The goal of every golfer at every level is to improve. This is usually defined as a lower score. At first you want to break 100, then 90, then 80 and so on. If you get to the PGA tour you want to win an event, then a major, then more majors. Even Tiger Woods talks about changing his swing and working on shots to keep getting better. Everyone has a different place where they get stuck trying to improve. Here we will talk about strategies to help you shoot lower scores at any level.

Short Game

Shooting lower scores is very much based on your short game proficiency. This includes chipping and putting. Your chipping needs to be good enough that you give yourself tap-ins once or twice a round. The other chips or shots around the green need to leave you within reasonable one putt distance. Whenever, you are faced with a shot around the green make certain that your next shot is a putt.If you are buried in a bunker just get it on the green and give yourself a putt. You don’t need to hit the hero shot. Playing shots that you know you can hit are the surest way to shoot lower scores. Groove your putting stroke so that you know where the ball is going to start. One of the best putting drills is to use 6 balls. Find a flat straight putt on your practice green. Place the first ball right on the lip of the cup, the next one is a foot behind that and so on so that the last ball is about 6 feet from the cup. Then start stroking each ball into the cup. The first few putts should be easy because the balls are so close to the hole. This will breed the confidence that the ball is going to go in the cup. Also, as you move back you realize that the next putt is just one foot longer. All you have to do is roll the ball straight for 12 inches. By the time you get to 6 feet this will seem like a simple putt. A solid repeating putting stroke is the surest way to shoot lower scores. The goal is to average less than 30 putts per round. This will absolutely help you shoot lower scores.

Long Game

Thinking about swing mechanics never leads to lower scores. When you are really trying to play for a best score you have to focus on scoring and not mechanics. This is where the expression “paralysis by analysis” comes from. So trust yourself and your swing.Don’t go chasing a bunch of different swing theories and methods. Stick with what you’ve got. Hopefully, you have a certain shot that you play most of the time. You may always hit the ball left to right or right to left. Play your bread and butter shot as often as you can. This will make the game easier and is another sure fire way to shoot lower scores. If you can play a fade on a dogleg left, then do it. Work on your tempo and rhythm. Watch the pros. They always seem to swing the same way. Some swing fast and hard others are smoother and slow. Whatever your tendency is make sure you stay with it. Try to play all tee -to- green shots with the same rhythm. This will keep you from thinking about mechanics and focus more on getting the ball from point A to point B which is what shooting lower scores is all about. Finally if you want to have lower scores then play more golf! This is going to be counter to what many instructors tell you. They want you to practice, practice, and practice. While practice certainly has its place it does not necessarily lead to shooting lower scores. You have to get out and play more because on the course is where you really learn to shoot lower scores. Just make certain you keep track of your rounds and what you are doing. It’s important that you know what you need to do to post lower scores.

Many golfers get stuck and frustrated at a certain scoring level. They can’t seem to break through to the next level.

By: Bob Charles

About the Author:

Achieving the correct golf swing is the magic key that will open all the doors to better and more enjoyable golf. It is common knowledge that a correct golf swing is essential to playing good golf and it has a major influence on how well you will actually is able to play. The correct golf swing is simply two basic movements and one connection that enables you: to hit longer shots by generating more club-head speed to hit straighter shots consistently, by better club-head control. If you imagine yourself in a garbage can you will understand that the correct golf swing is AROUND your body. Generally, the correct golf swing is a set of highly complex body movements which require precise coordination of the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, torso, hips, legs, and knees of the golfer.

Golf is actually a sport that demands a lot of energy contrary to what many people believe. Golf is like any other sport, and that means preparing to play your best. Golfers are now realizing there is a fitness component to golf, and are seriously considering fit for golf approach. Golfers are now realizing there is a fitness component to golf, and are seriously considering getting fit for golf. Golf has always been a popular game, but with the coming of Tiger Woods it certainly has become even more popular and many more people are taking to the game having been inspired by the achievements of this golfing great.

This is the goal of the golf swing: keep the golf club in a slot, essentially dissecting the shoulder on the back swing and follow through. Keep in mind, we are not going to make a perfect swing every time, but that is our goal. How do we go about keeping the swing on the correct plane and developing feel. The first answer to this question has to do with your golf swing mechanics.

