Paul- If I understand correctly the right hand covers the left so that the left thumb is cradled in the lifeline of the right hand totally covering the thumb . Also at the top of the backswing the club is supported in the V of the right thumb and forefinger . If I am correct then the left thumb would be placed direcly in the V so that if the right hand was loose all the pressure from the clubshaft would load onto the left thumb . Is this correct?
Hi Paul. About a month ago I had back surgery to correct stenosis, narrowing of the spinal column in 3 places! Your videos are a welcome thought as I go through weeks of therapy. My surgeon says I’ll have no excuses for poor golf because the operation was a complete succes. I’m really looking forward to next spring in the Chicago area when a repaired back and hopefully a better swing brings lower scores.
Ouch. Glad the operation went well. You should have my tips embedded in your memory banks now. Start out slow and focus on doing practice swings all winter building a great swing. If so you will start off playing great golf next year.
Paul,
Why don’t right-handed people learn to play golf left-handed? That would have been so simple for me. i was a decent tennis player with a great backhand. It doesn’t make sense. Do you have an explanation?
thanks,
ter
They should. Problem is visual plus the person can load the weight and coil way better right handed. I have struggled with righties playing left handed trying to get them to load. They always do a reverse pivot which is next to impossible to fix. So right handed allows the person to get the body moving properly which is the power source in the swing. The arm unit can be worked on easier than the body. This is not to say every right hand player moves the head and loads. They don’t but a lot of them do which is a huge advantage.
Visually the ball looks fine playing right handed. Switch this around and it looks way different. This can be worked on but it is an uncomfortable visual for most people.
I have switched a few people in the past. I tried to switch one student who was playing right handed as a lefty and he wouldn’t do it. 15 lessons later he still had a reverse pivot. Left handed it was perfect. Oh well.
Hi Paul,
thanks for the explanation, but i don’t understand the meaning of the term “loading”, unless it means shifting your weight to the back foot as you turn. How do you define a reverse pivot in this context? i’m not going to change, but i am curious.
thanks,
ter
I use the overlap grip also, but I overlap two fingers and not just the pinky. This is due to the fact I have very large hands and am 6′ 9″ tall. Is this going to be a problem for the swing. It does help that I am left handed and golf right handed. Thanks.
Paul
I think Jim Furyk does this grip. It definitely takes fingers of the stronger hand off of the club which is what I want. Just be careful in the the club is not wiggling in the right hand as you hit the top. You need the V to cradle the club.
Hi Paul, is it common for the right thumb to feel discomfort at it’s base (where the sharp corner of the V is) in maintaining the “V” of thumb and right hand? As I hing my wrist, the weight of the club feels heavy and a slight strain on the right thumb at the “corner” of the V. .
Yes, you might feel strain because the wrists are hinging and the weight of the club is putting down pressure on the wrist joint. You really need to be careful that the thumb is not straight down the grip at set up. If so, and you hinged this would put pressure on our thumb.
You should be using an overlapping grip, this is what I promote. This is because I am trying to take your dominant hand/arm out of the golf swing and by overlapping, you now only have 4 fingers on the golf club, not 5. Check out this tip:
Paul, the right hand grip placement (along with the left hand grip) tips have improved my game dramatically, I’m now playing like I use to play in my twenties 35 years ago. Hitting more fairways and greens and even sprinkling in some rounds in the seventies, if everyone out there doesn’t try different correct techniques with set up, grip, and swing and just go back to what feels good,( which is probably wrong), there scores will always be the same, thanks for challenging me to be the best I can be!!!
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17 Responses to “GRIP – Bottom Hand Placement”
September 12, 2017
IanCarolinePaul- If I understand correctly the right hand covers the left so that the left thumb is cradled in the lifeline of the right hand totally covering the thumb . Also at the top of the backswing the club is supported in the V of the right thumb and forefinger . If I am correct then the left thumb would be placed direcly in the V so that if the right hand was loose all the pressure from the clubshaft would load onto the left thumb . Is this correct?
September 12, 2017
RonCalabreseHi Paul. About a month ago I had back surgery to correct stenosis, narrowing of the spinal column in 3 places! Your videos are a welcome thought as I go through weeks of therapy. My surgeon says I’ll have no excuses for poor golf because the operation was a complete succes. I’m really looking forward to next spring in the Chicago area when a repaired back and hopefully a better swing brings lower scores.
Best Regards, Ron
September 13, 2017
Paul WilsonRon,
Ouch. Glad the operation went well. You should have my tips embedded in your memory banks now. Start out slow and focus on doing practice swings all winter building a great swing. If so you will start off playing great golf next year.
