Conference 7.286::golf

    I have to wonder whether or not this "pro" has given you enough info...
    
    I assume that you have built up the grips on 1 or more clubs...as a
    result of this:  
    			-has your club face opened up at all when gripping
    			 the club?
    			-are you comfortable when gripping the club
    
    Some basics  still apply irregardless of how large your hands/grips are
    
    - most strength comes from the last three fingers of your left hand
    
    - right hand strength points are the low knuckles(right above the
      palms) on the two middle fingers. (light pressure please)
    
    - When club is gripped V's formed by the thumb and forefinger on both
      hands should be pointed at your right eye. (with club face square to
      target.)
    
    With all of this taken into consideration, remember you are only
    gripping the club not trying to strangle it to death. :^)
    

    His advice has been known for years but many don't believe it works...
    
    If you use larger grips(or build them up with tape underneath)you'll
    tend to fade/slice shots....
    
    If you use thinner grips you'll tend to draw/hook shots....
    
    This is all assuming that you have a netural to slightly strong
    grip.....
    
    

         When I got my new clubs last year the grip size was
    increased. I have quit hooking the ball and in fact, I
    have a very hard time getting the ball to move right to
    left even with a strong grip. I have developed a very nice
    fade with my short irons but hit a pretty bad slice with
    long irons and driver and 3-wood. I'm sure there are some
    mechanical reasons for this also as I have also been working
    on a weak grip and a flatter swing. Think I will take an old
    3-wood to the range tonight with a regular size grip and see
    how it affects my release.
    
    Mad Hacker

    re .1
    
    The effect is that I grip weaker with the left hand and doing so not
    having to "strangle" the club as I did tend to do before, and yes
    after some practice it feels comfortable and the club face are in
    neutral/more open position.

    There is a couple of things maybe i can add to the discussion...
    
    Exercises that may be able to help realization of grip strength...
    
    - you can take your grip as you normally would, and then release all
      fingers but the last three on the left hand...you should then be able
      to  "move" the club about without it slipping in your hand.
    
      This also applies to the two fingers of the right hand.
    
      As for basics not working for some people, as much as this is true,
      the basics are always the best place to start...adjustments can then
      be made for the individual.
    
      One of the best places to look for inspiration is The Tour itself...
      
      Most all the guys have the basic principles down but they have made
      adjustments that suit them...pure form such as Freddy Couples to one
      of the worst swings...Tommy Armour
    
      As it has been stated before..find out whats best for you but do it
      on the range. Thats what they are there for. :^)
    
    	Good golfing!
    
    great white north golf fanatic

    
    
    The size of the grip is just one of the specs of a club that if not
    fit properly will either cause errant shots or cause you to make
    adjustments with your swing mechanics to compensate...
    
    	BTW, a properly fit grip will leave a gap of no more than 1/8 of
    	an inch between the tip of your finger and the palm of your hand
    	(left hand for right handed players) this is the largest grip you
    	should use, and the smallest should be one that your finger tip
    	just barely touch the palm of your hand...
    
    Gene

    re: Gene
    
    	Which finger?  I assume this is taking your normal golf grip?
    
    	Alan

    
    RE: .7
    
    Alan,
    
    Yes with YOUR normal grip. Whichever finger comes closest to the palm
    of your hand...
    
    Gene

    Hi
    
    	Speaking of grips ....
    
    	Lately my game has been on a roller coaster ride, one minute
    things are pretty sound the next minute Helter Skelter ;( . During
    this period I have been tinkering with hand positions, grip 
    pressure etc. ... trying to find the grip for me. The other parts of
    my swing are pretty repetitive and so this was a good test to see
    what affect changes in grip make to your swing.
    
    	Well the results were pretty amazing, going from hitting everything
    fat because of a "very" weak right hand, to topping the ball because
    of both hands gripping too tight, hooking the ball when my left hand
    is too far right (I'm a righty)   I can go on and on.....
    
    The point I'm trying to make is "start at your grip" make sure you
    have a sound grip, and know the feel of it. Ken Venturi was right
    when he said the most common fault of golfers is their grip...
    	
