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Tech bits by Al Harradine

• The Trailing Hand (Bottom Hand) Grip

  02May
  Categories: Golf, Grip Comments: 0

  The trailing hand (bottom hand) is the dominant hand for most people (if you play right-handed, your trailing, or bottom hand, will be your right hand). It is important that this hand is positioned to deliver a powerful blow at impact without overpowering the lead (or top) hand. The hands must be equal partners in the grip; therefore their placement is vital for consistent ball striking.

  To place the trailing hand on the club correctly for the power grip, follow the procedure

  Look at Your Fingers
  

  Identify the three sections of the ring, middle and index fingers (noted as sections 1, 2 and 3 in photo).

  Put your Fingers on the Handle
  

  Holding the club with a perfect lead-hand grip (the lead hand is your top hand), set the last joint (between Sections 2 and 3) of the index finger of the trailing hand directly under the shaft. The hand should be set at a slightly downward angle. Place the club handle so it touches the dots (the dots are illustrated in the photo on Step 2). This places the club handle between Sections 1 and 2 of the right (for right-handed players) ring finger, directly on Section 2 of the middle finger, and between Sections 2 and 3 of the index finger.

  Use Your Lifeline
  

  Cover your lead-hand (top-hand) thumb with the lifeline of your trailing palm.

  Check the “V”
  

  Make sure that the “V” formed by the thumb and forefinger of your trailing (bottom) hand points toward your back ear/shoulder area (the 1 o’clock position). This “V” should be parallel to the “V” on your lead hand (as illustrated by the double arrows in the photo).

• The Lead Hand (Top Hand) Grip

  02May
  Categories: Golf, Grip Comments: 0

  The grip is your only connection with the golf club.

  Placing your hands properly on the golf club helps you better control the position of the club’s face at impact. During the swing your body turns to create power. Since the body is rotating, the golf club must rotate at the same rate. In other words, the body and the club must turn together as a team.

  A fundamentally sound grip helps you create power and feel at the same time. Wrist action is a power source and gripping the club too much in the palm of your hand reduces wrist action.

  The fingers are the most sensitive parts of our hands. Placing the club more in the fingers rather than in the palm increases the amount of wrist hinge, which results in longer tee shots and more feel.

  One of the most common errors among golfers is a weak lead-hand (left hand for the right-handed golfer) grip that is too much in the palm.

  This produces a shot that slices and lacks power.

  To grip the club properly for power and accuracy, use this simple procedure

  Follow the Dots
  

  The dots on the glove show the position the club should take in the grip. The club should be held more in the fingers than in the palm.

  Connect the Dots
  

  Hold the club about three feet in the air, in front of your body. With the club face square, place the club at an angle through the fingers, following the line of the dots pictured in Step 2. The club should touch the base of the little finger and rest just above the first joint of the index finger (along the line of the dots).

  Thumb Position

  

  With the club at an angle and in the fingers, place your left thumb (for right-handed players) toward the back side of the shaft.

  Check Knuckles and “V” Position
  

  In the address position, looking down at your grip, you should be able to see the knuckles of the index and middle finger of your lead (top) hand.

  You should also see a “V” that is created by the thumb and forefinger of the lead hand, and that “V” should be pointing back toward your right (for right-handed players) shoulder (the 1 o’clock position).