How to Play Golf with a Strong Grip

Playing golf with a strong grip can be a challenging task, but with practice and patience, it can be mastered. Here are some tips on how to play golf with a strong grip:

1. Understand what a strong grip is: A strong grip means that your hands are rotated to the right (for right-handed golfers) on the club. This can help promote a draw, but it may also cause a slice or hook if not executed correctly.
2. Position the hands correctly: Place the left hand on the club as usual, then move it to the right so that the “V” formed by your thumb and forefinger is pointing to your right shoulder. For the right hand, position it in a way that the palm faces more upwards.
3. Practice your grip: Before hitting the ball, practice gripping the club with a strong grip several times to get comfortable with it. Make sure your grip is firm but not too tight.
4. Adjust your stance: With a strong grip, you may need to adjust your stance slightly to compensate for the rotation of your hands. Experiment with different stances to find one that works for you.
5. Practice your swing: With a strong grip, you may find that you hit the ball further and with a slight draw. However, it can also lead to inconsistent shots. Practice your swing with a strong grip to develop a consistent shot pattern.
6. Keep your wrists firm: With a strong grip, there may be a tendency to overuse your wrists, leading to inconsistent shots. Keep your wrists firm and use your shoulders and body to generate power and speed.
7. Aim left: With a strong grip, the clubface may close during impact, causing the ball to go left. To compensate for this, aim slightly left of your target.
8. Stay balanced: Make sure to maintain good balance throughout your swing, especially with a strong grip, as it can cause you to overcompensate and lose your balance.
9. Avoid tension: A strong grip can cause tension in your arms and hands, which can lead to an inconsistent swing. Make sure to relax your muscles and avoid tensing up during your swing.
10. Get feedback: Ask a friend or instructor to watch your swing and provide feedback. This can help you identify any issues with your swing and make necessary adjustments.
11. Adjust your club selection: With a strong grip, you may hit the ball further and with a draw. This can be beneficial on some holes, but on others, it may not be the best strategy. Adjust your club selection accordingly based on the hole layout and your strengths.
12. Develop a pre-shot routine: Having a pre-shot routine can help you maintain consistency and focus during your swing. Include a few practice swings to help you get comfortable with your strong grip and visualize your shot.
13. Focus on your grip pressure: With a strong grip, it’s important to find the right balance of grip pressure. Too tight, and you may lose feel and control; too loose, and you may lose power and accuracy. Experiment with different grip pressures to find what works best for you.
14. Use training aids: There are a variety of training aids available that can help you improve your swing with a strong grip. These can include grip trainers, alignment sticks, and swing trainers.
15. Get professional instruction: If you’re struggling with your swing or finding it difficult to play with a strong grip, consider getting professional instruction. A golf instructor can help you identify any issues with your swing and provide personalized guidance to help you improve.
16. Work on your short game: A strong grip can be particularly beneficial on short shots around the green. Practice chipping and pitching with a strong grip to develop greater control and precision.
17. Use video analysis: Video analysis can be a powerful tool for improving your swing with a strong grip. Record your swing from different angles and study your technique to identify areas for improvement.
18. Stay relaxed: It’s important to stay relaxed and maintain good posture throughout your swing. Avoid tensing up or hunching over the ball, as this can limit your range of motion and affect your swing.
19. Practice with different clubs: Experiment with different clubs to see how your strong grip affects your shots. You may find that you hit some clubs better than others with a strong grip.
20. Play with confidence: Playing with a strong grip requires confidence in your swing and your ability to control the ball. Trust in your technique and don’t be afraid to take risks when you feel comfortable.

