PlaidJacket Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 I've just returned from a golf outing and made a discovery. I think. On the final day while on the practice tee I for some reason decided to hit some balls with a 10 finger grip. Wow! I had been struggling some during the week with my ball striking. I think I'm switching to a 10 finger. I've played my entire career with an overlap. That's just how I was introduced to the game. Pros don't use a 10 I thought so why should I? Well, very few anyway. Hogwash. I discovered some of the most flush ball striking I've ever seen and felt. Much more compression. And... I've gained distance. Additionally I've not suffered any odd hooks or anything. All this is not to say that I've found the "secret" but it sure seems to be working for me. I'm heading out shortly to join my regular Saturday game. I'm excited to try this out again. I'll let everyone know how it worked out with more information regarding distance, ball flight, etc. Do any of you guys use a 10-finger grip? Jdavis0910 and JohnSmalls 2 Quote My Sun Mountain bag currently includes: 771CSI 5i - PW and PFC Micro Tour-c 52°, 56°, 60 wedges EXS 10.5*, 929-HS FW4 16.5* Willimette w/GolfPride Contour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbil8802 Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 I think we had a thread on this a while back. My thoughts on are the same so I'll just add them on here for reference. I use an interlocking grip now but when I started playing a few years ago I used a ten finger grip since I played baseball my whole life and it felt comfortable. If it's functional I don't see why there would be a problem with it. Here's an excerpt that I enjoyed reading from a chapter in Harvey Penick's book "The Wisdom of Harvey Penick": "DURING OUR MANY years as friends and colleagues, Jimmy Demaret and I had countless conversations about the golf grip. You may be surprised to discover that when Jimmy was Masters champion and known the world over for his ability, he decided his grip was wrong— but he was too far into a successful career to think seriously about changing it. Jimmy used the familiar Vardon, or overlapping, grip from his early days as a caddie all the way to the end of his life. Yet he came to believe the Vardon grip is not the most fundamentally sound grip for most players, including Jimmy himself. Harry Vardon made the piggybacking of the pinkie finger of his right hand onto the top of his left index finger— or into the space between the index and third fingers—into the most popular way for players to hold the club. Vardon had big, strong, fast hands, and his style of grip was meant to move his hands closer together and, by removing one finger from the handle, reduce the possibility of his right hand overpowering his left during his swing. Proper application of his hands increased his power and helped him to control the club. “But how many golfers do we encounter whose big problem is having too much power?†Jimmy would say. Jimmy believed the average player should learn the so-called ten-finger grip. In fact, it is eight fingers and two thumbs, but you know what I mean. This is often called the baseball grip, which is incorrect. If you were to grip a golf club like a baseball bat, your thumbs would be around the handle just as your fingers are. “The full-fingered grip is the most fundamentally sound grip for the vast majority of golfers ,†Jimmy said. “Most golfers don't need to fight hands that are too fast. Most golfers have just the opposite problem—their hands are not fast enough.†In the full-fingered grip, Jimmy believed, the hands should be as close together as possible, with that right pinkie finger on the handle of the club to help deliver the blow. “In a reasonable swing, the right hand won't take over from the left with the full-fingered grip,†Jimmy said. “The two hands will work together. You get more power and better control. I'm so accustomed to the Vardon grip by now that it would take me a long time to change, and I'm doing okay the way things are. But if I was a newcomer to the game, or an average player who doesn't depend on golf for a living, I would certainly use the full-fingered grip. JohnSmalls, mooremikea and fozcycle 3 Quote Driver - M1 9.5* w/ Aldila Rogue Silver 70X Fairway - M1 5W 19* w/ Aldila Rogue Silver 70X Hybrids - G25 4H 23* Irons - JPX 850 Forged 4-PW w/ Nippon N.S. Pro 1150S Wedges - S5 50*07, 54*12, 58*12 w/ Nippon N.S. Pro 1150S Putter - Oddyssey Metal-X #7 w/ SuperStroke Pistol GT 2.0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaidJacket Posted October 10, 2015 Author Share Posted October 10, 2015 I was hoping to provide an update from my change to the 10-finger...ehem, full-fingered grip. I had to quit today after 4. I'd played 81 holes