If your body is not conditioned, what will tend to happen is that your game will deteriorate as you continue playing. While the golfer cannot do anything to affect the influence of the wind, other external factors and other complexities of the game, he or she can, by developing a consistent and repeatable golf swing, consistently control the flight pattern of the ball, its trajectory, the amount of spin or curve, and the distance that the ball travels. The problem is that of finding the time away from their golf game to take golf lessons.

Golfers have struggled for years with their games and have become very frustrated. Golfers are rabid and will pay any amount of money in hopes to play better golf. Golfers are no exception and apart from valuable golfing tips being widely available on the net, the other huge advantage is that it has become a lot easier to find good golf products.

The correct golf swing is not easily achieved with just a single practice session. The only way to learn the correct golf swing is through consistent practice. The reason is because the correct golf swing is a set of movements that the body finds extremely unnatural and uncomfortable.

By: Sonny Castro

About the Author:

Are you looking for golf swing help? These 3 tips will add 10 yards to your drive:

1. Golf Fitness Training

Have you ever wondered how the world’s top golfers manage to drive the golf ball so far? Did you notice that many of them look very fit. For example, much of the power in Tiger Wood’s swing is attributed to his tremendous flexibility and core strength.

Their strength and flexibility does not come out of thin air. These professionals work out at the gym when they are not on the golf course or driving range. A little bit of weight training, lots of flexibility training and core training add a lot of power to the golf swing techniques of these top golfers. An additional advantage is that golf fitness training is done indoors, so you can get your workout no matter what the weather is like outside.

You, too, can do the same thing and add many yards to your golf swing. Even if you cannot work with a dedicated golf swing trainer, many gyms offer a Pilates training program. Although Pilates does not specially target golfers, the general core training and flexibility exercises in the program will still help you a lot.

2. Use The Longest Distance Golf Balls

Did you know that the longest distance golf balls can travel 260 yards when hit by an amateur golfer? CNN’s Golf Labs actually tested more than 50 of the best golf balls in play today, using a machine to hit the balls with a normal driver.

One of the longest distance golf balls is Noodle+, which travel 259 yards. Another excellent golf ball, Nike One Platinum, travels 240 yards. Tiger Woods actually uses this ball, because it gives him the greatest control over his game.

You could be losing many yards from your drive by using cheap golf balls. Try a top-grade golf ball and add another 10 yards to your drive.

3. Getting the correct golf clubs

Are you using the correct golf clubs? Amateurs have these 3 main problems with their golf clubs:
Grip – Are the grips on your golf clubs the right size for you? A grip which causes you to hold the golf club too tightly or too loosely can cause you to slice or hook the ball, losing precious distance in your drive. More than one golfer has found his slice miraculously disappearing once he got the grips on his clubs correctly fitted. Length – Yes, length matters. Too long or too short, and your swing could be badly affected. In the past, picking the golf clubs with the right length shaft was a hit or miss affair. However, with modern technology, many golf shops are equipped with golf swing analyzers and can analyze your golf swing and suggest the best shaft length for your driver. Flexibility – The more flexible the shaft of your golf club, the more power you have on tap. Unfortunately, more flexibility also means more torque, which can lead to a slice or hook. If you find yourself suffering from a bad slice, you may want to test a driver with a stiffer shaft. Conversely, if your golf swing techniques are good and you consistently hit the ball straight, getting a driver with a more flexible shaft could give you more power in your swing and a an extra 10 yards in distance.

Using just one of these golf swing help tips could add 10 yards or more to your drive. Use all three and gain 30 yards.

By: Godfrey Swain

About the Author:

Golf tips for beginners are about as common as oxygen in the atmosphere, but being considered a “beginner” in anything is not always the most comforting thing in the world, especially golf, as us golfers all strive for that “scratch golfer” reputation. Also, one of the biggest and most challenging obstacle to overcome in the game is learning how to cure your slice, as being able to hit the ball straight is futile to shooting low scores and having more fun on the course. But before I reveal one drill that has helped me overcome that darn score-raising slice, just listen to these words. All of the great golfers in the world: Tiger Woods, Sergio Garcia, Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson, etc… were all beginners at some point and I guarantee you that they were struggling with a slice just like you are now. But enough rambling, read, print, and practice this drill, and hopefully your slice will vanish along with your high scores.

