How Your Grip Effects Ball Flight

There are many different opinions on how to grip aTip: The tighter you grip the golf club; the more the
golf club, but very few instructors tell you WHY yougolf ball has a tendency to go off to the right. The
should grip the club a certain way. The reason thatlooser you grip the golf club; the tendency will be for
the grip is SO important is because it is the only partthe golf ball to go off to the left.
of your body that controls the clubface, your hands.Most of the time when I am giving a golf lesson, I
If you have a tendency to slice the golf ball, try this:can see the whites of my student's knuckles
Move both hands to the right so you can see one orbecause they are gripping the golf club so tight. This
two knuckles (top knuckles) of the left hand. Theis incorrect! Hall of Fame golfer Sam Snead once said
most important part of placing your grip is to make"Hold the club as if you are holding a bird in your
sure both palms are facing each other. So adjust thehands." Another quote that I once heard is that you
left hand, and then adjust the right hand so that yourshould grip the club like you were holding a tube of
right palm is facing the left palm. - Strong Griptoothpaste.
If you have a tendency to hook the golf ball, moveNow... I want to share a little bit about my
both hands towards the left (palms facing), and youexperience at the Phoenix open, and give you some
should see no knuckles on your left hand. - Weakpredictions.
GripEvery year, I take some of my clients to the
When I mention the knuckles that I have beenPhoenix Open, and this past weekend I was really
referring to, here's what I mean.impressed with J.B.Holmes. However, I am making a
1. After you have addressed the golf ball and you2006 prediction - that I made during the Hawaiian
look down at your hands from the address position.Open...Camilo Villegas is my pick for Rookie Of The
2. You should look at your left hand to see if youYear...He is the 2006 REAL DEAL...Let's follow him in
can see any knuckles.06.
Now let's talk about grip pressure.