the past few days and my right hip was sore. I just couldn't turn well. I'll put something up soon after I've rested a bit. I think the full-fingered grip just might be for me. To start with I don't have large hands. Average. The other day I noticed increased distance and more consistent flush ball striking. Both are winners for anyone's game. Certainly mine. fozcycle 1 Quote My Sun Mountain bag currently includes: 771CSI 5i - PW and PFC Micro Tour-c 52°, 56°, 60 wedges EXS 10.5*, 929-HS FW4 16.5* Willimette w/GolfPride Contour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZenGolfer Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 Ive tried it. I find that I get too flippy with it and tend to hit pulls or snap hooks. PMookie 1 Quote "I suppose its better to be a master of 7 than to be vaguely familiar with 14." - Chick Evans Whats in my Sun Mountain 2.5+ stand bag? Woods: Tommy Armour Atomic 10.5* Hybrid: Mizuno MP Fli-Hi 3H Irons: Mizuno T-Zoid True 5, 7 and 9-irons Wedge: Mizuno S18 54* and Top Flite chipper Putter: Mizuno Bettinardi A-02 Ball: Maxfli Tour X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Undershooter Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 I'm an interlock guy but I have no problem with whatever grip works for people. 10 finger, vardon, interlock, whatever the hell Furyk does, it's all deadly if it fits you well. PMookie and wbealsd 2 Quote Driver- Tmag 2017 M2 tour issue 8.5* actual loft 7.8* w/ HZRDS Green PVD 70TX" Fairway Metal- Taylormade SLDR Mini Driver 12* w/ Fujikura Rombax TP95-X" Utility- Mizuno MPH5 1 iron w/ Aldila RIP 85X (depending on course/ conditions) Irons- Mizuno MP- FLI HI 2i w/ Aldila Proto ByYou 100X Mizuno MP59 4i-6I w/ PX 6.5 Mizuno MP69 7i-PW w/ PX 6.5 Wedges- Scratch 8620 Driver/Slider set. 50*, 54* bent to 55* and 60* Putter- Taylormade Spider Tour w/ flow neck Ball- Bridgestone Tour B X Bag- Sun Mountain C130 Supercharged Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattF Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 I was contemplating it, but the more I read the more I saw that it "could" lead to hooks, which I battled with at the time. So, I'm sticking with the interlock for now. Quote In the bag: Driver: TSR2 Project X HZRDUS Black 5.5 Fairway: Apex UW 19° & 21° Project X HZRDUS Smoke RDX Black 5.5 Irons: JPX 923 HMP 5-PW UST Mamiya Recoil 95 F4 Wedges: T-22 Denim Copper 48°, 52° & 56° UST Mamiya Recoil 95 F4 Putter Sycamore 005 Wide Blade Bag: Alpha Convoy 514 Balls: Chrome Soft X Cart: CaddyLite ONE Ver. 8 God Bless America, God save the King, God defend New Zealand and thank Christ for Australia! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fireinthehole Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 When I first started I used the interlock grip for one year and then switched to overlap which felt way more secure, stable and comfortable to me. My miss is a push from not releasing the club head and I use the ten finger grip to groove that feeling down before I head out, but I hit too many fat shots with that grip to use it. I remember reading some where that if you have smaller fingers the interlock is more comfortable. Hope it works out for you though! Quote My Mixed-Bag: Driver: Mavrik Sub zero, ventus black 7x Fairway: Still looking! Irons: MP-18 MB 4-PW Wedges: Miura K Grinds Putter: Evnroll 1.2 blade Ball: Z star XV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaidJacket Posted October 25, 2015 Author Share Posted October 25, 2015 Yesterday I played 18 in my usual Saturday game. Scored well (77) with a double on 18. UGH! I used the Full-Fingered grip all day and struck my irons great. Solid and crisp. But... I'm not so sure about it with my driver. I did manage 50% fairways (7). Of the 7 I missed two of them were ugly low hooks. The others were off the FW either left or right by no more than 5 yds. This week I'll practice some with the driver experimenting with the FFG and my normal overlap. To be honest I think I'm sticking with FFG. I'm noticing much more solid striking and better ball flight and increased distance. Since this is only the second opportunity I've had to use this gripping technique I'll add that the jury is still out. But, so far the results are very promising. It's kind of crazy to say but I feel like I've discovered some sort of secret. The FFG actually feels quite natural to me. I'm much more optimistic about my game than I have been in months. Is it possible that something as simple as changing the way I hold the club going to become a game changer? Maybe. Fireinthehole and JohnnyPenso 2 Quote My Sun Mountain bag currently includes: 771CSI 5i - PW and PFC Micro Tour-c 52°, 56°, 60 wedges EXS 10.5*, 929-HS FW4 16.5* Willimette w/GolfPride Contour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny B Posted October 26, 2015 Share Posted October 26, 2015 I have never played anything other than the 10 finger or FFG, coming from playing softball. Over the last few years I have toyed with changing to interlocking or overlapping but the results were disastrous. I am currently a 9.5 HCP but with either of those grips I would be a 30!! Too late in my life to change. dadivots and DawgDaddy 2 Quote “We don’t stop playing the game because we get old; we get old because we stop playing the game.