The Top Hand Determines the Position of the Bottom Hand

By | on December 4, 2015 | 6 Comments |


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Paul Wilson is the creator of Swing Machine Golf and founder of Ignition Golf. Paul's golf swing technique is based on the Iron Byron swing machine. YouTube Channels: Paul Wilson Golf and Ignition Golf Tips. Please Join me on Google+

6 Responses to “The Top Hand Determines the Position of the Bottom Hand”

  1. December 5, 2015

    JOHNROTONDO

    Paul,
    Thank you. That was as good as any description of proper grip as I have heard for address. My question is why haven’t I ever heard any instructor discuss the grip (and relationship of the 2 hands) throughout the backswing/downswing? It may seem too basic to discuss, but I believe the process of hinging and rolling the wrists can introduce grip issues (at least for me) that I never hear discussed. I have a neutral grip and try to keep the wrists loose, but my miss (especially later in the round) is a powerless fade or slice. I had a wrist injury a few years ago and I don’t know if my range of motion/looseness is abnormal or if my technique allows the grip to change after address and before impact.

    Thanks,
    John

  2. December 5, 2015

    RaymondCHASTEL

    Very sound reminder ,Paul,OF the basics OF the grip .I note YOUR rhumbs are very much Outwards ,while mine are much straighter .It does affect somewhat the grip taking .YOUR left hand is in the SHORT THUMB position which is the one BEN HOGAN adopted at the succesful part OF his carreer ,first knuckle OF left index at the same height as left thumb .This was to fight off his tendency to hook the ball .I don’t have this flaw happily ,And I have the ” LONG THUMB ” left hand grip ,which enables to have the handle more a cross the FINGERS OF the left hand :the handle is held at the base OF the knuckles OF the left hand .When you hold the club up straight in front OF you ,the handle is held at the base OF the knuckes OF the FINGERS OF the left hand ,And not in the Palm .I have more “feeling ” with this grip ,And I don’t hook or fade the ball ,it’s always straight .Then at address ,apart from YOUR excellent recommendations ,I make sure I don’t see my right index at address ,to ensure m’y club And m’y left arm are aligned together .
    Finally ,as you démonstrate So WELL ,the closer the hands are together ,the better the grip on the handle .Too many players show a gap between the two hands ,they have to be snuggly fitted together .
    Excellent lesson altogether .

  3. December 22, 2015

    DavidTolias

    Hi Paul, I’ve been having playing well up till a months ago I lost the feeling of a proper neutral grip. I follow all your steps but My question is in the top hand ” left hand on a right handed golfer” I get kinda lost as if the grip is directly tucked under the heal pad in the crease. Which leaves me with a lot of space between my pinky and grip making it hard to hold a tee there. Or does the grip ride under the heal pad just not tucked tight into the crease. That way feels more secure to me but I fear its to close to being in the fingers. That’s a problem I used to have, to much in the fingers. And when I cocked wrist top of swing my club face would be wide open.
    Thanks for the time and help

    • December 22, 2015

      Paul Wilson

      David,

      Sounds like you are not holding enough pad so it is wiggling. No matter how big people’s hands have been as I teach them they never have a problem doing this grip position with the top hand. So grip with a little more pad. You just don’t want the club parallel to the knuckles. This will cause over-cupping at the top.

      Watch:

      How To Stop Over-Cupping At The Top of the Backswing: https://ignitiongolf.com/stop-over-cupping-at-top/

      The grip should be running from the first knuckle to the heel pad. This is the whole point of keeping the thumb against the side of the hand. With this together it should be running perfectly across the palm without you thinking about it. Give it a try.

  4. December 24, 2015

    DavidTolias

    thanks Paul. I’ve had some swelling and pain in ring finger knuckle that caused me to hold the grip differently to relieve the pain and second guess the correct grip you teach. You really cover everything in great detail on here. I will do exactly as you say pertaining to grip.
    Putting the thumb against the hand when taking the grip is fool proof. Thanks for the help.
    Ps your tip stop-over-cupping-at-top was a complete game changer for me. For years I held the grip improperly and caused a severe over cupping at the top. Club face would be wide open and never could close it in time, hit weak slices. I knew I was over cupping and it was a problem but I didn’t realize it was my grip causing it. I Searched the Internet and YouTube never found anybody who could explain it was a faulty grip causing it. Luckly joined your site and found that tip, fixed the problem. Thanks again and Merry Christmas.

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