Applying pressure where it’s needed most is the secret to a good grip. But how much pressure to apply is a key question? It depends. If you ask three teachers how much pressure to apply on a scale of 1 to 10, you’ll get three different answers. That’s because grip pressure is relative to hand strength. Instead, focus on applying pressure at the right points. Then determine through trail and error how much pressure to use.
Below are the five key grip areas requiring pressure for a right-handed golfer:
- Left ring and middle fingers
- Lifeline of right palm
- Pinkie finger of your right hand
- Any voids on either hand
- Right palm at the side
When you first grip the club, think firms hands, soft wrists. Now isolate the key spots where you’ll apply pressure.
Start by wrapping your left ring and middle fingers around the grip. Now pinch the handle into the crease at the top of your palm. If you’ve done this correctly, you’ll be able to hold the club in front of you with just these two fingers.
Now put downward pressure on the point where the lifeline of your right hand covers your left thumb. You don’t want any space between them.
Make sure your right pinkie finger applies downward pressure on your left hand. This holds whether you’re using an interlocking or overlapping grip. Just a tad of pressure unifies the hands.
Check the voids between the thumb and forefingers of both hands. Pinch the digits creating the voids together, if you find any. Pressure here provides a connected grip for better control. Also, the side of your right palm faces the grip with a good grip. Apply pressure in this direction to trigger your wrist hinge before swinging.
The idea of a good grip is to squeeze the handle as hard as you can without choking off wrist movement. If you can’t move your wrists, you’ll inhibit a free flowing swing.