Anyways…

I call this drill the “three ball drill.” It is one of the best golf tips for beginners that I can recommend, if you are battling a strong slice:

The next time that you go to the driving range, hopefully soon, get the club that you slice the worst with, i.e. the driver most likely and follow these simple steps:

1)Get three balls out and set one up a normal distance away from you as if you were going to hit it.

2) Then place two balls (teed up if you are using your driver) on each side of the first ball, perpendicularly from you, and leave just enough space to where you can swing the clubhead through.

3)Then take a full swing and attempt to hit the middle ball. Try to just hit the ball in the middle, then it should go relatively straight, as hitting the other balls too will show you that your swing plane, i.e. the “line” that that your club swings on, is faulty, resulting in a slice or off-target shot. Practice this drill lots as I strongly believe that it is a great golf tip for beginners, and soon to be single-handicappers.

The reason that this drill works is because your main goal to learn how to cure that slice is to achieve an inside-to-outside swing path, which will cause you to hit the ball straight.

Read more information about how to cure your slice here, and find a final solution to that golf game destroyer.

By: Nick Tuttle

About the Author:

Every golfer knows the feeling of completely slicing their drive into the trees, bushes or anywhere, but the fairway. It is inevitable, it will happen to you sooner or later, even the pros suffer from a case of the shanks or bad slices from time to time.

Although at the time of the nasty golf slice you don’t have any no idea what went wrong with your swing because you just swung the golf like you did every time, there is always a cause and it can be a number of things.

A lot of golfers have things that they do when they swing that is unique or odd which they have become accustom to. Some golfers twist their wrists a certain way, some don’t interlock their hands on the club and other just look funky when they swing. What ever it is, if it was working at one time or another you are doing something right, but there are a few things that may be the cause of your slice.

First of all most golfers totally miss the importance of good hip rotation in their golf swing, without good hip rotation your swing will never result in a maximum amount of yards in your drive. Secondly it could be your follow through, golfers without the right follow through will always a little off target. Lastly keeping your eyes on the ball. It sounds really simple, but if you lose eye contact with the ball during your swing you will almost certainly develop and ugly slice in your golf swing.

By: Ryan Stains

About the Author:

Any golfer who wants the best performance out of the golf tournament must learn the golf grip tips. Talk of Tiger Woods, Nancy Lopez, Ben Hogan and the rest known world golf pros, none of them entered the list of the best golfers without having worked on their grips. It should be known that the only point of contact between a golfer and the club is the grip. A bad golf grip may not enable a golfer make good golf swing and this is why every golfer-beginners and pros need to make good use of the grip tips to help them improve their scores.

But what are the perfect golf grips that can make a golfer improve his or her performances? To get the best grip, it is advisable that the practicing golfer will always work on every method learnt from the golf grip tips. First and importantly, to get the best golf grip, ensure that the golf club is held with your right hand. Your left hand should naturally hang from your shoulder and your hand maintained down on the side of the golf grip. While doing these, the left hand should slightly turn inwards towards the golfer body.

Secondly, the left hand should be brought forward from its hanging position and placed against the golf club grip. While doing these, the shaft should shaft of the club should run from thicker pad of the palm and proceed diagonally downwards. It is recommended that it should run about 6mm from the base of the index finger to the middle joint of the index finger.

The fourth golf grip tips require that the left hand fingers form the best golf club grip. A golfer should not grip the golf club tightly to ensure that no excess pressure is applied on the grip. The golf club grip should not be like a person squeezing out something out of the club. The thumb should be placed on top of the golf grip towards the center as the golfer look down. The left thumb should not be pushed far towards the bottom of the club grip. The feeling of a solid grasp on the club will prevent the thumb from supporting the club during backswing.

Lastly and profoundly, bring the right hand in case of the right-handed golfers from its normal position and place the club into the fingers. The right thumb and the index should form a sort of prompt around the club. Let the little finger be rested on the groove formed by the first and the second fingers of the left hand. With these golf grip tips, you can be assured of the best performance like Nick Faldo.

