Grip Pressure

Thanks! I have always struggled with gripping too tight. Even when I start back loose, on the downswing I strangle the club and feel my shoulders and arms tighten.

So true, for every club, putter included

Thanks Ben. I have been using your method to square the face of my club since your last posted video and found it very helpful. I will most certainly be trying this method to insure that I have proper grip pressure.

Hi Scott-

Glad to hear that the grip placement tip has helped your game! Please let me know how this tip on pressure assimilates.

Best regards,

-BB

Ben, thanks for the great tip on grip pressure. I'll put this into practice today when I hit some balls in my backyard net.

Ben, thanks for the great tip on grip pressure. I'll put this into practice today when I hit some balls in my backyard net.

Great lesson on grip pressure . The one thing I struggle with is keeping it light going back with the driver because it is the longest shaft . Is it correct to state that the wrist *** will come more natural with lighter pressure or is there a concern on this issue ?

Thanks for the comments and question James!

I think that the wrist movement you’re speaking of DOES happen more naturally with a lighter grip pressure, yes.

Effectively, what happens is that the range of motion of the pivot and the shoulder will usually occur in the backswing somewhere around the point when the hands are as high off the ground as the trail shoulder. When this range of motion endpoint is reached, the momentum of the moving club, coupled with the relative lack of strength in the average person’s wrist/forearm, will cause the wrists to move in the way you’ve mentioned.

The trick is not to think about it as it happens. Just create the backswing shape and recognize that this occurrence is going to happen - if we allow it to happen - at the correct time and in proper sequence. Trust it and have fun!

Thanks again,

-BB

I try to use light pressure and even regrip just before I swing. I do typically wear a hole in my glove on the base of the palm (if u draw an line down from my pinkie and across from my thumb). Does this mean I’m gripping too tight still. I can feel the different pressures that u mention too.
Thx

TT,

Thanks for the question and comment.

Often, it has been my experience that wear on the base of the palm tends to come about as a result of rapid, sudden changes in speed during the swing’s transition from backswing to downswing. These quick accelerations can create additional, unwanted movement of the handle within your grasp and lead to your issue with the glove.

I’d need to see your move to know for sure, but if you’ve had issues with that in the past, I’d start there.

If you use Instagram, you can find me at benblalockgolflessons!

Thanks again,

-BB

Thanks great post.

Hi Ben:

I can feel the lighter grip pressure help my longer irons and woods. Going to need work with the wedges still revert back to a firmer grip. It will take some practice. With practice will come the trust. The lighter grip pressure has definitely relaxed the forearms allowing for more freedom in the swing.

Thanks again for your tips keep them coming as they have helped.

Thanks Ben. An excellent reminder for me, however, old habits are difficult to change. I am committed to stay with your approach until it becomes "normal".

Thanks for the update. I'm always working on grip pressure. Even last Sunday at the range I noticed I was gripping the club too tight. I am a right handed golfer and I too tend to wear out my glove in the base of my palm right in line with the pinkie finger.

I am new to the game but I also was wearing holes in the upper palm area. I now have used the same glove for almost a year. I was gripping the club to far out on the handle.

great tip, I've tried using Hogans description of grip pressure...its like holding a baby bird, too light and the bird escapes too tight and you crush the bird.

Really appreciate the advice. I watched it yesterday and tried it out on the range. Really help me out.

Thanks

Ben,

Great tip, grip pressure is something I've been working on recently and has helped my game.


There are so many different putter grips used and grip sizes would you use the same vertical grip test to check this? I've been using the horizontal test and releasing pressure until the putter head starts to drop.

Keep the tips coming

Ant

Thanks for the nice comments AntD!

As to putting, yes, I would recommend the same pressure test. Given that pressure is so vital in it’s regard to the rate at which the face of the putter “releases” during the impact zone, I think it’s important to match your putter grip and your hosel configuration to your pressure level.

It’s honestly a topic due out in an upcoming tip video, but suffice it to say that high pressure players tend to do better with larger grips and double bend/face-balanced putter set ups, while low pressure players often gravitate toward the other end of the gradient... smaller grip, more toe-flow type putters.

We can discuss further anytime through social media at Ben Blalock Golf Lessons (FaceBook) and benblalockgolflessons (Instagram).

Thanks again!

-BB

Great info, thanks Ben.A short time ago,I was playing with a relatively new player. After a few holes I noticed he looked tense at address. His forearm muscles were noticeably tight. I happened to look at his grip, and his knuckles were almost white, he was gripping that hard.He asked how tightly I held the club, so I shook his hand very lightly.As the round progressed, he loosened up and got some fluidity in his swing, and played better.

He asked me after the round, when holding the club lightly, isn't there a chance it would slip or change position during the downswing. I told him subconsciously we all probably increase grip pressure ever so slightly coming down so that won't happen.

Would you agree?

Hey Mike,

That’s an great observation on your part! Forearm tension and white knuckles are sure signs of and overly tight grip pressure.

Your friend’s question isn’t uncommon, or without reason. It’s normal to be concerned that the club will “get away from” you as the speed increases. The fact remains though, your subconscious will eventually solve this problem in an automatic kind of way. It takes reps to be able to trust this fact and a stubborn attitude toward practice. Meaning simply to keep at it until the mind can calm down enough to trust. This is when anxiety melts away and the grip pressure can begin to become less of a conscious consideration. It does take time though... time and a lot of range balls!

Thanks again,

-BB

Awesome tip Ben! I also think this is one of the main reasons folks always say "I hit it so well on the range, and I cant bring it to the course!" Grip pressure tightens when you get tense...Love the visual and tip on how to keep it loose...might become part of my pre-shot routine!

Ben- I've recently become more aware of having a little club waggle pre-shot to release pressure and tension. The next step for me to work on is the grip pressure. The heat and humidity is so brutal in the south this time of year that I'm always gripping too tight for fear of moisture causing my hands to slip. I've also noticed gripping too hard causes soreness after 90 minute practice session.

Hey Michael-

I hear you there! I’m in Raleigh, NC, and I grew up in South Georgia, so I know what you mean about heat, humidity and the feeling that you might “lose” the club during the second half of the swing.

The best advice I can give you there is to regularly wash your grips with hot, soapy water and a brush with stiff, plastic bristles. Just like what you might use to scrub the tires on your car. You might even use a wire brush if the grips are particularly slick. This will allow them to retain enough friction to hold up to the free release of speed that we’re looking to create from about thigh-high hands pre-impact, to thigh-high hands post-impact. That’s where all the speed happens, so you need security at the handle. Without that security, you’ll anticipate the fact that you MIGHT lose the club, and won’t be able to release your grip tension appropriately. This retained tension leads to sub-optimal body movements and a subsequent loss of speed and consistency.

New grips are another great option, but I’d recommend picking one style/type of grip and just sticking with it. You want your sensory information to remain consistent from club to club.

Thanks for the comments!

-Ben

Thanks Ben for helping put the parts of the golf swing together. I know some people might think it is a lot to think about but knowing these things helps. A lot of times knowing the different parts helps the end result.

I was fortunate enough one time to see Sam Snead on a practice range once. Most fluid swing I have ever seen!!
He said "you should grip the club like you are holding a little baby bird." I will find my self on occasions griping the club too tight at address. I immediately loosen it and the results are much better.