How to Grip a Golf Club: Golf Lesson by Herman Williams, PGA Pro, Raleigh NC

[TheCavalierairsoft]

my golf instructor tought me the same way

[Bizgate09]

great video thanks for the help.

[MrDoobie834]

is there a rule of thumb for how far to choke down the club?

[hermanwilliamsgolf]

@MrDoobie834 I don't have a rule of thumb for that. Assuming your clubs fit, generally you would have the edge of the butt cap on the handle just barely protruding past the heel pad of your left hand for a right handed player. The changes you made appear to be working well, so I would not question it. If your clubs don't fit, you may need them shortened, flatter lie and/or smaller grip to achieve the same results you did by choking down.

[MrDoobie834]

@hermanwilliamsgolf Thanks again. I must say my game has improved more and faster over the last few months seeing your videos and talking on here than in the last 10 years. Thanks again.

[hermanwilliamsgolf]

@MrDoobie834 Thanks for sharing that ... I hope others will see the same results.

Herman

[MrDoobie834]

Mr Williams over this past weekend I decided to try something after viewing this grip video again. Hopefully you can address it for me. I tried choking down the club about an inch and noted that the club face lined up better (flat to the ground), I had more control and added substantial distance. The other thing I focused on was at full back swing being able to stop and be totally balanced. Just stand there...from here i could then attack the ball and stay more balanced throughout. is there

[MrDoobie834]

Mr Williams you recommended the slightly stronger grip for me with my thick hands and shorter fingers. Should I still however strive for the flat wrist?

[hermanwilliamsgolf]

@MrDoobie834 Normally we want to be a little cupped at the top if using a stronger grip. Definitely cup it a little if you are hooking too much. If slicing, I might still strive for a flat wrist.

[MrDoobie834]

Mr Williams to you problems i was having with my swing and asked for clarification on my grip based on my body type. I apologize for not reporting back but have been very busy with a much much much improved game due to your texted description of how I should grip the club. I cannot thank you enough. Amazing. You have made the game even more enjoyable than before. To anyone who reads this...this man just simply knows what he is talking about!!!

[hermanwilliamsgolf]

@MrDoobie834 Hey thanks ... glad your game is getting better.

Herman

[Frankiboy68]

don't like the way you put your right hand on the club....the right thumb suppose to be in the same line of the left one?

[hermanwilliamsgolf]

@Frankiboy68 I'm not sure I follow your question, but the grip I describe is based on the expectation that you will hinge into the backswing with a flat left wrist followed by an aggressive release of the forearms as you see from most Tour players. Looking at Tour grips, most players have a pronounced trigger finger (index finger) on the side of the club, right hand "V" pinched together with the "V" more centered (not to right shoulder) & right thumb rests left of center touching inside edge.

[mjb4385]

Hi Herman, thanks for your great video. Can you provide a little more detail regarding the problems golfers tend to encounter with the interlocking grip and why you recommend the overlap? I've always used the interlock grip, I wonder if I should consider switching to the overlap.

[hermanwilliamsgolf]

@mjb4385 Interlock is certainly very popular, but without close scrutiny most players end up with what amounts to a weak left hand and strong right hand position. The culprit is the attempt to shove the right pinky all the way 'til it bottoms out in the gap with the left forefinger. This leaves the club in the palms of each hand with the palms facing upward. A proper grip will be in the fingers with each palm facing inward and down - the way the hands hang naturally at your side, turned inward.

[fatalroundhouse]

herman you are the man - always very concise, and very informative. In watching several of your videos, you seem to promote a more neutral grip. I've been playing seriously for about 3 years now, and have a strong grip. My question is;. Do you think it is worth attempting to change to a more neutral grip? I will of course have to make adjustments all throughout the swing....what are the perceived advantages to a more neutral grip? Every time I try neutral, I end up pushing or slicing right.

[hermanwilliamsgolf]

@fatalroundhouse I might not change it since you've been at it awhile. But the reason for neutral grip is to get the flat left wrist which is firmer at top of backswing & offers less opportunity for loose, floppy transition. I worry about excessive wrist hinge or floppy transitions leaving the face open too long on downswing causing players to scoop at the ball to square up the face. Theoretically a strong grip should take care of this but not always. Strong & cupped with lag can work though.

[emribella]

Thanks Herman- I'm really hitting my irons flush since watching your video on keeping my left wrist/hand toward the ground on the takeaway. But I'm struggling with my driver now using this technique. Any advice?

[hermanwilliamsgolf]

@emribella The length of the driver can make it awkward to get on plane with this technique - it's likely you are not getting enough forearm rotation after you get the takeaway to the waist-high position. Try to get your left thumb pointed behind your right shoulder and your arms should rotate enough to flatten the shaft plane going back. Irons are naturally steeper so it's not as big a deal. Good luck.

Herman

[GolfLessonsTV]

Thanks for the video...

[rgard32]

i had a neutral grip forever....sliced all the time...i changed my grip to a strong grip...and hittin everything straight......point is.....strong/weak/neutral grip...everyone is different....choose your own

[hermanwilliamsgolf]

@rgard32 I completely agree ... there is more than one way to do almost anything successfully in the golf swing. However, if you plan to have a flat left wrist at top of backswing and a conventional release in which the forearms crossover a neutral grip will fit the best. thanx for your comments.

[drewgill2]

I've used this video to overhaul my grip, and consequently, my swing, and I like the results so far. I feel like a have a pretty solid swing now that I can build on. However, I'm now struggling with my pitching and chipping with the neutral grip (mostly pulling the longer pitches and just inconsistent contact while chipping). Do you have any short game tips?

Thanks!

Drew

[hermanwilliamsgolf]

@drewgill2 Drew, thanks for the compliments. Try keeping your left wrist as flat as possible going thru the ball on the chips. It sounds like you may be slowing down at impact and letting the left wrist break. this allows the clubhead to pass your hands and close to the left. As I get past my busy summer season I'll definitely do some vids on shortgame.

[Tadibrothers]

Very clear explanation as far as hand positions and their names.

[hermanwilliamsgolf]

@Tadibrothers thanks

[DocRobJ]

Herman, I am enjoying the lesson series. It keeps the juices flowing while I wait for the weather to warm up. Looking forward to the lessons.

[hermanwilliamsgolf]

Thanks, it's going to be fun.

[nosnowmen]

Great to see you on Youtube, Herman! Best of luck with your lesson series.