Strong Grip not good for Amateurs?

[RussUK]

I know there have been a number of posts on the topic of grips but wanted your thoughts on this.

This winter i have been working on a one plane swing and had been having a little trouble with pushes and the odd slice. Having spoken to my Uncle (50 year golfing veteran and 2 handicap) he said that a stronger grip would be better suited to a one plane swing due to the rotational nature on the swing. He kept his explanation "golfing for idiots" simple just for me! 

Rather than go straight and hit balls i have been practicing just holding the club with a stronger grip and checking the net for good pics of grips. The thing that got me confused was one site saying only "above average" players should even attempt a strong/strongish grip. is thie a load of BS or is their a grain of truth?

There is so much conflicting stuff out there its confusing. The best comment i saw came from tour coach Dennis Pugh who basically said like all grips it has pro's and cons but for core powered swings it can be a good choice.

What say you learned  Gents (and Ladies)

Edited November 4, 2015 by RussUK

[Patch]

My knowlege of grips is limited to just about any grip will work as long as it helps the golfer's down swing return the club face to the ball the same as it was at the original "amed" address position. 

In my own case, I have some what of a nuetral grip. Not too strong and not to weak.  This with all my normal shots. If I need to work the ball a lttle I might strengthen or weaken my normal grip. 

I read some where a long time ago (30 years ago?) about something called the 1/8" rule. What the author was suggesting was fine tuning the grip (strong or weak) in 1/8 incrementsts to get the desired ball flight.  This the author wrote, worked best for the mid handicap golfer and better who already had a grip/swing that consistantly produced a playable ball flight. Perhaps this info might work for for you. 

[colin007]

a stronger grip will tend to promote a more in to out swing.  at the top, you might notice a little more cupping than with a neutral or weak grip.  also, the previous generations strong grip is closer to the modern neutral grip.

[iacas]

I greatly prefer a slightly stronger grip for most amateurs. For a few reasons. Off the top of my head, the first three would be:

• Promotes more shaft lean.
• Promotes a slower rate of clubface closure.
• Promotes an in-out path.

[the fish]

44 minutes ago, iacas said:

I greatly prefer a slightly stronger grip for most amateurs. For a few reasons. Off the top of my head, the first three would be:

• Promotes more shaft lean.
• Promotes a slower rate of clubface closure.
• Promotes an in-out path.

Can you talk a bit more about how a stronger grip causes these three to happen?  I feel like when I have tried to try to strengthen my grip in the past (to fight a slice), I would just end up with a closed clubface at impact and would hit low pulls.

[Jon Hoover]

 I'm a big fan of a strong grip, I notice that when i start fading/pushing/slicking its usually because my grip has gotten weak. When that happens I have this little routine I learned from watching a friend of mine who is close to scratch. What you do is put the club in your left hand (if right handed) and put the club into the side of your shoe where the arch is and have it facing forward and your thumb should be perpendicular to it, that for me is like a perfect grip setup.

[iacas]

26 minutes ago, the fish said:

Can you talk a bit more about how a stronger grip causes these three to happen?  I feel like when I have tried to try to strengthen my grip in the past (to fight a slice), I would just end up with a closed clubface at impact and would hit low pulls.

Two responses, neither of which will sound great, but please trust that today's a busy day and I'm not trying at all to slight you…

1. No, because it's a bit different for everyone.
2. No, because I've done so tens of times before here on the forum.

Very quickly:

• Shaft lean: imagine taking a REALLY strong grip. How does the handle of the club want to point relative to your lead forearm - with more shaft lean.
• Slower rate of closure: with a weak (particularly if it's also palmy) grip, many try to square the face by rolling it pretty hard instead of letting it get back to square naturally. Could tie into the shaft lean stuff as a weak grip won't lean forward much naturally, so a golfer trying to get some shaft lean with a weak grip may tend to leave the face open. So they roll it harder.
• In to out path: I think there's a video on that somewhere. Like here:

[mvmac]

50 minutes ago, the fish said:

Can you talk a bit more about how a stronger grip causes these three to happen?  I feel like when I have tried to try to strengthen my grip in the past (to fight a slice), I would just end up with a closed clubface at impact and would hit low pulls.

Obviously the swing will also play a big role with the pulls. Agree with @iacas, a grip that is on the stronger side is typically going to be better for most golfers.

[Missouri Swede]

2 hours ago, the fish said:

I feel like when I have tried to try to strengthen my grip in the past (to fight a slice), I would just end up with a closed clubface at impact and would hit low pulls.

Take a look at this video from @cbrian. Working through the drill may help.

 

[the fish]

Thanks @iacas, @mvmac, @Missouri Swede for the replies.  I'm heading to the driving range after work.  I'll give it a shot.

[RussUK]

20 hours ago, iacas said:

I greatly prefer a slightly stronger grip for most amateurs. For a few reasons. Off the top of my head, the first three would be:

• Promotes more shaft lean.
• Promotes a slower rate of clubface closure.
• Promotes an in-out path.

That'll do for me, thanks Erik . Always thinks its amazing that in such a complex game, comparitavley small changes can often make such a difference.

Providing your setup, takeaway etc. are half decent the slower rate of face closure would give a better chance at good contact (less fats/thins)?

[Moppy]

This thread helped me improved the more than any other from this site. Admittedly I had a lousy grip, "palmy" was how it was described, and you could tell by looking at my glove wear pattern, so maybe I was just ripe for it.

[mvmac]

On 11/5/2015, 5:54:11, RussUK said:

Providing your setup, takeaway etc. are half decent the slower rate of face closure would give a better chance at good contact (less fats/thins)?

Yes and help the club not "wipe" across the ball.

[Natural Patrick]

I would call my grip Firm but, not strong. About the only time I use a strong grip is when I'm in the rough. Just have to find out what works for you.

[iacas]

22 minutes ago, Natural Patrick said:

I would call my grip Firm but, not strong. About the only time I use a strong grip is when I'm in the rough. Just have to find out what works for you.

That is not what people are talking about when they talk about strong and weak grips.

They're talking about how rotated the hands are, not how firmly you're holding on to the club.

This thread talks about how firmly you hold on.

[Natural Patrick]

22 minutes ago, iacas said:

That is not what people are talking about when they talk about strong and weak grips.

They're talking about how rotated the hands are, not how firmly you're holding on to the club.

This thread talks about how firmly you hold on.

Ok, sorry.