Weak,Strong, or Neutral??

[albatross]

I've just spent an hour reading the archives of this forum surrounding the grip and there are 100 different opinions. Like most hackers, I'm fighting a wicked slice and I think it's related to grip.

I just wanted to get an idea what is the most popular strength grip from players at Sandtrap.

[mrgilmore]

I use a neutral grip 95% of the time. I have a pretty typical golf swing so i hav a neutral grip and i hit the ball pretty straight sometimes a tiny fade and sometimes a tiny draw.

The only time i change my grip to strong or weak is when im either behind a tree, want to hit around a dog leg or if i want to completly take the bunker out of the shot ill fade it or draw it onto the green depending on pin position.

[mrgilmore]

Although you dont necesseraly need to change your grip to shape the ball

[$2 Nassau]

I was probably right around where you are handicap-wise when I learned to hit the ball right to left and it helped my game tremendously. I strengthened my grip a little (I have since gone back to a more neutral grip) and closed my left shoulder a little to the target line at address to promote a more inside>out swing path. The shoulder helped to exaggerate the swing path, you can tone it down and square it up once you get comfortable. But go to the range and try to hit really hard draws/hooks.

[albatross]

What about all the talk you see about 90% of the pros having a strong grip and that it's the best way to cure a slice?

Is this all BS?? Even the guy I saw for a lesson tried to tell me that a strong grip is the way to go but it just doesn't feel right. Does the size of your hands have anything to do with it???

[$2 Nassau]

What about all the talk you see about 90% of the pros having a strong grip and that it's the best way to cure a slice?

I hear ya, I've heard the same. It is a good way to cure a slice, and develop a hook. I think a lot of pros have just slightly strong grips, I don't think very many have overly strong grips though. And I bet my version of "neutral" is probably actually a bit strong to the observer.

In my opnion, if you are going to stray from neutral, start with strong and then adjust accordingly. I'm a fairly tall guy and have larger than average hands, it did feel strange to me at first, but then again my grip was creeping towards very weak. But after a couple range sessions it felt perfectly normal.

[phatone]

Mostly weak, neutral if I need to keep it low. Even with the weak grip it's hard to hit the fade I like as my natural flight is right to left.

[albatross]

I hear ya, I've heard the same. It is a good way to cure a slice, and develop a hook. I think a lot of pros have just slightly strong grips, I don't think very many have overly strong grips though. And I bet my version of "neutral" is probably actually a bit strong to the observer.

What you're saying makes a lot of sense. Thanks.

Yeah, I'm a tall guy with large hands as well. So should you be able to see 3 knuckles on your left hand with a "slightly strong grip"??? Right now I can see two knuckles on my left hand at address. Do you always roll BOTH hands the same amount when adjusting to a new grip??

[kc8kir]

You really need to focus on finding your "natural grip". That is, in that grip position you achieve the proper position at the top. This is different for each player. The terms "strong" and "weak" are all relative. The current trend of teaching (see X knuckles) actually ignores the critical component: clubface position.

A good starting point is to grip the club with your left arm (for right handed golfers) and hand hanging naturally your sides, and note the angle of the V in the left hand. Depending on the school of thought, the right hand either mirrors the left (palms facing), or always has the palm facing square to the target. Take your backswing and check the club position. The clubface should line up with your lead arm (square position), and the lead wrist should be flat to slightly cupped. That's how you find the grip that is right for you. Don't go "strengthening" your grip unless your top position is wrong. If the top position is correct, you need to be looking elsewhere in your swing to cure that slice!

Above all, you can't pick your grip based on "what most everyone else is doing". That's a sure way to never reach your individual golfing potential.

[Big Padrigo]

I had a lesson last weak and this is exactly what the pro had me working on - strengthening my grip. When I have a neutral grip then I see a high fade. I have been practicing and pretty confident of hitting a slight draw with the stronger grip, on all clubs except my driver which still fades, I can live with that though

[23Rounder]

voted Neutral but one of my worst habits is to progressively weaken my grip over time (Weeks or Months) so I am constantly having to strengthen it.

[Big Padrigo]

but one of my worst habits is to progressively weaken my grip over time

I have the same issue

[Magnus]

What you're saying makes a lot of sense. Thanks.

Yes, you want both hands to match. Common language to this being 'you want both the v's pointing to the same spot'

[HytrewQasdfg]

I've just spent an hour reading the archives of this forum surrounding the grip and there are 100 different opinions. Like most hackers, I'm fighting a wicked slice and I think it's related to grip.

It's not related to the grip. Develop a solid, neutral grip then leave it alone.

Using a stroing or weak grip is just a compensation for a flaw somewhere else in your swing.

[B-Rizzle]

Im now trying to use a normal grip.Me gripping very hard makes my shots inconsistant and this really works great with short irons!

[mikelz]

I can't release the club without a relatively strong grip.
If I want to cut it, I change the face angle like that Jack N. guy told me to do.

I do weaken my grip considerably for pitches and greenside bunkers.

[polodinks]

i have a normal grip most of the time from 1-10 i would say a 3-4...... but when im using my 7 iron around the green i choke down ALOT and feel a little more tighter like a 6

[madcityscott]

Strong, driver.
Everything else, neutral.