    	Talk to your PGA professional.
    
    	This was a public service announcement brought to you by the PGA.
    
    	Public Grip Association

    
    
      My question is this:
    
              I have Ping grips on my Irons.  As most of you know, some
    clubs get used more then others, thus there grips wear-out sooner.
    What I was wondering, do you think I could just change the grips on the
    clubs that need it, rather then doing the whole set?  I'm planning on
    going with Victory grips.
    
    
                                        Thanks
    
                                              Dean

    Sure!!!  Measure your existing grips and make sure you size the new
    ones the same.  There are many kinds/brands of grips out there and
    you may want to use something other than a Victory.  
    
    Rick

    What are the advantages/disadvantages of oversized grips?  I played
    with a guy this weekend who had them on his clubs and they felt
    great in my hands but I don't know what they'll do to my game!!
    Can anyone out there shed any light on this.
    
    	Thanks....Mike

    
    RE: .12
    
    Mike,
    
    	You will find the answers to your question in replies to this note,
    	including how to determine what a properly fit grip is...
    
    
    Gene

    
    Hi Everyone,
    
    	I read earlier in this note Gene stated that a properly fit
    	grip will leave a maximum 1/8" gap, or as little as "just 
    	touching" when measuring the nearest finger of the left hand
    	to the palm. (on a right handed player)
    
    	Does anyone know the amount of space needed for the right
    	hand, of a right handed players grip?
    
    	My middle fingers seem to wrap around too much and are resting
    	on the thumb of my left hand. If I'm suppose to use these
    	fingers for pressure, they are blocked by my thumb... I can't
    	get a grip on it. 
    
    	I've seen a few recommended right hand grip locations... one
    	says to lay the club across the intersection of the palm
    	and fingers. Another says to lay the club across the middle
    	of the fingers. If I use the palm/fingers method my fingers
    	will overlap onto my thumb... if I use the middle of the fingers
    	method the overlap goes away but the grip feels to loose.
    
    	Geee if I was playing more golf, I wouldn't have all this free time
    	to think of such stuff!
    
    	Walta

    Walta,
      I thought that someone of your abilities on the course would
    already have a pretty good grip !!!
    
    Mad Hacker
    
    ps - Do you use overlap or interlock type grip ?

    
    Hi Madness,
    
    	I use an overlap grip... If you played as often as I did
    	it's impossible not to play well eventually! :)
    
    	It use to be I'd spend a lot of time trying to swing
    	without bending my left arm... now I spend time trying
    	to feel more comfortable. One of the things that pops
    	up occasionally is too much tension in my wrists... 
    	I feel as though I might be gripping the club poorly
    	and it's causing the tension...
    
    	I've been studying pictures of some of the pro's and I
    	haven't had much luck finding a picture showing the righthand
    	grip and it's overlap of the left thumb, if any. I did find
    	one showing Tom Kite, and he had plenty of space .
    
    	I'm thinking my grips maybe too small in diameter?
    
    	just curious,
    
    	Walta

    re: .-1
    
    grips too small will cause the club to lay more in the fingers
    with the results of "most" shots hooking...
    
    grips too large will cause the club to lay more in the palm
    with the results of "most" shots slicing...
    
    of course this is assuming a 1) correct grip 2) a reasonable swing path
    
    as far as do the fingers of the hand touch the palm when wrapping
    around the club...I always figured my grip was correct when it:
    
    	1) allowed both hands to work together
    
    	2) caused the clubface to be square when it hit the ball...
    
    

Grip size is dependent on the size of the hands. A custom club maker on the West
coast explained that he could'nt get a grip size big enough even after building
the inside with extra tape for one of the basketball players.

I think your on to somthing but alas it is not my problem as my hands are
average in size.

Hi there all ye well known golfer..

I'm starting to play golf (now, when I do play it's not on a full course but just
a par 3 18 hole course here in Galway), and from reading the notes, its does
appear that the grip is one of the most important areas of the game to get
right.

