Time for a grip change?

I played nine holes this morning, and wasn't striking the ball very well. This surprised me, since my last several range sessions were very good. I tried to understand what was going on. And just because I felt like it, I tried a few strokes using the interlocking grip. This worked well and I finished the round with it.

When my dad taught me how to grip the club, when I was 17, he showed me the interlocking grip. When I started playing again, at 50, I used the interlocking grip. The Vardon grip has always felt very uncomfortable to me. But for some reason, a few years ago I switched to the 10 finger grip. It felt more "natural," and I've used it ever since. I'm well aware that it's the least preferred grip, but I never really knew why.

I think I know now.

If you're a swatter, the 10 finger grip gives you more leverage to swat. And if you're a swatter, the first hint of mental pressure--like actually playing golf instead of just hitting practice balls--will bring out that swat impulse.

Using the interlock grip today, the club felt more like it was swinging *in* my hands, rather than being swung *by* my hands.

It'll take me a while to learn to trust the new grip but I think it's worth the effort.

__________________
Todd
Philadelphia, PA
USA

The reason the pro tells you to keep your head down is so you can't see him laughing. ~Phyllis Diller