By: T Dugan

About the Author:

So, whether you have just taken up the game of golf or have been playing for years, breaking 80 in golf is the biggest challenge. You want to learn how to break 80 in golf and can’t seem to beat that magic number?

The almighty slice or 3-putt seems to ruin your chances everytime. Or, you haven’t even broken 90 yet, so you wonder how you are going to knock off another 10+ strokes? Read more to learn.

The first time I did it was on a decent course. It was a sunny day and I was 15 years old. Now I was no Tiger Woods, but I did learn how to break 80 in golf that day.

I had just 3 putted the par 3 17th hole and was very aggravated as we get when we make a stupid mistake. This put me having to birdie the final hole to break 80 for the first time.

I took a deep breath and visualized the shot. My dive was perfectly down the left side of the fairway setting up a nice second shot to the green. With a 9 iron out and about 160 yards away (I tend to hit the ball long), I again visualized what I wanted.

I am not the strongest putter in the world, but I knew if I could get it within 10 feet I’d have a legitimate shot. My turn arrives and I step up and do my waggle/routine. A smooth swing and the ball sailed perfectly towards the hole.

I am watching, hoping, and waiting to see what happens next. The ball lands and I feel I am close enough to make birdie for a 79. All of a sudden the ball disappears into the hole! Holy Cow! I had to run to the green just to make sure. Not only did I discover how to break 80 in golf that day, but I also discovered how to make an eagle for the first time!
So, what are my tips for learning how to break 80 in golf?

**Practice. You can easily shave strokes off your game by practicing. But, it has to been perfect practice. If you don’t know how to correct your slice or chip the ball near the hole, then you won’t be able to fix it with practice. So what do you do? You watch others. Watch videos, read magazines and books, or even hire someone. I never had to hire a coach and I learned by watching and reading then going out and doing.

**Golf is a mental game more than anything. Tony Robbins once showed someone how to break 80 in golf just by utilizing the thing between your ears. Your body listens to your brain and if you focus on visualization and knowing what you want the ball to do before you do it, you’ll have a much better chance of making that happen.

**You must be able to play the short game. I never would’ve broken 80 if I had not learned how to putt and chip well. I still don’t do well in the sand, so I stay away from it. Going back to mental, if I land in the sand, my mind is already saying bogey or worse.

**The clubs are important. You can’t begin to tell me that if you aren’t comfortable with your clubs you can still shoot a great round. Maybe today I can go out and still do well with old, hard to hit clubs, but I would rather take the oversize drivers, state of the art irons and balls, and give myself a better chance of breaking 80. The type doesn’t matter. It is how they feel in your hands that make the difference.

**Have Fun. You will never learn how to break 80 in golf if you get frustrated and treat every shot like it is your chance to win The Masters. Everyone has a bad round and things just don’t go our way on the course from time to time. At that point, just relax, have some fun, and make the rest of the round as best you can – trust me, throwing clubs in the woods doesn’t help.

It took me 5 years to learn how to break 80 in golf. It all started with what was inside of me. Everyone has the ability to shave a ton of strokes off their game, but without some practice both physically and mentally, it will never happen. If you are happy shooting 3-digit scores, then keep at it, but if you want to compete with the big boys, then get to work.

By: Joe Collinsworth

About the Author:

Are you one of the 80% of golfers who never break 100? Thats correct; according to statistics fewer than 1 in 5 amateur golfers ever break 100! If you fall into the category of weekend golfer who plays with the same group of players, who hits about the same score every week, with an occasional par or maybe even a birdie in your round, who loses a couple of bucks at bingo, bango, bongo or a $2.00 Nassau bet, you could likely benefit from some kind of golf training. Many golfers can improve their golf swing just by going to the driving range, many more just end up practicing the same flawed golf swing until they get really good at it. These are the golfers who really need some sort of golf training aid or program in order to improve their golfing skills.

Golf; being a lifetime sport that is accessible to almost everyone is growing by leaps and bounds. People from all around the world are joining the sport partly due to the media attention paid to some of the super stars on the PGA, LPGA and other professional tours…stars like Michelle Wie, Tiger Woods or Jack Nicklaus. Of course not everyone can play like Michelle, Tiger or Jack. Most of us feel we are lucky to make par on a hole, let alone birdie or eagle.

