Swing  Tip

Grip pressure, How firm should you hold the club?
Grip pressure refers to the amount of force applied by the fingers to hold an object and in this case it is the club. The pressure is natural and directly reflects  the amount of contraction of the forearm muscles. The more the forearm muscles contract, the more force applied by the fingers and the more the grip pressure increases. When holding the club, the objective is to minimize grip pressure. If the grip pressure is excessive than the forearm and shoulder muscles will contract. The muscular tension will negatively effect the motion of the arms and shoulders throughout the swing.

Grip pressure is proportional, to the weight of the object and the action you are performing with it. For example, when holding a hammer, the fingers will apply a certain amount of pressure. The pressure will naturally increase when swinging the hammer to hit a nail. The weight of the hammer remained the same but the action changed. More strength is required to swing the hammer than to hold it, so the forearm muscles contract and the pressure increases.  The same applies when swinging the club, the grip pressure is constantly changing throughout the swing because the demands on the forearm muscles is constantly changing. When the club is resting on the ground very little strength is required, so the grip pressure is minimal. When the club is waist high or at impact, more strength is required to hold the club, so the grip pressure increases. The pressure will fluctuate naturally throughout the swing.  

The critical part of grip pressure occurs when the club is resting on the ground. It is important that the fingers do not apply excessive pressure at this time. Remember, the pressure applied at the start of the swing will constantly increase and decrease naturally throughout the swing. So how you start will determine how you will finish.

So how firm should you hold the club? When the club is resting on the ground, the correct grip pressure is similar to that applied by your hand to a glass when lifting it from the table.