure - the right two middle fingers against the fingers of the left hand and hold the club a little firmer - enough to suffocate a bird.

The other basic grip techniques follow the usual golf instructions. I like Hogan's.

It should be noted that at times the above grip pressure is important but at times concentrating on other contrasting move is better. For example, if you want a long iron (the ball), e.g. four iron, to come out jumping (with higher trajectory) at impact, then it is important to cock the club more. In this case, the right hand cannot be jammed to the left hand since you need it (the two middle fingers) to immediately lift the club after the forward press. This example happens a lot so one must be aware of it. Read the "Evolution of a Golf Swing" to be aware of other things.

At the moment, I use the jammed grip with my driver and fairway woods. The quick-cock grip with all the irons, especially the 4 and 5.

Ever since I have written this though, I have realized that a compromise between the two techniques above is the best and only type of grip that must be used. I am even giving this a rating of G-10, same as the fixed right knee/leg.

Here is how the new grip is executed in detail and why it is very important to do it this way (G-10):

1. As a part of the set-up routine, lay the club face behind the ball.
2. Assume your normal grip.
3. Now focus on the right hand. Wrap the fingers around the club. Feel the right palm snugly rests on the left thumb and adjust until it feels snug and right.
4. Now focus on the left hand. As the right hand craddles the club shaft, check for the "alive" club by gently pushing down with the left hand pad against he two right hand fingers. The club shaft at this point should be almost at a right angle with the arms.
5. With the right hand, adjust minutely the club face to the target line before starting the waggle.

Here is why this grip is so important. First, by setting the left arm as the last focus, we have told the brain that the right hand is not in control. It is only acting like a fulcrum (alive grip) and the right forearm muscle is totally disengaged. Second, the left hand being the last brain focus as the controller, the only thing a right-handed golfer (like me) can do is to tighten up the left forearm muscles and just bring the club up with it (nice consistent takeaway). The tightening of the left arm muscle is conducive to the Tiger body-hit technique. Third, the combination of one and two, gives an order to the brain that the only thing to make the ball go is making the body turn faster - which brings the ultimate effect, the clubhead drags along rather than getting ahead of the body.

Why is it better than the two techniques? The grip is still jammed and tight. The L-position (alive club) of the shaft promotes a high trajectory, same as conciously bringing the club up. The bad thing about the "conscious right hand bringing of the club up" is it promotes a right arm hit - rather than the desired body turning hit.