When do you grip the club?

[albatross]

Sounds like a dumb question until I rephrase it. Last year, I got really serious about having a consistent grip and checking it before every shot. I usually hold the club straight up in the air as I grip the club, and then bring it down and address the shot.

I've lost A TON of distance and I'm wondering if gripping the club this way is leaving the face too far open and therefore I'm losing distance.

Would this make sense??

Do you ground the club and then take your grip?? Do you just let the club rest naturally on the ground and then put your hands on it, or hold it up in the air when gripping??

I'm hitting my shots pretty well, just very short. I used to hit 9 iron from 150 yards and now it's more like a small 6 or 7 iron.

Advice??

[Eeryck]

I make my initial grip with the club in the air, but it is very loose and with my hands just generally in the right places.

Then I sole the club on the ground, and loosen my grip so that it aligns properly with my club face and right palm facing the target line.

With regards to your loss of distance, if you have changed your grip, I have heard some say that a weaker right hand grip will cost you some distance but gain you some control.

FWIW

-E

[MackJL06]

i first address the ball from behind to find an intermediate line i want to hit it on...walk up to the ball...SLAM the clubface behind the ball...let go of the club so its barely touching my left hand and not falling to the ground...grip the club...waggle above the ball to make sure grip is loose...swing away!

[IcemanYVR]

I'm hitting my shots pretty well, just very short. I used to hit 9 iron from 150 yards and now it's more like a small 6 or 7 iron.

You're from PA, it's still pretty cold out, and that can often make a 1-2 club difference...

[albatross]

You're from PA, it's still pretty cold out, and that can often make a 1-2 club difference...

A fair point, but this goes all the way back to last year. I should still factor that into my early season play this year. Thanks.

[87vert]

I make my initial grip with the club in the air, but it is very loose and with my hands just generally in the right places.

This is the way my instructor had us grip the club.

[Dub]

at address with the club in the air....place it behind the ball and square it up...