However we can learn a valuable lesson by paying attention to how these super stars and most other serious golfers prepare for competition. Some people think that these super stars already have all of the knowledge of the golf swing that they need. Far from it, evidenced by the large and growing cadre of golf coaches and swing guru’s that ply their trade with pro golfers. Check the bio’s of people like Rick Smith, Chuck Harmon, Dave Pelz, David Leadbetter and others too see who they are working with, you may be surprised to find the names of many of the super stars you are interested in, some of these golf coaches even travel the tour with the pro’s. If golfers of this caliber need to take lessons, and make use of swing coaches, it just makes sense that average golfers could also need help.

So what kind of instruction is available? Pick up any golf magazine or go to any of the golf superstores, go online, ask your golf course pro, you will be amazed at the variety or swing training aids, DVD or VHS lessons, books and other self help items you can find. The main question is do they work? Ask other golfers you know, they may have tried some of these items. Higher up the price scale are golf schools. There are more than 1000 golf schools listed online, in various golf magazines, they can be from half day to weeklong schools, and some include lodging and meals. They range in price from affordable to ridiculous. When searching for a golf school, check for what you can afford. Read the course syllabus to see what will be taught, look for smaller instructor to student ratios, and ask other golfers that may have gone what they gained. Finally do not overlook your local golf professional, these are golfers who have chosen to make golf course management and golf training their lifes work, many of them were amateur and/or college golf stars, some were or still are touring professionals. Ask around to find out who is really knowledgeable and good at giving instruction in your area. You will most likely find that one or two names come up more often than others. Schedule a lesson or a series of lessons.

Most importantly whatever method of golf training you choose, practice what you learn; if it does not work as well as you had hoped, try again, leaning is a lifelong experience. If you take the time to learn how to play the game and really improve your golf swing, you can look forward to many years of a satisfying sport, rather than years of frustration.

By: Jimmie Newell

About the Author:

There are several ways that a player can link their hands together on the club. Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus favor the interlocking grip, but most other top players use the Vardon or overlapping grip, and many coaches recommend that juniors start off using the baseball grip.

The decision is really one of the personal choice, so try out all the main types of grip before settling on the method that you find most comfortable.

Three steps to a correct grip

1. Allow the grip of the club to run along the base of the fingers on your left hand. The index finger is used to form a slight trigger.

2. When you have closed your left hand round the club your left thumb should be pointing straight down at the ground, slightly to the right of center on the grip. You should be able to see two or three knuckles of the left hand. As you position your right hand on the club, the grip of the club is again at the base of the fingers.

3. The grip is completed when you close your right hand on the club, so that the lifeline of the right palm rests on top of the left thumb, covering it completely. If the grip is made correctly, you should be able to see two knuckles on the right hand.

Grip Options

Neutral Grip – A neutral grip, where neither left nor right hand dominated, gives the player the best possible chance of returning the clubface squarely to the target line at the point of impact.

Strong grip – If you can see more than three knuckles on the left hand and fewer than two on your right, the grip is too strong. You will be likely to hook or top many shots.

Weak grip – If you can see fewer than two knuckles on the left hand and more than two on your right, the grip is too weak. You will be likely to slice or block shots out to the right.

By: Paul Kramer

About the Author:

How to Grip the Golf Club like Tiger Woods.

First we need to establish some reference points on your hands so that you can easily place your hands in the correct position for each grip style that will be described. Although this article will give instruction as if you’re a right handed golfer, if you are a Lefty, then use the instruction in the same manner just reversing the hands (Right instead of Left etc.) An easy way to apply this golf grip exercise will be for you to use a marker to draw reference points on your hands and/or a golf glove(s).

Grip Reference Points

The reference points listed below have abbreviated identifiers marked in parenthesis that will be used to identify them throughout the remainder of this golf instruction guide.

