Grip Pressure

[iacas]

I voted 8 above, though realistically that's a goal and I'm probably only a 7 right now.

The secret to a good grip is to grip the club firmly, yet still have relatively loose wrists and forearms. It's a myth that you can't learn to grip the club in such a manner and that your forearms will tighten when you grip a club more firmly. Different (close, but different!) muscles!

[jamo]

I put 7, but it's not really something that I think about much. I think 7 is a good approximation for me though.

My putter is where grip pressure can really hurt me. I tend to death-grip it a bit, and that gets me into trouble sometimes. But this is about the full swing so, yeah, 7.

[phillyk]

I was under the impression, even though I don't do it, that you want a loose grip or do you want to grip it tight but have loose wrists?

[ohiolefty]

Errgh....I've taken the Nicklaus tip (in reverse) of a firmer grip in my right hand (the left for all of you) than I have in my left. I voted 7, though; I wish it was about a 5.5. I hit it further and my mishits have less dispersion when I have a lighter grip.

[CA53Y]

Tight grip for my everything except my putter where i have a very soft grip.

[golf4fun12]

I have always been told to have a lighter grip on a golf club. but, when I do, I always feel like I am going to lose my club. so, an 8 for me.

[Zeph]

Backswing or downswing? I'm pretty sure my grip gets tighter on the downswing, but have no idea how much. What I do know is that if I grip it harder at address, I have a tendency to get overactive wrists and forearms, which leads to pulls and pushes. I have not mastered the high grip pressure, but low arm tension.

It's probably closer to a 5 at address, I have loosened it up a bit the last year since the club kept twisting in my hands during the swing. That may be a result of other things though, but the problem has gone away and I have never pursued the issue of grip pressure since.

Has nobody made a grip pressure device yet? A club with a grip that measure your pressure? Not very useful to a single individual, but if everyone (pros included) gave it a whirl, you could compare the data. I am a believer that the grip pressure should not be as soft as golf instruction commonly have taught us. At least not on a full swing. When chipping, pitching and putting, a too hard grip can ruin the rhythm and flow.

[golf4fun12]

good point zeph, grip pressure on short shots, touchy feely shots should be more soft. but on a full swing, I always grip harder. when i do try to grip looser, the club sometimes turns in my hands at contact.

[goblue107501]

I voted as an 8.  That is probably more than I should be, but better than I used to be.  I used to be about a 15 and it would cause me all sorts of problems.  I took some lessons and the guy really beat into my head to loosen my death grip.  I have much more control over the club now and am more relaxed through the swing which has helped me a ton.  I feel I could be a little less, but it is working for me for now, so I will stick with it.

[Elvisliveson]

7 for me. Firm, but not a death grip.

[pope1086]

I would say I use a seven as well.

[ControlJunkie]

Originally Posted by Zeph

Has nobody made a grip pressure device yet? A club with a grip that measure your pressure? Not very useful to a single individual, but if everyone (pros included) gave it a whirl, you could compare the data. I am a believer that the grip pressure should not be as soft as golf instruction commonly have taught us. At least not on a full swing. When chipping, pitching and putting, a too hard grip can ruin the rhythm and flow.

There is one, I know I remember seeing it, I just cant remember what it was called, who made it or anything, Frustrating. Let me see if I bookmarked it on my other machine. I'm not sure if it gave you a numeric value, or if it just beeped when you squeezed too hard. If I can find it, I'll post it.

Edit: Not sure if this is what I'm thinking of or not, but here ya go - http://www.sensoglove.com/

[B-Con]

7 for me. Firm, but not a death grip.

Exact same here.

[allin]

I voted 4 because I start at four, unfortunately I often tighten it as I swing back.

[saevel25]

Well my 7 might be your 10, so i have no clue why this is useful. If i had to put it into something tangeable. If you hold the club vertical and slightly decrease the pressure to were the club starts to fall down, mine would be a few notchs stronger than that. Not sure if that helps, but thats how i like to think about it.

[Kieran123]

I voted 8....I grip too tight...I have thought of working on it, tried interlock grip which loosens it, but feels too loose...one day!

[Lofty Lefty]

This needed a 2-part vote. Top hand versus Bottom hand.

For me it's top hand 5, bottom hand 8/9. But I estimate that 60% or so of my total grip is between my bottom hand's thumb and index finger. Maybe not QUITE 60%, but that is where I grip the hardest.

[Mr. Desmond]

My short game instructor, Pat O'Brien, advocates a firm grip (with putter, wedges) in the fingers, with everything else (rest of hand, wrists, forearms, etc.) relaxed. I've taken that to the full swing. I find it difficult to hit a solid putt, wedge, iron, driver shot - without a firm grip in the fingers.