@fish4197 - Have a look at this week's YT episode featuring Ben Hogan and HV3. In the lesson I set up a simple practice station with two alignment sticks - one representing the target line and the other for the clubhead path. That should give you a good visual for the backswing path.
@fish4197 so, I probably have a little different view than most. There is no doubt that bringing the club too far inside early can cause some real negative consequences. However, if we go back and look at some of the best golfers of all time, Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Arnie, sneed, etc. They all had the club work back slightly under the plane. Their downswing came OTT of their backswing plane. The difference is, even though their downswing plane was over the top of their backswing plane, they still approached the ball from the inside into impact. This realization caused me to adopt a slightly different view, which is the purpose of the backswing is to get to a position at top that allows you to effortlessly release the club to a target. So, instead of worrying about the exact angle that’s needed, the question is, where do you need to be at the top of your backswing to release effortlessly into the grid? Personally, I always want my release path to be the outside rod. If my clubface is slightly aiming left of that rod, I will hit a draw. If the clubface is slightly right of that rod, I will hit a fade. For me, 100% of my swings should have an in-to-out path of about 5 degrees. I preset my grip, stronger to hit a draw or weaker to hit a fade. However, in this approach, there is no thoughts of EXACTLY what angle, swing plane, etc I need to swing on in the backswing. Focus is 100% on releasing down the outside rod. I do think when things get off, it makes sense to look at video and see what you are doing that prevents a full release down the outside rod. Even for myself, the mistake is getting the club inside too early. The bíproduct is, the inside takeaway may cause more lifting than we want to see. Ok. At that time, It does make sense to make some changes, but my advice is not to get too hung up in exact angles, etc. I know @Tom Saguto has a video where he does the alignment rod to work on that issue. I can’t find the video. . .but he does give exact details to setup that hitting station. Hope this helps. Make changes you need to make, but don’t get so caught up in having “the perfect swing” that you forget the goal is to send the white ball where you want it to go with enough power to play the course.
Hello Russell, 5hx for the response and tip. Breaking down the pinkie&forefinger interlock. Not sure why but when I use a glove it just not feeling right. Been going without glove on all clubs including driver. I see most pro's taking the glove off after driving. I tried what you suggested and it doesn't feel bad but with a round coming up tomorrow I didn't want to spend to much time changing my grip. I am slowly see some KFC shots with my long irons. Not constantly enough to move on from 2.8 but getting there. Tom's lesson on the take away and how the 1st 3ft make the difference in your shit has helped. I am using the alignment stinks but not exactly sure how to set them up to prevent your swing from coming inside to much. What distance should i have the stink that is on the back swing at a 45 degree angle? Appreciate the insight.
@fish4197 when you say interlock doesn’t feel comfortable, can you unpack that a little? One thing I noticed with some people I have worked with is the pinkie to forefinger connection was off. Try placing the second knuckle of the pinkie lined up between the first and second knuckle of the forefinger. When you wrap your right hand around the club make sure your life line on the right hand snuggled into the thumb of your left hand. It’s like the pocket of the right hand is meant to cover the thumb and be in a position to apply pressure throughout the swing to the base of the thumb. In this position you should see that your palms are married up and if you straighten your fingers you are in a perfect palm to palm alignment. My first thought is, when interlocked or overlapped you are more likely to be in a proper palm to palm alignment because how you place the pinkie into the grip automatically makes sure your hands are aligned. In a 10 finger grip, the hands are detached and you run the risk of placing one hand in a more dominant position which can be a recipe for trouble. However, as @Tom Saguto said, let ball striking be the guide. Just wondering if your discomfort is driven by improperly connecting the hands. As an example, if you place your pinkie too deep as in base of pinkie to the base of forefinger, then the proper alignment is off. Enjoy the journey my friend.
@fish4197 - Piggybacking off of @Russell Hogue, PhD's detailed reply, generally speaking an overlapping or interlocking grip is preferred because of how they connect the hands together as a unit. This is why these are the predominant attachments that you'll see among Tour players. That's not to say that there aren't great players who used a 10-finger grip as there certainly has been. However, for most players once they get beyond the weird feeling of switching from something they've perhaps been accustomed to in other sports, the overlap/interlock seems to be the attachment of choice.
Also, on a side note from the comfort perspective, don't be afraid to experiment with different styles/wraps and of grips. For example, I recently switched to the JumboMax XL's. They're almost like baseball bats in my hands, but I love how they feel and perform.
@Tom Saguto I also use Jumbomax str8. The grip doesn’t taper. When I first got the grips I remember laughing at how big they were and “no way” this will work. Now, can’t imagine playing with anything else.For those that don’t know, jumbo max “medium” grips will make jumbo grips from any other brand look like kids grips.