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoverRick Posted October 26, 2015 Share Posted October 26, 2015 I started out with the interlocking, because that is what my dad said to do. About 5 years ago, I switched to the Overlapping (Vardon) because I read it gave more distance, and was trying to get rid of my early release. Then 2 years ago, I switched to the 10 Finger or FFG because it works best for me. I fought the urge to hit the ball with my right hand for 30 years. I have written about this a couple of years ago. about hitting vs swinging. But the bottom line is I learned that with the FFG and a slower body swing and then hitting the ball with my trail hand once my hands have gotten below my waist, I hit it longer and straighter. DawgDaddy, dadivots, PlaidJacket and 2 others 5 Quote G430 10.5° on Graphite Design Tour AD DI 6S G435LST 3W on Graphite Design Tour AD DJ 7S G425 Max 7w on Graphite Design Tour AD DI 8S G425 4-5 Hybrid on TGH proto 80 S i525 6-U on TGI 80 S SM8 54° Hi Toe 58° on Hi Rev DF2.1 on x L.A.B. White AVX -ProV1X Precision Pro NX7 Pro All grips are BestGrips Micro-Perforated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fireinthehole Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 When I first started I used the interlock grip for one year and then switched to overlap which felt way more secure, stable and comfortable to me. My miss is a push from not releasing the club head and I use the ten finger grip to groove that feeling down before I head out, but I hit too many fat shots with that grip to use it. I remember reading some where that if you have smaller fingers the interlock is more comfortable. Hope it works out for you though! Must make a change to this. I have a very passive right hand and noticed that I have been struggling with a left wrist that cups at the top. Happened with the overlap grip, but when I switch to interlock it goes away. Went to the range today and now it feels better than the overlap. The search continues I guess. Good to see you were hitting the ball well!@ Quote My Mixed-Bag: Driver: Mavrik Sub zero, ventus black 7x Fairway: Still looking! Irons: MP-18 MB 4-PW Wedges: Miura K Grinds Putter: Evnroll 1.2 blade Ball: Z star XV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaidJacket Posted October 27, 2015 Author Share Posted October 27, 2015 I was talking to a friend last night about my discovery of the 8-finger (full finger) griping method. This guy is a scratch player and has been for decades. To my surprise he informed me of another guy I know that's a 0-2 handicap who plays with a full grip method. I never knew. My friend went on to tell me that he himself sometimes uses a full finger when he needs to get a little extra out of an iron. Interesting note though.... he said he uses a reverse overlap grip. Here's the thing. I recall a few times over my career seeing a guy or two using the full finger and until recently thought to myself that this guy must not have had any instruction. I mean; who would grip a club like that? That's not what a real golfer does. Well, Jack Nicklaus is a "real golfer" and he says it doesn't matter what grip you use as long as you can deliver the club head to the ball properly. I think I'll go with Jack and the 10-finger, full finger, 8-finger, what-ever finger for the time being. Seems to be working for me. wbealsd 1 Quote My Sun Mountain bag currently includes: 771CSI 5i - PW and PFC Micro Tour-c 52°, 56°, 60 wedges EXS 10.5*, 929-HS FW4 16.5* Willimette w/GolfPride Contour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny B Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 There's only one finger that really matters! wbealsd and revkev 2 Quote “We don’t stop playing the game because we get old; we get old because we stop playing the game.