Spring has sprung and our Upper Valley golf courses are open and in mint condition. It’s nice to have good greens to putt on this early in the year. Lucky us!
As fate would have it, we needed a little rain this week and — Wouldn’t you know it — we got some snow instead. Well, snow is still water and perhaps a late April Fools joke as Mother Nature is busy and never takes a day off!
Last week I referenced the importance of a good left hand grip (for right-handed golfers), and how the back of the left hand compliments the clubface as it represents the club face.
Basically, what the back of the left hand does, the face of the golf club will mirror.
The basic elements of a solid left hand grip are when the grip itself rests in our fingers while the heel pad rests on top of the grip.
To make sure the back of your left hand matches the face of the club, hold your arm out in front of you and parallel to the ground with the club 90 degrees to your arm. Now, look down your arm and make sure your forearm, wrist and the back of your hand are lined up flat.
Once the forearm and back of the left hand are flat, look over to the clubface to see if the leading edge of the clubface is level to the ground and matches the back of your left hand and forearm.
If the toe of the club is in the air, the clubface will be in a closed position. If the toe of the club points down, the clubface will be open.
During the swing, when the clubface, back of the left hand and forearm are lined up at the top of your backswing, you will be in a good position to hit the ball more consistently and straighter. A great example of this is the swing of young PGA superstar Jordan Spieth.
When the back of the left hand is cupped at the top of the backswing, the clubface is positioned open and you’re likely to slice the ball.
When the back of the left hand is bowed at the top of the backswing, the clubface is positioned closed and you’re likely to hook the ball.
A flat left hand, wrist and forearm at the top of your backswing will give you the best chance to deliver the club face square at impact.
So, give this a try and the next time your playing partner congratulates you on a good shot, it won’t be a backhanded compliment.