Grip pressure and hand position

Hand	Pressure	Placement	Position	Thumb
Left	Firm	Underneath	Strong	Slightly to the right
Right	Firm	Overlapping	Strong	Slightly to the right

Stance and ball position

Shot type	Stance width	Ball position	Shoulder alignment	Weight distribution
Driver	Wide	Forward	Open	More on back foot
Irons	Narrow	Center	Square	Evenly distributed

Swing mechanics

Component	Description	Importance	Drill	Common mistakes
Grip	Strong grip with both hands	Essential	Grip a club with a towel to emphasize hand placement	Grip too tightly or not tightly enough
Backswing	Full and complete	Important	Practice swinging with a club or alignment stick	Short or incomplete backswing
Downswing	Smooth and controlled	Important	Practice swinging with a club or alignment stick	Over-swinging or jerky movements
Follow-through	Complete and balanced	Important	Finish in a balanced position with weight on front foot	Cutting off the follow-through or losing balance

Mental approach

Component	Description	Importance	Drill	Common mistakes
Confidence	Believe in your ability to execute the shot	Essential	Visualize the shot and focus on positive self-talk	Negative self-talk or lack of confidence
Focus	Concentrate on the task at hand	Essential	Use pre-shot routine to focus on process over outcome	Getting distracted or losing focus
Patience	Accept that golf is a game of mistakes and be patient with yourself	Important	Practice mindfulness and deep breathing	Getting frustrated or losing patience

Practice tips

Component	Description	Importance	Drill	Common mistakes
Repetition	Practice the same shot repeatedly to build muscle memory	Essential	Use alignment sticks and hit balls to a specific target	Practicing without a clear goal or purpose
Variability	Practice different shots and scenarios to improve adaptability	Important	Play simulated rounds on the practice range or course	Sticking to the same routine and not trying new things
Feedback	Get feedback from a coach or using technology to identify areas for improvement	Important	Use video analysis or launch monitors to track progress	Ignoring feedback or not seeking it out

Club selection

Club	Shot type	Distance	Trajectory	Lie
Driver	Tee shots	Long	High	Level
Fairway woods	Tee shots or long approach shots	Long to mid-range	Mid to high	Level or slightly uphill
Irons	Approach shots or shots from the fairway	Mid to short-range	Mid to high	Level or slightly downhill
Wedges	Short game shots	Short-range	High	Any lie
Putter	Putting	N/A	N/A	N/A

Course management

Component	Description	Importance	Strategy	Common mistakes
Tee shots	Focus on hitting fairways	Essential	Use a club that will keep the ball in play, even if it means sacrificing distance	Trying to hit driver on every tee shot
Approach shots	Aim for the center of the green	Important	Use a club that will get you to the middle of the green, even if it means leaving yourself a longer putt	Going for the pin when it’s not a high-percentage shot
Short game	Get the ball on the green and close to the hole	Important	Use a wedge with enough loft to get the ball in the air and onto the green, and aim for the center of the green	Trying to hit a “hero shot” when it’s not necessary
Putting	Focus on speed and line	Essential	Read the green carefully and make a solid stroke with good speed	Not reading the green or hitting putts too hard or too soft

 Fitness and conditioning

Component	Description	Importance	Exercise	Common mistakes
Flexibility	Maintain a full range of motion	Important	Stretching exercises for golfers, such as the seated hamstring stretch and shoulder stretch	Not stretching before playing or practicing
Strength	Develop power and stability	Important	Weightlifting exercises for golfers, such as squats and lunges	Not using proper form when lifting weights or overtraining
Cardiovascular endurance	Increase stamina and energy levels	Important	Cardio exercises for golfers, such as running and cycling	Neglecting cardio training or doing too much too soon
Balance and coordination	Improve swing mechanics and stability	Important	Balance and coordination exercises for golfers, such as standing on one foot or using a balance board	Not practicing balance and coordination exercises regularly

Etiquette and rules

Component	Description	Importance	Rule/Etiquette	Common mistakes
Pace of play	Keep up with the group in front of you	Essential	Rule: Players should play without undue delay, and should keep up with the group in front.	Taking too long to play shots, not being ready when it’s your turn to play
Course care	Preserve the course and leave it in good condition	Important	Etiquette: Repair divots, rake bunkers, and fix ball marks on the green.	Not repairing divots, bunkers, or ball marks
Safety	Avoid hitting other players or causing damage	Essential	Rule: Players should not hit until the group in front is out of range, and should shout a warning if a ball might hit someone.	Hitting into the group in front of you, not paying attention to other players on the course