Things are going great so far. Shot 72 this week with 4 birdies. Your teaching has really helped me over the past few months. First I was really having trouble getting the distance, but I’ve stuck with it and the distance and consistency are better than ever. I’ve always had a short backswing and finally noticed that it was because I’ve been holding he grip in my fingers for the past twenty years. I’ve watched all your videos and have been focusing on getting the left hand grip more into the palm (which I used to think was against conventional wisdom). Even though I’ve tried your “look at top of wrist and close thumb technique”, I’ve never hit the ball very solid hitting it with that kind of grip. So my question is, why do you prefer holding the left hand more in the palm than in the fingers? Also, besides the videos you’ve posted which I’ve watched numerous times until my wife tells me “no Paul Wilson tonight” LOL, do you have any other ways to get the left hand on the club as a preshot routine?
I want it more in the palm because this is your weaker hand. I want to strengthen this hand and weaker your strong right hand. This across the palm position also stop you from over-cupping it at the top. Plus, Iron Byron does not have a right hand until after the ball is hit so I want a secure position in this hand.
I really don’t see why people this is so radical. It is slightly across the palm with 2 knuckles showing. This is not that different from what others teach. I just don’t want it in the finger. Fingers is weak. Finger can give you a 3 knuckle position. Fingers can cause you to get a sore pas of your left hand.
For the pre-shot routine you should be holding the club in the right hand as you address the ball aligning the leading edge to the intermediate target. Once you have this position you then do your whole setup. Finally, you place the grip on the club starting with the left hand. This is how the great majority of tour players do it so I want you to do it this way.
Right now you have tried my grip and you don’t like it. Typically, when a better player tries my grip the hit it a little right so they give up on it. If you would just hit about 30 shots in a row doing this grip you will see the wrists unlock and the grip works perfect fine. Give it a try. IF you still don’t like it don’t get hung up on it. If you came for a lesson and didn’t get it I would move on because I would no have all lesson to devote to you getting the grip. I would show you ho to do it and how to check it then it would be up to you to perfect it.
Hi Paul
When I grip the club as you mentioned I notice the following:
1> After placing the right hand the club face gets to “closed position”
2> I get a sore left thumb. What is the correct position for left thumb? Should it be fully extended on the shaft or not?If I extend fully it is getting separated from other fingers. If I shorten to maintain the V formation there is bit of gap between thumb and shaft.
1. This is you changing the face position. You need to get used to doing the new grip. Hold the club off the ground in front of you. Do the grip as you watch it and the face. Make it perfect then lower the club. Once you get good at it you can try it on the ground like I do if you want.
2. I show the correct position in the video below. It may get sore because it is new and/or you are re-hining your wrists into the follow through while its touching your head. This compresses the thumb. If you are not used to it it may feel sore for a while. Also, if your wrists are too tight and you hit a ball off center there is nothing to absorb the shock. Loosen your wrists while holding on securely and it won’t hurt.
I have a hard time keeping the left thumb and index finger together as much as you do once the hand is on the club. I think this is because I have short fingers. I have been playing golf since I was twelve years old, I am 59 now, and remember the old leather grips, that seemed to be much smaller diameter. I think back then my finders would wrap around the club much easier. Today clubs always seem to come with thicker grips which seem less comfortable for me. Should I consider getting smaller grips, or is it OK that I have a slightly bigger gap between the thumb and index finger?
I also notice that I tend to sometimes fall back into extending the left thumb down the grip to far, not on top but still on the right side, with almost a complete gap between the thumb and finger. And then I find the club twisting in my hands during my swing, usually ending up with a grip that has weakened. Wearing a glove helps eliminate the twisting, but I actually prefer the feel without the glove, maybe that is also due to my short fingers.
I should also mention that for all of my life I have used the interlocking grip but recently changed to overlapping. It probably took me a month to get used to that, but now I am perfectly comfortable with it.
I had never had anyone have a problem with this. Just old you hand up and move your thumb against your hand. Then place it on the club. Definitely check your grips. I use standard Tour Wraps with 2 wraps. You may want to check them out. Just with 1 wrap though.
You have to get rid of the gap because this promotes over-cupping at the top:
If the club is twisting in your hands I would think your wrists are too tight. The shock of a mis-hit had to be absorbed somewhere. If your wrists are locked it will twist in your hands.
Paul
I have had a lot of trouble with blisters on my left index finger and right ring finger after hitting a lot of practice balls. I have even tried wearing gloves on both hands, but this still occurs. Any ideas of how to prevent this?
Mark
If you are changing your grip to how I am showing it and getting blisters this can be a good thing. This is because you are not used to it. A your hand toughen up you will be fine but you do need to watch the tip below as some people are not quite doing it right.
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12 Responses to “Easy Way to Master the Top Hand Position”
December 24, 2012
richmosneyTHAT WAS A GREAT TIP!!!!!!
December 25, 2012
Paul WilsonRich,
Sometimes the most simple things are the best. Glad you liked it.
January 23, 2013
JimRileyHow do you grip the club when you are attempting to fade the drive
January 24, 2013
Paul WilsonJim,
I answered your other question about this. You are not changing your grip when fading it.
