The “strong grip” has become one of golf’s most misunderstood quick fixes. Chronic cutters are told to tighten their grip and, as a result, many simply end up with new problems.
Here’s what I learned: A tight grip works great for some golfers, but creates chaos for others. The change is not the catch itself; it depends on whether it matches your swing pattern, release style and the shots you need to hit.
A tight grip isn’t just “more knots”
A “hard” grip means that both hands rotate clockwise on the stick (for righties). You see three or four knots in your lead hand at address and your trail hand rests more below the grip.
But here’s what many instructors don’t point out: changing to a tight grip doesn’t just change the hands; it changes your whole body. It changes your entire release pattern, the rotation of the clubface through impact and the way your body should move square face. You’re not making a minor adjustment; you are fundamentally changing the way the club works through the strike zone.
I’ve seen golfers tighten their grip on Monday and then show up on Wednesday, nailing everything. They changed the controls but kept everything else the same. It’s like putting a turbocharger in your car and being amazed at the revving at every turn.
A firm grip works when fighting the slice
If you’re a chronic cutter who comes out on top with a gaping face, a solid handle can be a game changer. It pre-sets the clubface in a more closed position, requiring less forearm spin to square it at impact. For players who struggle to free the club, this is extremely helpful.
I have my students slicer to strengthen their grip because it allows them to swing freely without worrying about leaving their face exposed. They can finally feel what it’s like to get a draw without making a desperate flip through impact.
But if you already draw it or you are fighting with a stroke? Strengthening your grip reinforces your existing problem. I’ve had students with tight grips who can’t hold a fade for their life and every approach shot that needs to be cut around a tree becomes a guessing game.
It fails when you need variety of shots
Here’s where strong control shows its limitations: dexterity. If you play courses that require different shots, a strong grip makes life more complicated. Hitting a controlled fade with a tight grip requires release inhibition and face manipulation through impact: precisely the time-dependent movement that breaks up under pressure.
I worked with a high school player who had a nice, strong draw but couldn’t advance past regionals because he only had one shot form. Every time the course called for a fade or stroke cut, he was stuck. We had to neutralize his control to give him access to the full picture menu.
Tour players who use hard grips (Dustin Johnson, Paul Azinger) built their entire games around managing that ball flight. They know their limitations and manage the course around them. Weekend players don’t always have that luxury.
Tight grips create timing problems
Strong grips require less active hand rotation through the stroke, which sounds good. And for many players, it is. The club face closes more naturally without manipulation. But this is also why mistakes are reinforced.
Because the clubface is preset closed, when the body spin or timing is slightly off, the consequences are greater. Does your swing get a little inside-out? With a neutral grip, this is an easy draw. With a firm grip, it’s an easy hit.
I see students tighten their grip and play well for two weeks, then suddenly they can’t find the planet. Their body rotation drops a bit (perhaps they are tired or tense) and the tight grip magnifies any mistakes. What was once manageable becomes a duck kick in the penalty area.
The margin of error is not smaller, but the penalty for missing is steeper. Small mistakes become big mistakes, and that’s what makes tight catches feel inconsistent.
Conclusion: Match your control to your model
I have fixed more golfers by adjusting their grip than almost any other change. But I’ve also seen golfers ruin good swings by copying the tight grip of some tournament players without understanding why it works for them.
If you split it, struggle to release it and want to get a draw, strengthening your grip often makes sense. If you already draw, need variety of shots or grappling hooks, it’s usually best to keep your control neutral or slightly weak. Your grip it should solve your specific problem, not create new ones. Get this right and everything else becomes easier.
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