Left or Right?

[mefromhere]

Almost as simple as the title suggests on this one ... When taking your grip as you are about to play your shot, which hand do you take your grip with first?

Personally, I have always used my left (top) hand as I then overlap the right over the top but I've noticed quite a few players lately especially on TV grip with the right and then loosen it to fit the left in. Is there a reason for it and does it make a difference?

And if nothing else it's another thought to make tomorrow's first tee shot even more awkward!!

 

[Imurg]

Don't know....

Don't want to know....

 

[USER1999]

Left. It sets the grip. The right is irrelevant.

 

[kid2]

Left as well..... And i always make sure its running through my fingers....
Id find it weird gripping with the right hand first as then id have to shuffle everything around to get the left hand into the right place on the grip.....

 

[JustOne]

Right.

Keeps the shoulders lined up.

 

[SocketRocket]

Right.

Keeps the shoulders lined up.

Right!

 

[One Planer]

Left. It sets the grip. The right is irrelevant.

Like. Same for me too

 

[USER1999]

But the right over laps the left?

Left has to be first?

 

[Mattyboy]

Right.

Keeps the shoulders lined up.

How is that James?

Cheers in advance:thup:

 

[mefromhere]

I thought there must be a reason for it but then as soon as you put the left hand on (if after the right) surely you lose the grip you've just had on it with the right?

 

[sawtooth]

Left!! (for a right handed player).

I've seen tour pros pick the club up with their left hand only and only place the right hand on the club at the last minute. Olazabal has done this and I saw Adam Scott do it at the weekend, just to name a couple.

 

[zlinuk]

Right for me - I'm a lefty

 

[JustOne]

If I just say that people do whatever they want will that help?

You'll see all kinds of things but the 'supposed' method is to keep the club in your right hand as you approach/address the ball, set it down behind the ball to set the face, distance from the ball (which is going to aid posture too) and it sets your shoulders for wherever the ball is in your stance. Then you introduce your left hand... whether you loosen/smuggle it in there or shuffle the two about a bit is up to you.

If you just went in with your left hand (for example) and set the club down behind the ball that was back in your stance your shoulders would be closed, if the ball was forward your shoulders might open... if the club face wasn't correct you'd have to adjust it so you'd need your right hand on there else you're going to drop the club I always have the club in my right hand... I tend to shuffle my left hand in there and fidget them about a bit but I'm already pretty much set the moment I've walked in, the rest is just nerves

Here's two people wearing the same clothes, hitting the ball to exactly the same spot..... and one walks in with a left hand grip whilst the other is more of a right hand 'setter'..... like I said, you'll see both... the theory is supposed to be the way Rickie does it...

[video=youtube;YBOx0_dhQPU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBOx0_dhQPU[/video]

If someone walked in with the club in their left I wouldn't stop them, unless it was causing an alignment problem. It causes less problems the other way round.

 

[3PuttCharlie]

Left. It sets the grip.

Same for me

 

[3PuttCharlie]

I also do Fingers under, Hands Over

rather than

Hands on then fingers under

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Right.

Keeps the shoulders lined up.

I was told to do this by my pro to line up my shoulders. I actually think however I grip the club with both hands before I approach the ball although I can't say for sure that I do, it isn't something I think about.