Left Hand Marks

“(AS)” Anatomical Snuffbox – If you hold your hand in front of you with your fingers pointing away from you and your palm facing down, the “Snuffbox” (Actual Anatomical Name) is located on the right side of your wrist at the “base” where the wrist hinges. Continue pointing your fingers away from you and turn your hand counter clockwise pointing your thumb straight up. Flex your wrist so that your hand moves up and down vertically. While doing that, place the tip of the index finger of your Right hand on the “top” of your Left wrist. While your Left hand is flexed vertically upward, you will be able to feel two tendons on top of your Left wrist. In between those two tendons it feels like there is a “pocket. That “pocket” is your “Snuffbox.” Draw a small inch “X” on top of the “pocket.” “(BK)” Dots on your Big Knuckles – Make a fist with your Left hand putting the big knuckles that are located at the base of your fingers on “top” of your fist, palm facing down, and draw a inch size dot on the “top” of each of your first 3 knuckles. “(BIF)” Dot at the base of Index Finger – Looking at your palm, draw a inch dot at the base of your index finger in the center of the finger on top of the crease or fold in the skin. “(D)” D on the Callas Pad at the base of your pinky – With your palm facing you, draw a letter “D” (Short for Distance) atop the Callas at the base of your Pinky finger. “(N)” N on the Right side of your palm – With your palm facing you and your fingers pointing straight up, visualize a horizontal line in the middle of your palm. Now draw a letter “N” (short for Neutral) on the right side of your palm on the horizontal line you just visualized. The “N” will be located just below the “D” that you just marked. “(C)” C on the Heel Pad – With your palm facing you and your fingers pointing straight up, visualize a vertical line running through the “D” and “N” that you just marked. Draw a letter “C” (Short for Control) on top of the Heel Pad. The letter C should be about 1-1.5 inches below the N that you marked. “(TRS)” Line on the top right side of thumb – Point your thumb away from you with the thumbnail on top. Visualize the top center of your thumb, splitting your thumbnail in two equal halves. Focusing on the “right half”, now visualize the center of that half and mark it down the center by drawing a line from the first to second knuckles. This is the top-right side of your thumb. “(LV)” V between thumb and forefinger – With your palm facing away from you and your fingers pointing up, hold your thumb against your index finger. A “V” is formed between the top of your thumb and index finger.Right Hand Marks

“(BP)” Dot at the base of your Pinky – Looking at your palm, draw a inch dot at the base of your pinky finger in the center of the finger on top of the crease or fold in the skin. “(MIF)” Dot on the middle knuckle of the index finger – Looking at your palm, draw a inch dot in the middle of your index finger over the middle (2nd) knuckle where the crease is in the skin. “(LL)” The Lifeline – With your palm facing you and your fingers pointing up, mark the lifeline in the palm of your hand. It’s the line at the base of your thumb pad that runs from the bottom of your palm up and in-between your thumb and forefinger toward the top right side of your palm. “(RV)” V between thumb and forefinger – With your palm facing away from you and your fingers pointing upward, hold your thumb against your index finger. A “V” is formed between the top of your thumb and index finger. “?” and “(RV)” support the golf club – Hold your hand in front of you with your fingers pointing straight up, the palm facing left and your thumb facing you. Fold all 4 fingers over at the second knuckle. Tilt your index finger to the right so that it leans backward and notice that your index finger should now look like a question mark (?). Your question mark (?) shaped index finger and the “V” shape between your thumb and index finger (RV) are what supports the golf club at the top of your golf swing.A Few Rules

The palms on both hands “Always” face each other – The correct placement of your Right hand on the grip is determined after first placing the Left hand on the grip to ensure the correct positional relationship between both hands. If you hold your hands out in front of you with your fingers outstretched and your thumbs pointing up and press your hands together with the palms facing each other and then rotate your hands clockwise, and counterclockwise, that “relationship” between both hands maximizes your wrists ability to “cock” and “un-cock” during the golf swing and maximize the potential for club head speed. No matter whether your Left hand uses a strong grip or weak golf grip, your Right hand always mirrors what your Left hand is doing so that the palms face each other. One alternative to this rule is taught by some instructors. I’ve seen this grip style called a butterfly grip. Place your palms together in front of you. Leave your thumbs together and separate your hands at the bottom until your hands form a right angle or a 90 degree angle.Whilemaintaining the angle of yourhandsplace the lifeline of your right hand on top of your left thumb. Use this relationship when you place the right hand in “Step Two: The Right Hand Grip” later in this article. Each hand’s thumb and forefinger are “Always” held together creating a “V” as mentioned previously in the “Grip Reference Points” section. The Right hand “Always” uses a finger grip with the golf shaft lying across the fingers always at the same angle.Left Hand Grip Variables

Three Grip Angles

The Grip angle is the angle at which the golf shaft runs across the palm and/or fingers of your left hand.

