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Soft hands

DiverDown

By DiverDown,
in Instruction and Playing Tips

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DiverDown Well Established Member

DiverDown

I've always struggled with my grip tightening, particularly at the top of the backswing right as I initiate the downswing.

I went to get fitted for clubs. I already had a new set of irons and I wanted to see if they needed to be tweaked. I know that's a bit backwards on getting fitted, but that's how it worked out.

Anyway, I payed for the fitting session and it turns out they didn't need to be tweated at all, so the guy doing the fitting, an instructor from South Africa, spent time giving me a lesson instead. He wanted me to get my moneys worth.

Right off the bat he saw my grip tightening. Instead of telling me to loosen the grip he actually showed me the physics of what happens when I tighten the grip, muscles shorten and contract, which brings on a chicken wing, duff into the ground etc....

I always knew you were supposed to keep your grip loose during your swing but tended to tighten anyway. Somebody taking the time to explain it to me made it more real for me that I really needed to keep those hands "soft" as he would say. As I got into my setup, and right before my swing, he kept saying "soft hands all the way through, soft hands". It started to stick in short order, and all of a sudden I was able to truly keep my grip soft throughout the whole swing. I've always had a short follow through, but now I continued my shot all the way through hitting longer shots and being more relaxed. I realized my tighter grip was causing all sorts of trouble in my swing previously, including slow clubhead speed due not releasing the club, duffing the ball due to my muscles shortening when getting tense, my whole body getting tense during the swing starting from the hands, short shots due to lack of follow-through..... you get the picture.

I've only been to the range twice since "lesson", but both times I've used the swing thought "soft hands, all the way through", and it's really helped numerous areas of my swing.

Anybody else received that one piece of advice that really seemed to change their swing?
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golf_junkie27 Great Member

golf_junkie27

The best piece of advice was that a baseball swing, mechanically, was almost identical to a golf swing. Clearing hips, weight transfer, hands at the target, head down, hitting the bottom of the ball, elbows in, finishing high, etc.

This piece of advice really helped and the golf swing became second nature. I still could use some consistency in creating lag and keeping hands ahead of the ball.

Titleist 905T Accra SC75 M4 Shaft

Nike SQ 4W Accra T70 M4 Shaft
HB001 17* Hybrid with Mitsubishi Diamana Thump X Stiff Flex
Baffler Pro 20* Accra Axiv 105 Tour Hybrid Shaft

Taylor Made 24* Burner Accra Axiv 105 Tour Hybrid Shaft

Mizuno MP-32 5-PW Black Oxide Finish Project X 6.0 Shafts

Vokey 52* Oil Can Finish TTDG S400 Shaft

Cleveland 588 60* TTDG S400 Shaft

Rife Bimini Blade Putter

 

Ball-White and Round

 

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TourSpoon Super Member

TourSpoon

Here's another variation that I was taught and have used it to help others.

Grip your club as hard as you can and call that a 10. Grip it as light as you can and call that a 1. Now grip it just enough, like the old bird example (hard enough to keep it in you hand but soft enough to not crush it). Assign a number to it (maybe your number is a 4). Now grip the club with the the pressure number 4 and concentrate on keeping it a 4 throughout the swing.

This is a great lesson you learned and whenever you go astray go back to it. A relaxed, but firm grip, keeps you loose so that you can swing the club.

Cobra LTDx 10.5* | Big Tour 15.5*| Rad Tour 18.5*  | Titleist U500 4-23* | T100 5-P | Vokey SM7 50/8* F, 54/10* S, SM8 58/10* S | Scotty Cameron Squareback No. 1 | Vice Pro Plus  

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cockergod Established Member

cockergod

That is a good rule of thumb.

