The importance of PP3 (lower hand index finger against the club)

[MiniBlueDragon]

OK this might start off as a mind-vomit of sorts but will hopefully collect into a useful topic of discussion.

Through a lot (LOT!!!) of reading, watching and absorbing golf swings, theories, tips and instruction I've always thought that the primary pressure points for the hands are the pinky, ring and middle finger of the top hand and the ring and middle finger of the bottom hand so I've pretty much ignored the other fingers as "surplus to requirements"

A couple of weeks ago I did a little work in a lesson hitting against an old tire and noticed a pronounced load of extra pressure on PP3 (lower hand index finger against the club) at impact and decided to try and retain that pressure throughout the swing. At first the pressure felt like it was non-existent at address and all the way to the top of the backswing, then piled on and disappeared again just after the transition; as if the club had 'bounced' off the pressure point and the club had then fired ahead of the hands.

In order to try and get the feeling back I started putting the club head down on the ground and pressing down/forward with PP3 a couple of times at address to remind me of the feeling and after a few range sessions it feels like I'm retaining that pressure for much longer now. It also feels like my hands are staying ahead of the club but trailing the body and my contact and compression are massively increased and also it seems to me that I can feel the angle of the club face better than I could before as I'm able to direct the ball much better than before.

Now the question is should I be using this feeling and ignoring the "fundamental" pressure points in paragraph two above as they're already ingrained? Are there negatives to doing this or is this new feeling just normal service when ball striking improves?

[EverythingGolf]

Here is some more stuff to read.

http://thesandtrap.com/a/big-list-of-golf-terminology

[MiniBlueDragon]

Originally Posted by EverythingGolf

Here is some more stuff to read.

http://thesandtrap.com/a/big-list-of-golf-terminology

[longbow]

I don't know about the "other" fingers and pressure points.  But I do know that my right hand pointer finger(I am right handed), depending on how I have it on the grip, will depend alot on what type of shot I hit.  My right hand index finger more under the grip and not as hooked and I will hit a high fade.  Reliably too. ie) right hand a wee bit under the grip.

With my pointer finger more down the shaft with a bit more pressure on the inside of the finger and a more pronounced hook to it and more down the top of the shaft, I'll hit either a hook or draw depending on if my club head is a bit open or closed.  It will also be a bit lower ball flight but to me it seems the ball comes off faster.  I try and maintain a neutral grip throughout with my left hand.  I also notice that when I start playing more I'll develop calluses on my left hand finger pads at the bottom of the fingers and along the raised areas on the palm of the left hand fingers.

Now as for grip pressure I say squeeze the grip enough to where the club head isn't going to oscillate all over the place on the back swing, more so left hand than right but when driving the ball I want to have a very firm grip pressure through out.  Cause if I don't the club has been known to fly out of my hand due carpal tunnel bi-laterally.  I am also a fan of mid size grips.  thanks for reading and have a good day

[EverythingGolf]

Sorry, you said you was doing research, I was just adding that thread in there if you had not read it yet.

[rustyredcab]

I do not understand how the P3 (I call it "trigger" finger) makes such a huge difference. When I use that finger as main pressure point on the lower hand and "reach" out that finger so it is separated from the middle finger, I hit the ball longer and higher and better. Seems like too small of a change (that slight separation) to matter so much. But it does for me. And it is taught by my instructors. Trigger finger is the main man on the lower hand. I should be able to hold the club at the top of my swing with only the thumb and trigger finger touching from the lower hand.

[MiniBlueDragon]

Well it's good to know I'm on the right path then. Whew!

Thanks for the link EverythingGolf. Wasn't sure if I'd written something wrong and you were correcting it. :)

[2thetee]

PP3 is an essential ingredient to both TGM and the Ernest Jones golf swings by giving you a feel for the clubhead..

For TGM I recommend reading

http://golfingmachinist.com.au/article.php?id=66 Pressure Point #3 senses the Inertia of the Lagging Clubhead. This is Clubhead Feel . You must Feel the Clubhead, not the Clubshaft. This my Readers is what is "Clubhead Lag".

http://3jack.blogspot.com/2009/09/3jacks-translation-of-tgm-part-7c.html The clubhead lag pressure point is right where the #3 Pressure Point is. In fact, the #3 PP is considered the clubhead lag sensor.

