Grip Pressure
 

Did Mr. Kelley ever discuss grip pressure in any edition of the Yellow Book,
or in conversations with other teachers? If yes, where can I find it. If no, on
a scale of 1-10, what do you think would be the best grip pressure to use,
to follow his teachings, or method? Thanks

Without referring to the book, but referring to my interpretation of Yoda's explanation of the Flail, I have arrived at just enough pressure to not restrict the Flail. I am afraid that is a rather simplistic answer, but currently working for me.
Regards.

Why do new members sometimes ask the best questions?

The word "Pressure" is used 160 times in the yellow book but not one time is the word "Pressure" combined with the word "Grip".

Thanks Daryl and Jerry. I hear so many conflicting stories about grip pressure.
I have tried them all. A real loose grip, and I am flippy at the top, and hard to
control the club. A firmer grip, and it feels too stiff and awkward, with hardly any
wrist cock at all. I try to strike a happy medium, but it is difficult for me to do.
Also, with a light pressure grip, I loose my clubhead lag, which is indispensable,
as Mr. Kelley says. I have been studying the Yellow Book for several years now, and
am going to keep on using it. I believe the pieces will continue to fall in place,
and help me to be a better ball striker. Thanks, and Best Regards.

Watching videos Yoda made together with Jeff Hull and Ted Fort - they both said they hold their clubs very firm. Ted even said he had "fingermarks in the club shaft".

Expecially for swinging, firm but allow free motion of wrist: cock and uncock. Ted's comment for hitter using a much firmer grip.

Those are from fried Chicken.



Grip tightness varies but its purpose of "welding" the shaft to the Hand is important. For anyone that "Cocks" the Right Wrist, more muscle may be required to hold the shaft firmly to the Hands.

My experience tells me that Extensor Action helps maintain a Level and Bent Right Wrist and that this relieves the need for excessive Tightness.

It's most important that the Right Forearm Wedge be maintained and enough Grip Tightness to prevent the Club from wobbling around.

grip pressure
 

As a matter interest I have changed from hitting to swinging in the last couple of months,and I am also really just interested in hitting a long ball.
Now,I might add that whilst still playing the occasional comp round,my main objective is to simply get the absolute most out of a drive.In doing this,I am mainly using the flying the L/arm off the torso thing,in a nutshell,using pivot,now here is the thing,in order to get the most out of the swing,my grip pressure is "feeling" like zero,just enough to hang onto the club,it has me hitting some of my best drives Ive hit in years,now every now and then,I will add some R/forearm into the release,it can be a bit higher than usual but still hits long.
I recently purchased a "trainer",I will keep that nameless out of respect to forum,just a weight trainer for added swing speed,I will use this and see if there is improvement,one more thing....if for whatever reason I hold the grip tighter or "use " my hands in swing i simply mess up.......cheers

In one of the more famous discussions of grip pressure, when Norman hit his approach shot way right into the gallery at 18 during the 1986 Masters, Nicklaus opined he did so because he held on too tight with his left hand grip, thus limiting the release.

Not sure if it means anything, but seemed appropriate.

Id say strong grip pressure good, but cemented wrists bad.

tom t
 

I actually loved tom t when he was going through the swing...ie
THE HANDS DO NOTHING........THATS RIGHT NOTHING..its the thing that really got me to swinging with little grip pressure,but I think it may need looking at with short shots,but if you think about it,even on some short shots,one can really feel LAG with light grip.........this is a good thread

I agree with you brownman about feeling LAG better with a light grip on the short
shots. Where it has really helped me, is a sand trap shot. If I tighten my grip
pressure the least bit, I either blade the ball, or hit too far behind it. And, I think,
as mentioned in an above post about changing from a hitter to a swinger, a light
grip would seem to suit a swinger the best. Has anyone else noticed that as you get older you sort of instinctively feel that you need to get more wrist cock in your
swing? I have. and the best way for me to do this is with a lighter grip.

One of Teds finest!!
 

Forgive me if I get this wrong as I am inbetween lessons so am rushing, but on a visit to the swamp, I am sure I remember Ted hitting an impact bag and saying to me that the correct grip pressure is the pressure you are applying to the handle when the club strikes the impact bag, sure works for my students.
Firm fingers-Loose wrists.
OK, now back to work.

Good post
 

Ian,thanks for input,very good point,I also heard somewhere back in the dim dark ages that the brain can and will automatically apply correct pressure without there being a concious thought at impact.
Like when one is cutting wood,lightly on the way down but brain kicks the pressure in as the axe hits the wood.Hope you follow Cheers:happy3: