Are you having trouble with your golf swing, particularly when it comes to compression and ball striking? One of the most overlooked aspects of a great golf shot is how you grip the club. In this post, we’ll dive into the importance of a proper grip, the connection between your hands and the club, and a step-by-step guide to getting your hands in the right position to maximize your swing efficiency.
The Importance of a Proper Grip in Your Golf Swing
To create a fluid and powerful golf swing, it all starts with the grip. Many golfers underestimate how crucial it is to position the hands correctly, especially when it comes to how the wrists hinge and unhinge. One of the best examples of this is Scottie Scheffler, the Olympic gold medalist and world number one golfer, who spends a significant amount of time perfecting his grip and wrist action.
When you grip the club correctly, you’re able to load and unload the club during your backswing and downswing, which is key to generating compression. Without a proper grip, you’re more likely to face challenges with your swing, such as inconsistent ball contact or a closed clubface. So, how do you grip the club the right way to improve your performance?
Understanding the Grip: Hands in the Fingers, Not the Palm
One of the most common issues golfers face is having their trail hand (right hand for right-handed golfers) positioned incorrectly on the club. When the hand sits in the palm, the natural hinge of the wrist is restricted, which can lead to a closed clubface and poor ball contact.
Here’s how to avoid this mistake:
Check Your Hand Position: When you set up to the ball, ensure that the base of your trail hand is not sitting in the palm. Instead, focus on positioning the grip so that it rests in the fingers of your hand.
Correct Thumb Visibility: You should not be able to see the thumb of your lead hand. If you can, your grip is likely too weak, which will prevent your wrists from hinging correctly.
The Impact of a Bad Grip on Your Swing
When your right hand sits too much in the palm, it creates several issues:
The clubface tends to close prematurely, making it difficult to strike the ball cleanly.
The wrists don’t have enough freedom to hinge and unhinge during the swing, limiting your ability to generate power and consistency.
This incorrect hand position forces your swing path to become too inside, often leading to shots that miss to the left (for right-handed golfers).
A Step-by-Step Routine to Ensure a Proper Grip
Now that you understand the importance of getting your hands in the right position, let’s go over a simple, yet effective routine to help you establish a proper grip.
Step 1: Start with the Left Hand
Hold the club with your left hand in front of you, as if you were pushing a "stop button."
Focus on placing your palm against the grip first. Once your palm is in place, lightly wrap your fingers around the club.
This ensures the grip is deep in your fingers, not resting in the palm.
Step 2: Position the Right Hand
After you’ve positioned your left hand properly, place your right hand on the club.
The key here is to make sure the right hand fits naturally around the left, with the fingers properly engaging the grip.
Let your right arm hang relaxed and naturally, which will help you create the right internal rotation during your swing.
Step 3: Check Your Grip
When you look down at your hands, ensure that your left thumb is not visible, and the grip is secure in the fingers.
From this position, you should be able to comfortably load and unload your wrists during the swing.
Drills to Practice Your Grip
The Stop Button Drill:
Stand facing the camera and hold the club with your left hand out in front of you.
Imagine pushing a large stop button with your palm, then wrap your fingers around the grip.
This simple drill ensures you get the right feel for your fingers, not your palm, while gripping the club.
Right-Hand Placement Drill:
Once your left hand is set up correctly, position your right hand gently on the club.
Let your right arm relax and "play dead" off the club, feeling the natural motion of the wrists as they hinge during the backswing.
Conclusion
A proper grip is the foundation of a great golf swing. By ensuring your hands are positioned correctly—especially focusing on getting the grip into your fingers, not the palms—you’ll set yourself up for better compression, more consistent ball striking, and improved performance.
Remember, while variations exist (like those seen with golfers such as Jon Rahm or Adam Scott), the functional grip pattern provided here offers a reliable benchmark for most players. With practice and attention to detail, you can take your golf game to the next level.
By following the steps and drills outlined in this post, you'll be well on your way to mastering the grip that works best for you.