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revkev Posted November 1, 2015 Share Posted November 1, 2015 There's only one finger that really matters! And right now it feels like golf is giving it to me. fozcycle and Kenny B 2 Quote Taylor Made Stealth 2 10.5 Diamana S plus 60 Aldila R flex - 42.25 inches SMT 4 wood bassara R flex, four wood head, 3 wood shaft Ping G410 7, 9 wood Alta 65 R flex Srixon ZX5 MK II 5-GW - UST recoil Dart 65 R flex India 52,56 (60 pending) UST recoil 75's R flex Evon roll ER 5 32 inches It's our offseason so auditioning candidates - looking for that right mix of low spin long, more spin around the greens - TBD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sschaffer24 Posted November 1, 2015 Share Posted November 1, 2015 Couldn't agree more with your opinions that you've expressed in here PJ. I made the switch this season and am not looking back. It makes the club feel so much more natural in my hands. The only club I don't grip that way is the putter. Everything else is baseball. Now if I try an interlocking grip I hit massive blocks. Not good. Quote TS3 8.75 with HZRDOUS Yellow and Black MicroPerf Best Grips. XR 16 3W & 5W with HZRDOUS Red shafts and Black MicroPerf Best Grips. U65 4i with Fujikura MCI shaft and Black MicroPerf Best Grips. AP3 5-PW with Accra Tour 110i shafts and Black MicroPerf Best Grips. SM7 50F, 54S and 60M grinds with Dynamic Gold 120 Tour Issue S400 and Black MicroPerf Best Grips. Queen B #6 with 34" Stability Shaft and P2 Aware Tour Grip. Pro-V1 Golf Ball. Jones Utility Golf Bag. Dormie Custom Headcovers. Bushnell Pro X2 Laser Rangefinder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NiftyNiblick Posted November 1, 2015 Share Posted November 1, 2015 I started out as a preteen with the interlocking grip and then switched to the overlapping. The only place that I ever tried the ten-finger grip was on the driving range with unimpressive results. I also played baseball as a youth, way back when kids played with heavy wooden bats, but it was different; the bat handle was much thicker than a golf club grip, the swing horizontal with at most an imperceptible uppercut, and the bat angle at contact less critical. Hitting foul pole to foul pole was good in baseball. People have enjoyed success with the ten finger grip, so it can't be completely biomechanically unsound. In my case, however, I can't make contact the same way twice in succession. My hands compete rather than work together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wbealsd Posted November 1, 2015 Share Posted November 1, 2015 It looks like the next few days will be nice enough to at least get some range time in, I'll have to try this. Due to the tendonitis flaring up in my hands this season, I've already made a lot of changes to my swing, but I'm pretty comfortable with my swing now. I use an interlocked grip, since that was how I was taught and I've never given any thought to changing it, but it won't hurt to experiment with a "10 finger" grip on the range. Maybe it will be easier on my hands, as well. If it shows promise on actual turf, I can work on it over the winter on a mat. Quote What's In the Bag Driver - GBB Hybrids Halo XL Halo 18* & T-Rail 20* Irons T-Rail 2.0 Wedges 60* TS / SCOR 48* 53* 58* Putter Ball Bag Datrek DG Lite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattF Posted November 1, 2015 Share Posted November 1, 2015 I tried it again yesterday after my tee shot on a couple of holes...massive hooks. I'll be keeping the interlock I guess. Quote In the bag: Driver: TSR2 Project X HZRDUS Black 5.5 Fairway: Apex UW 19° & 21° Project X HZRDUS Smoke RDX Black 5.5 Irons: JPX 923 HMP 5-PW UST Mamiya Recoil 95 F4 Wedges: T-22 Denim Copper 48°, 52° & 56° UST Mamiya Recoil 95 F4 Putter Sycamore 005 Wide Blade Bag: Alpha Convoy 514 Balls: Chrome Soft X Cart: CaddyLite ONE Ver. 8 God Bless America, God save the King, God defend New Zealand and thank Christ for Australia! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaidJacket Posted November 1, 2015 Author Share Posted November 1, 2015 Yesterday I once again used the full grip method. With my irons. I switched back and forth a few times with my driver using full finger and my ole standard over-lap. I hit better shots with the over-lap when driving the ball. No big hooks. So... as my experiment continues I'll use full finger with my irons and over-lap with the driver. As they say... whatever works. revkev and wbealsd 2 Quote My Sun Mountain bag currently includes: 771CSI 5i - PW and PFC Micro Tour-c 52°, 56°, 60 wedges EXS 10.5*, 929-HS FW4 16.5* Willimette w/GolfPride Contour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wbealsd Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 Just got home from the range after trying the 10 finger grip for the first time and it DOES seem to improve contact, particularly at the beginning of my range session. Possibly, it's a more natural grip for me. Hope to get to the range again tomorrow. PlaidJacket 1 Quote What's In the Bag Driver - GBB Hybrids Halo XL Halo 18* & T-Rail 20* Irons T-Rail 2.0 Wedges 60* TS / SCOR 48* 53* 58* Putter Ball Bag Datrek DG Lite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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