The grip and how it effects your release

[doublesuited77]

Another result of a strong grip is what I call the "Left Side Twistaway". The left hip pulls hard away from the ball which pulls the left shoulder open and causes a big outside to in swing path with the HANDS. With a strong grip though the CLUBHEAD comes from the inside so what you have is and inside to out clubhead direction and an outside to in hand direction. If timed perfectly it can produce a straight shot, but if not then there will be dramatic changes in ball flight from swing to swing.

You have just described most of my mishits. :)

[fusioncal]

There are so many points to cover in this topic that I know I won't be able to cover all of them. But there are some things I think people should understand. I'm just going to talk about this from the right handers perspective and if you are left handed please excuse me for not being multi-cultured enough to include you. It just takes up so much dang time to flip it around.

Holy sh*t!! It works!! I just got back home from the range and while I was at the range I remembered this thread. Although I didn't understand the whole thing you're saying, I recall to move my left thumb to the right (I'm righty) and it worked like a charm. Every swing resulted in pure shots with consistent divots too. Now I'm hitting WAY better than before. It felt strange at the first backswing, but also at that first try I was hitting it pure with nice crisp sound.

Oh man, I've never thought such minor tweak can make big difference. No one really puts an attention to detail such as this. What a great tips! Thanks a LOT!

[Diggitydog]

Ok, I read this thread too. I understood to move the left thumb further away from my index finger moving it a bit more under my right hand. Ringer or somebody who understood this, which is it? Move the left thumb to the left as fusioncal has stated or move it to the right as I had understood the original post?

I moved my thumb to the right under my right hand more and hit 2 shots that were terrible. I didn't try it anymore beyond that.

What's the verdict?

[Ringer]

I think he just mis-stated. Move your thumb to the right side of the shaft. But you DON'T ROTATE the forearm.

[Diggitydog]

Just a bit more clarification. Does the thumb move to the outside of the right palm or does the thumb move more underneath the palm. When I move it to the right my right hand squishes my left thumb unless I do a baseball style grip.

Any chance you could put a picture up of what you mean?

[keb]

Check this link. http://perfectgolfswingreview.net/index.html

[Crate]

This may help.

[fusioncal]

Ok, I read this thread too. I understood to move the left thumb further away from my index finger moving it a bit more under my right hand. Ringer or somebody who understood this, which is it? Move the left thumb to the left as fusioncal has stated or move it to the right as I had understood the original post?

I think he just mis-stated. Move your thumb to the right side of the shaft. But you DON'T ROTATE the forearm.

My bad, I guess I was too excited. I moved my left thumb to the RIGHT toward under the palm of my right hand.

I don't actually know how to explain this. It's like you're slapping with the back of your hand all the way through the ball. Prior to this change I could always feel my left thumb was pressing the grip on top of the back swing. I'm sorry I can't describe it better, but this method works for me repeatedly. I think it also adds my swing speed, because I hit noticeably further than usual. Hmm...

[Ringer]

Here's a picture of the grip from above. Although the clubface is open in this picture to prepare for a bunker shot, you can clearly see that the thumb is off to the SIDE of the grip and not directly on top.

[laconic517]

ive been going to a stronger grip, I have to use a lot of hands in my swing now which sort of sucks, I can keep from hitting it really far left though, and I never slice the ball or really hit pushes so its fairly nice, I just tend to hit it a bit thin. I cant hit knockdowns for shit though with a strong grip, or hit very good fades, they can fade nicely or borderline shank, its pretty gross. I like a weak to neutral grip best, but Im tired of trying to change things in my swing for the moment, ive had the best rounds of my life with the stronger grip and played way more consistant when im playing well, the problem is when im not playing well i hit the ball horrible ( and i feel like the strong grip has sort of messed up the feel I had in my irons, I dont hit them nearly as close as I used to before on average.)

[DBake]

I didn't read this thread because of the first few replies.

But I use a baseball grip, because I am an x baseball player, it just feels more natural to me. Although I do fight a pull/hook from time to time.

[benhd1]

I tried it out at the range and then for 9 on a short course. (par29) First few swings were awkward, but made solid contact. I can see over time this will help me lower my scores. I have always played irons well, it's the driver I have a hard time with. I can see how this will help me to keep my driver in play more often. I refer to my driver as my military club (left-right-left-right) I slice right or dead pull left! At the range I hit a greater % of the driver down the center, I left the range feeling like I can do this! Thank you Ringer!

[Ringer]

I tried it out at the range and then for 9 on a short course. (par29) First few swings were awkward, but made solid contact. I can see over time this will help me lower my scores. I have always played irons well, it's the driver I have a hard time with. I can see how this will help me to keep my driver in play more often. I refer to my driver as my military club (left-right-left-right) I slice right or dead pull left! At the range I hit a greater % of the driver down the center, I left the range feeling like I can do this! Thank you Ringer!

I guess I say something right once in a while.

[BogeyGolfer19]

I am really excited about trying this out!!! Being a 20 handicap i am always looking for things to help me out. Thanx for the wise words! :)

[erikpmort]

it makes sense, however when you move you thumb over, then it kinda gets in the way of my R hand. Normal?

[Elvisliveson]

it makes sense, however when you move you thumb over, then it kinda gets in the way of my R hand. Normal?

No matter where you place the left thumb on the shaft, your right hand must cover it the exact same way; that is your left thumb must be snugly fitted into the little pocket formed by your right palm. The right hand must always move with and cover the left thumb in the same manner every time wherever the left thumb resides on the shaft.

[Diggitydog]

No matter where you place the left thumb on the shaft, your right hand must cover it the exact same way; that is your left thumb must be snugly fitted into the little pocket formed by your right palm. The right hand must always move with and cover the left thumb in the same manner every time wherever the left thumb resides on the shaft.

Really?

Honestly is that the case? I don't see this as a true statement.

[Elvisliveson]

Really?

It is 100% true. Non-traditional swing thoughts aside, it's the only proper way to grip the golf club because it's the only way that permits both hands to work together which in turn makes it easier to consistently square the clubface at impact. Mind you there are variations (overlapping, interlocking, ten finger) but in every case the pocket formed by the right hand should cover that left thumb. You don't see the pros' left thumbs showing like you do so many amateurs, do you?