Callaway Golf Clubs

Get a Grip!

Gripping the golf club properly is the first step toward making a good golf swing. If you are not gripping the club in the correct manner your swing could be affected in many different ways. The three keys to gripping a golf club correctly are fit, alignment, and pressure.

Fit - Yeah Guys, Size Does Matter!

Grip size is probably the most important part of being able to grip the golf club properly. Too small of a grip can cause the club to twist in your hands, a result of unconsciously squeezing the club at the bottom of the swing, resulting in a closed clubface. Too large of a grip and the club may come loose at impact, opening the club face. Either way, you’re not going to be making good, solid contact with any amount of consistency.

Along with making sure the grip size is correct for your hands, you’ll need to make sure you are not playing with worn out grips. Grips become worn out and slick through normal wear and tear, oxidization, and moisture damage. A tired or worn out grip will not provide the traction you need to keep the golf club stable throughout your swing. Replacing grips is easy and inexpensive and can make a world of difference in your golf game.

Alignment - Pointing the V’s!

Having the proper grip alignment is a key factor in getting the clubface squared at impact. Too weak of a grip, rotating one or both hands away from the other, promotes an open clubface, resulting in a push or slice. Too strong of a grip, rotating one or both hands more towards the other, promotes a closed clubface, resulting in a pull or hook.

The best way to make sure that your grip is properly aligned is to check the V’s. The V’s are the angle between your thumb and forefinger on each hand. These should point between your chin and back shoulder.

Experiment with weaker and stronger grips at the driving range to see how they affect your ball flight. You’ll find that the only way to consistently make accurate golf shots is by keeping your grip aligned properly.

Pressure - Firm and Relaxed - Don’t Choke It!

The most common mistake golfers make is trying to choke the golf club. They figure that if you squeeze harder you’ll hit the ball harder. Wrong! Choking the golf club actually tenses the muscles in your arms, which hinders a smooth swing and follow through, resulting in less distance and accuracy.

You want to be able to grip the club firmly, while keeping your arms relaxed. Only put enough pressure on it to keep it from sliding around in your hands. If you are not applying enough pressure the golf club will twist and rotate during the swing. To make sure you’ve got it right, have someone try and pull the golf club out of your grip. They shouldn’t be able to. If they can, tighten your grip a little bit. Just make sure to keep your arms relaxed.

Remember, having the proper grip will lay the foundation for a good golf swing. Don’t change your grip to correct a problem somewhere else or you could end up with an even less consistent golf swing and poorer shot results.

Keith LaBrunda is the webmaster of Golfspyder.com where you can learn everything you need to know about playing better golf. For more information on how to cut strokes and improve your golf game please visit: Golfspyder.com

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The key to golf, as in any sport, is in mastering the basics. Which therefore means, a great game starts with a great and correct grip on the golf club. Here are some tips on how you can learn to correctly grip a golf club. Please note that these tips are for right-handed golfers. If you are left-handed, just reverse the hands on the tips:

1. Golf grips are important - if your golf club does not have one, remember to put one on.

2. Once you have your golf grip on, position the golf club head down on the ground, so that you are positioned as if you are ready to hit the ball.

3. If you are right-handed, release your right hand and let only your left hand is gripping the golf club (as mentioned above, if you are left-handed, reverse the hands).

4. The club should be gripped with your fingers, instead of resting on your palms. Adjust your grip of the golf club accordingly.

5. The thumb of your left hand should be pointed downward, directly towards the ground.

6. The point at which your thumb meets the rest of your hand should be positioned on top of the club.

7. Carefully place the grip of the golf club on the fingers of your right hand.

8. You must then look for a tiny vertical crease on your right hand, very near your wrist. This must be placed over your left hand and should fit perfectly.

9. Remember that the thumb of your right hand should not be pointed directly towards the ground, but should slightly be pointing towards your right shoulder.

10. To hit the ball straighter and farther, make sure that your grip on the golf club is relaxed. The more relaxed your grip, the straighter and farther will you be able to hit the ball.

11. If you have large hands, it is advisable to use an overlapping grip. Meanwhile, if you have medium-sized hands, you should use an interlocking grip. Finally, players with smaller hands should use a ten-finger grip.

12. The weight and pressure that each of a golf player’s hands place on the golf club is of equal importance - for a right-handed player, the left hand is used to guide the golf club back to its original position, and the right to put the ball into motion at the downward swing of the club.

13. It is important that you check your grip every day to ensure that it does not constantly change.

14. Should you, however, decide to change your grip, be sure to try it out first before using it at the course.

A golf player’s grip is his only contact with his golf club. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to have the correct grip of your golf club.

Did you find these tips helpful? If you are interested in learning the proper ways to swing a golf club, please visit http://www.improve-golf-game.info/

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