In the Bag:

Driver: Superquad 10.5 w/ grafalloy Prolaunch Blue
Hybrid: Rescue Dual 22*(4)
Irons: 200 series 3-pwWedge: Rac Satin 52*Wedge: X-18 SW (56*)Wedge: CG10 Black Pearl 60*Putter: Rossa Daytona 1In the other bag:Blackout w/e2Jt Flex-7Reloader-BPMI Pure Energy 68/5000

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jdumoit Member

jdumoit

I've never thought about grip until recently. I've played golf for almost 20 years (since I was 11 or 12), and shot in the low 70's in highschool. I took about 10 years off through undergrad and grad school, and just started playing again (hence my 10 handicap). In that 10yr period, I injured my right ring finger playing basketball. Now my finger kills for the first 20 swings or so; until it becomes numb. :) I find my right hand slipping off the club often, and I can't really grip with this finger -- any ideas?
In Le Bag:

Driver: Burner 420 (circa 2002)
3-Wood: Original Bubble Burner (circa 1998)
5-Wood: noneHybrids: noneIrons: Silverscot Forged TourWedges: SV Tour BlackPutter: Black Series i #1Bag: Edge
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Avid Golfer Dedicated Member

Avid Golfer

In that 10yr period, I injured my right ring finger playing basketball. Now my finger kills for the first 20 swings or so; until it becomes numb. :) I find my right hand slipping off the club often, and I can't really grip with this finger -- any ideas?

In what way was it injured? Many good instructors and players will tell you that you want the last three fingers of the left hand and middle two fingers of the right to be the ones applying pressure to the grip. Many people I've talked to who've done physical therapy after injuries have said the goal is to rebuild the muscle(s) around the injured area, and that doing the therapy will make the area hurt, but after you've been doing it for awhile the pain will lessen.

In my bag:

Driver: Burner TP 8.5*
Fairway metals/woods: Burner TP 13* Tour Spoon, and Burner TP 17.5*
Irons: RAC MB TP Wedges: RAC TPPutter: Spider Ball: (varies ) (Most of the time): TP Red or HX Tour/56---------------------------------------------------

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TourSpoon Super Member

TourSpoon

That is a good rule of thumb.

I get it...and it works for the rest of the fingers too...

Cobra LTDx 10.5* | Big Tour 15.5*| Rad Tour 18.5*  | Titleist U500 4-23* | T100 5-P | Vokey SM7 50/8* F, 54/10* S, SM8 58/10* S | Scotty Cameron Squareback No. 1 | Vice Pro Plus  

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mikelz Great Member

mikelz

I am not replying to TourSpoon's post because I can't top that pun.

Yes, your "coach" gave you great advice.
I spend a lot of practice time working on my pre-shot once I've addressed the ball.
My first check-point before pulling the trigger is that I don't feel tense anywhere.
Try it with your putter.
The first few times I really felt the putter release I felt like I had been missing the point all along.

OK, punsters, there's some ammo.

Best, Mike Elzey

In my bag:
Driver: Cleveland Launcher 10.5 stiff
Woods: Ping ISI 3 and 5 - metal stiffIrons: Ping ISI 4-GW - metal stiffSand Wedges: 1987 Staff, 1987 R-90Putter: two ball - black bladeBall: NXT Tour"I think what I said is right but maybe not.""If you know so much, why are you...

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TourSpoon Super Member

TourSpoon

I am not replying to TourSpoon's post because I can't top that pun. Yes, your "coach" gave you great advice. I spend a lot of practice time working on my pre-shot once I've addressed the ball. My first check-point before pulling the trigger is that I don't feel tense anywhere. Try it with your putter. The first few times I really felt the putter release I felt like I had been missing the point all along. OK, punsters, there's some ammo.

You really give us both barrels when you post.

You bring up a great point that many people never hear...that light grip pressure makes for a consistent putting stroke.

Cobra LTDx 10.5* | Big Tour 15.5*| Rad Tour 18.5*  | Titleist U500 4-23* | T100 5-P | Vokey SM7 50/8* F, 54/10* S, SM8 58/10* S | Scotty Cameron Squareback No. 1 | Vice Pro Plus  

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mikelz Great Member

mikelz

You really give us both barrels when you post.

I actually thought I was standing in front of the barrels. Someone has to take a shot at me for "missing the point". Where's that guy who hates green?

