Mr Soane

I've not been playing long and feel somewhat intimidated around other people but today was asked to play through by a 4 ball, hole was 330 yds par 4 so I teed up with a 4i, and just relaxed. Bang - straight up the middle about 180 - 200 yds, shocked my self, then a very sweet 9i chip onto the tiered green and watched in disbelief as my putt just skipped over the hole leaving a 4 ft putt for par. That one hole made up for an otherwise miserble round.

Problem solved! I was dropping my putter off for regripping and got chatting to the pro and expalined about the callus and drop-off in play. I showed him my original grip and he said it was fine - the problem is grip pressure, it appears I have a death-hold on the club! He demonstrated how much pressure I should be using, about 5 out of 10. I played a round first thing this morning and went back to my old grip and hit some perfect shots, including a spot-on 4 iron drive and 9 iron pitch. So that's the answer, relax your grip pressure.

I went out and played a round today and it feels a little better, I think I'm stiff from playing over the last couple of days, I don't seem to be able to turn today!

I've just googled 'golf grip' and one of the clearest videos is here , if you guys wouldn't mind having a quick look. I always hold my club in the distance position and the callus are either side of the grip. I've just tried gripping with the grip further into my palm, in the control postion and it does feel better.

Over the last couple of months I've developed callus on the middle, ring and little finger and just above my palm on my left hand, just where the grip sits. I treat it with E45 cream, but after 5 or 6 holes the pain is noticeable and can distract from the game. Is this comman or is it down to an incorrect grip? What is the best way to treat it?

I started playing golf last August using a set of new Hippos. Then last november I was very fortunate to get hold of a set of TM R7 TPs which I have been using since. I've had several lessons an my pro feels I have a good solid swing, I just need course experience. My question is should I continue using the TPs or go back to the Hippos?

I've come into the game pretty late (39?) so the only player that's made an impact is Tiger Woods. I think we''l see what he's made of as he recovers from his injury.

I'm a Diagnostic Technician for a Citroen dealership here in sunny North Wales. Luckily the club I hop to join is a 5 minute walk away, so I nip down there in my lunch hour!!

http://www.abergelegolfclub.co.uk/ , hope to join soon.