Weekly Golf Tip as seen in The Winnipeg Sun --

April 24th, 2007

Getting back to basics with a proper grip

Sometimes returning to the basics is a good way of improving one's ball flight.Too often I see golfers with a weak grip, in which the V's or creases made by both hands and thumbs are pointed at the left shoulder and the hands are turned too far to the left (See photo of weak grip). As a result, the golfer is going to hit weak slices or pulls and have very little distance. Likely they will hit it way too high to play effectively in the wind, as well. Doesn't sound like a lot of fun.

For starters, the V's or creases made by both hands and thumbs should point to the right shoulder for a right-handed player (see photo of correct grip -- a slightly strong position). This makes it easier to square the clubface at impact.

The result is much straighter shots, much more distance and a penetrating ball flight. Now that sounds like much more fun.

Derek Ingram is the Head Teaching Professional at the Elmhurst Golf & Country Club in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He is a past winner of the Canadian PGA’s Teacher of the Year and one of the top High Performance Golf Coaches in the World. He teaches clinics, golf schools and corporate golf outings for top companies in Canada.

- Derek Ingram