Conference 7.286::golf

    I always thought that strengthening your grip referred to
    rotating the hands a little to the right on the shaft to
    enhance hitting the ball right-to-left. As far as a "strong"
    hand grip, most people recommend firm pressure without holding
    the club to tightly. Building the strengh in your hands and
    fingers might cause loss of some feel but who knows ?
    
    Mad Hacker

    I spent a good part of the winter insuring I could swing properly using
    only the last 3 fingers on my left hand... this requires some strength 
    in those fingers.  (All this ala Bob Mann's automatic golf)  It helped
    me quite a bit.  I've established a better swing plane allowing me to 
    work the ball right to left with more control. 
    
    The drill I used has you holding the club in the left hand as though
    you were squeezing a lemon with those 3 fingers, and taking a complete
    but controlled swing.  I also hit a dozen or so balls one handed each
    time I go to the range.
    
    Rick

    
    To strengthen my grip over the winter, and from now on... I use 20
    lb. barbells. Sitting on the edge of the bed, every morning I do
    one set of 20 wrist curls. Simply lay your arms palms up, on your
    thighs...hands dangle over your knees then let the barbells roll from
    your palms to your finger tips. Then using your fingers/wrists, curl the
    barbell back to your palms. repeat .
    
    	The few rounds I've played so far, I've noticed an increase
    in club control when using my driver and long irons. Also at the top
    of the backswing I have gained more stability... keeping the club
    from dipping past parallel.
    
    More important; I can open any beer ;) !!!
    
    	Walta
    
    
    
    		
    			
    			
    			
    			

    I use the Marcy Wedge and a spring grip hickey-doo at work. My problem
    isn't grip/forearm power, its an arthritic soreness that creeps into my
    hands about the 14th hole and by eightteen is a real problem. Maybe I'm
    chokin' it.... 

    I think (and certainly hope) that you are talking about strengthening
    your hands and not your grip...strengthening your hands never does any
    harm, allows them to take any possible punishment and helps prevent
    fatigue. I believe .2 has the right idea...not more than firm pressure.
    Easy does it, your not trying to strangle anybody or anything.. 8^)
    
    great white north golf fanatic

    
    hold a cold bottle of Bud(brand optional) firmly in your left hand,
    extend both arms forward. grip cap with your right thumb and index
    finger, turn cap counter clockwise using mainly your right wrist.
    repeat holding bottle in right hand, don't forget to drink contents
    (12 oz curls)...  continue this, alternating hands until you pass out.
    
         /
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         /.\     ace
     

         I used to get a lot of soreness in my hands when I used the
    interlocking grip. The pain would start about halfway through the
    back nine and last for a couple of days after I played. Mostly
    it was located around the knuckles of the index and middle finger
    on my left hand and the knuckle on the little finger of my right
    hand. (I'm right handed) Tried exercises but the only solution
    was a grip change. Now I use the overlapping grip and have no
    pain in my hands when I play. I don't know what may be causing
    the soreness in your hands j.j. but maybe it is your grip ?
    
    Mad Hacker

    I use an interlock grip also.  When I first started playing I
    experienced some discomfort in my little finger on my right hand.
    I am convinced that I was stretching the tendons because...
    (a) my interlock was too tight... (right hand under too far)
    (b) I hadn't played enough to have the flexibility in the tendon
    
    Once I reset my grip (both "V"s pointing to my right eye) the interlock
    became comfortable.  Try setting your hands with an overlap, then slip
    into the interlock.
    
    Rick

    
    I too use the interlock grip. I use to use the overlap but it was never
    comfortable. Once I switched to the interlock, I have never been 
    uncomfortable, and my hands have never been sore. I would guess your
    problem is you are holding the club to tight, thus putting uneeded 
    pressure on the 2 interlocked fingers.
    
    --BOb
    

         I always surmised that when making contact with the ball
    I had a tendency to squeeze very hard with the little finger
    of my right hand. This probably had a lot to do with the pain
    in the knuckles of my left hand. Tried the 10 finger grip for 
    awhile until my hands quit hurting and then went to the overlap
    type grip. It works well for me and is very comfortable now that 
    I am used to it. Felt funny at first but never hurt my hands.
    
    Mad Hacker 

    I don't think any particular grip has anything to do with the soreness
    I experience. It's arthritic; either a product of age or too much
    flogging the dummy as an adolescent.