There’s nothing like the Right Grip on a Golf Club
A fundamental skill that every golfer must learn is the grip on the Golf Club, which is an integral part of the swing that makes the best shot. You may have come across different content that shows you the best way to grip a golf club, but we’re here to demystify that. Whether a YouTube video or a magazine article teaches how to take a grip on a golf club, the proper grip on your golf club is definitely not the ‘neutral’ grip.
The first thing to know is that you need to discard any idea of a wrong way to hold a golf club. Instead, a way to grip a golf club is only right or bad for you. Otherwise, you can just find yourself in some confusion about constantly changing how to engage your club. In other words, an ideal grip pertains to every single golf swing there is, and if you miss that, you may take the wrong shot. But when you have a hold on these dynamics, you can produce better results. click here to learn more about How Long Does a Golf Club Last?.
3 Common Ways to Grip a Golf Club
Commonly, there are three possible ways to grip a golf club: robust, neutral, and weak grips. But then, before we get into the application of these different grips, we need to describe what each clasp looks like and give examples of tour players who use them. Finally, we will touch on what kind of golfers benefit from it or otherwise struggle with it in terms of functions and matchups.
As we also consider the main types of grips, bear in mind that there are many other types of grip combinations out there in the game. The selected three grips are the only most popular and frequently used. In contrast, any additional grip can only be similar to those three. So, let’s go on to explore them one after the other.
1. The Strong Grip
The firm grip is where you hold the club with both hands as rotated towards the golfer’s trailside. A better way to understand this grip is when the ‘V’ shape between the index finger and the thumb points directly at the trail shoulder. This grip is indeed a strong one as the clubface gets closer to this grip than the other grip types. Some examples of iconic golfers who use this type of grip include Paul Azinger, Bubba Watson, and David Duval. A firm grip is crucial to the way to build an elite golf experience.
One significant benefits of using this grip method are that it allows you to close in on the clubface. What type of player needs a firm grip? A player that notices a struggle with making an impact with an open face probably needs to get more muscular with the grip. However, don’t assume that the right shot is all about a firm hold; you still have to consider the wrist angles and other factors. On the other hand, while using a strong grip, please avoid flexing your wrist simultaneously.
2. The Weak Grip
A weak grip involves both hands being rotated towards the side of the golfer’s body. Also, in the weak grip, the V-shape that the thumb forms with the index finger point much more towards the lead shoulder (for your more muscular arm between right or left). This stance is a weak one, and it opens up the clubface more than when holding the strong or neutral grips. The famous golfer Ben Hogan was a favorite for using a weak grip to win tournaments.
The accompanying matchup for a weak grip is having a flat or flexed lead wrist, as this helps to close in on the clubface the more. The closing on the hold by flexing the wrist ensures that it doesn’t neutralize the effects of the open position of the club. Meanwhile, as you opt for this grip, you will have to add a lot of body rotation to it to direct your clubface to the right target. Otherwise, you may have to find another way to achieve the best shot.
3. A Neutral Grip
A neutral grip is a kind of combination of both the strong and weak grip lumped together. In this neutral position, the hands and wrist are in a square place concerning the clubface. It is also the most balanced choice of grip among the three mentioned grips because it affords the player freedom. However, this grip is not without its own constraints in producing the proper swing of your best shot.
Note that the lines travel to the center of this grip. It can also be affected by even a little shaft lean. Also, these lines may point at your sternum or slightly towards your trail ear, depending on your favorite hand. Some examples of players who use the neutral grip include the mighty Tiger Woods and Adam Scott.
Furthermore, a neutral grip does not require you to have any other extra compensation to control the clubface. Simply put, this neutral grip allows your wrist angles in the right direction as the clubface, and you have enough control. A known disadvantage of this grip is that you need more than the hands to correctly influence the clubface and the ball’s path.
How about a beginner Golfer?
A fresh golfer should first of all learn to hold the golf club in the best position that is most comfortable. Otherwise, forcing themselves on a particular one may feel too weird and may take time to really master. Restricting one’s play can limit the freedom that should help you build your own game style from the beginning. Remember to also consider your favorite hand in choosing which of the grips works best for you.
Conclusion
At the end of the road is a need to realize that there is nothing wrong with choosing the most comfortable grip for your game. But when you do, remember it should be that which you have discovered works best for you. More so, the accuracy of your shots goes beyond getting the proper grip on your club, though that is one of them. Other factors are equally important, including your waist, stance, flexibility, and other intrinsic and extrinsic factors.
