When Should You Use A Strong Golf Grip?

There are two instances when you use a strong golf grip - when you intend to and when it's an accident. This article explains what a strong grip is, when a strong grip is okay and when it should be avoided.

For a proper golf grip, both hands must work in unison. Each hand has a function on the grip and in the swing.

The dominant hand (for right handed golfers, the dominant hand is the right hand) helps slot the club at the top of the swing. It also provides the torque and power as the wrist rolls through the shot.

The non-dominant hand provides a bulk of the down swing speed and also helps guide the club through the swing.

Each hand is given an equal opportunity in a neutral golf grip. When a golfer uses a strong golf grip, the dominant hand takes on a larger role in the grip. Resulting shots, therefore, reflect more of the dominant hand characteristics than the weak hand. The picture to the right demonstrates what a strong golf grip looks like. This picture is of a right-handed golfer. Notice how the right hand has "rolled" over the grip to the left from its normal, neutral position. Extending from the index finger, the red line in the picture indicates a strong hand positioning. The right hand has rolled towards the target. The blue dashed line represents where the index finger would rest in a neutral grip position.

A strong golf grip. Notice how the dominant hand has rolled over the grip towards the target.

In a strong position, the dominant hand is able to exert more of an influence in the grip and swing.

Since the dominant hand traditionally provides the power in the swing, this is why it's called a strong grip.

When Not To Use A Strong Golf Grip

While there are a few occasions when a strong grip is desired (or required), in most instances it should be avoided. In fact, most people don't realize that they are using a strong grip and that their grip is causing them swing and shot issues.

If you find yourself struggling with any of the following swing issues, take a look at your grip - it's probably too strong.

1. You have a tendency to hit low, screaming hooks. This is a result of the dominant hand turning over too quickly during the wrist roll.
2. At the top of your swing, your wrists cup excessively. This is a result of the dominant hand pushing down on the weaker hand at the top of the swing. Cupping of the wrists leads to consistency issues.
3. You find yourself chopping at the ball. Golfers with strong grips often find themselves picking up the club quickly and then chopping at the ball. This is the result of an excessively strong dominant hand that is controlling the entire swing.
4. You often experience pain in your dominant wrist. Strong grips exert a lot of torque on the wrists, especially the dominant one. Over time, this torque can irritate the tendons and ligaments in the wrist.

Fixing a strong golf grip is very easy. Simply roll your dominant hand on the grip away from the target. Looking down at your grip, you should only be able to see one or two knuckles.

Once you've adjusted your grip to be more neutral, you'll likely fade or slice your shots for a while. Work out these issues on the range instead of the course. Repeatedly slicing the ball out of bounds in the course of a round will only frustrate you - and likely prompt you to resort to the strong grip you're trying to correct.

When You Should Use A Strong Golf Grip

A strong grip does come in handy - but should be used in moderation. Ideally you should strive for maintaining a neutral grip. However these are some instances when you might want to temporarily use a strong golf grip:

1. You've tried everything else to fix your slice. Chronic slicers sometimes find relief for banana balls by using a stronger grip. The dominant hand helps roll the wrists through the ball earlier and more quickly. This wrist roll straightens out the shot.
2. Your swing is way too flat. A stronger golf grip promotes a more upright golf swing. If you find yourself whipping the club around your body, try strengthening your grip.
3. You've injured your inferior hand or wrist. A strong golf grip can compensate for a weaker inferior wrist or hand.
4. You need to hit a draw. Sometimes during the course of a round, you absolutely need to hit a draw. Hitting a low hook around some trees comes to mind. Strengthening your grip can help with this shot.

How do you form a strong grip? Just roll your dominant hand on the grip towards the target. When you look down at your grip, you should see three knuckles instead of the one or two in a neutral grip.

Now that you know what a strong golf grip is, learn more golf grip tips here.