The Effect of Oversized Grips on Golf Swing
The golf grip is extremely important in hitting consistent golf shots. The grip is the only connection a golfer has to the club. A good grip will help promote a good swing. A poor grip will promote many swing faults. The size of the grip can be tailored to personal preference.
Other People Are Reading
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Health Conditions
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Golfers who suffer from arthritis often use an oversized grip, which is thicker (but not necessarily longer) than a conventional grip. The oversized grip is much more comfortable for those with pain in the hands and fingers. A smaller grip is uncomfortable due to the hands and fingers wrapping around the grip.
Grip Size
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Grips are available in a variety of sizes and textures. Standard grips are available for men and women. The women's grip is slightly smaller. There are many different sizes of hands, however, so many people need grips that are larger or smaller than a standard size. Many players use a midsized or oversized grip. It has been reported that Michael Jordan, who is about 6-feet-6, uses an oversized grip with ten wraps of tape. To the majority of golfers, that would be like swinging a golf club with a tennis racket grip.
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Correct Grip
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The correct golf grip runs across the bottom of the fingers. For a right-handed golfer, when you wrap the left hand on top of the grip, the middle and ring finger will wrap around the bottom of and touch the bottom of the thumb. If the grip is too small, the fingers will dig into the thumb.
Release the Club
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A grip that is too big will slow the hands and make it difficult to release the hands through impact. This could lead to a fade or slice. If a grip is too small it can cause the hands to release and potentially lead to a draw or hook.
Putter Grip
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Many golfers swing their wrists in their putting strokes. This creates an inconsistent motion. Switching to an oversized grip can help eliminate this unwanted wrist movement on the putting green. It will help the golfer swing with his arms and shoulders, leading to more consistent putting motion.
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References
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- Photo Credit golf image by Christophe Fouquin from Fotolia.com
