Kathy Murphy, LPGA Master Professional

2001 LPGA Teacher of the Year

The PING Learning Center at ASU Karsten Golf Course

kam17@cox.net or 480-784-4839

The golf ‘grip' has often been referred to as the #1 fundamental in golf because it is our body's connection to the golf club. The manner you choose to connect to the golf club will affect the shape and distance of your golf shot. The golfer must choose the placement , position and pressure of the hands that will provide the ball flight the golfer would like to create. In fact, rather than talking about gripping the club (which seems to infer strangling the club), I prefer the term “holding the club”. The hold must adapt to the particular situation. Placement may be up or down the grip of the club; position may vary with the type of shot and pressure will be dependent on your lie or perhaps your nerves.

When taking hold of the club, allow the ‘handle' to rest in the fingers of the top hand and be sure all the hand is on the club. Placing the top hand off the end of the club can lead to an inconsistent clubface position at impact and a worn out glove. The handle will rest in the fingers of the bottom hand as well. This ‘curling' of the fingers allows for effective hinging of the wrists. A player hitting from the rough or hitting a punch shot will place both hands even further down the shaft to provide additional distance control. The choice of more knuckles visible or less is a function of your body first and the desired shape of the shot second. Before choosing a hold position with more knuckles visible on the top hand (this position promotes a hook spin) or less knuckles visible on the top hand (this position promotes a slice spin) check to see how your arms and hands naturally hang from your shoulders. An incompatible position of the hands on the club can lead to elbow and/or shoulder injuries. Once the fingers are curled around the handle – open the hands to be sure the palms are facing each other. Whether a golfer positions his/her hands to have a more knuckles or less knuckles, this connection to the golf club must be secure . The golfer must keep the hands and fingers securely attached to the golf club throughout the entire swing. The player who lets go of the club at the top of the backswing runs the risk of the clubface changing positions not to mention blisters. Holding the club rather than gripping the club, allows the golfer to determine the optimum pressure for the shot. When faced with a good lie in the fairway or when hitting from a tee, too much pressure in the hands and forearms will lead to a decline in distance and accuracy. A softer pressure or a light hold will allow the clubface to close through the impact area contributing to a straight or draw type of ball flight. To create optimum clubhead speed (and distance) the golfer must avoid tension in the hands and forearms. However, when your ball lies in the rough especially when the grass is long and thick, you will likely want to increase your pressure to remain in control of the clubface.

When swinging your driving club, irons, wedges and putter be attentive to the consistency and pressure of your hands to create your best golf shots!