Golf Tips

The Grip

Always remember that the grip is a golfers only contact with the golf club. An obvious statement, however after seeing many golf grips over the years I’m not always sure golfers understand the importance of placing the hands on the club correctly. The position of the hands is very important. A neutral grip is the objective. Let’s make sure the right and left hand are balanced in their position so that the right or left side does not over dominate the other. First make sure the club face is aiming at your target. Then place the top hand on the club so that the pad of the hand is below the top line of the grip on the club. Many players have part of their top hand off the club. The bottom hand should cover the thumb of the top hand. See Picture 1 for the proper position of the hands on the club. Pictures 2, 3, and 4 are examples of different types of golf grips. Picture 2 is the overlapping grip. Picture 3 is the interlocking grip. Both grips help the hands stay connected and working together during the swing. Picture 4 is the 10 finger or baseball grip. This grip works well for golfers with smaller hands and for those that have a difficult time “squaring up” the club face. Finally, make sure your grip pressure is correct. If your grip pressure is too loose, you will lose control of the club. If it is too tight, you will actually lose club head speed and it will be more difficult to use your small muscles in the golf swing. The grip is usually the first thing we learn when learning to play golf. Take time to make sure it is correct. The time your take will be well worth it. Dave Britton - PGA Director of Golf Dataw Island Club

Visit the photo gallery to see the example images.

Establishing A Target

For full swings always make sure you identify a target, for example: the flagstick, a tree or bunker in the distance, even something as simple as the center of the fairway. For shorter shots such as putts, or chips finding an intermediate target within one club length of your ball might help. Too many times players do not establish a target and therefore have difficulty with alignment and ultimately the direction of their shot. Dave Britton - PGA Director of Golf Dataw Island Club