If there’s one area of the game that gets overlooked by most amateur golfers — but has the biggest impact on shot direction and consistency — it’s the grip. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen players chasing swing fixes, club upgrades, or YouTube drills, when the real solution is sitting right there in their hands.
Let’s make it simple: your grip controls the clubface, and the clubface controls where the ball goes. If you’re serious about hitting straighter shots, you start with the grip!
Why the Grip Matters
Your grip is your only connection to the golf club — it’s the one thing that links your body to the swing you’re trying to make. You can move beautifully, rotate powerfully, and load up correctly, but if your grip isn’t right, the face can be in the wrong position at impact.
Think of your grip like the steering wheel of your swing. Just like turning the wheel of a car determines where it goes, your grip determines where that clubface points when it meets the ball. And here’s what most golfers don’t realise — the clubface direction at impact determines 75 to 85 percent of your ball’s starting direction.
That’s not theory — that’s fact.
Clubface Control Starts in the Hands
Everything about face control starts with the hands. Let me break it down for you:
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A weak grip — where the hands are turned too far towards the target with the V’s pointing up towards your target shoulder — generally keeps the face open. That’s your slice.
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A strong grip — where the hands are turned too far away from the target with the V’s pointing up outside your trail shoulder — shuts the face down. That’s your hook.
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A neutral grip, which is what I coach most often, gives the clubface the best chance of returning square to the ball without you having to manipulate anything through impact.
And here’s the kicker — even a small tweak in grip position (we’re talking a few degrees) can make a massive difference in ball flight. That’s why when a student comes to me slicing or hooking the ball consistently, the first thing I check is their grip. It’s usually the root cause.
Both Vs formed by your thumbs and forefingers should point somewhere between your right ear and right shoulder. That’s the window we want to be in. This gives your hands the best chance to return the clubface square to the ball, time after time.
Grip Pressure: The Hidden Factor
It’s not just where your hands are — it’s how tightly you’re holding the club. Most amateurs grip the club like they’re hanging off a cliff — way too tight. That tension travels up your arms and ruins your ability to release the club properly.
My advice? Grip the club like you’re holding a tube of toothpaste. Firm enough that it doesn’t fall out, but light enough that you don’t squeeze anything out of it. That’s your sweet spot.
Too much tension kills speed and control. Too little, and you lose stability. Find the balance, and you’ll free up your swing while staying in control.
Why a Good Grip Leads to Straighter Shots
When your grip is correct — in both position and pressure — here’s what happens:
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The clubface returns to square more often.
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Your swing becomes more natural, with fewer compensations.
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You don’t have to “save” the shot with your hands at the last second.
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You take the guesswork and timing out of the equation — especially under pressure.
This is exactly why elite players — I’m talking Tiger, Rory, Nelly Korda, all of them — spend so much time working on their grip. It’s the foundation of consistency. When the grip is right, everything else becomes easier.
Final Thoughts from the Coaching Tee
If you’re fighting inconsistent ball flights or struggling to find the fairway, don’t go straight to rebuilding your swing. Start with your grip. It’s one of the simplest changes you can make, and one of the most powerful.
Remember, straighter shots don’t always come from swinging harder or faster — they come from better fundamentals. And the grip is Fundamental No. 1.
So next time you’re on the range, take 30 seconds and check your grip. It might just be the thing that transforms your entire game.
Let’s keep it simple. Let’s get it right.
— Mark Wood
Elite Golf Coach
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For More Great Swing Advice From Mark Wood visit his personal golf community at https://www.markwood.golf/share/I0JXd_NM3t1dnpk-?utm_source=manual
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