Now I've been to an instructer a few times and he's shown me the grip ie

	the one where right hand's little finger overlaps with the left
	hand's fingers.

I'm getting use to it but I get the feeling that during my swing I'd adjust
my hand position, resulting in unbelievable shots. I generally tee off with
a five iron.

Anyone with some simple tips that I could practice with.

I've read the previous notes and find it hard too follow what ye are talking
about so I stress SIMPLE

Thanks for any help

Mick. (it can get frustrating sometimes hitting this little ball!!!)

    Perhaps some of you will be able to help me anticipate what the change
    of grip will do for my game...
    
    I just got back into golf last year after taking quite a few years off. 
    I grew up using the interlock grip and 'was' very comfortable with it,
    as I recall.  I'm pretty happy with my woods but my irons could use a
    lot of help. (I just recently bought some eye 2's that may help a bit,
    also.)  I have a tendency to fade with my woods.  My long irons are
    horrendous.  Anyway, enough of the horrors.
    
    I'm beginning to think that I should change to an overlap grip.  I have
    pretty good size hands and it feels much more secure taking a full
    swing.  I do admit that it feels like I would have more control over
    chipping or putting with my old interlock.
    
    Any suggestions on the change and what I should avoid or what I should
    look for?
    
    (I'm planning on taking a lesson as soon as the snow clears...)
    
    Thanks for any help you can offer.
    
    Bob D.

    Re:                      <<< Note 876.20 by EPIK::DEFELICE >>>

    Bob, I  believe  that  you should go with what  you  feel confortable
    with.  I would not think  that  the  problems with your long irons is
    due to interlock vs.  overlap grip,  (I  have switch from one grip to
    the other and didn't see any big impact  on  my  game)  but more with
    your swing and grip.  And for grip I  am  refering to the position of
    your hands in reference to the head.
    
    But all this is just guessing  so take your lessons and hopefully the
    pro will tell you what's good for you after he sees you.
    
    Tavo

    lARGE HANDS require an overlap grip. Phil

    
    re .22
    
    Large hands do not require an overlap, I have large hand and can't
    get comfortable with an overlap. I use to use it, but switched in
    college on the advise of the course pro. Since moving to an 
    interlock, I have become more consistent with all clubs. I had
    a nice fade, with a tendancy to hit horrendous slices, now I have
    a nice fade with a tendancy to hit straight. I also picked up 
    distance by switching to an interlock.
    
    You MUST do what ever feels comfortable, there are no rules cast 
    in stone, only guidelines.
    
    --Bob
    

Tavo's got the best advice, let a teaching pro help you make the
decision.  As for having large hands, when you take your lesson have
the pro check the size of the grips to ensure that they fit your hands.
 If they are too small, then you can get new grips with an extra wrap
or a smaller core to oversize the grips.


						KO

 RE: .22, others

    I started reading Harvey Pennick's "Little Red Book" last night.
    He believes in treating every golfer (and his grip and his swing) as
    an individual.  He says, in general, the interlock grip works for people
    with smaller hands; that people with bigger hands would probably be
    better seved by the overlapping grip.  There will always be exceptions.

    I have large hands.  I experimented with both grips.  I settled on the
    overlapping grip.

      PL

    Paul,
    
    Did you start with an interlock and then change?  What difference did
    you notice, aside from comfort, with the overlap?

    
      In addition to comfort, the type of grip you select should work
      towards getting both hands to work as one.  For me with medium
      size hands, I found the ten finger and interlock grips caused
      gapping between the hands.  The overlap reduced the gap and the
      hands started to work together better.
    
    -rick

    I started with the overlap grip (learned from Hogan's "Five Lessons").
    In the endless quest for that "je ne sais quoi" that will give me a
    perfect swing and knock many strokes off my handicap, I tried, among
    other things, the interlock grip.  I gave it up when:
	a) It did NOT solve all of my problems (make that 'any')
	b) The overlap felt more natural.

    Things that have helped:
	- Practice
	- A slightly stronger grip.
	- Practice
	- Reducing my backswing.
	- Practice