Great question. I have been going back and forth between the interlock and 10 finger ( baseball grip) passed couple of weeks. Started Tom program and he says he recommends the interlock or overlap. Only 10 finger for smaller hands. I don't have small hands and was and still am a little confused because the 10 finger felt morecomfortable. I stopped using a glove and stayed with the interlock and I am finding I like it better. Good luck. Waiting to hear Tom's response.
As long as your grip is fundamentally correct - which essentially means that 1) the handle is secure in your hands without the need to introduce any swing-killing tension, and 2) it does not encourage any non-prescribed manipulations of the club - you have leeway with your basic grip style, whether it be overlap, interlock, 10-finger, etc. Let your ball striking and shot shape be your guide!
@fish4197 - Have a look at this week's YT episode featuring Ben Hogan and HV3. In the lesson I set up a simple practice station with two alignment sticks - one representing the target line and the other for the clubhead path. That should give you a good visual for the backswing path.
@fish4197 so, I probably have a little different view than most. There is no doubt that bringing the club too far inside early can cause some real negative consequences. However, if we go back and look at some of the best golfers of all time, Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Arnie, sneed, etc. They all had the club work back slightly under the plane. Their downswing came OTT of their backswing plane. The difference is, even though their downswing plane was over the top of their backswing plane, they still approached the ball from the inside into impact. This realization caused me to adopt a slightly different view, which is the purpose of the backswing is to get to a position at top that allows you to effortlessly release the club to a target. So, instead of worrying about the exact angle that’s needed, the question is, where do you need to be at the top of your backswing to release effortlessly into the grid? Personally, I always want my release path to be the outside rod. If my clubface is slightly aiming left of that rod, I will hit a draw. If the clubface is slightly right of that rod, I will hit a fade. For me, 100% of my swings should have an in-to-out path of about 5 degrees. I preset my grip, stronger to hit a draw or weaker to hit a fade. However, in this approach, there is no thoughts of EXACTLY what angle, swing plane, etc I need to swing on in the backswing. Focus is 100% on releasing down the outside rod. I do think when things get off, it makes sense to look at video and see what you are doing that prevents a full release down the outside rod. Even for myself, the mistake is getting the club inside too early. The bíproduct is, the inside takeaway may cause more lifting than we want to see. Ok. At that time, It does make sense to make some changes, but my advice is not to get too hung up in exact angles, etc. I know @Tom Saguto has a video where he does the alignment rod to work on that issue. I can’t find the video. . .but he does give exact details to setup that hitting station. Hope this helps. Make changes you need to make, but don’t get so caught up in having “the perfect swing” that you forget the goal is to send the white ball where you want it to go with enough power to play the course.
Hello Russell, 5hx for the response and tip. Breaking down the pinkie&forefinger interlock. Not sure why but when I use a glove it just not feeling right. Been going without glove on all clubs including driver. I see most pro's taking the glove off after driving. I tried what you suggested and it doesn't feel bad but with a round coming up tomorrow I didn't want to spend to much time changing my grip. I am slowly see some KFC shots with my long irons. Not constantly enough to move on from 2.8 but getting there. Tom's lesson on the take away and how the 1st 3ft make the difference in your shit has helped. I am using the alignment stinks but not exactly sure how to set them up to prevent your swing from coming inside to much. What distance should i have the stink that is on the back swing at a 45 degree angle? Appreciate the insight.
Thx.
@fish4197 when you say interlock doesn’t feel comfortable, can you unpack that a little? One thing I noticed with some people I have worked with is the pinkie to forefinger connection was off. Try placing the second knuckle of the pinkie lined up between the first and second knuckle of the forefinger. When you wrap your right hand around the club make sure your life line on the right hand snuggled into the thumb of your left hand. It’s like the pocket of the right hand is meant to cover the thumb and be in a position to apply pressure throughout the swing to the base of the thumb. In this position you should see that your palms are married up and if you straighten your fingers you are in a perfect palm to palm alignment. My first thought is, when interlocked or overlapped you are more likely to be in a proper palm to palm alignment because how you place the pinkie into the grip automatically makes sure your hands are aligned. In a 10 finger grip, the hands are detached and you run the risk of placing one hand in a more dominant position which can be a recipe for trouble. However, as @Tom Saguto said, let ball striking be the guide. Just wondering if your discomfort is driven by improperly connecting the hands. As an example, if you place your pinkie too deep as in base of pinkie to the base of forefinger, then the proper alignment is off. Enjoy the journey my friend.
Great question. I have been going back and forth between the interlock and 10 finger ( baseball grip) passed couple of weeks. Started Tom program and he says he recommends the interlock or overlap. Only 10 finger for smaller hands. I don't have small hands and was and still am a little confused because the 10 finger felt morecomfortable. I stopped using a glove and stayed with the interlock and I am finding I like it better. Good luck. Waiting to hear Tom's response.