What do my Blisters say about Me?

[pittpanther]

Hit a bag of balls at the range today, warmed up with my irons, but spent most time trying to hit my driver, my biggest problem.

Afterwards, my hands were on fire! Three different areas were stinging - not blistered (thankfully), but definitely well-rubbed. I'm right-handed, btw:

1. Right thumb, center, above the joint, callous is forming
2. Left thumb, center, above the joint, no callous (probably because of glove)
3. Left index finger, third segment, on the thumb side. There is a callous growing there.

I assume this means the club is shifting around in my hands during the swing. Gripping tighter seems like the wrong answer. Any ideas on what I am doing incorrectly?

[DavidFehertysBike]

Calluses, and even blisters in some cases are normal. I have calluses all over my hands from golf. But gripping the club tighter is the LAST thing you should be doing. If anything, lighten the grip until you can just barley balance the club in your hands. It will tighten nautarally as you swing.

[JKilgore44]

I have a callus on my left pinky and all across my palm and the base on my fingers.

[Klean]

I find loose fitting gloves can cause the problem for me. Especially at the joints of your fingers where the glove gets crumpled up and actually pinches or rubs the skin excessively.

[bunkerputt]

Off-center hits cause the club-head to twist in the direction of the ball at impact. This is simply the fact that you've created a lever-arm the length of the difference between where your impact is, and the center of mass (actual sweet-spot) of the club. You can't eliminate blisters, really, but hitting it squarely is the best bet. This is definitely better advice than gripping it tighter. It's really a misnomer that you can grip it tightly and not allow tension in your wrists where you definitely don't want it. The tendons between your forearm muscles and your fingers go through the wrists. These tighten as your grip gets tighter, causing the wrist joint to acquire tension. This is a physiological fact that's impossible to change. Try making a fist with your dominant hand and moving it around with your other hand. Compare it to when your fist is relaxed. I'll bet it's more difficult when you clench a fist.

[bm303]

I have callouses just below my right and left pinky's and all across the top of my palm. I got blisters my first few months of playing and then finally formed nice callouses which stop bad blisters from forming. I believe a study showed that 90% of all golfers hold the club too tight which will also form blisters. My recommendation: Form some callouses and hold the club looser, but not too loose.

[LottaBalata]

I'm wondering if you may need new grips?? They could be twisting during the swing.

And callouses are okay, but to get blisters. . .sounds like me before I realized the club wouldn't fly out of my hand if I loosened up a bit.

I used to actually tape a couple of my fingers when I played--wow, I had the white knuckles and everything.

Yep, new grips and looooooosen up!

[TinCupTampa]

I find loose fitting gloves can cause the problem for me. Especially at the joints of your fingers where the glove gets crumpled up and actually pinches or rubs the skin excessively.

Agree 100%... I had tender spots on my hand and went down a size with my glove... No more tender spots.