Golf Swing Learning
I am going to give you a sample of instructions you can learn and also practice, and as you notice improvements in your game, you can find more advanced instructions.
The pre-swing setup is grip, aim, stance, and stance and posture. The next is backswing, downswing, and finish.
Now most of the world’s recognized golf coaches and professionals would teach you from the beginning how you grip or hold the golf club. This is the beginning or starting point for a sound golf swing.
Now you must master these basics meaning your golf swing because without mastering the fundamental starting point skill, you would never be able to achieve consistency in your play.
This is very serious. You need to practice and practice until you master these fundamentals constantly.
What is the Grip?
This is the human being golfer.who holds a club and makes contact with the club handle, which represents the interface between the player’s swing and the club.
Your hand would usually dictate how an adequate grip might be achieved. So your hands work within a limited range of motion, ordinarily certain aspects of griping the club.
There are various factors concerning the physical attributes of the player’s hands, which affects how and where the golfer holds the club handle.
Holding a golf club
sounds like the most superficial aspect of golf, but it’s not. And not just
that: It might also be the most important. You’ll hear many pros and
teachers alike say that if your grip is poor, your stance and swing
will follow suit. Discover below how to hold a golf club, step-by-step
guides, and troubleshooting tips to create a solid foundation for a
successful golf swing.
Holding a Golf Club for Beginners
You want to resist the urge to grab a
golf club like a baseball bat and have at your golf ball. Though that
does sound kinda fun, you will not make much impact on the range.
Your golf grip is arguably the most crucial element of your entire swing. It creates a foundation for your golf swing,
and it’s the only connection you have with your club — so treat it
wisely! When learning how to hold a golf club, trial and
error can often be the best way to find a grip that works for you.
Step-by-Step Guide to Holding a Golf Club
We’ll dive deeper into the three
types of golf grips in the next section. Yet, before you start
experimenting with how to hold a golf club, you’ll want to familiarize
yourself with your club. No matter what grip you go with, these
step-by-step instructions will help you create a solid base for your grip.
(Note: these instructions are for right-handed golfers; see below: left-handed vs right-handed golf clubs.)
- Hold your club waist-high in front of you, horizontal to the ground, and square the club face.
- Always grab the club with your left
hand first. Stretch out the fingers of your left hand; align the club
handle with your left palm so it makes a straight line diagonally across
your fingers. - Close your hand around the club. As
you grip the club with your left hand, the heel of your palm should
rest along the top edge of the handle (but you should still be able to
see
- see the tip of the handle).
- Rotate your hand to the right until
you see two knuckles on your left hand when you look down. This will
give you a neutral grip, which is a great starting point for lots of
golfers. - Position the heel of your right
hand on top of your left thumb so it’s covering. left hand. Close your
hand so your thumb and forefinger create a ‘V’ that points to the middle
of your sternum.
Types of Golf Grips
There are three basic golf
grips: the overlapping, interlocking, and 10-finger grips. Of course,
there’s no one-size-fits-all grip when learning to hold a golf club,
but it helps to know the differences.10-Finger Grip
It’s called the “10-finger grip”
because every one of your fingers is on the club. Not many professionals
use this grip, but some newcomers to the game find it comfortable.It can be a robust grip because
each of your fingers is touching the surface of the grip, and it can be a
well-suited grip for a golfer with small hands.Overlapping Grip
The overlapping or “Vardon” grip is the most common in golf. This is when you position the pinkie
finger of one hand and place it in the ridge between your other hand’s
index and middle finger.This grip’s most significant advantage benefits anyone with huge hands.
Interlocking Grip
The interlocking grip starts with the
10-finger grip; you interlock one hand’s pinkie finger with the
other hand’s index finger to get your hands closer together.The most significant advantage is that this
‘locks’ your fingers together so both hands work together, giving your golf swing some added power.Differences in Holding a Driver Vs a Putter
There are six basic types of golf clubs: putters, drivers, fairway woods, irons, hybrids, and wedges.
Of course, you don’t want to hold your driver (best used off
the tee) the same way you’d hold your putter (which you use on the
green).Holding a Driver
When learning to hold a golf
club, start by holding the club at the base of the handle with your left
hand and rotating your hand so you can see the knuckles of your index
and middle finger, as described above.Place your left hand on the club,
then place your right hand on the club so your right-hand overlaps the ring and middle fingers of your left hand. After you place your
right hand on the club, make sure your right thumb and index finger
create a “V” so it lines up with the middle of your torso.(If you’re left-handed, the hand placement will be the opposite; see: ‘Left-Handed Vs Right-Handed Golf Clubs.)
Holding a Putter
You can begin by holding the putter up to
your outstretched left hand. The handle should run through the center of
your hand. You can use the exact placement for your right hand so it sets below
your left hand.There are many ways to hold a putter —
far more than the regular golf swing. You’ll see many variations on the
course. You’ll see overlap, claw, and cross-handed grips. Try out a few
variations and choose the most comfortable grip for you.(Again, if you’re left-handed, the hand placement will be the opposite; see: ‘Left-Handed Vs Right-Handed Golf Clubs.)
