Help me!!!

[ProStuart]

Here's my dilemma (I posted here a few weeks ago with a similar post, but haven't managed to resolve as yet):

In 2008 I got down to a 7.7 handicap - didn't play any more/less than normal, just my regular 1 round a week. Everything seemed to just "work" and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Throughout all of 2009 I've struggled big time.... my handicap is now 8.5.

Here's what happened:

Early in the year I developed a snap-hook with my driver, so went for a lesson. The pro advised that I had a waaaay too strong grip with my right hand (I'm left handed). He advised me to change to a neutral grip and that my game would go downhill before it went up again.

Ever since having that lesson I've developed what looks like a shank, but I don't think it actually is!! The ball doesn't go sharp right, rather at a 45* angle from my intended target. It's like the club is slipping in my grip at impact. Related to this, I've started to get severe wear on my golf glove on the pinkie side of my palm pad.

I always ensure I'm gripping the club in my fingers - box ticked.
I always ensure there's 1/2" of the grip visible above glove - box ticked.
I've done the "check if the tee falls out from your glove/club on backswing" to check if I'm re-gripping at the top and the tee stays there - box ticked.

This shot can happen with a SW or a 5i (my biggest iron). Sometimes it feels like the grip is slipping for my utilities/driver, but the resultant shot still goes pretty straight.

Anyone new here who've had something similar happen to them and if so what you did to fix?

Cheers

Stu

[Williamevanl]

I think I know what you are describing. When I went from a strong grip to a nuetral grip I completely lost the ability to play anywhere near the standard I was. I was shooting mid eighties before the switch and it soared up around the 100's.

If by grip slipping you mean the club is actually moving around in your hands thats you fighting the change. Charles barkley did the same thing with haney when he changed his grip. On the down swing Charles instictively tried to get the club back in the familiar position by adjusting his grip during the swing.

Everytime my friend tries to weaken his grip he hits a shot that looks like a shank also. He has a very upright/over the top swing path and without the severly closed club face the ball just squirts right.

I played really crappy golf for almost a year with a neutral grip before my swingplane started flattening out. With the nuetral grip it is very important that you are coming from the inside and on plane. You should post your swing to see if thats the problem.

[divottool]

If you want to try something...then try going back to stronger grip, but not as strong as you had before. If the ball still snap hooks try being more aggressive with the lower body. A lot of good players play with a strong grip, and when they fight a hook it is because those arms out-race the body and turn the club over to much.

Almost impossible to do if you are using that lower body well. Over exaggerate the open hips at impact and see if that does not straighten the hook out!

[MiniMoe]

sounds like the pro showed something quick to fix the hook, but did not really fix the root cause of the hook. The root swing flaw is still there, but with a different steering mechanism...aka - the new grip. I would tinker with making your grip a little stronger, but if that does not work, you might have to get to the root swing flaw.

[GamerJG]

If you want to try something...then try going back to stronger grip, but not as strong as you had before. If the ball still snap hooks try being more aggressive with the lower body. A lot of good players play with a strong grip, and when they fight a hook it is because those arms out-race the body and turn the club over to much.

i agree. i would also strengthen the grip but not as much as you originally had it. if the grip is slipping out of your hands, grip it a little firmer or get your clubs regripped.