Best, Mike Elzey

In my bag:
Driver: Cleveland Launcher 10.5 stiff
Woods: Ping ISI 3 and 5 - metal stiffIrons: Ping ISI 4-GW - metal stiffSand Wedges: 1987 Staff, 1987 R-90Putter: two ball - black bladeBall: NXT Tour"I think what I said is right but maybe not.""If you know so much, why are you...

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gogolfing Great Member

gogolfing

All good advice. I've read Gio Valiante's Fearless Golf and he devotes quite a few pages on grip pressure. As he points out, you're hands are the only part of the body in touch with the club, and they act as a great barometer for tension throughout the golf swing. Tension in the hands goes up the forearms etc... If you're looking for a good read, pick it up.

Ping G 410 10.5 ˚ Driver Ping Tour Stiff Shaft
Ping G 410 14.5˚ 3 Ping Tour Stiff Shaft
Ping G 410 19˚ Ping Tour Stiff Shaft
i 500 irons 4-UW 1/2 inch over, blue dot, NS Pro Modus 105 Stiff Shafts
Ping Stealth Wedges Wedges  54˚ 58˚

Scotty Cameron Studio Select Newport 2 34" 

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mikelz Great Member

mikelz

I've never thought about grip until recently. I've played golf for almost 20 years (since I was 11 or 12), and shot in the low 70's in highschool. I took about 10 years off through undergrad and grad school, and just started playing again (hence my 10 handicap). In that 10yr period, I injured my right ring finger playing basketball. Now my finger kills for the first 20 swings or so; until it becomes numb. :) I find my right hand slipping off the club often, and I can't really grip with this finger -- any ideas?

If you have health insurance, go see a bone surgeon.

In the meantime, have you tried a ten finger grip? The index finger might make up for it.

Best, Mike Elzey

In my bag:
Driver: Cleveland Launcher 10.5 stiff
Woods: Ping ISI 3 and 5 - metal stiffIrons: Ping ISI 4-GW - metal stiffSand Wedges: 1987 Staff, 1987 R-90Putter: two ball - black bladeBall: NXT Tour"I think what I said is right but maybe not.""If you know so much, why are you...

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TourSpoon Super Member

TourSpoon

The most important fingers in your right hand grip are the two middle ones. I agree, go see a doctor to seek advice.

Cobra LTDx 10.5* | Big Tour 15.5*| Rad Tour 18.5*  | Titleist U500 4-23* | T100 5-P | Vokey SM7 50/8* F, 54/10* S, SM8 58/10* S | Scotty Cameron Squareback No. 1 | Vice Pro Plus  

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bca42 Established Member

bca42

I've always struggled with my grip tightening, particularly at the top of the backswing right as I initiate the downswing.

I think the soft hands component to the swing is critical for people who did not learn the game early in life (teens or earlier).

It's the single most significant thing that improved my game.

Blog: http://emergencynine.com/

In my bag you'll find lots of left-handed clubs like these:
Driver: G10 9* TFC (stock) S
3 wood: G5 Aldila NV SIrons 4 thru P: MX-20 TTDG RWedges: MP T Series Chrome, Forged - 52/56/60Putter: CallieBall: B330Bag (carry): Tour Stand; (cart): 9" Staff Tour

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jdumoit Member

jdumoit

It was "jammed' paralell to the finger back toward my hand. I finally broke down and made an appointment with an orthopedist for Tuesday.
In Le Bag:

Driver: Burner 420 (circa 2002)
3-Wood: Original Bubble Burner (circa 1998)
5-Wood: noneHybrids: noneIrons: Silverscot Forged TourWedges: SV Tour BlackPutter: Black Series i #1Bag: Edge
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DiverDown Well Established Member

DiverDown

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I think the soft hands component to the swing is critical for people who did not learn the game early in life (teens or earlier).

I started playing golf at 36, and I'm 39 now. My swing was absolutely terrible when I first started. I had so many ideas of what I was supposed to be doing while knowing nothing at all about a golf swing. I had to get passed myself first before I could really start to learn, and that took a while.

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Note: This thread is 5871 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

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