Why do most Pros have soft hands with no calluses?

I have volunteered for many pro golf events. So I shake hands with many Pro golfers. I noticed that most have only one glove and they have no calluses on the "un-gloved" right hand (So far, they all have been right handed golfers). I used to have really bad calluses on my right hand. Then I changed to an overlap grip. Now my calluses are on my left hand   at the base of my middle, ring, and pinky finger. I have oversized Lampkin grips. What am I doing to cause these calluses? I would like to have hands like the Pros.

I don't know...I don't have calluses!  Are you gripping the club with a very tight grip?

I have a callous on my left hand due to wearing a wedding ring when I play.

Same here. Also, when I shake another man's hand I try not to linger long enough to count the calluses.

My hands are callused to hell and back now that I practice all the time (again).  I wouldn't worry that much about the calluses.  Focus on the actual swing mechanics.  You can always tweak the grip pressure, but in my opinion - you need to have a firm grip on the club or you're not able to make an athletic move at the ball.

I don't wear a glove and have a small callous under my wedding band, and 2 tiny ones, one on the ring finger and one on the pinky. There is nothing on the right hand.

I would like to think I have a semi-firm grip because my fingers used to be so "loose" that the butt of the club would lift off of my palm at the top of the backswing. So no less than two teaching Pros told me that was not a good thing. I also tend to hit the ball toward the toe of my clubs so the looser my grip is, the further to the right the ball will end up. I am just trying to find that perfect balance so that the club doesn't spin in my hands at impact and doesn't move at the top. I guess it isn't possible without some calluses.

The obvious reasons?

1.) they don't all hit as many balls as Vijay or Tiger

2.) The club doesn't twist when you hit the COG.

They keep a "gamer" set of hands in the bag for competitive rounds and social occasions, one set for practice that's all beat up, and a brand new one in the tour van as backups. All they need to swap them out is a torque wrench.

Make sure you have the proper conventional golf grip (Interlock or Overlap).  Then worry about grip pressure.  Here are some reference photos I use for reference - which helped me understand the proper grip (in case you need to alter your grip).  In particular, I'm using an Interlock grip.

But first, make sure you have the left hand on the grip properly.  Ensure the left index (pointing) finger - the first part of the digit is on the side of the grip/shaft.  Then the grip will exit or rest near meaty part of your left palm  - or ulnar boarder (Hypothenar eminence).  This is the muscle belly underneath your pinky finger.

You can see how the grip should be able to rest in your index finger in the following photo.  It properly gripped - the ulner boarder in the palm will help the club rest in that one finger.

Once the club is properly gripped by the left hand... The right hand will come down and cup the left thumb.  You can see in the reference photo - this will act as a connection where the right hand covers the left. Notice that the right index finger is on the aft (rear) side of the club shaft.  This is known as pressure point #3.  And the right thumb will lie on the forward side of the grip.

Interlock or Overlap is really up to you... But once you have the proper golf grip - then experiment with different grip pressures to ensure that the right hand is applying ample pressure to the left thumb (pressure point #1) - and the right index finger (pressure point #3) is monitored to help with clubface (sweet spot) alignment.

Lastly, having calluses or not having calluses - at least in my mind doesn't tell the entire story.  For instance, you could be hitting off of hard pan - like taking divots - which causes a lot more shaft vibration than a tour pro who  in direct comparison is hitting off of pristine fairways and practice sessions are on well maintained grounds.

1) Are you groping, massaging and making love to the hand that you are shaking to know they have or have not calluses?

2) You assume pros have no calluses

From one who many say is the best Ball striker ever to live:

" I hit so many balls I tend to build up a huge callus on the meaty part of my left hand. It gets so thick that from time to time I take a pair of scissors and cut it off. The edge of the callus gets very sharp—if I dragged it across your face I'd draw blood.

Speaking of calluses, the first time I saw Ben Hogan was at the Carling World Open at Oakland Hills. He was on the range, and all the players gathered to watch him. Hogan didn't notice because he was really concentrating, but when he finished he looked up and saw all the guys watching him. As he walked away he said, "I can see why you guys are no good—you've all got calluses on your asses."

Read More http://www.golfdigest.com/magazine/myshot_gd0411#ixzz23Ylpaalg "

Your grip should be constant throughtout the swing. It should not inhibit the wrists. I hit best when my grip is loose and my arms are loose.

I think it was Sam Snead who said your grip should like you are holding a baby bird. You do not want it to fly away, but you do not want to squish it.

I am of the opinion that a club slipping in the golfer's grip will cause the calluses. With that I would say the pros hold their grip firm enough not to allow the club grip to slip in their hands. I know even if you wear gloves, you can still get calluses, because early on I did get calluses while wearing two gloves. Now I don't get any, and I play, and practice weekly.

I might be wrong here but if the club is slipping in the golfer's grip, the club face will be moving also, especially at impact.

Interesting question.

Harvey Penick always said that calluses were the sign of a poor grip.  I don't know if that's a correct statement for current swing mechanics or not.  I have just one callus, at the base of my left ring finger from playing while wearing my wedding ring.  I don't wear a glove.