SPORTS > GOLF TIPS

One of the main killers of the golf swing is poor grip. Sometimes the difference between good players and those who struggle is where they position the right thumb.

The right thumb should be across the grip, not straight down the shaft. If you place the right thumb on top of the grip and down the shaft, it becomes a pressure point. You will have a tendency to push or cast the club away at the top of the swing. This wastes clubhead speed you could gather if you kept the left arm and the shaft of the club at a 90 percent angle, instead of casting it earlier on the downswing.

The thumb down the shaft also is a big culprit for causing slice and hitting the top of the ball. The position makes it difficult to release the club through impact and close the face to help hit the ball straight.

The same position also causes a pushing action at the bottom of the swing, which makes the clubhead travel upward at impact and hit the top of the ball, not the bottom.

So, get that thumb around to the front side of the club, lightly touching your forefinger. You will strike the ball much better.

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Don DeLorenzo To schedule a lesson with PGA-certified instructor Don DeLorenzo, call GIlroy GC at 848-0490.

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