Hit Straighter Golf Shots by Fixing Your Grip
Do you ever hit a bad golf shot far off to the left or right and wonder how did I do that? If you feel this way too often, then you may have a poor golf grip. The most important part of a golf swing is the moment the club strikes the ball, and your golf grip has a huge impact on how squarely this impact takes place. An incorrect grip can cause you to hit the ball inconsistently, with the face of the club at a variety of angles. Keep these tips in mind and start hitting straighter golf shots right away.
If you are a right handed golfer, start by wrapping your left hand around the top of the club. The joints between your hand and fingers should be placed on the left side of the club, not underneath. This is a common mistake and is often associated with hitting the ball with an open club face. Wrap your fingers around the club and your thumb over the top. It should rest just offset to the right of the center. The knuckle to your left index finger and your thumb should make a V which should point to your right shoulder.
Next, wrap your right hand over the club. Slide it up so that your left thumb fits into the bend in your right palm. Wrap the fingers of your right hand around the club with your right pinky either overlapping or interlocking with your right index finger. These are the two most common grip types and everyone has their own preference. If neither feels more comfortable, give both a try until you feel more confident in one over the other.
An important note to make is regarding how tightly to grip the club. Certainly do not grip the club as tightly as possible, but do not allow the club to be completely flimsy in your hand. It’s kind of a fine line, something that takes a little practice and “feel.” Keep in mind that your hands need to be flexible to generate power, but still in good control of the motion of the club. Again, this may take some experience, but it can be learned relatively quickly.
As crucial as it is to have a great golf grip, it is often disregarded as bad habits form easily. These are all simple adjustments to make that can really impact how straight you hit the ball. Emphasizing a good grip on each shot is a great place to start, and soon the grip will come naturally, as will the lower golf scores.