The “Distance” Grip. – This is the one that Tiger Woods uses. Tiger says it gives him the best combination of sensitivity and control.

Advantages

Maximizes wrists ability to “cock” and “un-cock” for maximum club head speed. Good for distance and sensitivity.Disadvantages

Requires more strength and skill to square the club face at impact.A distance grip is achieved by gripping the golf shaft in the hand at an angle that runs from the base of the index finger (BIF) across the base of the fingers to the top of the callus that is located at the base of the pinky finger (D). After wrapping the fingers around the club, most of the gripping strength will be felt in the fingers with “some” pressure on the bottom of your heel pad. The thumb is placed against the index finger (LV).

The “Neutral” Grip. – Good grip for most people.

Advantages

Gives the most flexibility in terms of shot-making ability. Balance between distance and accuracy.Disadvantages

None.A neutral grip is achieved by gripping the golf shaft in the hand at an angle that runs from the base of the index finger (BIF) across the palm to the (N) marking. Wrap the fingers around the club. The gripping strength will be felt between the fingers and firmly against the bottom of your heel pad. The thumb is placed against the index finger (LV).

The “Control” Grip.

Advantages

Gives maximum control for accuracy.Disadvantages

Minimizes wrists ability to “cock” and “un-cock” resulting in less distance.A Control grip is achieved by gripping the golf shaft in the hand at an angle that runs from the base of the index finger (BIF) across the palm to the (C) marking. Wrap the fingers around the club. The gripping strength will be felt between the fingers, the palm and the top of the heel pad. The thumb is placed against the index finger (LV).

Three Grip Strengths

The “Strength” of the grip is determined by the position of your hand on the grip in comparison to the relative position of the clubface as you rotate your hand around the grip to the left or the right. The reference point used to determine the correct rotational position of the hand on the grip is the anatomical snuffbox (AS). To view the “Strength” of the grip using the (AS), setup to a golf ball as if you are going to hit it with the clubface pointing squarely at the target. Grip the club with your Left hand and look down at the top of your Left hand and determine whether the (AS) is over the top of the club shaft (neutral) or on the left side (weak) or right side of the shaft (strong). The following descriptions will include what the particular “Strength” being described looks like.

The “Weak” Grip.

Advantages

Helps eliminate hooking the golf ball.Disadvantages

Very difficult to hit the ball right to left.Looking down at the top of your hand, with the clubface pointing squarely toward the target, the anatomical snuffbox (AS) is just off to left side of the grip. Your thumb will be on top of the club shaft and your “V” (LV) points toward your chin and you can see 1 – 1.5 knuckles (BK).

The “Neutral” Grip. – This is the one that Tiger Woods uses. It’s a good grip for most people.

Advantages

Ideal grip for hitting the golf ball left to right or right to left.Disadvantages

Requires more strength to release the club squarely at impact.Looking down at the top of your hand, with the clubface pointing squarely toward the target, the anatomical snuffbox (AS) is directly over the top of the grip. Your “V” (LV) points toward your right ear and you can see 2 – 2.5 knuckles (BK). Tiger Woods sees 2.5 knuckles (BK).

The “Strong” Grip.

Advantages

Helps eliminate slicing the golf ball. Good for getting more distance. Good amateur grip as it requires less strength to square the clubface at impact.Disadvantages

Difficult to hit left to right.Looking down at the top of your hand, with the clubface pointing squarely toward the target, the anatomical snuffbox (AS) is on the right side of the grip. Your “V” (LV) points toward your right shoulder and you can see 3 knuckles (BK).

Three Unifying Grips

These Grips describe how to unify and snug your hands together so that your hands function as a single unit. Note: When placing your hands together, don’t try to smash them together to make them tighter because that looses valuable leverage. Just make them feel unified and snuggly fit together.

