Grip Problem

[LarryK]

I use an overlapping grip.

In so doing, the bottom side of the third finger of my right hand rests on the top side of the first finger of the left hand. Obviously. That's the nature of the overlapping grip.

My problem is the the top knuckle of my right hand finger and the bottom knuckle of my left hand finger are being rubbed raw where my hands meet.

I would not think this would be from excessive grip pressure. Pressure would seem to be applied by the inside of the fingers that actually make contact with the club.

But I could be wrong.

In any event, my hands hurt. Even with tape and cotton pads, I only get about one round of 18 in per weekend. I spend the rest of the week letting my knuckles heal. That ain't enough golf!

Has anyone else ever had this problem or corrected it in a student?

Thanks!

[who00knows]

This happened to me recently with a grip change. I just got used to it unfortunately, then they healed. I had blisters on top of blisters. I hit balls everyday though so that could explain why mine were worse.

[i2!ch]

I use to rip up my skin all the time with my grip. I played a lot this summer so I developed a lot of callousses but the best thing you can do is check your grip pressure. Or like my instructor says, pretend your holding a tofu or a squid in your hands. I didn't know I was gripping too tightly until I noticed how tense my forearms were. The best thing to do is to get someone to check up on your grip.

[LarryK]

  i2!ch said:

I didn't know I was gripping too tightly until I noticed how tense my forearms were.

Agreed. The forearm test is a good one. I will focus back in on that for sure. But I'm also wondering if I'm not releasing the club funny. Maybe getting flippy or twisting my hands somehow so that they rub together in a damaging way. Blisters and callouses I could handle. But when the bone and cartilage of a joint start getting wear and tear, it is tough to keep them protected.

[iacas]

Regripping at the top of the backswing is another cause... And that's usually caused by getting into a funny position.