Losing my grip

I tested my latest weak right-hand grip theory on the weekend and the results were not too encouraging.

The theory emerged from my attempts to find a cure for duck hooking (which emerged after I adopted a flat rather than cupped left wrist in my backswing) and the suggestion that a significantly weaker right-hand grip is a good safeguard in this regard.

The problem with the theory is not that it doesn't help prevent the excessive closing of the club face that causes duck hooks, but that it makes the top of the backswing position feel really weak and awkward. This feeling, I found, actually caused other problems nearly as annoying as duck hooks, i.e. tops and pushes and the feeling that my swing lacked any power.

My view is therefore that the solution to the duck hook problem has to be a combination of adjustments to my swing that include the following:

1. A neutral grip (two knuckles), being careful not to strengthen my right-hand grip during the swing;

2. Making sure I align in a 'neutral' way, i.e. square to the target line, and not too closed.

3. Making sure I release with sufficient body rotation to neutralise the amount of arm and hand action.

I'm not sure if this will solve the problem, but I can't abandon my flat left wrist theory at this stage. It has taken me too long to eliminate slices from my game. Excessive hook action might just have to be an 'occupational hazard' for the time being until I can synchronise my body and arm/hand action (as per 3. above) and get my alignment and grip sorted.

This exercise has been very interesting to me, by highlighting how crucial the grip and hand/wrist issues are in the golf swing, though I suspect most weekend golfers know or care little about them and spend their golfing lives wondering why they can't control their slice or play with greater consistency.