Left-Handed Vs Right-Handed Golf Clubs
If you’re left-handed, you’re
probably used to living in a world built for right-handed people.
Luckily, this isn’t the golf case. Golf club manufacturers make
left-handed clubs for people just like you. To determine if you’re more
comfortable swinging left or right-handed, you might want to try out a
few clubs. Some lefties, like Phil Mickelson, prefer to swing
right-handed because it allows their more muscular arm to pull the club down
toward the ball.There’s no right or wrong way, do what feels natural and comfortable.
The golf grip
is the same technique for lefties as for right-handed golfers,
but the hand placement is the opposite. Your right hand will be at the edge
of the handle, while your left hand will be closer to the head.Troubleshooting Your Golf Grip
Does your golf grip feel
uncomfortable? Are your swing and your stance a little off? You’re not
alone. Your ‘mistakes’ aren’t breaking the mold when learning to hold a golf club.Could you check your grip and make sure to avoid common mistakes?
- Avoid Gripping “Up”
It’s vital to position your golf
club appropriately on the club. If you can’t see the tip of the handle,
your hand is positioned too high on the club. Move your left hand down
the handle so you can see the handle, and reposition your right
hand to match.- Check Your Trail (Right) Hand
If you’re right-handed, double-check
your right-hand placement on the club. Are your thumb and forefinger
making a ‘V’ shape? And is it pointing to the middle of your sternum?- Check Your Lead (Left) Hand
Can you see the knuckles of your ring
and middle fingers on your left hand? Is the club handle running
diagonally down your fingers?
It would help if you were holding the golf club with the same pressure you would hold a
small bird: tight enough so it doesn’t fly away but soft enough so you
don’t crush it. Sam Snead- Don’t Squeeze Too Hard
You don’t want to choke your club to
death. As Sam Snead once said, you should be holding the golf club with
the same pressure you would hold a small bird: tight enough so it
doesn’t fly away but soft enough so you don’t crush it. While you don’t
want your hands to shift, you still want a little ‘give’ when it comes
to your grip.- Get Back to Basics
If all else fails, sometimes it’s
best to start over. Put the club down and step away. Sip an Arnold
Palmer and relax. Then, return to your club and start from the
beginning.Golf Grip Cheat Sheet: TLDR
Want to learn how to hold a golf club
without all the wordy descriptions? Get to the bottom of your grip
by following these simple ‘rules.’- Always start with your left hand if you’re right-handed (vice versa if your left-handed
- Make sure the handle runs diagonally across your left fingers
- Check for knuckles after you close your hand over the handle
- Don’t cover the butt of the handle with your palm
- Your right hand’s thumb and forefinger should make the shape of a ‘V’ on the handle\
- Experiment with the three basic grips until you find one that’s comfortable
- Stay loose, and don’t squeeze the club too tight
When all else fails, go back to the
basics. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and Tom Watson certainly didn’t
learn to play golf in one, either.Frequently Asked Questions
What is the proper way to hold a golf club?
Everybody is different, and many teachers will tell you there is
no correct way to hold a golf club. But a good starter grip for a new,
right-handed golfer is to rest the grip so it runs diagonally down the
fingers into the palm on your left hand, which should go at the club’s top. You should be able to see the knuckles of your index and
middle fingers when you look down at the club. The palm of your right
hand should then sit over the thumb of your left hand towards the bottom
part of the grip.How do you hold a golf club with your right hand?
Many golfers’ right hand sits so the palm is near the side of the
grip, facing the target. The palm of your right hand should rest on top
of the thumb of your left hand. The ‘v’ formed by your thumb and index
finger should point to your right ear.How do you hold a golf club with your left hand?
The grip of the golf club should sit diagonally across your fingers
into the palm of your left hand. When you close your left hand, you
should be able to see the knuckles of your left index and middle
fingers.How do you place your hands on a golf club?
In simplest terms, you should have your ‘lead’ hand on the top of the
golf club and your trail hand just underneath it. The grip should run
down your fingers and palm in your lead hand, and the palm of your trail
hand should sit just on top of it.How far down should you grip a golf club?
Golfers should group the club at the top of the golf club but always
ensure that no part of their hand is hanging off the edge of the
club.Why do golfers interlock their fingers?
Many golfers choose to interlock their fingers because they feel
it helps them work together as one, which increases their power.How far should you choke down on a golf club?
For a low-flighted knockdown shot, you needn’t choke down more than a
few inches. For a delicate chip shot, you can stand slightly closer to
the ball and grip near the bottom of the grip.What does choke down mean?
Choking down in golf means gripping further down the shaft, towards
the bottom of the grip. It effectively makes the club shorter, which
makes it easier to control and can reduce the distance it travels.How do you hold a putter?
There are many ways to hold your putter. The most common way is the
“reverse overlap”; your left hand should sit above your right hand, with
both thumbs running down the center of the grip. The index finger of
your left hand should link the two hands by resting slightly over your
right index and ring finger.