Your Grip is Killing You!!!

[@juanmcain]

John, I've taken golf lessons from at least 15 instructors over 50 years and not one looked at or changed my grip, it's always felt sloppy, I'll be trying this next time I play and you're the best teacher on KZbin.

[@JohnDunigan]

Juan, I can't tell you how many avid golfers I have seen that hold the club in such a way as to give themselves little to no chance of playing well...It's an epidemic.

[@jeffmartinez262]

John, this is one of the videos I clicked on just for entertainment, thinking nothing here would apply to me. I've had several instructors and low-handicappers look at my grip. They all said it was fine and told me not to change it, because I had the club in my fingers and a neutral position. But for years I felt the club become very unstable in transition, bouncing around at the top, and at times I could feel the club being wrenched out of my lead hand in the downswing. I couldn't figure it out. It was only when I watched this video when I considered the possibility that my lead grip was faulty with a short thumb position. I had heard that a thumb that was "too long" could be bad, but I had never heard of a thumb being "too short." I gave it a try and extended my thumb a bit just to see what would happen, and wow!! The club immediately felt more secure in my hands, and now it doesn't bounce around at the top or come loose in the downswing. I'm talking more than a decade of frustration gone in an instant! And there are plenty of other areas of my swing that are better now because of this. It's amazing how one small adjustment has such a domino effect, and lucky for me it was in an incredibly positive way. Thanks again John. I'm so glad you do what you do. I hope to meet you in person one day. If nothing else, I owe you a few rounds of drinks! XD

[@JohnDunigan]

That's awesome Jeff, I'm happy to have helped!

[@cwc7679]

John, I had a similar experience to Jeff Martinez. I actually watched this video because you directed me toward it in your most recent release. I watched the video this morning, played around with the feel, and went out for a casual nine holes, just to work on grip. It was a huge help. For one thing, I also have long fingers. I was often told a long thumb was bad. And my hands just never felt comfortable on the club when it was in the fingers and a shirt thumb along the grip. You gave me the green light. My strike improved immediately. I feel like i was playing golf with a restriction and that I have been freed up. Thanks so much.

[@JohnDunigan]

Excellent Christopher! Keep going!

[@robertmaltby7687]

You should teach golf John, your very good at it

[@JohnDunigan]

Thanks Robert!

[@bankscam]

Very best explanation I’ve seen on grip . Thanks JD !

[@JohnDunigan]

Thanks!!!

[@nycabilifeisgreat9768]

Thanks 4 changing my life forever! LOL! Best explanation of the golf grip I believe I’ve ever heard ! @ 68…. I started playing golf only 2 years ago…… I believe I’ve had different grips with about every swing ! LOL! Now I have a good routine to make sure my grip is accurate every time. Can’t wait 2 try some shots on the range today ! LOL! Thanks again!

[@JohnDunigan]

Right on!!

[@Zooooman]

thoughts on a stronger grip? ex 4 knuckles

[@JohnDunigan]

Can definitely work, but most likely only if you are trying to make the ball go more left.

[@leslondon2170]

Hi John. Really enjoying your videos. Like your style. Many thanks

[@JohnDunigan]

Thanks Les!

[@John_Wood_]

Excellent. I always do what you say not to do and end up with a jacked up frozen left shoulder while being unable to use the wrist properly.

[@JohnDunigan]

Get after it and fix it up!

[@vinhgolf]

wow … this is a great video . I make my left hand thumb longer and big different . Thank you .

[@JohnDunigan]

Thanks Vinh! Happy to help!

[@512COD]

Appreciate the knowledge!!

[@JohnDunigan]

Thanks for watching!

[@jeffdenig705]

I have a question. I've been playing golf for about 50 years and used to play to a single digit handicap. I used to interlock with about 2 -3 knuckles showing. In the grip I rotated my right hand under the shaft. I think that was "pre-setting" the right wrist to the classic "waiter" right hand. All I had to do was rotate back. I've always had a problem with the right arm being externally rotated. It seemed to work for me although I fought - low left and sloppy at times. I wanted my grip to look like Hogan though. I think when I started rotating my right hand into a more conventional placement was when my problems began. No longer did I have an elbow pit. The right elbow rotated up and out at address. Can I play with my right hand underish? I HAVE to shallow the shaft on the backswing to hit the ball well - I think. Chopping Wood and then Hunting Goats - isn't any fun!!!

[@JohnDunigan]

It's worth a try. Keep in mind that what works IS RIGHT!

[@steveperry1344]

john, i enjoyed the video and info. could you do a video on the correct position of the grip and pressure points at the top because the downswing happens so fast. i've been trying to make sure at the top to have the left thumb and right palm and index finger under the grip so they are behind the shaft and square at impact. it seems to work most of the time, does this seem the best way to go about it? thnx.

[@JohnDunigan]

Done!

[@seniorswing8441]

Thanks a lot!!!

[@JohnDunigan]

You're welcome!

[@shrtgame]

Love your teaching! Where are you based at JD?

[@JohnDunigan]

Thanks! Near Philly PA

[@jerrymacias150]

The left hand grip is a short thumb…. I tried the long thumb on my chipping and it stabilized the swing at the bottom… hitting chips much cleaner… I need to work on the full swing and see how it works. Thanks

[@JohnDunigan]

You're welcome Jerry!

[@sumitagg1]

Terry rowles tested me as a side cover golfer. I hold the left hand with 2-3 knhuckles and my right weak. This changes the release to around me with lots ofbtension

[@JohnDunigan]

Please play with your hand placement so that you can swing freely through the ball! Everyone is different, but there is probably a best grip for each person.

[@josephrafferty271]

Interesting that you took a lesson from Moe. There are some inflections in your voice that remind me of his teaching inflections.

[@joemc8488]

Hi John, Great video. Forgot about getting upper hand/fingers perpendicular to shaft. My problem is a fused thumb on upper hand which prevents any thumb extension /wrist cock. I have switched to a baseball grip with thumb wrapped around the shaft. This allows for increased wrist cock and improved clubhead speed with less thumb pain. Any thoughts on the baseball grip? WWMS...What Would Moe Say? ;) Thanks in advance for any input.

[@JohnDunigan]

Never forget this saying: "What works is RIGHT!"

[@joemc8488]

Your response is perfect...I'm LH!! Thanks John!

[@iupab]

Very clear instruction on grip except I don’t think I saw the right thumb position?

[@JohnDunigan]

Not straight down the middle of the grip, but turned left of it (or the logo on the grip).

[@maeu59]

I can grip the club any way and still hit it left, what’s going on?

[@JohnDunigan]

Through the ball something is going on. is the ball too far forward in your stance? Is your weight too far on your back foot? You might like the left hand Karate chop feel, keeping your glove logo facing the target line through impact.

[@pebblebeach8517]

Are you the former golf in the basement guy?

[@JohnDunigan]

No sir. But thanks for watching!

[@berniemiller1217]

I find it odd you would mention Moe's ten finger grip, but totally disallow the fact he held the club in the palm of his hand, up through the life line!?

[@JohnDunigan]

You know I stood right next to Moe during many clinics he and Craig Shankland put on. I did not notice anything out of the ordinary with his left hand grip, but he definitely held the right hand across his palm, which i think is a great thing.

[@berniemiller1217]

@@JohnDunigan "Natural Golf" the FIRST book, video and audio of Moe Norman.