One of the most common and disastrous swing faults that I see among golfers is re-gripping the golf club at the top of the swing. Re-gripping means you have allowed the fingers of your left hand (for right-hand golfers) to loosen on the club as you near the top of your swing. Then, as you transition from the back swing to the forward swing, you re-tighten your grip with those fingers. This initiates you casting the club over the top of the proper swing plane and results in you hitting either a weak slice or a pull-hook (depending on the angle of your club face at impact).
And just like many other swing flaws that happen, the golfer doesn’t realize he/she is doing it. This is what I call “a hidden flaw!”
How do you know if you have the “hidden flaw” of re-gripping the golf club? Before you hit your next golf ball, stick a tee between the palm of your left hand and the grip of your club – allow half of the tee to be higher than the butt of the club. Now swing the club and hit a golf ball. Notice to see if the tee fell out of your hand or if it felt loose as you swung. If it did, you are re-gripping at the top of your swing.
- Start gripping the club a little tighter. You will know how much tighter by using the “tee drill” above. When the tee feels firm during your swing, you have found your correct grip pressure.
- Make a slight adjustment to your grip. Instead of resting your thumbs to the side of the grip, place them directly on top of the grip. Your thumbs will keep your club securely supported at the top of your swing, and you’ll find it much easier to maintain an even grip pressure throughout the swing
Marc Solomon, PGA, is the Founder of Golf Made Simple, Inc. GMS has two locations on Florida’s First Coast of Golf – along with seven other locations in the US and one in Europe. For more golf tips and help with your game, along with more information about their program - visit the Golf Made Simple, Inc website.