The “10 Finger Grip.” – This Grip places all 8 fingers on the golf shaft.

Advantages

Good leverage. Good alternative for kids and women.Disadvantages

Less Club head speed especially if the hands are allowed to spread out down the grip and not be snuggly against each other.
A 10 finger grip is achieved by gripping the golf shaft with all of the fingers on the shaft. The outside of your Right hand pinky finger is pressed against the outside of your Left hand index finger.

The “Overlap Grip.” – This is considered by many pros as the preferred method of unifying the hands.

Advantages

Good for larger handsDisadvantages

On people with small hands, the Right hand can tend to slip too far over or too far under the club in an effort to feel snug and fitted.An overlap grip is achieved by placing all of the hands on the shaft and lifting the pinky of the Right hand off the grip and pointing that finger straight out and then sliding the Right hand toward the Left hand until the third finger on the right hand is placed snuggly against the index finger of the Left hand. Now lay the Right hand pinky finger down over the notch that is formed between the Left hands index finger and second finger.

The “Interlock Grip.” – This is the grip that Tiger Woods likes. Tiger started using it because his idol Jack Nicklaus used it.

Advantages

Good for smaller handDisadvantages

There is a tendency to grip the club too much in the palm of the Right hand.An interlock grip is achieved by placing all of the hands on the shaft and lifting the pinky of the Right hand off the grip and pointing that finger straight out and then sliding the Right hand toward the Left hand until the third finger on the right hand is placed snuggly against the index finger of the Left hand. Now raise the index finger of the Left hand off the grip and point it straight out and interlock the Left hand index finger and Right hand pinky finger by laying the Right hand pinky finger down in the crotch between the Left hands index finger and second finger and laying the Left hands index finger down in the crotch between the Right hands pinky finger and third finger.

Maintaining stability throughout the swing

The correct placement of the Left hand down the grip is obtained by allowing inch of the grip to extend out or protrude out beyond the bottom of your hand. If you were gripping the club in both hands, you should be able to see inch of the end of the club shaft grip protruding to ensure that you have the maximum stability of the golf club in your hands throughout the swing. Doing this does not cause you to lose any distance.

Making a complete Grip

Step One: The Left Hand Grip

Square the clubface to the target line. Grip the club inch down from the top of the shaft on the “grip angle” you have chosen; “distance”, “neutral”, or “control”. The thumb and forefinger are placed together forming the “V” (LV). With the club head resting on the ground and the clubface still square to the target, look down at the top of your Left hand and rotate your Left hand around the club, counterclockwise to the left or clockwise to the right to the appropriate Left hand “grip strength” that you have chosen using your reference marks to verify the correct position as “weak”, “neutral” or “strong”.Step Two: The Right Hand Grip

With the golf club still on the ground in your Left hand, the easiest way to visualize how to get the Right hand on the golf grip is by grabbing the golf grip just like you were shaking hands with someone. With your Right hands palm approximately facing your left hands palm, place your Right hands fingers on the grip at an angle from the dot at the base of your pinky (BP) to the dot in the middle of your index finger (MIF). Place the Lifeline (LL) on the top right side of your Left thumb (TRS). Wrap your fingers around the grip. Keep your thumb and forefinger together forming the “V” (RV) and form the question mark (?) with your index finger. The tip of your thumb and index finger on your Right hand will touch or nearly touch. There will probably be a gap between your index finger and the second finger of your Right hand on the grip because of you forming the question mark (?) with your index finger.Step Three: Unify your Hands

Unify your hands using one of the “Unifying Grips.” Your hands should fit together comfortably and snuggly.

Grip Pressure and Feel

The golf grip should feel snug and unified in your hands, if it doesn’t then un-grip and re-grip making small adjustments if necessary. You should maintain a consistent unchanging grip pressure throughout the entire golf swing. Grip the club as loosely as you can while still maintaining control of the golf club throughout the entire swing.

Regular Practice

After you’ve determined which grip combination you intend to use regularly, practice it until its memorized and use the grip reference points to ensure you place your hands correctly every single time.

By: Shane Henrie

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