Today I was told "If you're getting blisters, you're doing something wrong"

[WatchOutLeft]

Is this correct? I have been swinging a lot lately and have developed a blister on my right thumb (right handed swing) right at the crease behind my knuckle. Is there something incorrect with my grip? I know this may be hard to discern without a seeing my grip, and I'll try to post a picture soon. I just figured if "getting a blister means you're doing something wrong" maybe that is specific to just one error.

[boogielicious]

Is this correct? I have been swinging a lot lately and have developed a blister on my right thumb (right handed swing) right at the crease behind my knuckle. Is there something incorrect with my grip? I know this may be hard to discern without a seeing my grip, and I'll try to post a picture soon. I just figured if "getting a blister means you're doing something wrong" maybe that is specific to just one error.

Without seeing your swing, It is difficult to tell.  However, blisters can be caused by a lot of stuff, not just technique issues.

[iacas]

Is this correct? I have been swinging a lot lately and have developed a blister on my right thumb (right handed swing) right at the crease behind my knuckle. Is there something incorrect with my grip? I know this may be hard to discern without a seeing my grip, and I'll try to post a picture soon. I just figured if "getting a blister means you're doing something wrong" maybe that is specific to just one error.

Generally speaking… yeah.

That said, most golfers have some small calluses. The minor vibration of the grip in your hands can lead to those.

But blisters? Usually a sign that you're doing something wrong. It means that something is moving around and rubbing. Maybe you regrip at the top of the backswing, or roll excessively, or some other things.

Your grip is probably not the best, either.

[pstvev]

Another source of blisters could be your club grips.

Corded and/or very worn grips can be pretty rough on your hands.

[mvmac]

Your grip is probably not the best, either.

Check this out @WatchOutLeft

[MrDC]

Possibly gripping too tight, but if you hit a lot of balls it may just be the price you pay, so keep hitting them! you'll replace that blister with a callus.

[No Mulligans]

I agree with all that has been said.  One additional thing, we're all different.  For instance, my arms bruise really easy because of years of immune suppression meds and predinsone.

[billchao]

Possibly gripping too tight, but if you hit a lot of balls it may just be the price you pay, so keep hitting them! you'll replace that blister with a callus.

I disagree. The rubbing that causes blisters is more likely to happen from gripping too loosely than too tightly, and as others have mentioned, an improper grip. All of these things can cause the club to move in the hands during the swing and cause blisters. Blisters are not the first step in forming a callus. You can form calluses on your hands without ever forming a blister, and blisters can form time and time again without ever developing into a callus.

[newtogolf]

I disagree. The rubbing that causes blisters is more likely to happen from gripping too loosely than too tightly, and as others have mentioned, an improper grip. All of these things can cause the club to move in the hands during the swing and cause blisters.

Blisters are not the first step in forming a callus. You can form calluses on your hands without ever forming a blister, and blisters can form time and time again without ever developing into a callus.

I had blisters when I first started playing and it definitely wasn't from gripping the club too loose, they were caused by regripping the club at the top of the backswing.

[logo]

Is it early in the season for you? Are you hands always sweaty or sticky? Is your skin dry? All of those kinds of things can cause blisters too.

[WatchOutLeft]

Thanks for all the tips and suggestions. I have just switched from interlocking to overlapping grip because my little finger on my right hand was hurting after playing a couple rounds. The blister thing happened before the switch though. It isn't like a full blown blister but more of a blood blister type thing kind of. Not the type that is bumped out or that looks like it could open up. I also do a lot of mountain biking and it could be from that but I didn't notice it as much until I was swinging.

In any event I will pay close attention to some of the things listed here as possible causes and try to make sure I am not doing them, or correct them if I am. I'll certainly look through the thread on gripping a club. While this has nothing to do with the blister I am having some trouble with the overlapping grip. both my little finger and ring finger on my right hand overlap my little finger on my left hand. When I switched grips my grandfather was there to give me advice but his only qualification is that he has been golfing for a long time. Could just be that he has been doing it wrong for a long time.

Anyway thanks again to all and I'll be checking things out to see what I am doing wrong.

[WatchOutLeft]

Is it early in the season for you? Are you hands always sweaty or sticky? Is your skin dry? All of those kinds of things can cause blisters too.

No not really. I've been playing for over a month now. That's why I was kind of baffled when I got the blister. I did just get a net for my birthday so I've been taking a lot more swings with a real ball. Also been hitting of a mat that I got. Maybe that could be contributing? Getting more resistance and jarring my hands more than hitting of the grass?

[WatchOutLeft]

Usually a sign that you're doing something wrong. It means that something is moving around and rubbing. Maybe you regrip at the top of the backswing

I paid close attention during practice today and this was definitely at least part of it. I was regripping with my right hand and my thumb (where the blister is) was really moving around.

[arturo28mx]

I never have blisters, just a small callus on the third joint of my right index finger.

If I go to the range and hit too many balls, I may produce a blister on the third joint of my right middle finger

[dkolo]

I had blisters early on, but those areas have toughened up. I've also lowered my grip pressure as I've progressed, so that's helped too. Occasionally I'll get the skin under my left thumb wear off if I hit a few buckets, but that's it.

[DrvFrShow]

If you're getting blisters after a regular bucket, then yeah, something's wrong with your grip. If you're getting blisters after two large buckets, and you're going from a regular to two large without working your way up? then perhaps you didn't heed the warning point where your thumb started to say "stop here." Just because you paid for 200 balls doesn't mean you should hit all of them. You might have to stop at 160. Build the callus first.

[joekelly]

Paid for in advance and not hitting the balls?  Sure lady.

[Torres9]

Typically from the club grip moving around within your hand/against finger when you swing.