Ernest Jones is all about "making the clubhead work for you" and feeling the clubhead from start to finish of the swing. Amazingly, the Earnest Jones book is FREE!!!!!! online here. FREE.

http://archive.org/details/golfswingernestj00hammiala

Read the book in light of what you know about S&T; and the 5 Swing Keys from this site and  you see a lot of what Jones said about fundamentals being variables and not fundamentals in 1920 continued to be taught for almost 100 years. IMO what he said in 1920 is just as applicable as in 2012. I interpret his word "leverage" to mean maintaining the "flying wedge" and to having a flat left wrist at impact.

In my book if you put together and understand  Ernest Jones, Homer Kelley, Mike Bennett, Andy Plummer and Dave Wedzik you have an outstanding insight on the mechanics of the swing. I happen to believe that you learn the feel from the mechanics and not vice versa.

Good luck on your quest to learn more about pressure points, power accumulators and clubhead feel!

I would like to hear what others have to say on this topic.

[Ernest Jones]

Bumping this thread as it has become very relevant for me lately.

Starting making a conscious effort to grip the club more in my fingers. This has led to some pleasant surprises, my grip has become much lighter which has freed up my swing and made me feel much looser. Also, I find that my wrist hinge has improved dramatically. All of this has killed the impulse to overswing as well, another added bonus!

All of this has led to a heightened awareness of the pressure at PP3 (fleshy pad on the index or trigger finger) and I've started to create a fair bit of separation between my trigger finger and whatever the next finger is called in order to magnify that sensation even further.

So here is my question: at what point does the law of diminishing returns come into play? At this point I would say, from my perspective, that my trigger finger is substantially further down the grip than my (trail hand) thumb, maybe as much as an inch to an inch and a quarter of spacing. I love the feeling and I seem to be able to really hold the lag and sense the club-head but I want to make sure I'm not taking the whole bottle of aspirin when the good doctor said, "take two."

looking forward to some feedback, thanks.

[Ernest Jones]

I guess I'm late to the PP3 party lol.

[colin007]

im not sure.  i dont seem to remember reading anything about the trigger finger being too far down the grip...altho i wouldnt put it so far down that it starts to straighten out too much.  i think if you had the index finger straight down the grip it could lead to weird stuff.

[colin007]

also, i assume youve seen this thread?

http://thesandtrap.com/t/41747/pure-ball-striker-great-training-aid

[Ernest Jones]

Originally Posted by colin007

also, i assume youve seen this thread?

http://thesandtrap.com/t/41747/pure-ball-striker-great-training-aid

Thanks Colin, I read that thread last year but wasn't able to apply it to my swing at the time probably because the grip was deep into my palms and WAY too tense. I'm going to go back a reread it though as it seems to be perfect for where I'm at right now. I doubt I'll buy the little doo-hickey though...

[William Wayne]

I have the index finger of my lead or higher hand straight down the shaft.  This gives me more power and accuracy by maintaining a straight lead wrist.

[Truegolf]

The PP3 concept is moronic and leads to poor release of the club especially with the driver.

[iacas]

The PP3 concept is moronic and leads to poor release of the club especially with the driver.

Thank your for adding so much to the conversation. :P

I don't even necessarily disagree, but there are nicer and better ways to share your opinion.

[GolfLug]

I don't even necessarily disagree.

The PP3 concept is moronic and leads to poor release of the club especially with the driver.

Interesting both. Would either one of you kindly elaborate or provide a link to some reading material support that? I don't know how you cannot have PP3, intended or not, at impact if flying wedge is maintained through it.

Thanks. Doing some research and working on a diagonal swing path and felt like conscious attention to PP3 is making a big positive difference to me specifically.

[mvmac]

Interesting both. Would either one of you kindly elaborate or provide a link to some reading material support that? I don't know how you cannot have PP3, intended or not, at impact if flying wedge is maintained through it.

Thanks. Doing some research and working on a diagonal swing path and felt like conscious attention to PP3 is making a big positive difference to me specifically.

That's great and keep using that feel but understand it's a feel.