The golf grip is the most important fundamental to learn. Your hands are the only part of the body that contacts the club. The position of your hands determine the club face angle at impact, which has the biggest influence over ball flight.

There are three basic grip positions: neutral, strong and weak. The neutral grip position allows the club face to square at impact without any manipulation during the golf swing. New and weekend golfer should favor a stronger grip position because the tendancy for these golfers is to fade/slice the golf ball. A stronger grip will allow the club face to become a little closed at impact encouraging a draw/hook. Only golfers who draw/hook the ball consistently should favor a weaker grip.

Neutral Grip

People are genetically different so their bodies are built differently. To find your neutral grip use the following steps:

1. Stand at attention and let arms hang naturally at your sides
2. Look down at target hand and observe how many knuckles you see
3. Place the butt end of the shaft along where the hand and fingers meet in the target hand
4. Wrap fingers around the shaft and the pad of the target hand’s heel will touch along the clubs shaft
5. Count the knuckles, does it match the number of knuckles in Step 2, if yes you have found your neutral position for your target hand. If not repeat steps 1-4.
6. With the trail hand, hold the club against your middle and ring finger. Never in the palm.
7. Fit the life line of the trail hand beside the thumb of the target hand.
8. The V’s formed by the index finger and thumb of each hand should point between your chin and trail shoulder

From this position you can adjust the grip. For a stronger grip adjust the v’s to point at your trail shoulder. After the adjustment you should see at least 1/2 to a full knuckle more than for your neutral grip.

A fundamentally sound grip will benefit your swing in these ways.

1. Allows your wrists to cock naturally promoting the proper release of the club at impact
2. Allow the club to be set properly at the top of the back swing
3. Most importantly, the club face position at impact will improve.

The result of theses benefits is more speed from the better release, better path, and less side spin. All of which will create shots that fly straighter and further.

If you are unsure of your grip position consult your golf professional. They will find a grip position that will benefit your swing.