| Most of what makes or breaks a shot happens | | | | left thumb, and take hold of the left side of |
| before the swing. One of the keys to | | | | the grip. It is difficult to understand this |
| unlocking your golfing potential is making | | | | without some physical instruction on how to |
| sure that you have a good, tight grip on the | | | | do it properly. |
| club. A little instruction can go a long way | | | | |
| in improving your grip. | | | | - Finally, keep your grip tight, but keep |
| | | | your arm muscles relaxed. |
| Think of it this way: the only part of your | | | | |
| body that touches the golf club is your | | | | It sounds complicated, doesn't it? Well, it |
| hands. This is why your grip is so important. | | | | is, and for best results you need a little |
| If you're slicing, chances are you have a | | | | instruction, even if it's just a few pointers |
| grip problem. | | | | on how to do it. No amount of diagrams and |
| | | | videos can show you completely how to do it |
| You have to keep a strong grip, but not too | | | | correctly; you have to really feel it. |
| strong. An instructor can show you how to do | | | | |
| this; you have to give it about 50% of your | | | | However, there are some training tools you |
| strength. This is intuitive, of course. How | | | | can use. You can buy trainer grips that will |
| much is 50%? Instruction can help you to | | | | help you figure out how to grip your club if |
| understand just how much pressure you need. | | | | you're a first time golfer. They retail for |
| | | | about $10 and come with instructions and |
| Here are some basic tips for your grip. This | | | | tips. |
| is a common type of beginners' grip. You may | | | | |
| change your grip over time, but this will at | | | | You can also get golf tips and tutorial |
| least give you a good start. You can also | | | | videos. If you don't have time to take golf |
| visit to get more tips. | | | | lessons with a certified instructor, this |
| | | | might be a good way to help you get your grip |
| - The club should be held in your left hand. | | | | worked out. |
| About 60% of your finger surface should be | | | | |
| touching the handle. As a general guideline, | | | | The most common grip is the ten-finger grip, |
| this should be the last three fingers of your | | | | although some of the pros, such as Jack |
| left hand, depending on how big your hands | | | | Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, use an interlocking |
| are. | | | | grip. This is a tricky one to get just right, |
| | | | and it's not very common. But, it works for |
| - The callous pad that you wear on your left | | | | them! |
| hand should be above the grip. This is really | | | | |
| important; you shouldn't have it next to the | | | | Every golfer's grip is slightly different |
| grip. | | | | from the next. And, lots of golfers gradually |
| | | | change their grip over time, when they find |
| - Have your left thumb next to the right side | | | | something new that works well for them. Find |
| of the grip. Your thumb and index finger | | | | the grip that works for you and stick with |
| should form a V. | | | | it, but always keep your eyes open for new |
| | | | ideas. |
| - You have to close your right hand over the | | | | |