Review Golf Grip & Address

"If you have the proper grip and the proper setup, you can be taught." Comment made by Jack Nicklaus to Tom Watson.

Setup

GRIP

Your grip is how you connect to the club and is vital for a good swing.

• Hand Placement:

  • Lead Hand (left for right-handers): Hold the club diagonally across your fingers, as if shaking hands.

  • Trailing Hand (right for right-handers): Wrap your fingers around the club below your lead hand. Both "V" shapes formed by your thumbs and forefingers should point towards your trail shoulder.

  • Thumbs are on either side of the shaft - not on the top of the shaft.

  • Avoid palm gripping to allow wrist flexibility, which boosts speed and accuracy.

    
    

• Grip Types: Try the Interlocking (trailing pinky between lead index and middle fingers), Overlap (trailing pinky rests on lead hand's index/middle finger crease), or Baseball (hands touch without interlocking/overlapping) grips. Choose what feels natural and keeps your hands connected.

  
  

• Grip Pressure: Maintain consistent, firm-enough-to-control pressure, mostly with your trailing hand's last three fingers. Avoid tension; lighter pressure can aid rhythm and speed.

  
  

• Grip Strength:

  • Neutral grip: Shows two knuckles on your lead hand when rotated inward, with the Vs pointing to your trail shoulder

  • Apply Pressure: Pressure is in the last three fingers of your lead hand, and the middle two fingers of your trail hand.

  • Stronger grip: Shows three knuckles, can help close the clubface for a straighter or drawing shot.

ADDRESS

Your address is how you set up to the ball before swinging. Along with your grip, it significantly impacts ball contact.

• Setup:

  • Ball Position: Stand relaxed, feet shoulder-width apart. Position the ball in the middle for short/mid-irons, slightly forward for long irons/woods, and inside your lead heel for drivers.

  • Posture: Let the clubhead rest flat. Bend from your waist until your arms hang naturally, with relaxed knees slightly bent.

  • Weight Distribution: Generally even, but more on the lead foot for short/mid-irons. Adjust based on the shot or lie.

Tom Watson and Padraig Harrington have different views on how you address (setup) the ball. Use whatever address works for you.