Advantage of a slightly strong left hand grip

[imperfectgolfer]

Consider this BM thread.

www.brianmanzella.com/forum/golfing-discussions/13208-dariusz-j-swing-theories-thread-2.html

Kevin Shields stated-:

"Just to be clear, I certainly don't teach it to everyone but feel its natural for a lot of reasons and it tends to get the pressure points on the exact part of the grip necessary for good lag and face control. Its not anything crazy. A ton of Tour pros have slightly strong left hands and a right hand more on top."

How does a slightly strong left hand grip and a neutral right hand grip get the pressure points better aligned for lag and face control (compared to a neutral left hand grip and a neutral right hand grip)?

Jeff.

[Richie3Jack]

One of the things Lag teaches in ABS is how to figure out the grip for yourself because as Lag states, he's seen so many great ballstrikers with different grips that he really cannot instruct one type of grip.

This is a big part of what Module 1 is for. You need to do the drill correctly, especially with the left hand and you more or less need to figure out what type of left hand grip is needed to do the drill.

If I try and do Module 1 with a neutral grip, I cannot do it efficiently and correctly. I found using more of a strong left hand grip works much better. And other ABS students have found the same thing.

Now, if you can do it with a neutral grip, that's fine.

I think it depends a lot on what you're comfortable with and your coordination and ability with your left arm and hand. Golfers who have more coordination and strength with the left arm/hand I think are more likely to feel comfortable with a weaker left hand.




3JACK

[cloran]

I was the exact opposite. I physically could not open the face while on the 4:30 line with a strong left hand grip. I just coldn't do it. Lag had me weaken my grip and presto... open, deep, and ready to fire.

Alot of the ABS takes the left half side misses out of play. This weaker left hand grip has really helped me with that. Combine that with flatter lies and heavier swing weights that I can actually feel and I've been having some fun at the range lately

[imperfectgolfer]

No forum member has addressed my question on how a slightly stronger left hand grip gets the pressure points better aligned for more solid ball striking - presuming that the right hand grip remains neutral.

I am still open to an explanation.

I actually favor a slightly strong left hand grip - but for another reason. I think that is allows an inflexible golfer to get the hands back to the "desired" end-backswing position with less internal rotation of the left humerus. I think that's very useful for inflexible golfers who cannot get enough internal rotation of the left humerus in their backswing to allow their FLW to easily get parallel to the inclined plane in the mid-late backswing. A failure to achieve that goal results in disruption of the left arm flying wedge relationship in the late backswing.

Jeff.

[Richie3Jack]

I don't quite agree with Kevin's thoughts, but I see where he's going. Like I said, if you're not particularly strong, coordinated, etc with your left arm/hand, then going with a stronger grip can help you power the club easier. I don't think it's a pressure point issue, but more of a coordination and strength with the left arm issue.




3JACK

[gmbtempe]

Jeff,

I have no idea what Kevin is trying to say because I don't see how it does anything with pressure points and getting them aligned.

I would advocate a stronger right hand grip rather than neutral or weak. To many people think that hooking is a result of grip, its not as have I found out.

[golfbaka]

Manzella has a youtube video explaining his theory about grip strenghs - www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTCSOJxQ1Qc (though I suspect most people on this forum have seen it!)

Personally I would rather edge to having my left thumb pressure on the back side of the shaft as it allows the life line of my right hand to push down onto the back side of the shaft.

[imperfectgolfer]

You wrote-: "Personally I would rather edge to having my left thumb pressure on the back side of the shaft as it allows the life line of my right hand to push down onto the back side of the shaft."

If the right hand grip is neutral, then the lifeline of the right palm will always face the target in the late downswing - irrespective of whether the left hand grip is neutral or slightly strong. It may be slightly more comfortable with a slightly strong left hand grip, where the left thumb is more aft of the shaft, because the left thumb will nestle more comfortably in the cup of the the right palm. However, whether one has a neutral, or slightly strong left hand grip, the right palm will always be pushing against the back side of the shaft - if the right wrist is neutral.

Jeff.

[jonnygrouville]

For me, a slightly stronger left hand grip feels like it makes it easier to push down on the top end of the grip, if that makes any sense. As it weakens, the left forearm seems more orientated with the target side of the grip instead of feeling more directly above.

Has the optimum position of the right hand got anything to do with whether you are generally pushing or pulling the club through impact?

A grip like Hogan's really looks built to drag the club through (I don't know whether it technically does or not, that is just how it looks to me). Stronger right hand grips look like more they are pushing on the side of the grip away from the target.