Optimum grip

[imperfectgolfer]

3jack wrote the following in his forum.

"I prefer long left thumb and I just try to have the right thumb up against the side of the right index finger. I played with the 'short' left thumb for years, now I have no idea why Hogan thought that was beneficial or why anybody thought it was beneficial. I know Hogan thought it stabilized the clubhead at the top of the swing, I just don't buy into that actually being true."

I believe that one can only use a long thumb if one uses a finger grip. This is a photo of 3jack's finger grip.



I believe (like Hogan) that a finger grip, associated with a long left thumb, results in excessive left wrist flexibility and less stability of the club at the end-backswing position. 3jack obviously disagrees with me and Hogan. I personally favor Hogan's low palmar grip, which is automatically associated with a shorter left thumb.



Jeff.

[richie3jack]

I never thought of a long left thumb being compatible only with a finger grip. Perhaps that is the case.

The long left thumb is primarily utilized to help the golfer lag the club better in the downswing. With the short left thumb, there's no flexibility in the thumb. If I go to a short left thumb, I cannot physically bend the thumb back, even if I try to with my right hand. With the long left thumb, you bend the thumb back easily.

Hogan had plenty of lag, so he didn't need a long left thumb. However, most people are not like Hogan.

I think the rotated grip will greatly slow down the overtaking rates. Lots of golfers have problems with flipping and could benefit greatly just by getting away from what Hogan prescribes in 5 Lessons.






3JACK

[imperfectgolfer]

3jack,

I agree that one can get more lag with a long thumb grip, but that extra amount of amount of lag is very small and it comes at the expense of excessive left wrist laxity.

I think that a very strong grip (which I presume is what you mean when you refer to a rotated grip) can be very deleterious for a swinger, who needs to routinely use a HH action after impact if he has neutral left arm at address. It restricts the smooth transition from a release swivel action to a HH action. I believe that one should not try and decrease the "rate of closure" in a swinger. I believe that if one cannot optimize the natural timing that happens in a swinger's downswing action, that one should then consider using a hitting style, where a strong left hand grip is not problematic.

Jeff.

[natep]

Hogan's left thumb:



I dont believe that it's biomechanically possible to achieve the lag Hogan does without a long left thumb.

[aimsmithgolf]

3Jack,

The longer left thumb is ALWAYS a finger grip. You can't hold the club with a shortened thumb and hold it in the fingers as you illustrate. That's my point about the grip. Only meant to help!

Rand

[aimsmithgolf]

Natep,

Sorry but are you saying that Hogan had a long left thumb? Certainly he had incredible lag, if I know what the definition of "lag' is...

Rand

[natep]

Look at his thumb in the pic I posted and you tell me.

[aimsmithgolf]

Sorry but I don't see a left thumb clearly in your picture. I have however seen 100's of pictures of his grip and had many conversations in the '70's with a man who was one of the few who watched him during his practice sessions. His swing changes after his accident were based on his shortening of the left thumb on the club. Pick up a copy of his Five Lessons.

But I do know for certain how Hogan increased lag with the shortened left thumb that he used during the best playing days of his career and it has nothing to do with a long left thumb with the club positioned at the base of the fingers as 3Jack's. I will give you a hint: It's part of the "secret."

I have a neutral grip with a short left thumb and I can certainly add lag (I don't do it because it's not worth the problems it can cause) using the same method Hogan did. I once one a long driving contest during a club tournament in the late 70's using it.

Gain control and consistency and shoot lower scores by shortening your left thumb Natep.

Rand

[natep]

I have read 5 lessons. Too many times to count. Hogan doesnt do everything he says he does in 5 lessons.

I can clearly see his left thumb in that picture.
There are several other pictures as well that clearly show his thumb.

I think his thumb probably slid down the shaft at the top of his swing. I have also read that he could touch his thumb to his forearm by pulling it back with his right hand.

[aimsmithgolf]

I took a magnifying glass and looked at his grip. You can't hold the club in the palm like he is doing and EXTEND the thumb down the shaft. Look at where the butt of the club is. What resembles his thumb position in no way is what I consider and many others a long thumb.

Rand

[natep]

I use a medium thumb.

What I consider a short thumb is when you close the webbing, the fleshy area between your thumb and your forefinger.

[aimsmithgolf]

That's what I use as well...and I think when you see the video of the thread I just added, Ben Hogan's Grip you will see Hogan had more medium "roast" Enjoy...

Rand

[wedgey]

Feb 2, 2011 21:40:02 GMT -5 aimsmithgolf said:

Sorry but I don't see a left thumb clearly in your picture. I have however seen 100's of pictures of his grip and had many conversations in the '70's with a man who was one of the few who watched him during his practice sessions. His swing changes after his accident were based on his shortening of the left thumb on the club. Pick up a copy of his Five Lessons.

But I do know for certain how Hogan increased lag with the shortened left thumb that he used during the best playing days of his career and it has nothing to do with a long left thumb with the club positioned at the base of the fingers as 3Jack's. I will give you a hint: It's part of the "secret."

I have a neutral grip with a short left thumb and I can certainly add lag (I don't do it because it's not worth the problems it can cause) using the same method Hogan did. I once one a long driving contest during a club tournament in the late 70's using it.

Gain control and consistency and shoot lower scores by shortening your left thumb Natep.

Rand

I believe Hogan increased the lag by cupping his wrist , i use a short thumb and never had a problem with using it, a long thumb feels uncomfortable for me.

I think it's a individualistic thing and is not a fundamental thing.

[richie3jack]

Her's a pic of my left hand closed.



I also tried a short left thumb while grabbiing the grip in the fingers in the left hand. It's absolutely possible to do and to hit it well doing so. Couldn't lag it as well either. Actually may be a viable way to hit a shot with a higher trajectory if needed.





3JACK

[aimsmithgolf]

3Jack,

Is that your golf grip on the clubs you play? What kind of grip is it... ?

Rand