Pay attention to the grip
Do you need to make a grip change? An improper grip will not
allow you to feel the mass of the club head. If you can’t feel the
club head you will not be able to make a proper golf swing. Never
forget – all the things you are learning about golf are all pointed
to the best way for you to swing the club, not how long you can
keep your head down or how straight you can keep your left arm.
Pay attention to the grip
Do you need to make a grip change? An improper grip will not allow you to feel the mass of the club head. If you can’t feel the club head you will not be able to make a proper golf swing. Never forget – all the things you are learning about golf are all pointed to the best way for you to swing the club, not how long you can keep your head down or how straight you can keep your left arm.
Here are some things you need to do to make and keep a proper grip. Let your left hand hang down to your side, keep it loose and look and see the way it hangs. In particular notice where your thumb points. Now without changing your position put a club in your hand. The way it hangs is the exact position the club should be griped for you. Everyone’s hand hangs a little different, so this is how to ‘customize’ your own grip. For your right hand hold your palm up, place the club in the base of your fingers, wrap them around the handle, then wrap your hand the rest of the way around putting the left thumb in the pocket of your right.
If you have an extremely poor grip you don’t want to make a radical change all the way to a proper grip. You want to make a number of smaller changes that move in the direction of a proper grip. If you make a big change, sometimes it is too hard to stick to because your game and scores will suffer too much. When you are making the change, look at your grip and see that it has indeed changed, don’t trust how it feels, see it. There will be days after the change that the grip won’t feel right, but don’t change it to compensate. See that the grip looks right and keep it. It won’t take long until it will feel OK. Once you have changed it, never let it change back; use your eyes, they can’t lie.
Eagle Ridge’s Kids Course is open every Sunday at 3 p.m. for kids 12 and under. Cost is $5 for all the holes you want to play. We provide clubs, balls and tees. Have any golf related questions? From rules to club fitting you can call me at 408-846-4531 or e-mail me at
sk*****@ea**********.com
.
We are beginning our Summer Junior golf programs. We will be offering classes that run from five days a week on down to once a week. So call or e-mail me for details. If you would like to read some of my past tips, you can do so at www.pinnaclenews.com. And don’t forget, if you’re not having fun playing golf call your local PGA or LPGA instructor, we will help. Golf is more fun when you’re improving. Don’t be afraid to be good.
