Golf Forums - Some advice Please on my Grip

I am slicing the ball it starts straight then curves to the right.

I know that at the point of contact the club face is open and if I hold my follow through then bring the club back to where I just hit the ball it is definably open and I notice that my right hand has moved a fair bit clockwise. - so is that what is causing it could it be an out to in swing ?

No matter what I try I just cannot seem to keep my right hand in the same position - am I holding to tight with my right hand?

Any idea how I can sure my right hand moving  - appart from a gafa tape ?!

Thanks

paul

Hi Paul,

I think I can help on this one!!

I had the same problem until a few weeks ago - can you see 3 knuckles on your LEFT hand when its in position? If not, then try turning your left hand clockwise until you can...............I changed to this grip after hearing the tip from Tom Watson and have been consistently straighter ever since and am no longer getting the exaggerated slice.

It worked for me!

Good luck.....

Ian

It could be the grip (see Ian's response) but if the ball starts out straight and then curves off right it could just as easily be the swing plane.

A simple visual pointer about your swing plane is, having played a shot off the grass, stand still and check your divot - what is the alignment of the divot/grass scaping in relation to you and your target?  I bet it is not square to your body and straight at the target but is instead running from 'out to in' ie starting wide of your target line and coming in towards your left foot.

If so then (probably as well as your grip !) you should concentrate on making sure you are not 'casting' the club from the top of the swing (ie your first movement must not be pushing your hands forward away from your body instead you should feel like you are dropping your hands slightly - this will make sure you don't go over the top...)

Why don't you upload a video then we can have a proper look?

Thanks all for the advice!

I took a lesson and was told I  had a out to in swing and then also some casting.

My hand movement was where I sometimes hit the ball on the toe which was moving my hands and that will sort itself out when I correct my swing.

Now he did not really tell me how to stop this other than practice  - so any other advise on drills etc... would be most welcome .

Thanks

Paul

For me the basics are:

1/  One-piece takeaway (there's a good video on TSG about this but I can't find it!) ie take the club back with a combination of arms and shoulder turn.

2/  When the club is horizontal (still in front of your body) hinge the hands such that the butt of the club is pointing to the back of the ball (obviously the longer the club the more hinge)

3/  From here it's all shoulder turn (not arms - if you use arms you'll either bend your arms or simply lift the club)

4/  To start the downswing I need to feel that I'm dropping the club slightly - if your first movement is to push the club forward ie away from your body you are 'casting' the club (as if it were a fishing rod) and you will come over the top of the ball to create an outside to inside swing path.

Try it to get it in your mind and then have another lesson - with a pro who can explain things rather than just tell you you've got an out to in swing !

 One lesson I had a couple of years back gave me a better understanding of the path the club should travel on the take away and I still use it today.
It creates an IN TO OUT SWING PATH,and if adopted properly a feeling of how your weight transfers from the back swing to the follow through.
Its important to grip the club in a neutral position
Make sure the ball is in the MIDDLE OF YOUR STANCE, then keep your legs straight and feet together.and using a 7 or 8 iron take the club away so the shaft is horizontal to the ground(half swing) and try to hit the ball without loosing your balance.or falling over.
YOU WILL HAVE TO TURN YOUR SHOULDERS AND HIPS TO HIT THE BALL OTHERWISE YOU WILL LOOSE YOUR BALANCE.
ITS NOT EASY!!!! you will miss it and top the ball to start with but if you build it together slowly you will start to hit the ball with a slight draw only about 60-70 yards.
After you have done this for a while slowly move you feet apart and hit half shots you will notice the difference.
If you have done it right you cant slice the ball  !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS DRILL IS DONE BETTER ON THE RANGE
Give it ago and let me know how you get on
JACK

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Thanks Jack ill give that one a go down the range tonight it sounmds like it will be fun  , I am sure people will look at me and say poor guy what is he doing he has no idea !

Ill let you know how I get on !

 Thanks to you all

 Paul

Hi Paul,

I'm curious. You are obviously cutting & pasting your responses from a word processing package (Microsoft Word?) which is adding in the 'Style definitions' etc.  Why are you doing that instead of just typing into the forum post box?

Hi Paul, Get hold of Ben Hogan's Five Lessons (The Golf Coaching Bible) read this then Problem solved.

Actually, I really like that one Jack, I think I'll try that next time I'm at the range!!

Good luck  with your efforts Paul........

Ian M

I would say use ben hogan's five lessons (agree with carlos ramos). I picked up golf again back in May and spend 6 weeks not hitting the ball, now I hit the ball with power and can hit it straight or use a bit of fade. I would recommend you spend one week per lesson, 15-20 minutes a day for the first. As you progress through each lesson, spend 10 minutes "reviewing each lesson" by going through the steps before doing each new lesson. After practicing the current week, spend another 10 minutes putting it all together. I spent the last week just practicing it all together for 30 minutes, then hitting the range. You have to be very committed to the book and willing to forget everything you thought you knew about golf. I've read through this book countless times and feel very confident with my swing. I am only 5'9" and can carry my driver 300+ yds consistently.

Hogan dedicates the entire first chapter of this book on grip.

Is that book Ben Hogan's Five Lessons?

If so although written in 1957 (reviewed by Hogan is 1985) it's still in print and available from Amazon for £5 - used paperback or £8 new hardback.  Amazing, with such a recommendation I think I'll get myself a copy (even if it doesn't improve my game!)

Hi Pete,Yes that's the one! you will not be disapointed !! if it doe'st do the business for you I will  go to your local course  and hit the ball for you myself lol regards Carlos..

Hi Carlos,

Just ordered the book of Amazon !  so ill give that a go and report back , I live in Whitehaven Cumbria so a long way to come and hit the balls to show me  :)  but the views are great on the course !!!


Paul

Hello Paul, You have definetly done the right thing! this time next  year you will be a millionaire ,I mean you you will be a twele handicaper !! I cant say fairer than that !!! keep taking the tablets and keep in touch and let me know of your progress lol !!!! regardsCarlos  &( amazon .com)..                                                                                                                                                                                            

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