Golf grip is one of the most fundamental aspects of the golf swing, and it can greatly impact the way a golfer strikes the ball. The position of the thumb in the grip plays a crucial role in determining the grip strength and the clubface’s angle at impact. There are two types of golf grips concerning the thumb’s position: short thumb grip and long thumb grip. In this article, we’ll discuss the differences between the two grips and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Short Thumb Grip:
In a short thumb grip, the thumb is placed on the top of the grip, with the pad of the thumb pressing against the side of the grip. This grip tends to be used by players with smaller hands or shorter fingers. It also helps in creating a stronger grip as the pad of the thumb applies more pressure on the grip, resulting in a firmer hold on the club. The strong grip can help in closing the clubface at impact, producing a draw or hook shot. However, it can also make the clubface more difficult to square up, leading to a slice or push shot.
Long Thumb Grip:
In a long thumb grip, the thumb extends down the shaft towards the clubhead, with the pad of the thumb still in contact with the grip. This grip is usually used by players with larger hands or longer fingers. It provides a more neutral grip, making it easier to square up the clubface at impact. The long thumb grip also helps in creating a lighter grip, which allows for more wrist action during the swing, resulting in more clubhead speed. However, a lighter grip can also lead to less control over the clubhead, causing the golfer to hit the ball off-center.
Advantages and Disadvantages:
The short thumb grip’s advantages are its ability to create a stronger grip, resulting in more power and a draw or hook shot. Its disadvantages are the difficulty in squaring up the clubface, leading to a slice or push shot. The long thumb grip’s advantages are its neutral grip, making it easier to square up the clubface, and its ability to create more wrist action and clubhead speed. Its disadvantages are the potential lack of control over the clubhead, leading to off-center hits.
Hand Size and Finger Length:
One of the primary factors that can influence the choice of grip is hand size and finger length. Golfers with smaller hands or shorter fingers may find it challenging to use a long thumb grip, as it may be uncomfortable and limit their control over the club. On the other hand, golfers with larger hands or longer fingers may struggle with a short thumb grip, as it may not provide enough surface area to grip the club effectively.
Swing Style:
Another important factor to consider when choosing a golf grip is the player’s swing style. A golfer with a fast and aggressive swing may benefit from a long thumb grip, as it allows for more wrist action and clubhead speed. In contrast, a golfer with a slower and smoother swing may find a short thumb grip more comfortable, as it provides a stronger grip and more control over the clubface.
Impact on Ball Flight:
The golf grip can have a significant impact on the ball flight and shot shape. A short thumb grip tends to create a stronger grip and can help in closing the clubface at impact, resulting in a draw or hook shot. In contrast, a long thumb grip tends to create a more neutral grip and can make it easier to square up the clubface, resulting in a straighter shot or slight fade. It is essential to experiment with both grips and see how they affect the ball flight to determine which one is more suitable for your game.
Comfort and Feel:
Lastly, the choice of golf grip comes down to personal preference and comfort. It is crucial to select a grip that feels comfortable and provides enough control over the club. Golfers should experiment with different grips and see which one feels more natural and provides the most control over the clubhead.
Tips for Improving Golf Grip:
Having a proper grip is crucial for achieving consistency and control in the golf swing. Here are some tips for improving your golf grip:
- Check Your Grip Pressure: Many golfers tend to grip the club too tightly, which can limit their wrist action and cause tension in their swing. It is important to maintain a firm grip on the club, but not too tight. A good way to check your grip pressure is to hold the club with your normal grip and then shake your hands loose. If the club falls out of your hands, you are gripping the club too loosely. If your hands feel tense or sore, you are gripping the club too tightly.
- Use Your Fingers: When gripping the club, it is important to use your fingers to control the club, rather than your palms. The pad of your thumb and the base of your pinky finger should be in contact with the grip, but the rest of your palm should be off the club. Using your fingers allows for more control and flexibility in the swing.
- Align Your Hands: When gripping the club, it is important to ensure that your hands are aligned properly. The V’s formed by your thumbs and index fingers should be pointing towards your right shoulder (for right-handed golfers). This helps in squaring up the clubface at impact and promotes a more consistent swing.
- Experiment with Grips: As mentioned earlier, there are different types of golf grips, including the short thumb and long thumb grips. It is important to experiment with different grips and see which one feels more comfortable and provides the most control over the clubhead.
- Practice with Your Grip: Finally, it is important to practice with your grip regularly. Practice swings and drills that focus on grip pressure and alignment can help in improving your grip and, ultimately, your golf swing.
Short Thumb Golf Grip
| Player Name | Hand Position | Distance (yards) | Accuracy (%) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John | Short Thumb | 250 | 80 | 72 |
| Sarah | Short Thumb | 235 | 85 | 74 |
| Mark | Short Thumb | 260 | 78 | 73 |
| Emily | Short Thumb | 245 | 82 | 76 |
| Jack | Short Thumb | 255 | 79 | 71 |
| Tom | Short Thumb | 230 | 87 | 75 |
| Jane | Short Thumb | 240 | 83 | 77 |
| Mike | Short Thumb | 270 | 75 | 70 |
| Anna | Short Thumb | 225 | 89 | 78 |
| Chris | Short Thumb | 250 | 80 | 72 |
Long Thumb Golf Grip
| Player Name | Hand Position | Distance (yards) | Accuracy (%) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John | Long Thumb | 255 | 82 | 73 |
| Sarah | Long Thumb | 240 | 87 | 76 |
| Mark | Long Thumb | 265 | 80 | 74 |
| Emily | Long Thumb | 250 | 85 | 77 |
| Jack | Long Thumb | 260 | 81 | 72 |
| Tom | Long Thumb | 235 | 89 | 75 |
| Jane | Long Thumb | 245 | 86 | 78 |
| Mike | Long Thumb | 275 | 78 | 71 |
| Anna | Long Thumb | 230 | 90 | 79 |
| Chris | Long Thumb | 255 | 82 | 73 |
Driving Accuracy
| Player Name | Hand Position | Fairways Hit (%) | Greens in Regulation (%) | Sand Saves (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John | Short Thumb | 75 | 60 | 50 |
| Sarah | Short Thumb | 80 | 62 | 60 |
| Mark | Short Thumb | 78 | 63 | 55 |
| Emily | Short Thumb | 82 | 65 | 57 |
| Jack | Short Thumb | 79 | 61 | 52 |
| Tom | Short Thumb | 87 | 68 | 62 |
| Jane | Short Thumb | 83 | 64 | 58 |
| Mike | Short Thumb | 75 | 58 | 48 |
| Anna | Short Thumb | 89 | 72 | 66 |
| Chris | Short Thumb | 80 | 62 | 60 |
Conclusion:
In summary, the choice of golf grip depends on various factors such as hand size, finger length, swing style, and personal preference. Golfers should experiment with both short thumb and long thumb grips and see which one feels more comfortable and provides the most control over the clubhead. Ultimately, the grip that helps golfers achieve consistency and control in their swing is the one they should use.
