The Ten-Finger Grip

For years, I have had trouble with my clubface staying square in my backswing. It likes to close, and though I made great contact, the ball would careen to the left.

After trying everything I could think of to make it a habit to keep the clubface square, I thought, maybe it’s in my grip. Not whether I have a strong, neutral, or weak grip. but which kind of grip I use.

Everyone uses an overlapping grip by default. Something different would be a ten-finger grip.

It didn’t take much time to find out that I had much more control of the clubface with this grip, and it was easier to feel when the clubface was square as I took the club back, or whether it had closed.

And easier to keep the clubface square.

I’m hitting the ball much straighter now, and making more authoritative strikes.

There’s a piece in Harvey Penick’s blue book (p. 148) about Jimmy Demaret saying,

“In a reasonable swing, the right hand won’t take over from the left in a full-fingered grip. The two hands will work together. You get more power and better control.”

To which I say, yes, yes, and yes.

Give it a try. It’s not hard to get used to and you might be pleased with what you get.

One thought on “The Ten-Finger Grip”

  1. Thanks for this suggestion, Bob. I’d tried it in the past, but not seriously. I’ll give it another shot.

    What’s to lose, except another ball in the woods or in the pond (but maybe fewer such losses over time!)?

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