On the Lesson Tee
with Jeff Eickhoff, Head Golf Professional
at Oak Terrace Resort & Spa
Your Grip Controls the Clubface
This tip is all about gripping the golf club properly. A good
grip helps you control the clubface throughout the golf swing.
Letting your grip control the clubface will help you achieve more
consistent and accurate golf shots.
A poor grip can cause you to have inconsistent clubface control
that can lead you to make swing compensations. Common swing
compensations that should be avoided are bowing / cupping of the
left wrist and rolling over of the arms, wrists and hands.
Use this drill to help you establish the left hand grip. Place
the club in the center of the index finger of the left hand. The
index finger supports the shaft as you balance the club underneath
the pad of the left hand. Holding the club this way will give you a
feel of how the club is positioned in the left hand during the golf
swing.
Grip the club in the fingers of the left hand. The left thumb is
placed down the right side of the shaft. The "V" that is formed by
the left index finger and thumb should point at the right side of
your face (for a right handed golfer).
Take hold of the club with the fingers of the right hand. The
"V" that is formed by the right thumb and index finger should point
toward the right shoulder (for a right handed golfer).
At the address position, you should see 2 1/2 knuckles on your
left hand. This grip position will help you cock your wrist
correctly during the backswing and square up the clubface at
impact. A square clubface at impact produces straight shots. If
you are not gripping the club in this manner, it will take a few
days to feel comfortable using this grip.
If you see less than 2 1/2 knuckles, you are gripping the club
with a weak left hand grip. A weak grip promotes more of a fading /
slicing ball flight.
If you see more than 2 1/2 knuckles, you are gripping the club
with a strong left hand grip. A strong left hand grip promotes more
of a drawing / hooking ball flight.
Example of the hands and
wrists rolling over
Notice the “V” is point
to the right cheek and right shoulder area
Example of a strong grip
Example of a weak grip
More more information on this tip or to request other topics to
be discussed,
email Jeff Eickhoff here with your question or contact Jeff at
1-800-577-7598.