November 7, 2013
SeanPinnellHey Paul,
Things are going great so far. Shot 72 this week with 4 birdies. Your teaching has really helped me over the past few months. First I was really having trouble getting the distance, but I’ve stuck with it and the distance and consistency are better than ever. I’ve always had a short backswing and finally noticed that it was because I’ve been holding he grip in my fingers for the past twenty years. I’ve watched all your videos and have been focusing on getting the left hand grip more into the palm (which I used to think was against conventional wisdom). Even though I’ve tried your “look at top of wrist and close thumb technique”, I’ve never hit the ball very solid hitting it with that kind of grip. So my question is, why do you prefer holding the left hand more in the palm than in the fingers? Also, besides the videos you’ve posted which I’ve watched numerous times until my wife tells me “no Paul Wilson tonight” LOL, do you have any other ways to get the left hand on the club as a preshot routine?
Thanks,
Sean +1
November 8, 2013
Paul WilsonSean,
I want it more in the palm because this is your weaker hand. I want to strengthen this hand and weaker your strong right hand. This across the palm position also stop you from over-cupping it at the top. Plus, Iron Byron does not have a right hand until after the ball is hit so I want a secure position in this hand.
I really don’t see why people this is so radical. It is slightly across the palm with 2 knuckles showing. This is not that different from what others teach. I just don’t want it in the finger. Fingers is weak. Finger can give you a 3 knuckle position. Fingers can cause you to get a sore pas of your left hand.
Watch:
How To Stop Over-Cupping At The Top of the Backswing: https://ignitiongolf.com/stop-over-cupping-at-top/
For the pre-shot routine you should be holding the club in the right hand as you address the ball aligning the leading edge to the intermediate target. Once you have this position you then do your whole setup. Finally, you place the grip on the club starting with the left hand. This is how the great majority of tour players do it so I want you to do it this way.
Right now you have tried my grip and you don’t like it. Typically, when a better player tries my grip the hit it a little right so they give up on it. If you would just hit about 30 shots in a row doing this grip you will see the wrists unlock and the grip works perfect fine. Give it a try. IF you still don’t like it don’t get hung up on it. If you came for a lesson and didn’t get it I would move on because I would no have all lesson to devote to you getting the grip. I would show you ho to do it and how to check it then it would be up to you to perfect it.
March 17, 2015
VenuKoosuriHi Paul
When I grip the club as you mentioned I notice the following:
1> After placing the right hand the club face gets to “closed position”
2> I get a sore left thumb. What is the correct position for left thumb? Should it be fully extended on the shaft or not?If I extend fully it is getting separated from other fingers. If I shorten to maintain the V formation there is bit of gap between thumb and shaft.
Thanks very much for all your quick responses.
Venu
March 18, 2015
Paul WilsonVenu,
1. This is you changing the face position. You need to get used to doing the new grip. Hold the club off the ground in front of you. Do the grip as you watch it and the face. Make it perfect then lower the club. Once you get good at it you can try it on the ground like I do if you want.
2. I show the correct position in the video below. It may get sore because it is new and/or you are re-hining your wrists into the follow through while its touching your head. This compresses the thumb. If you are not used to it it may feel sore for a while. Also, if your wrists are too tight and you hit a ball off center there is nothing to absorb the shock. Loosen your wrists while holding on securely and it won’t hurt.
Left Hand: https://ignitiongolf.com/left-hand-grip
Easy Way to Master the Top Hand Position: https://ignitiongolf.com/easy-master-top-hand-position/
Secure Grip Loose Wrists: https://ignitiongolf.com/secure-grip-loose-wrists/
May 31, 2015
WilliamPotterPaul,
I have a hard time keeping the left thumb and index finger together as much as you do once the hand is on the club. I think this is because I have short fingers. I have been playing golf since I was twelve years old, I am 59 now, and remember the old leather grips, that seemed to be much smaller diameter. I think back then my finders would wrap around the club much easier. Today clubs always seem to come with thicker grips which seem less comfortable for me. Should I consider getting smaller grips, or is it OK that I have a slightly bigger gap between the thumb and index finger?
I also notice that I tend to sometimes fall back into extending the left thumb down the grip to far, not on top but still on the right side, with almost a complete gap between the thumb and finger. And then I find the club twisting in my hands during my swing, usually ending up with a grip that has weakened. Wearing a glove helps eliminate the twisting, but I actually prefer the feel without the glove, maybe that is also due to my short fingers.
I should also mention that for all of my life I have used the interlocking grip but recently changed to overlapping. It probably took me a month to get used to that, but now I am perfectly comfortable with it.
Bill
May 31, 2015
Paul WilsonBill,
I had never had anyone have a problem with this. Just old you hand up and move your thumb against your hand. Then place it on the club. Definitely check your grips. I use standard Tour Wraps with 2 wraps. You may want to check them out. Just with 1 wrap though.
You have to get rid of the gap because this promotes over-cupping at the top:
How To Stop Over-Cupping At The Top of the Backswing: https://ignitiongolf.com/stop-over-cupping-at-top/
If the club is twisting in your hands I would think your wrists are too tight. The shock of a mis-hit had to be absorbed somewhere. If your wrists are locked it will twist in your hands.
Secure Grip Loose Wrists: https://ignitiongolf.com/secure-grip-loose-wrists/
Keep going with the overlap but you really have to check if your wrists are too tight.
September 13, 2017
MarkMcDonnellPaul
I have had a lot of trouble with blisters on my left index finger and right ring finger after hitting a lot of practice balls. I have even tried wearing gloves on both hands, but this still occurs. Any ideas of how to prevent this?
Mark
September 13, 2017
Paul WilsonMark,
If you are changing your grip to how I am showing it and getting blisters this can be a good thing. This is because you are not used to it. A your hand toughen up you will be fine but you do need to watch the tip below as some people are not quite doing it right.
Sore Index Finger: https://ignitiongolf.com/cure-sore-index-finger/