Your golf grips can be either weak or strong. Depending on which method you choose, your golf shots will change.
A strong grip is advisable for golfers who prefer to swing from the inside out. Golfers with an out-to-inside swinging style will benefit from the weak grip.
The comparison between a strong grip vs weak grip in this post will help you understand more about these techniques. Let’s follow our post!
What Is A Strong Grip?
When the golfer’s forefinger and thumb form a V, he uses a firm grip. He positions his thumb away from your goal when he rotates his hands.
The V sign formed by this technique faces the right shoulder of a typical right-handed golfer.
Golfers who use many body movements or rotating movements during their swing should use this method.
The swing planes of these golfers are often flat. They may notice that the club becomes lighter, making it simpler to handle a backswing.
With this approach, leveling the clubface during contact is also a breeze. It may, though, not be ideal for short games.
What Is A Weak Grip?
This technique is one that many golfers struggle to overcome throughout a game. Golfers who use this technique prefer to expand the clubface during a swing and an impact.
The face of the club expands and spins too much to one side. As a result, depending on the type of golfer, the ball may fly to the left or right of the target.
In addition, the wide clubface offers the club more loft. Hence, you’ll be executing a lot of high shots.
The shots will therefore be short and travel the shortest distance possible. For some players, it can be an issue.
Golfers with weak grips, on the other hand, have the benefit of being able to make precise shots.
Differences Between Strong Grip Vs Weak Grip in Golf Swing
The difference between the two techniques is that a firm grip will minimize the risk of slicing the ball. Meanwhile, a weaker one reduces the chances of hooking the ball.
Hand rotation and hips
In firm grips, hands shift away from the hole and towards the player’s trailside.
For accuracy, the golfer maintains calm hands during impact. For golfers with fast hips, this approach is excellent.
In weaker grips, hands rotate away from the hole and towards the player’s lead side. To be consistent, the player has moving hands throughout the impact. For those with slow hips, this technique is ideal.
Read: Oversize golf grips pros and cons
Thumb and forefinger position
For a right-hand golfer, the V formed by the gap between the thumb and forefinger is to the right of the center of the shaft with stronger grips.
The left hand’s fingers are visible in this posture. For the left-hand golfer, the stance is reverse.
In weaker grips, the V formed by the space between the thumb and forefinger is to the left of the center of the shaft. The right hand’s fingers are visible in this posture.
Read: Golf fat shots cure
Swing style
Stronger grips are suitable for golfers who swing the golf ball inside-out and assist them in bringing the ball in.
On the other hand, weak grips are good for players who swing from the outside in and help them create a smooth fade.
Pull and push
While a firm hold decreases the risk of slicing or pushing the ball, a weak grasp reduces the likelihood of hooking or pulling it.
Read: Ways to grip a driver to avoid slice
Comparison table
Criteria | Strong grips | Weak grips |
Hand rotation and hips | Calm hands and fast hips | Active hands and slow hips |
Thumb and forefinger position | The V shape is to the right of the center of the shaft | The V shape is to the left of the center of the shaft |
Swing style | Inside out | Outside in |
Pull and push | Reduce pushing the ball | Reduce pulling the ball |
Pros And Cons Of a Strong Golf Grip And Weak Grip
If checking the comparison above can’t help you make up your mind, check the pros and cons of each method. Then, you have more ideas for your decision.
Strong grip
Advantages:
- Reduce your slice
This approach will help if you are a slicer of the ball. The club will be less likely to shift outside with this grip, and the risk of slicing your shot decreases.
- Promote the draw
This method encourages an in-to-out swing, enabling the clubface to close at impact. Your shots will take on a pull shape, then.
- Optimize your power
This method makes the golf club feel lighter, and you can manage it easier on the backswing.
This sense then aids in optimizing your club speed, leading to an increase in speed.
- Offer more comfort
This method is quicker to adopt since it has a more relaxed feel. Moreover, it can improve swing techniques and ball-striking ability.
- Lower the ball flight
This method will end with a more controllable trajectory by lowering the clubface slightly upon impact.
Disadvantages:
- Rotate the clubface
You can achieve a nice draw by adjusting the clubhead into the proper position. However, when you are off the rhythm, you will risk rotating the clubface excessively and end up hooking your club shot.
- Decrease trajectory
While excellent players may like the lower trajectory created by a flattened clubface, it raises the complexity for the average golfers.
The lie angle and loft of the clubface will reduce with a closed clubface.
To get your hit correctly airborne, you’ll need to release extra ball speed, which is hard for those with slow swing speeds.
Weak grip
Advantages:
- Eliminate the hook
Hooking the golf ball with this technique is extremely rare, if not impossible. You can learn more tips to avoid hooking the ball from this video.
- Release the club easily
You’ll feel like you can attack the golf ball on the downswing and blast your right hand through the contact without fear of the ball sliding left.
- Eliminate the left side
It is difficult to move left with this technique, making it much easier to maneuver a golf course if you believe the ball will only go to the right or go straight.
Disadvantages:
There is only one genuine problem with this technique, and it’s big.
This fundamental problem can lead to golf shots that players hate and destroy their golfing experience.
A shaky hold causes the face to spin excessively and the club to expand after the impact. Because of the broad clubface, shots will fly to the right of the goal.
This issue will also give extra loft to your shots, giving them an undesirable height.
When you combine these two consequences, you have weak, airy shots that are going off-line.
What Should You Choose?
Both a weak and strong grip have their place and time in golf. But, with all of this evidence, how can you figure out which grip is perfect for you?
When it comes to picking the right golf grip, your body type will make a big difference.
Overall, the ideal option for you will most certainly differ from the one for someone else, but figuring out which one to choose shouldn’t take very long.
The clubface is flat primarily when you have a strong grip, but it is open when you have a weak grip.
A firm grip allows your wrists to create more speed and the golf ball to fly further. Yet, a weak grip reduces wrist movement, leading to a shorter flight distance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, strong grips are better for those with fast hips and inside-out swinging styles. This technique will help them bring the ball further.
On the other hand, the weak grips are more suitable if you have slow hips and swing outside in. They give you more control over your ball.
Hopefully, our explanations have helped you determine which one is better for your game. If you need any further information, please feel free to ask. Thank you for following this post!
Read More: