Grip question!

[Stoods78]

Hey all, 

  Just looking to see if any of you might have some advice.... 

  I think I am gripping too tight on my clubs (insert jokes here lol), but I seem to have a bit of difficulty in finding a balance. The definite tendency is to choke the life out of the club... But when I actively try to adjust, it feels a little too loose and like I have zero control. Struggling to find the happy medium! 

Does anyone have any tips or tricks to balance grip strength, or is it just a bunch of trial and error? Thanks! 

 

[hckymeyer]

I do this more with putting to relax my grip, but could work on any shot.  After I set myself before I start the swing I relax my hands almost letting go of the clubs.  Then reapply grip pressure and swing.

Another option to try is maybe moving up to a midsize grip and see if the larger grip allows your hands to relax a little bit.  You could just try one club and see how it feels at first.

[Larryd3]

I have that issue and as noted above moved to a mid-size grip.  Really made a difference for me.  Try it on a couple clubs and see if it works.  

[pjgiaquinto]

I also agree with larger grip suggestion.
My brother in law recently taught me how to re-grip my clubs at home and I switched grip size from standard to standard +3 wraps of tape, which has my grips in between standard and mid and they feel real nice. This really helped me to figure out the grip size that felt best for me with out having to pick a general size at the golf shop.

This article also helped me when I was picking new grips:

https://southamptongolfclub.com/standard-vs-midsize-golf-grip/

 

[Nateyeight]

Interesting responses. I also have an issue of gripping too hard, it does seem weird to swing something so fast and not grip it to death. I usually pull the shots to the left when I do. I have looked at some YouTube videos that offer some tips, hold the club in the air in front of you, and make sure the club moves easily and not restricted, or they say 6/10 pressure. I have to constantly remind myself on the course and when practicing to stop gripping it hard. 

The idea of changing the thickness of the grip never crossed my mind. I might have a play around with that to see if that helps me too. Thanks everyone. 

[russtopherb]

I concur on the mid-size grip advice. I moved to mid-size a few years back and noticed my release was much better from a more relaxed grip.

[DiscipleofPenick]

Do what's comfortable. If it's comfortable and you're playing well don't worry about it. Sam Snead gripped it lightly, Palmer squeezed it tight. There's no right way just your way.

[RickyBobby_PR]

10 hours ago, Stoods78 said:

Hey all, 

  Just looking to see if any of you might have some advice.... 

  I think I am gripping too tight on my clubs (insert jokes here lol), but I seem to have a bit of difficulty in finding a balance. The definite tendency is to choke the life out of the club... But when I actively try to adjust, it feels a little too loose and like I have zero control. Struggling to find the happy medium! 

Does anyone have any tips or tricks to balance grip strength, or is it just a bunch of trial and error? Thanks! 

 

Use this video for how to grip and look at the 9:50 mark where they talk about how tight it should be. 
 

 

[Stuka44]

20 hours ago, Stoods78 said:

I think I am gripping too tight on my clubs

I also say try mid size grips. They are bigger, and provide more contact area with your hands.  Take this for what it is, but when I started playing, everyone showed and insisted on the interlocking pinky finger grip.  I could not get the feeling I was going to have the club fly out of my hands utilizing the interlocking pinky grip.  I was gripping too tightly, and just couldn't get the thought of "this club is going to go flying out of my hand" out of my head on almost every shot.

When I stopped doing this, the feeling of losing the club went away almost immediately.  Combined with mid sized grips, its now a non issue.

I'm sure you will figure it out.  Because we all know,  in general, the less you have to think about in golf the better you will be.  Do a little research, as you are doing, and you'll find the grip that makes it a "non issue" for you.  Good Luck!!

[Headhammer]

Have you tried the less tapered grips? They claim to reduce grip tension, never tried them so I can't vouch for em, but maybe worth a look. 

[edingc]

Another approach might be to look at trying out grips with different textures or patterns, or ones made from different materials.

As someone with small hands, I don't have the ability to go to a midsize grip. I was a death gripper for a long time until I switched to grips with more texture. Currently, I am using Lamkin Sonar Tours. More "traditional" velvet-style grips tend to feel slick in my hands, which encourages me to hold on too tightly.

[rbgntx]

I went to the less tapered grip as Headhunter suggested and that has helped me with grip pressure and reducing hand action in my swing.  I bought a 7 wood recently and put a jumbo version of my current midsize grip on it.  Hitting the club with that jumbo has me thinking about changing all the grips to that size.

[Headhammer]

3 hours ago, rbgntx said:

I went to the less tapered grip as Headhunter suggested and that has helped me with grip pressure and reducing hand action in my swing.  I bought a 7 wood recently and put a jumbo version of my current midsize grip on it.  Hitting the club with that jumbo has me thinking about changing all the grips to that size.

Headhammer, Headhunter........Germans.

[tony@CIC]

9 hours ago, Headhammer said:

Have you tried the less tapered grips? They claim to reduce grip tension, never tried them so I can't vouch for em, but maybe worth a look. 

I use them and they certainly help. I currently use MCC+4. 

[gman8966]

One thing that others haven't mentioned is your glove. A new glove helps the grip stay stable in your hand so you aren't feeling like you have to clamp down on it. 

Also, I would check out Ben Hogan's five lessons book. There is a huge section on the grip, which gives a lot of great insights.

[hrfdez]

On 7/13/2021 at 9:43 AM, hckymeyer said:

I do this more with putting to relax my grip, but could work on any shot.  After I set myself before I start the swing I relax my hands almost letting go of the clubs.  Then reapply grip pressure and swing.

Another option to try is maybe moving up to a midsize grip and see if the larger grip allows your hands to relax a little bit.  You could just try one club and see how it feels at first.

I moved to midsize plus4 GP's TV's and you are absolutely correct, it relaxed my grip big time.

[ChitownM2]

First, I'm assuming your grips are relatively new?  I know that I tend to grip the clubs tighter as my grips wear out and the rubber gets harder.  Swapping out for new grips usually helps with that.  Another thing that I found helps me maintain a lighter grip is moving to a softer tackier grip compared to harder or cord grips.  I changed from a NDMC to a CP2 Pro and found I have much more confidence with a lighter grip and being so soft discourages me from squeezing it tightly.