Golf World: Importance of the grip

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Probably golf's most underrated fundamental is the grip.

Sometimes people just completely ignore it. But, the fact is, the grip is the most important fundamental of all.

The grip controls the clubface and the eventual curvature of the ball. It is the only thing really attached to the club so, therefore, it better be right. Like all aspects of the swing, the grip is a little different for all of us, depending on your swing style and your desired ball flight.

Here are some basics. The 3 P's of the grip are:

-- 1. Position.

-- 2. Placement.

-- 3. Pressure.

Let's start with the placement, and let's assume you are a right-handed golfer.

The club should be held in both the palm and fingers of the left hand. The left thumb, for most people, should be on the right side of the shaft at about 1 o'clock. The heel pad of the left hand should be on top of the shaft.

If you need more wrist cock in your swing, your left thumb should be in a long condition down the shaft. If you are looking for less wrist cock, then you should have a shorter thumb. A short left thumb will cause a short swing, and a long thumb will create a longer swing.

The "v" formed by the left thumb and forefinger will point at your right shoulder when you look down at it. Make sure you hold it a little tighter with the last two fingers of the left hand.

The right-hand grip is essentially a finger grip. Put the life line of the right hand on top of the left thumb, and wrap the fingers around the shaft. The thumb and forefinger of the right hand will form a trigger, as the "v" formed by the index finger and right thumb will also point to the right shoulder. This puts the palms facing one another.

The little finger of the right hand will overlap or interlock on top or in between the index finger of the left hand. This unifies the hands, and makes them work together as one unit.

Most amateurs should have a stronger grip. This means your grip is turned to your right. This helps you stop slicing. It is quite common for the ladies to hold the club too much in the palm of the left hand and in a weak condition. A weak grip is one that is turned too much to your left. If you are slicer, I am sure this is the grip you are using.

A weak grip inhibits that needed wrist action that creates a good release. If you hit the ball to the right, turn your hands to the right. If you hit the ball to the left, turn your hands to the left.

No matter how you swing, there are only three controllers of the clubface: The grip, the left wrist, and the release of the club. The grip is by far the most important of the three.

Finally, the pressure you have in the hands is a major influence on the tension you have in your body when you swing a golf club. It is absolutely impossible to swing an object with any rhythm or tempo if your grip is tight. On a scale from 1 to 10, 1 being the lightest and 10 being the tightest, the pressure in the hands should be 3 or 4. If you hold the club lightly, you will feel the clubhead and be able to shift your weight. A tight grip will ensure a rigid, unathletic swing, and leave your weight back on your right side at impact.

In any event, get your grip right and you are on your way to becoming a better player.

(Dr. Jim Suttie, 2000 National PGA Teacher of the Year, is available for lessons at Suttie Golf at The Club at Twin Eagles North Naples, Fla. and Cog Hill Golf Club, Lemont, Ill. Suttie is a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher and rated No. 15 in Golf Digest Best 50 Teachers. Contact him at Jmsuttie(at)aol.com.)

(Golf World is a feature of the Naples Daily News in Florida.)

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