Left hand soreness and new grips

[Northeastgolf12]

Just for background, I just got into golf over the past few years and I’m not a great player (~25 handicap) but I’ve been working on my game recently and tweaking my clubs in the process. I’ve been going to the range and playing a round about once a week for the past 2 months. I’ve noticed that my left hand is sore after playing/practicing and I think it may be from gripping the club too tightly with my non-dominate hand. I am right handed and relatively young (late twenties) so I don’t think it’s arthritis, etc. I use a “baseball style” grip but tuck my left thumb under my right fingers. I’ve tried to be conscious of loosening my left hand but it’s hard to tell if it’s having any effect when I swing because instinct takes over.

 

I use standard sized grips but I tried a friends 3 wood with a midsized GP CP2 during a round. I have no idea if it helped my hand pain (only used it a few times) but it felt more comfortable in my hands. It seems like the idea of “lesser tapered” grips help people loosen the grip of their dominate hand (the opposite of what I think I need). Does anyone have experience with non-dominate hand soreness? What remedies have worked for you? Do you think a midsized grip and/or “lesser tapered” grip like the MCC4+ or CP2 would be beneficial?

[Socrates]

Right handed golfer, your dominant hand is your left hand.

I have come to the conclusion, after 50 years in the game, that most people use a grip that is too small. Try a larger grip so that you can comfortably hold onto the club solidly without putting stress on your left hand. I personally think that the image of holding a bird (a light grip) is crapolla. You’re swing a club at 100 mph so you need a firm grip without feeling like your hands are overly stressed. If your hands hurt, your grip is not only likely too small, it is probably a poor grip. See a Professional to get a proper grip setup and the right sized grip. Money well spent.

[Northeastgolf12]

Thanks for the reply. How much (ballpark) does a grip fitting cost? And what would they do besides measure the size of your hands and let you try a handful of grips?

[LeftyMatt24]

I would recommend buying a few cheaper grips and replace on your clubs. It’s pretty easy to do and can help offset costs if you do yourself.

[kmay__]

I switched over to tour velvet midsize +4s thru the bag this season, so midway through last season I put one on my 7 iron and driver, too feel them out and see if I liked them. I did, and then I changed the whole bag over to that grip over the winter. So I would do a bit of experimenting before I went crazy, go to the golf store, they have all the grips mounted on bits of shaft, hold a bunch in your hands, and grab one of each of a couple you prefer, throw them on a couple clubs and give them a test run before you change the whole set over. 13 clubs at 10 bucks each give or take (plus install if you don't diy) it can get a bit expensive to swap the whole set straight away.

I've never experienced the soreness, just have big hands and the standards just always felt way to small in my hands.