Had my first hit in ages yesterday. Felt like it had been months, the game was a bit rusty, but I managed to hit the ball ok and walked off the course happy with how I played. I am even managing to have another game today. Lucky me!
The interesting thing about yesterday was playing with a guy named John. He is 65 years old and plays off a nine. He hits the ball a good distance and managed to hit two ripper shots. They were the two best shots of the day by a mile and I know that a season golf pro would have been impressed. Both shots finished tap in distance from the hole and the ball flew straight and true. They were absolutely pure.
But the most interesting thing about him was his grip. He used a reverse or a cack handed grip. Now I know that this type of grip is not completely unknown (I even found a website about it here), it’s just that you don’t see it very often.
I know young kids use this type of grip when they’re young but usually revert to a more standard grip has they get older. Golf theory has it that this grip gives them more power while they’re small. That might be the case, but it could be that it’s quite natural for them and they get told to change when they get older. Peer pressure would kick in eventually.
John didn’t care. To him his reverse grip is natural and he loves the fact he hits the ball longer, straighter and more consistently than most players his age. He’s actually a very natural and automatic golfer – he doesn’t mess about with his swing, he just hits the ball.
While traditional golf thinking will tell you the golf grip is one of the most important parts of the game – “it’s the only part of your body that touches the club” or “a good grip equals good golf” – I don’t think it’s overly important. As long as you use a grip that’s comfortable and allows you to move the club with speed you’ll do just fine.
I can still remember “pre automatic” where I would fumble, fidget and twitch about trying to find the ideal grip. I’m so glad that I no longer waste time and energy worrying about my golf grip. Much easier and more fun to “grip it and rip it”.
Please leave your thoughts below.
21 Comments
Jon Mulcahy
May 23, 2011Cameron I will agree that being comfortable whilst gripping a club is very important but my grip became very weak and I was hitting weak fades,then I strengthened my grip up about 5 to 10 degrees (can just see two knuckles)and am hitting a lot straighter and a bit longer.It didn’t feel very comfortable at first but now is almost second nature and I am playing more consistently.Cheers
Cameron
May 31, 2011Hi Jon, the big concern for me are golfers who continually fidget and fiddle with their grip. As long as you’re able to swing freely when on the course it’s fine to work on your grip away from the golf course. I also think the golf grip continually evolves and changes as we get older. Good stuff, glad to hear the golf is going well.
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