Do you choke down on your clubs?

[Senior Champ]

I choke down on my driver whenever the fairway is tight or when I'm under pressure late in a tournament, and I need a fairway finder. I also choke down when I need to hit a shot low, to keep it under tree branches or into the wind so the ball doesn't ballon on me. Lastly, I choke down on chips and pitches since I don't need the distance, just feel and accuracy.

Edited May 25 by Senior Champ

[William P]

I have a natural tendency to grip down about a 1/4" on full swings while short game inside 100 yds is always gripped down to varying degrees to control ball flight and distance.

[GolferXY]

I sometimes choke down on chip/pitch shots that aren't in my standard range.  For instance, 75 yard pitch is a standard 56 degree half swing.  If I have a 50 yarder that requires a carry over a bunker I will sometimes choke it and hit the same shot, usually with an open face.  But yeah, circumstances may dictate how I grip the club.

[JCole]

Only when I’m playing an up hill lye. Other than that no

[Dweed]

Have to admit, I have a tendency to choke down a little bit, 1/2 in maybe. More of a feel thing than an actual swing thought. 

[JRSADLER]

I try to grip all the clubs about 1/2" to 3/4" down for all clubs and all swings.

For whatever reason. if I attempt to grip further down to reduce the distance the club/swing will generate, I come up 10-15 yards short.

[WillRowland]

I am a 75 YOA male golfer with a handicap, depending on the week, bouncing between 20 & 16.  For a full swing I hold each club approximately one (1) inch below the butt of the club.  The closer to the green that I get the more I move down the grip.  For example with a 60 degree lob wedge I’m gripping almost down to the shaft with a 3/4 swing at 35 yards.  I especially move up and down the grip when chipping with all of my clubs.  Down to the shaft for a low runner.  Mid length to top of grip for chipping more height & distance.   

[WillRowland]

Just an observation.  BUT the golfer in the illustration for this article seems to have an extra long grip!  Or is it extra small hands?

[Rafe]

 This year I put a 3 wood back in my bag(@ 68 I’m always looking for more distance).  To my surprise I’m hitting it fairly well, but when I need to be more accurate I have been choking down on it and it definitely helps with accuracy.  Soooo since I continue to loose distance I have started choking down on my 4 hybrid since my 5 iron isn’t my 160 club anymore

[RetiredBoomer]

On 4/19/2024 at 11:42 AM, Javs said:

Found an interesting article on choking down on your clubs. This jumped out at me because I am one that likes to choke down on my clubs.

I can remember choking down on certain clubs because the lie angles felt minutely too upright when holding the grip at full length.

[pineneedlespro]

Yes it is good to choke down the on the club the golfer is using if the golfer is between distances and take a regular (full) swing; but also be aware the it does change the lie angle.

[PrismFlopper]

Started choking down on clubs this year cause going off the numbers I was using it seemed to be more consistent to choke down than rely on just swing feel. The one I don’t really choke down on is my 60deg and I think that’s mostly cause all my clubs are in over except my 60 which is regular distance. The 60 I mostly use around the green anyway so it’s always been a “feel” club for me. All my other clubs kinda have the thumb placement marks on my lamkin grips so it’s easy to know “this notch equates to such a distance off the iron” 

[Hook DeLoft]

"Do you choke down on your clubs?"  Nah, I just choke. 

[mpfund]

Yes. I've never been fitted & I'm only 5'7" so the off the shelf set  I was given as a gift is a bit too long. 

[Cuzy51]

Yes I do

much more accurate without much distance loss 

my game is so much better when I do this

[jpgolf15]

Yes!  I used to never “choke down,” always playing every club at the end.  That was when I was younger.  Nowdays, at 70, I rarely play any shot without going down the grip about an inch.  Better control & feel for me. 

[lyle]

I usually only choke down a little when I am trying to take off a few yards

[Quigleyd]

Lots of times. Not sure I get what I am looking for though..

[Dropping2]

I don't normally choke down, but I seem to hit better if I do. Probably has more to do with hitting a none standard shot and focusing more on contact. 

[Shankster]

I went through a Sergio Garcia phase where I would choke down half, or full grip to adjust trajectory, but then I learned how to do it with club face control.  It feels extremely awkward to me to grip down on a club now.  My left palm pad is nearly hanging off the grip on full shots.  Choking down on wedges is a no-no for me too, if I need a higher or lower traj I simply change the club, ball position and swing length for desired result.  

[KC Golf]

Watching the AIG Women’s Open.  You will notice a lot of players choking down on various clubs. I think this type of technique works well in challenging weather on links courses and when precise direction vs distance is needed.