The GripPostureBall PositionAlignmentPro Shop

Most poor shots are a result of an improper set-up. That could be due to a bad grip, bad posture and/or ball position or alignment. It is often said that the set-up is a good 80% of the golf swing. What follows are small lessons concentrating on the 'Fundamentals of Golf; The Grip, Posture, Ball Position and Alignment. We hope that you find these sections helpful and successful in improving your golf game. If you have any questions about your golf game or inquiries about lessons, email The Learning Yard Golf Centre.

The only difference is how the little finger of the bottom or right hand interacts with the first finger of the upper or left hand if at all. We urge everyone to try all three when practicing. One is going to fit you better than the others so experiment.

Now, let's get you holding the club correctly. For left-handers the opposite will be true.

The Left Hand
Simply let your left arm hang naturally next to your body, let the end of the club sit in the fingers not in the palm of your left hand and close your hand keeping the thumb close to the body of the hand, like pinching something. In this case it's the club.

The left thumb should be slightly right of centre on the shaft. Notice two things, one is a close relation between the tip of the thumb and the far most extended part of the first finger or trigger finger, and the second is the "V" created between the thumb and first finger. This "V" is very important and should be pointing towards your right or back ear/shoulder area. More on this a little later.

Now with the right hand holding the butt end of the club, open your left hand so that the palm is facing upwards.

The club should be in a diagonal position so that the back centre of the grip is sitting where the small finger meets the left hand. Use this as the pivot point. The club goes diagonally across your fingers so that the back centre of the grip is right over the crease area of the tip and middle sections of your index finger. From there simply close your hand and the club should be properly positioned in your left hand.

In a SET-UP position you should be able to see, without moving your head or hand, 2 to 2 1/2 knuckles of your left hand. If you don't simply loosen your grip, rotate your hand and re-grip. That's the easiest way to properly insure that the "V" of the left hand is pointed in the right area or in a nice "neutral" position, back ear/shoulder area.

The pressure points in the left hand are the last three fingers and the padded area of your left hand.

The Right Hand
With the left hand properly gripping the club, place your right hand under the grip and have the back/centre of the grip lay where the 1st & 2nd portions of the 3rd finger meet, 4th for the 'ten finger' grip, and again, work it diagonally across your fingers so that the back centre of the grip is right over the crease of the tip and middle sections of your index finger.

Close you hand and let the padded area sit right on top of your left thumb and hold the club in your fingers not your palm.

At this point the lifeline of your right hand should be right up against the right side portion of your left thumb bringing power from behind and not from above. The padded area of your right hand, right on top of your left thumb. You should see a bleeding of the left thumb into the right and basically see one thumb.(\) You should see another "V" created by the thumb and first finger of the right hand, again, a pinching motion between those two fingers is required. Think of throwing a dart or threading a needle with those fingers. The idea is good enough but if your fingers touch no problem.(o) You can also let the first finger separate slightly to a trigger finger position. With all that said, both of those V's should be parallel and pointing in the same direction, back ear/shoulder area.

If those V's are pointed in different directions one of your hands will win over the other at impact, resulting in inconsistent ball striking.

The idea here is to have two hands work as one, so make sure that there are no spaces between your hands and that you start to feel what a good grip feels like.

The pressure points in the right hand are the two middle fingers, I like adding the small finger as well. This will enable you to connect the space between your thumb and index fingers of the left or upper hand, which should be in a relaxed state, to the right hand. So the last 3 fingers of both hands regardless of the grip.

Now picture this...

Think of the spot where the two middle fingers of your right hand join the hand as 'the centre of the universe'. Make sure that's right behind the back/centre of the grip and facing the target. This thought will help you get the club in your fingers and not in your hand as well as align the lower 1st half of your fingers with the back of your right hand. Much like throwing a ball underhand. Look at the position of your first couple of fingers in relation to the back of the hand at point of release.

As far as overall grip pressure, "medium" is best. Hold on to it but don't choke it.

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