Golf is a beautiful game. It’s one of the most popular sports played across the globe, and it can be a lot of fun. Unfortunately, not everyone can play golf due to reasons such as space or cost. That’s where equipment such as putters and golf clubs come in. This article will teach you on how to hold a golf club in your palm for more control while playing. It will also teach you the correct posture while holding a golf club.
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The Science Behind Proper Hand Position
The human hand is a very special part of our body. It’s shape and size are specifically designed for holding and manipulating things. The shape of the hand allows it to easily wrap around an object; the size allows for more detail and precision when doing so. Put simply, the hand is formed in such a way that it can do most things with utmost precision. When you put this ability to use, it becomes readily apparent how golf clubs can be so beneficial. Let’s take a closer look at how hands work:
The Four Positions Of The Hand
When you hold a baseball, you don’t just hold it in your hand – you use your whole arm and shoulder to do so. The same goes for a golf club. In order to properly grip it, you need to know how to position your hand in relation to the club. There are four basic positions, and each one is very specific to the game of golf. The first one is the open palm position that we’ve all seen countless times before:
This is the position that we’re all taught from a very early age: put your hand up in the air, with the fingers splayed, and make a fist. When you do this, you’re presenting your hand in an open position, ready for grasping. In the golf world, this is known as the “Open Palm Position”.
The Fingertip Position
In most cases, the tip of the finger will touch the surface of the club, just behind the handle. When you put your hand in this position, you’ll feel a comfortable grip, but one that’s not overly loose. As you might imagine, this is known as the “Fingertip Position”:
The Inside Position
With the open palm position, you’re putting your hand in an outside-facing position, with the wrist bent slightly backwards. In the golf world, this is known as the “Inside Position”:
The Outside Position
When you put your hand in the outside position, you’ll feel a loose grip, especially if you’re using an under-sized or over-sized club. This is because your hand is being presented in a position that’s not natural to it: with the palm facing outwards, and the fingertips slightly bent forward. In the golf world, this is known as the “Outside Position”:
How To Properly Grip A Golf Club
Once you know the four basic positions of the hand, the next step is to properly position the finger in relation to the club. When you do this, you’re sure to have a comfortable grip, and one that’s suitable for hitting the ball with precision. Here are the steps to properly grip a golf club:
- With your palm facing upwards, place your middle three fingers on top of the club handle. Your index finger should be closest to the top of the handle, with the remaining fingers stacked slightly lower.
- While keeping your palm facing upwards, cross your index fingers over the handle of the club. Now, interlock your little finger and ring finger. Finally, wrap your thumb around the grip of the club and position it next to your little finger.
- When you’re finished, your hand should look like a diamond, with the four corners of your palm resting gently on the club handle. Your thumb should be hidden over your wrist, with the rest of your fingers remaining in their respective positions.
These four positions will put your hands in the right place to hit the ball with precision. Before you know it, your golf game will be taking you to the next level.