Grip question

[badfish74]

Hello everyone.  I have enjoyed reading the threads in this forum and after a range session yesterday I left with some questions and just wanted to put it to the people here fro a little advice.

Ok long story short.  I have always used an interlocking grip up until I found out that I was gripping the club all wrong.  When I incorporated a stronger grip it became painful to grip the club that way so I switched to a ten finger grip with minimal good results.  I have always been a hacker, but I have decided that over the winter I am really going to work on my swing to be more consistent. Through reading I have heard that most golfers use an overlapping grip so I have been trying to get the feel of that down along with working on my swing plane.  Well yesterday at the range I was duffing shots all over the place.  Maybe one out of ten shots was somewhat decent, but still I had hardly any distance and was slicing it as well which has always been my main fault.  I had forgotten my glove at home and a little bit into my second bucket my thumbnail was digging into my other thumb every time I made contact.  Quite painful, so to get through the bucket I went back to the ten finger grip and wouldn't ya know it my next shot was right down the pipe with a nice distance.  I went through almost my entire bag and with the changes I made to my swing along with that grip I was making solid ball first contact and was even bombing my driver.  It just felt good.  Now I know through reading that the ten finger is the least used grip, but I do have a few questions for the experts here and those who use it.

1.  Is it better to just keep working on the overlap through the winter or is it something I could hold off on until I get more comfortable with my game?

2.  Could the fact I hit it better with this grip be covering up for some other flaws?

3.  For those who use the ten finger, how long have you used it and do you feel it limits your game in anyway?  If so, how?

I know tour players don't use it, but I am nowhere near that level so that doesn't really concern me.  More concerned my growth in this game.

Thanks.

[rustyredcab]

I used ten-finger for a few years. Felt like I could control the club easier. BUT, ten-figures inhibits your ability to get the hands working together -- hinging and unhinging. This kills distance. I was very short but pretty straight. When I changed from ten-finger to my current overlap, I changed a lot about my swing. So, distance comparisons can not be entirely attributed to the grip change. But I am much longer now and at least some of that is the grip.

Quote:

1.  Is it better to just keep working on the overlap through the winter or is it something I could hold off on until I get more comfortable with my game?

Your grip is a fundamental part of any good golf swing. You need to make the change sometime if you are ever going to have a good swing.

Making a needed grip change is like planting a tree. The best time to do it is 30 years ago. The next best time is today.

[saevel25]

If your duffing the ball and slicing, then you have a swing path issue. My best guess is your aiming a bit right, when you used a ten finger grip, the clubface was able to close down more, so then you hit a pull. But the pull was straight because you were aiming right.

If i remember right, in order of grips that take your hands out of the shot, meaning less hand action, by hand action i mean the right hand (for right handed player)

Double Overlap

Interlocking

Overlap

Ten Finger Grip

Though i might have interlocking and overlap mixed up.

I use to have an interlocking grip, but i like the overlap better. I never had an issue with my finger digging into my hands. If you are, then i would check to see if you have the right size grip on, and if the grips are to worn down. I think your gripping the club to hard.

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by saevel25

Double Overlap

Interlocking

Overlap

Ten Finger Grip

Though i might have interlocking and overlap mixed up.

I think you have it right.  The way I understood it was the longer the grip (flesh on the club, ie: 10 finger grip) the more hand action.  Thus, the shorter the grip (double overlap) the less hand action.  I'm a typical slicer, and I use an interlocking grip.  Since hearing that, I really would like to try a 10 finger grip as soon as the snow melts.  In the mean time I have been making many, many practice swings in the house from driver to wedge just to get use to the difference.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by badfish74

Hello everyone.  I have enjoyed reading the threads in this forum and after a range session yesterday I left with some questions and just wanted to put it to the people here fro a little advice.

Ok long story short.  I have always used an interlocking grip up until I found out that I was gripping the club all wrong.  When I incorporated a stronger grip it became painful to grip the club that way so I switched to a ten finger grip with minimal good results.  I have always been a hacker, but I have decided that over the winter I am really going to work on my swing to be more consistent. Through reading I have heard that most golfers use an overlapping grip so I have been trying to get the feel of that down along with working on my swing plane.  Well yesterday at the range I was duffing shots all over the place.  Maybe one out of ten shots was somewhat decent, but still I had hardly any distance and was slicing it as well which has always been my main fault.  I had forgotten my glove at home and a little bit into my second bucket my thumbnail was digging into my other thumb every time I made contact.  Quite painful, so to get through the bucket I went back to the ten finger grip and wouldn't ya know it my next shot was right down the pipe with a nice distance.  I went through almost my entire bag and with the changes I made to my swing along with that grip I was making solid ball first contact and was even bombing my driver.  It just felt good.  Now I know through reading that the ten finger is the least used grip, but I do have a few questions for the experts here and those who use it.

1.  Is it better to just keep working on the overlap through the winter or is it something I could hold off on until I get more comfortable with my game?

2.  Could the fact I hit it better with this grip be covering up for some other flaws?

3.  For those who use the ten finger, how long have you used it and do you feel it limits your game in anyway?  If so, how?

I know tour players don't use it, but I am nowhere near that level so that doesn't really concern me.  More concerned my growth in this game.

Thanks.

I'd have to see a photo of that grip. Whether I swing overlap, interlock, or 10-finger, my thumbs don't interact in any way shape or form. Maybe I'm doing it wrong?

[badfish74]

Originally Posted by sean_miller

I'd have to see a photo of that grip. Whether I swing overlap, interlock, or 10-finger, my thumbs don't interact in any way shape or form. Maybe I'm doing it wrong?

Actually I think I was doing it wrong.  I was over strengthening the grip.  I have been using a more neutral position the last few garage practice sessions and think I found a position that is growing on me.  Seems my contact has been pretty consistent too.

[canadianpro]

I agree that the ten finger grip although it can feel powerful, is a source of a "power leak". Not to say that I don't have my students use it in practice to re-feel the hand positions when they start "wrapping" their hands on the club resulting in a grip that is usually too strong.

One swing aid that I use is a 7-iron with a putter grip installed on it with the "flat" side turned slightly to the the right (right-handers). This puts the hands in a position that is close to where they should be by just putting their thumbs on the flat side.

To make a grip change, get an old club and park it beside the couch. When you are watching the Golf Channel (or any other one) practice putting your hands on the club using overlap or interlock...you will soon get used to the feel. There are also practice grips that put your hands in the proper position (The Leadbetter grip in my opinion is the best) You can install one on a club and use it in practice as well.

Finally, if you decide on overlap, start with two fingers overlapping (like Jim Furyk) and then move to one...if you exaggerate the feeling, it is easier to then go back to the one finger overlap. Be patient...the grip is the hardest to adjust as it starts the "feel process".