A proper hold on a golf stick can change many things. Correct placement of hands on a golf club determines the quality of shots a golfer is going to take. The control over the golf woods affects the body swing. So for beginners, it is the basic thing to learn. And, for the experienced, this writing will be a revision of their holding.
Most of the players in golf are right-handed. So the tips, techniques, and writings are available for a right-handed golfer. There are very things on how to hold a golf club left-handed. Sometimes it seems to some difficulties for a left-handed. But there are examples like Phil Michelson and Bubba Watson in professional tournaments. Okay, let’s start.
Read Also: How to Hold a Golf Club Right Handed
1. How to Hold a Golf Club Left Handed:
The position of both hands on the golf handle is the basic part for a golfer as well as a left-handed player. The left-handed golfer must place the right hand and left hand on the woods accurately. Because a clean hit needs proper control over the woods. Here are some tips on how to hold a golf club left handed-
- Make sure the golf club is straight with the surface. So many newcomers don’t notice it seriously. So what is the outcome they’ve got? The worst hit. May find the ball a mile away from the desired location. You can mark on your grip to align the golf face. Don’t make the clubface to a small degree to the right or left with the ground for a straight long shot. Make the grip’s dots parallel to the clubface. Then put it down super straight of the target.
- Don’t cover up the end of the iron grip with your hand. Leave a space about half and an inch.
- Place the right hand first on the grip. It will help to make the proper alignment.
- Cover the grip with the edge of your little finger and the middle of your index finger of the right hand. As a reminder, any can mark this line with a marker if wearing a glove.
- Put your right-hand thumb parallel to the clubface. Make a V-shape with the thumb and index finger. There should be no long gap between these two fingers.
- The crease of the V-shape should run towards the left shoulder.
- Wrap up fingers around the grip. And, the palm must place on the side of the grip. Now place the right hand on top of your grip.
- With the proper placement of the right hand if the club level to the ground, then it is the right position.
- Now place the left (bottom hand) thumb against the thumb of the right hand.
- The left palm should hold the club through the middle. And, put the left thumb on top of the right hand’s thumb. The crease of both hands should run towards the left shoulder.
2. The Basic Technique of Gripping style:
Three popular and well-known grip styles exist. It is difficult to master all the grips. But good to know the basic differences among them.
- Baseball Grip: This very ancient style. All the fingers are used to grip the handle. So that it is also named as 10-finger grip. Put the right hand first on the golf club. Then place the left (dominant hand) hand’s little finger too close to the right thumb. There should be no space between the two hands. Yes, the same style as the gripping of a baseball bat. Nowadays, generally, it is used by the novices, the player with small hands and arthritis.
- Verdon Grip: This one is super popular. It is famous the champion pro golfer Harry Verdon. This grip is also called overlapping grip. It may be difficult for freshers and players with small hands to perform a hit using this grip. In this style left little finger just overlaps the right index finger to make a grip. That means the left little finger should place between the index and middle finger of the right hand.
- Interlocking Grip: The interlocking grip is super popular today. A pro player like Tiger Woods loves to grip this way. This gripping technique is quite comfortable for newcomers too as it is no hard. Simply, place the left little finger let into between the right index and middle finger like a “lock” position.
For a beginner, the grip is the most uncomfortable thing in golf play. Every time it feels awkward, it feels weird! But when a golfer learns to grip correctly, it makes a massive difference in the golf game. There are no good or bad choices in gripping technique. Let’s go with the grip which gives you comfort and allows you to play the proper hit.
3. Position of Grip and Pressure:
When 3 or 4 knuckles of your right hand are seen under the handle it’s called a strong grip position. It uses naturally when a left-handed has to play a shot to the right.
When two or more knuckles are shown on the left hand and a knuckle is seen on the right under the iron is named as a weak grip position. It seems comfortable to hit the target leftwards.
When a golfer can see two knuckles on the right hand, it is then in a neutral position. This position may seem great to golfers for a clean straight shot.
- The different position of the grip allows a player to perform according to their need.
The next thing comes, how tight should we hold a golf club?
- Firm the grip without strangling the golf club.
- Put a little bit of pressure without squeezing the hold.
- Put the pressure with the fingers, not by your palm.
Check your hold again and again. It is not forbidden in golf (Different professional Tour also) to get a mark on your gloves or grip by a marker. If you face a problem with how to hold a golf club left handed, no shame to use a marker.
Sometimes left-handed golf kit seems very expensive compare with a right-handed one. But time has changed. And, you can practice and play with a right-handed golf club! Yes, you can. Always place your right hand first on the golf club. It allows you to control the grip nicely. A sound grip is crucial for a good hit. Proper hold on an iron helps a golfer all other areas of the swing. A poor grip affects the swing as well as the shot.
So, do apply the correct grip and hold on to the golf woods.
Happy Golfing!
Related Articles:
- How to Address a Golf Ball with an Iron
- How to Hold a Golf Club Right Handed
- How to Hit a Pitching Wedge
- How Much do Golf Caddies Make?
Sources and Reference
1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3l-FL5xyUjs
2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W6BMENib1M
3) https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PUn-MgKirFrW1IcCjTy1BdQw&v=uLIKTHr9_VU
4) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRMYYEimmvw&list=PUn-MgKirFrW1IcCjTy1BdQw&index=1
5) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uqzv-HXUkmE
6) https://golftips.golfweek.usatoday.com/grip-golf-club-left-handed-1530.html
7) https://theleftrough.com/left-handed-golf-tips/
8) https://golf.com/instruction/how-to-hold-a-golf-club-the-proper-golf-grip/
9) https://golf-info-guide.com/golf-tips/left-handed-golf-tips/left-hand-golf-tip-how-a-strong-grip-can-help-create-a-power-release/
10) https://www.florida-golf.org/blogs/top-tips-for-left-handed-golfers
11) https://golf-info-guide.com/golf-tips/left-handed-golf-tips/left-hand-golf-tip-use-a-stronger-grip-to-help-correct-your-slice/
12) https://forums.golf-monthly.co.uk/threads/lefties-using-right-handed-clubs.33426/
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