Uncommon Swing Fixes: The Grip

This post is the start of a series of discussions where I tackle a lot of common swing issues.  However, instead of providing common fixes that you've probably seen elsewhere, I will be providing a more accurate way to think about how to obtain the correct feels of the swing.  This series is catered to help more of an intermediate to advanced player who has somewhat of a functioning swing.  These articles will assume you know some swing vocabulary.  

Today we will be discussing some Grip Tips: 

How it's different:  This grip tip is different, because it not only helps with how to hold the club in your hands, but also how your hands and arms should feel in connection with the body at address as well.  Having the correct grip-arms-body relationship helps from over-swinging, tempo, loss of consistency, distance, and balance. 

Before you take your grip I want you to grab the club like you would do for handlebars on a bike with one hand holding the grip end and another holding the shaft end.  Notice how secure your grip on both hands feel.  Then take only your trail arm off and see if you can put it back on top of your lead arm to hold the club in it's regular position.  If you feel that your lead grip is different, then you've been  holding your grip wrong this whole time.  A couple things to note, make sure the last three fingers of your lead hand are securing the grip and your thumb is longer rather than shorter.  Also, when looking down at your club you should see at least 2 to 2.5 knuckles. of your lead hand.  

Now, while holding your grip, bring your arms and elbows into your body really close and hinge your wrists and bend your elbows so that the club falls over your trail shoulder.  Now slowly start unhinging your wrists toward the ground keeping your arms to your sides.  You should start feeling that the grip will start bracing itself agains the pad part of your lead hand which will in turn start opening up your elbows, then your elbows will start unfolding and start bracing up against the side of your body like a chain reaction.  After you have completely unfolded your writs and arms, your club should be laying down on the ground with your arms feeling snug up against your body.  Another note if you've done it correctly is that you'll feel a slight pressure into your lead side and leg.  Doing this drill you will have obtained not only the right feel in you hands, but also how your writs arms, elbows and body feels in complete connection with itself.  

You would be surprised at how many people I can get making better contact simply by getting their arms and wrists connected better at address.  Try it and you will start feeling what it means to have a connected swing.