September 15, 2017
terrybadgerPaul,
Why don’t right-handed people learn to play golf left-handed? That would have been so simple for me. i was a decent tennis player with a great backhand. It doesn’t make sense. Do you have an explanation?
thanks,
ter
September 15, 2017
Paul WilsonTerry,
They should. Problem is visual plus the person can load the weight and coil way better right handed. I have struggled with righties playing left handed trying to get them to load. They always do a reverse pivot which is next to impossible to fix. So right handed allows the person to get the body moving properly which is the power source in the swing. The arm unit can be worked on easier than the body. This is not to say every right hand player moves the head and loads. They don’t but a lot of them do which is a huge advantage.
Visually the ball looks fine playing right handed. Switch this around and it looks way different. This can be worked on but it is an uncomfortable visual for most people.
I have switched a few people in the past. I tried to switch one student who was playing right handed as a lefty and he wouldn’t do it. 15 lessons later he still had a reverse pivot. Left handed it was perfect. Oh well.
September 15, 2017
terrybadgerHi Paul,
thanks for the explanation, but i don’t understand the meaning of the term “loading”, unless it means shifting your weight to the back foot as you turn. How do you define a reverse pivot in this context? i’m not going to change, but i am curious.
thanks,
ter
September 16, 2017
Paul WilsonTerry,
Loading/shifting.
You can watch this tip to find out more about it:
What To Expect Series – Moving Head: https://ignitiongolf.com/expect-series-moving-head/
October 20, 2017
PaulLindhagI use the overlap grip also, but I overlap two fingers and not just the pinky. This is due to the fact I have very large hands and am 6′ 9″ tall. Is this going to be a problem for the swing. It does help that I am left handed and golf right handed. Thanks.
Paul
October 22, 2017
Paul WilsonPaul,
I think Jim Furyk does this grip. It definitely takes fingers of the stronger hand off of the club which is what I want. Just be careful in the the club is not wiggling in the right hand as you hit the top. You need the V to cradle the club.
How The Trigger Finger Helps Create A Solid Backswing Position: https://ignitiongolf.com/trigger-finger/
Just check this and if it is secure then you should still be able to do it.
October 22, 2017
PaulLindhagThank you for your quick reply. I will ensure I check the trigger finger placement to maintain the “V”.
November 28, 2017
edwardkellyHands separate at top of swing?
November 30, 2017
Paul WilsonEd,
That’s certainly not good. If they are your wrists are too tight.
You need to work on this:
Secure Grip Loose Wrists: https://ignitiongolf.com/secure-grip-loose-wrists/
Also, keep working on perfect placement of your hands on the club.
June 8, 2018
JonathanComptonHi Paul, is it common for the right thumb to feel discomfort at it’s base (where the sharp corner of the V is) in maintaining the “V” of thumb and right hand? As I hing my wrist, the weight of the club feels heavy and a slight strain on the right thumb at the “corner” of the V. .
June 8, 2018
Paul WilsonJohnathan,
Yes, you might feel strain because the wrists are hinging and the weight of the club is putting down pressure on the wrist joint. You really need to be careful that the thumb is not straight down the grip at set up. If so, and you hinged this would put pressure on our thumb.
Trigger Finger – Question Mark: https://ignitiongolf.com/trigger-finger-question-mark/
How The Trigger Finger Helps Create A Solid Backswing Position: https://ignitiongolf.com/trigger-finger/
August 29, 2021
RobbieMehrholzI’ve been using a baseball grip where my hand but up against each other. So my hands are not overlapping. It was suggested to me to do that.
Other people do an interlocking grip which isn’t comfortable for me.
My question is should I use that grip or the overlapping grip instead of baseball grip if yes why?
September 7, 2021
Paul WilsonYou should be using an overlapping grip, this is what I promote. This is because I am trying to take your dominant hand/arm out of the golf swing and by overlapping, you now only have 4 fingers on the golf club, not 5. Check out this tip:
Different Grips: https://ignitiongolf.com/golf-grips
October 19, 2021
MikeDevitoPaul, the right hand grip placement (along with the left hand grip) tips have improved my game dramatically, I’m now playing like I use to play in my twenties 35 years ago. Hitting more fairways and greens and even sprinkling in some rounds in the seventies, if everyone out there doesn’t try different correct techniques with set up, grip, and swing and just go back to what feels good,( which is probably wrong), there scores will always be the same, thanks for challenging me to be the best I can be!!!