Like many golfers, I began learning the game without formal lessons. Through books, tips from friends, and countless hours on YouTube, I've developed my understanding of the fundamentals. While professional instruction is ideal, this guide offers insights for those, like myself, who have taken a more self-guided approach. Let's start with the most crucial element: the grip.

In golf, your grip is the connection between you and the club. It's fundamental to a good swing.

1. Hand Placement:

   • Lead Hand: (The hand closest to the target – your left hand for a right-handed golfer.) Place your lead hand near the top of the club, as if shaking hands with the club. The handle should run diagonally across your fingers, from the middle joint of your index finger to the base of your little finger.

   • Trailing Hand: (Your right hand for a right-handed golfer.) Wrap your trailing hand around the club in the lower position, with your fingers gripping the club. The "V" formed by the thumb and forefinger of each hand should mirror each other and point towards your trail shoulder (right shoulder for a right-handed golfer).

   • Avoid Gripping in the Palms: Gripping the club too much in your palms restricts the trail wrist from being fully cupped, a source of speed, therefore distance and accuracy.

2. Grip Styles: There are two common grip types to start with:

   • Interlocking Grip: (Often credited to Harry Vardon, used by Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.) The little finger of your trailing hand slides between the index and middle fingers of your lead hand.

   • Overlap Grip: (Also known as the Vardon Grip.) The little finger of your trailing hand sits on top of the crease between the index and middle fingers of your lead hand.

   • Baseball Grip: The hands touch without interlocking or overlapping. Try them all until one feels comfortable.

     • Both grips keep your hands connected. Experiment to see which feels more natural.

3. Thumb Position: The position of your thumbs is critical.

   • Each thumb needs to be slightly off-centre, not sitting directly on top of the club. Keep the Vs between the thumb and forefinger pointing towards the trail shoulder. The thumb of the leading hand will sit beneath the palm of the trailing hand.

4. Grip Pressure: Maintain a consistent grip pressure throughout your swing.

   • Focus pressure on the last three fingers of your trailing hand. It should be firm enough to control the club, but not so tight that you create tension in your forearms. I prefer a lighter grip pressure, it helps with the rhythm of my swing, increasing speed through impact for distance and accuracy.

5. Grip Strength:

   • Some coaches advise a neutral grip, others a stronger grip. A neutral grip only shows two knuckles when your lead hand is rotated inwards. A stronger grip shows three knuckles, it helps to close the clubface during impact, which can reduce the slice and increase the draw of the ball. I used a stronger grip when younger, I hit a straighter ball back then. My grip is more neutral these days.

Acknowledgements:

• "This Grip Fault Can Ruin Your Game - But It's Easy To Fix." YouTube, Chris Ryan Golf, 13 July 2021.

• "Thumb Placement Grip Drill." YouTube, mygolfinstructor Maria Palozola, 27 July 2020.