This is one of those youtube golf teachers (Mark Crossfield). What do you think about this?

He's discussing how a faulty grip can lead to compensations with a variety of swing errors as a side effect.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC2mi9X0R3s

I think there might be something to this.

Absolutely.

When I start slicing or hooking, the very first thing I look at is my grip. But here is the rub. A proper grip is not going to be the same for everyone. Some people use a weak grip with great success while others use a strong grip with great success. But there is no doubt that a weak grip will cause the clubface to naturally open at impact while a strong grip will cause the clubface to naturally close at impact.

I've also found, though, that a strong grip creates a lot more acceleration through the impact zone (why I think they call it a strong grip) because the distance the clubhead has to travel in the same amount of time becomes greater. Ideally, I like to use a grip that is just slightly strong because of my tendency to fade along with my desire for a faster swingspeed.

I used to have a weak to nuetral grip. Over the past couple years, I have strengthened it quite abit. I've become a much better ball striker for sure. I've changed many other things as well and spent loads of time working on my short game, so I can't credit my better play solely to grip change. I do believe it is a part though.

The best thing I like about using a strong grip is my ability to draw the ball, which is nearly impossible with a weak grip. When I NEED to hit a draw, I really strengthen my grip a lot, among other necessary manipulations.

I have actually gone from a strong grip to somewhere between neutral and stong. I found that with the stronger grip that my hands were not releasing very well,( my hands don't release well anyhow, the stronger grip seemed to compound the problem) thus my tendency to push shots right was worse. I have been discovering though how important grip pressure is to the whole process and how well I hit it with relaxed hands.

Don't know if you watched the video to the end, but around 5:15 he talks about people subconciously "regripping". I've seen my fingers getting all wiggly during the setup and thought hmmmn...

I've noticed since way back, that after impact when I look at the club still in my hands it's way closed. Also in the videos coming back clubface is pointing down really closed.

So I gave it a go with a bucket tonite. FORCED myself to get the grip set so when back parallel to ground clubface is proper, and then not regrip when over the ball. A very big difference in the flow of the swing. Actually feel the release through impact. Will work on it some more...

[quote="jfurr"]I've noticed since way back, that after impact when I look at the club still in my hands it's way closed. Also in the videos coming back clubface is pointing down really closed.[/quote]

This is so important. It's HUGE.

A drill I learned from a local pro in testing grip is doing almost exactly as you stated. Take a full swing, and then bring your club back to address. How is the clubface situated?

If it's closed, it means that your grip is too strong (rotated to the right). If it's open, it means that your grip is too weak (rotated to the left). If you do this drill a bunch of times, you will start to see why this phenomenon occurs. It's because your wrists will naturally release at a certain point in your swing.

But keep in mind that a strong grip or closed club face might actually be masking another flaw in your swing. So you could end up with a closed clubface at address and still be slicing the ball because of a heavy outside-in swing plane.

I will click it later... I hope it's true, which can help me...

I think it's all relative to how you swing your club. I have a very sharp swing angle and really like to get down into the ball, focusing on compression rather than follow through. I need a really strong grip to make this work.....otherwise I'll probably break my wrists.

Bryan K wrote:

But there is no doubt that a weak grip will cause the clubface to naturally open at impact while a strong grip will cause the clubface to naturally close at impact.

That's interesting. For me, the opposite is true. If I find that I start slicing during a round, the first thing I do is lighten my grip. More often than not, the slice goes away, and at times it turns into a hook. For me, a strong grip leads to less flexibility in my wrists, and thus not getting the clubhead around for impact. If my grip is too weak, however, I bring the clubhead around TOO much.

Forgive me for being professor obvious but ...

The terms "Strong" or "Weak" grip relate to where your hands are located when holding a club at address. A large amount of grip pressure or holding the club tightly is not a "Strong" grip. Holding a club lightly, like Sam Snead advocated, is not a "Weak" grip.

A person with a "Weak Grip" can still hang on to the club very tightly and a "Strong Grip" person may gently cradle the club in their hands.

Re-read Bryan K's description above if there is any confusion. And my apologies if I assumed from the discussion that some equated "strong grip" with holding a club tight.

I remember reading somewhere (no idea where) that there is not a single, standard way to grip a golf club, in terms of strong/weak/neutral. The reasoning was that in general, our bodies are all different. The lesson said to stand relaxed, with your arms at your sides, and look down at your left (for righties) hand. That is basically what you should be seeing when you hold the golf club. In my case, I've got almost all 4 knuckles on my left hand visible to me at address.

The first time I tried it, it felt a little weird, by my slice didn't slice as much, so I figured there might be something to it.

I just happen to be rereading the excellent book "Practical Golf" by John Jacobs, considered one of the all time great teachers. As far as grip goes he states some good stuff. He does not advocate a style or strong, neutral or weak, but says this. "Whether you are a beginner or seasoned player seeking improvement, finding a grip that naturally returns the clubface square to your swing line is your absolute first priority;" "Everybody has a correct grip, but FINDING it is not a matter of arranging the hands on the club in a standard position..., It is a matter of finding the grip that enables YOU to face your club in the direction you are swinging it at impact..." Sounds simple enough. His ideas on how ball flight pretty much says what you are doing right or wrong in your swing and set up is a really good read. Highly recommend.

Dusty23 wrote:

I just happen to be rereading the excellent book "Practical Golf" by John Jacobs, considered one of the all time great teachers.

I was in the library after lunch and picked up a copy of that book. I'll check it out later. Also got a book called "The Swing" by Nick Price which I started on and so far I like the way he goes through it. Technical but honest.