when do you put your hands on the club?

Louis_Posture · February 4

Some players adopt their grip a few feet away from the ball and then step into their posture, address the ball etc... with their hands already gripping the club.

Other players set the club head behind the ball, get into their posture, and adopt their grip at that time.

Which method do you use ?

iacas · February 4

It depends on the shot. For a full swing, like an approach shot, typically from behind the ball as I'm walking up to it having gotten my alignment spot.

But sometimes I'll adjust it a tiny bit at the ball.

For short game shots, often when the club is behind the ball I'll re-take my final grip.

Hawkeye77 · February 4

Neither of those.

b.mattay · February 5

Neither one

Louis_Posture · February 5

16 hours ago, Hawkeye77 said:

Neither of those.

6 hours ago, b.mattay said:

Neither one

At what point do you guys adopt your grip?

Louis_Posture · February 5

During Saturday's play at Pebble Beach I noticed Wyndam Clark adopted his grip before walking towards the ball and stepping into his address posture. Once he had both his grip and posture set, and when necessary he used his feet (while maintaining the posture he had already set) to move closer to the ball. Lots of Tour pros used to use this same process, but in recent times pros are more inclined to use their right arm-hand to set the club head behind the ball and from that point take their posture and grip.

Hawkeye77 · February 5

14 minutes ago, Louis_Posture said:

At what point do you guys adopt your grip?

As I’m settling into my stance - generally standing behind the ball with club dangling in right hand doing nothing and step in with right foot and as my left foot comes in and getting my feet settled in the club switches over to the left and take my grip. Just happens - had to go down to the basement to check, lol.

Edited February 5 by Hawkeye77

stryper · February 5

4 minutes ago, Hawkeye77 said:

As I’m settling into my stance - generally standing behind the ball with club dangling in right hand doing nothing and step in with right foot and as my left foot comes in and getting my feet settled in the club switches over to the left and take my grip. Just happens - had to go down to the basement to check, lol.

Pretty much this, but I’ll add squaring the club face behind the ball as I first step into the setup.

Shilgy · February 5

You’re all wrong. I first “put my hands on the club” when I take it out of the golf bag. Duh! 🤣

Based on the other answers I’ll add I tend to set up to the ball and take the grip from there.

My observation has been it seems the stronger the lead hand grip the more likely the grip is taken before setting up to the ball. But of course that is just observation…not necessarily fact.

Pepperturbo · February 5

I've watched people unconsciously, adjust their grip, sometimes more than once, to find a comfortable grip. For that reason, it's silly to set the clubhead behind the ball only to move the club head when finally gripping at address.

I use MCC Align grips, so make sure my left-hand grip is properly set before I address the ball.

HGLucky13 · February 5

The second one. After getting alignment and posture I will adjust my grip

Ri_Redneck · February 5

Behind the ball. I like to stand at the edge of the mow-line if it's nice and straight. It helps me get the face aligned properly since I am a visual aligner. I NEVER reset my grip at the ball.

BT

azgreg · February 5

Recently I started grabbing the club with my left hand like Adam Scott does it, and I do it while standing behind the ball.

Edited February 5 by azgreg

b.mattay · February 10

On 2/5/2024 at 8:03 AM, Louis_Posture said:

At what point do you guys adopt your grip?

My right hand goes on the club about mid-way through my backswing.

st1800e · February 10

On 2/5/2024 at 9:54 AM, Pepperturbo said:

I use MCC Align grips, so make sure my left-hand grip is properly set before I address the ball.

Good to know.

cav5 · February 12

Tried both. Its what you're focusing on while you do it that will make a difference.

I don't do this mid round but my check is to take a 3/4 backswing with no club, then once there, try to imagine a heavy club in my hands and how my fingers would curl and lever around it to keep the rest of my body feeling powerful and ready to go.

I try to take that finger curling sensation and get my hands on the club in a way that I know will bring back that sensation. So I'm conscious of that. If I make any correlation to grip and clubface my mind gets junked up. I have to judge it on the sensation of closed/open.

Need to mindful but ultimately let your grip find you I think.

Louis_Posture · February 12

Clark and Novak, the two most recent winners on Tour, adopted their grip well before addressing the ball.

I believe one benefit of this style is that it promotes distance-from-the-ball-at-address consistency. Another benefit is that is that helps a player feel the upper arms-to-torso connection while at the same allowing the arms to hang relaxed while sensing the weight of the club head.

GungHoGolf · February 12

3 hours ago, Louis_Posture said:

Clark and Novak, the two most recent winners on Tour, adopted their grip well before addressing the ball.

I believe one benefit of this style is that it promotes distance-from-the-ball-at-address consistency. Another benefit is that is that helps a player feel the upper arms-to-torso connection while at the same allowing the arms to hang relaxed while sensing the weight of the club head.

And Nick Taylor yesterday. He has the most robotic way to address the ball I’ve ever seen. It’s almost like rolling an Iron Byron into place.

That’s three wins in a row by players taking the grip before addressing the ball, and they’re a significant minority on tour.

Personally, I’ve gone back and forth between methods more times than I can count. Currently I take it after addressing the ball, as it feels and looks more natural, and also allows for little “feel” changes when the lie isn’t perfectly level. I would never take my grip early on a chip or short pitch, so this way there’s no “cut-off point” or distance when I change my routine.