Neutral/Weak grip discussion

[empa]

Has anyone made a permanent change from a strong grip to a more neutral/weak grip?

I've noticed that my wrists feel more fluid and getting a proper set + smooth transition is easier. No rushing of the downswing and no flipping at the bottom.

Just curious if anyone advocates for a neutral/weaker grip and what might dissuade me from making this a permanent change.

[BMC]

Many Tour players use/used a neutral grip. Scott, Stenson, Speith, Norman, Nicklaus, Strange, this new kid Matt Wolf. I prefer it, but it's natural to me.

[TB07]

I went from really strong to less strong/neutral. Def not weak but much weaker. If we want to move the wrists into more flexion in transition as so many advocate, it gives me more freedom to do that without getting the face too closed.

[mudge]

> @BMC said:

> Many Tour players use/used a neutral grip. Scott, Stenson, Speith, Norman, Nicklaus, Strange, this new kid Matt Wolf. I prefer it, but it's natural to me.

 

MW doesn't use a neutral grip (ultra weak), and JS's left hand grip is weak.

[juststeve]

What constitutes a neutral grip varies from golfer to golfer because we are not the same with respect to the way the muscles and bones in our arms are configured. I was taught that a neutral grip was one that tends to return the swinging club square to the target at impact WITHOUT any conscious manipulation. I think a good starting point is to put your top hand on the grip they way that it hangs at your side when you stand in a relaxed fashion. You then add the lower hand in a way that it is in balance with the upper hand. Finally you need to check to make sure the club face orientation doesn't change as the swinging club pulls on your arms.

 

I call that neutral no matter where the Vs are pointed and no matter how many knuckles I see. A purely functional definition of neutrality.

 

Steve

[OBbogey5]

Who’s got the weakest top hand in the business. John Rahm comes to mind.

 

 

[Zitlow]

If you move the ball back in your stance to adjust for shorter clubs your left hand should become progressively stronger (turned right). Right hand should match the club face for all standard shots.

[Moxley]

Yes yes yes, and I can now use a driver as a result.

[BermBuster]

Weak grip here...

[ousuxndallas]

I just read Chamblee's book on swings. There are several pages dedicated to grip. Byron Nelson had a fantastic grip, as did Tiger in late 90s. Both had v's from hands pointing to right shoulder.

 

I went out to range today and tried it. Changed my strong right hand to weak. Amazing results. Impact was much better. The left hand thumb needs to reside about 1/4 of the way over the top of the grip. Same with the right thumb.

[flip flappy]

I have played a strong grip for the last few years but am trying a weaker grip currently. I would go through spells where I would pull the ball really badly while playing a strong grip although other parts of my swing contribute to this as well. I'm also working on trying to stop my OTT swing. I have yet to play a round with the weaker grip but was able to hit a few balls at the range this evening and was really please with the results. Seemed good for the ball go to where I was aiming and looking forward to getting out to the course this weekend.

[vietnameeh]

I use to be weak/neutral but switched to a strong grip end of last year with decent results however ... I think it’s caused strain on my left thumb so I may go back to my normal grip

[ousuxndallas]

> @ousuxndallas said:

> I just read Chamblee's book on swings. There are several pages dedicated to grip. Byron Nelson had a fantastic grip, as did Tiger in late 90s. Both had v's from hands pointing to right shoulder.

>

> I went out to range today and tried it. Changed my strong right hand to weak. Amazing results. Impact was much better. The left hand thumb needs to reside about 1/4 of the way over the top of the grip. Same with the right thumb.

 

One of the all-time best:

 

[Krt22]

Strong is wrong!

 

 

 

[gators78]

I have zero clue as to why, but there are a lot of extremely weak left/top hands from young guys on Tour and those coming out.

Jordan, Rahm, Thomas, Bryson...the new dudes Wolff, Thornberry, and probably the weakest of the weak, Steven Fisk (2nd to Wolff at NCAAs).


 

[flip flappy]

I have got to play a couple of rounds since switching to a weaker grip and my iron play has been much better. I have a set of Mizuno MP 62's that I played several years ago that I knock the dust off every once in a while. I have not been able to hit them with any consistency in quite a while but gave them a shot yesterday and today with the weaker grip. Couldn't believe it when I was able to hit them much better. I hit a 6 iron to a back pin today that reminded me how good a Mizuno forged iron feels when hit on the sweet spot. Loving the weaker grip.