How to hold a golf club and how to hit a golf ball

The first two steps in playing golf are how to hold a golf club and how to hit a golf ball. After all, it wouldn’t be a game of golf if it wasn’t for these two factors. “Don’t you just hold a golf club with two hands however you want?”, no! “Don’t I hit the ball from muscle memory?”, no! As obvious as the play may seem, there is a technique to it that can hugely improve your game. Think about it, your hands are the only part of your body touching the club, and your body is the only force that can give power to your swing. 


How to hold a golf club

Hold your hands in the right position- If you’re right-handed, your left hand will be your lead which will be placed at the top of the golf club- your right hand below your left. If you are left-handed, you should position your hands the opposite way around, with your lead being your right hand. It is a common misconception that your strongest hand should be your lead, which is not always the case. 


Don’t use your palms- To enable yourself to ‘hinge’ properly on your backswing, it is essential to use the base of your fingers, not your palms. Using the back of your fingers to swing can greatly impact the distance and direction of your shot. 


Choose a type of hold which feels right for you- There are a few different types of holds, it doesn’t matter which type of hold you choose, just choose one that feels right for you. 


The three different types of holds are: 

  • Interlocking: This technique helps to keep your swing stable and consistent by ensuring that the hands stay connected. This technique offers a great advantage, but it may be difficult for small-handed players to link their hands around the golf club. This grip can also feel slightly unnatural at first.
  • Overlap grip: This type of grip also allows you to stay stable and consistent. This grip can feel much more natural too. 
  • Baseball grip: This grip is different from the other two methods as it allows the hands to be completely separate. This grip has a downfall as it makes it instable and hooked shots much more common. 

Three types of strength- You can either hold your golf club with a strong hand, weak hand, or somewhere in the middle. There are different advantages and disadvantages to each, but it is recommended for a beginner to go somewhere in the middle.


Shall I hold my club loosely or tightly?- You want to be somewhere in the middle, not too loose, not too tight. You risk having no control, missing the ball or even letting go of the club if you hold the club too loose. On the other hand, you risk slow swing speed and reduction in room for your wrists to move if you grip onto the club too tightly.

How to hit a golf ball

Posture- As a simple rule, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent. Your strongest foot should be placed closest to the tee with a wide solid stance. With the weight on the balls of your feet, distribute the weight evenly between each foot. Centre the ball between your feet with the ball at a distance that feels comfortable for your arms to hang comfortably. You should bend your body slightly from your hips, keeping a straight back. Lastly, you should make sure that your shoulders, hips, knees and feet are parallel with the ball. 


How to swing- Rotate your hips and torso while you swing, shifting your weight back slightly- don’t go too far, just so that the weight distributes to the back of your foot. In a perpetual motion, swing your torso, arms, shoulders and hips backwards. When you rotate, keep your arms extended and when you reach the top of the swing, bend your wrists slightly to amplify the movement. The club should be positioned above your head before going back into the downswing of the shot. When coming back down, reverse the process of the upswing, shifting the weight back to the front of your feet and rotating your hips, shoulders and torso. Lastly- always keep your eye on the ball! 


Get a lesson


It can never hurt to have a lesson with a pro - they may make you change certain comfortable elements of your game but it will be worth it in the long term. Invest in your game and take it to the next level!


We hope you enjoyed our blog ‘How to hold a golf club and how to hit a golf ball’. If you’re getting into golf and would like to make a stance towards a greener future, take a look at Green Swing’s website.

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