The Most Overlooked Fundamental in Golf… Your Grip
- Mark Pearson
- Apr 2
- 2 min read
Walk onto any driving range and ask golfers how their grip is…
You’ll hear the same answer over and over:“Yeah, that’s fine.”
But in reality, it rarely is.
After tens of thousands of lessons, one thing is consistent — the majority of golfers are playing with a grip that’s limiting their game before they even start the swing.
Why the Grip Matters More Than You Think
Your grip is the only connection you have with the club.
It directly influences:
Clubface control (where the ball starts and how it curves)
Speed (how efficiently you deliver the club)
Strike quality (centredness of contact)
Consistency (repeatable patterns under pressure)
If the grip is off, everything else has to compensate.
That’s when you see:
Slices that won’t go away
Hooks that appear out of nowhere
Inconsistent strikes
Loss of distance
Not because of the swing… but because of the starting point.
The Biggest Mistake Golfers Make
Most golfers set the grip based on feel, not function.
They’ll say:
“This feels comfortable”
“I’ve always held it like this”
But comfort doesn’t equal control.
A poor grip can feel completely normal — especially if you’ve used it for years.
The issue is:👉 A weak or poorly structured grip often leaves the clubface open👉 An over-strong grip can shut the face too much
Either way, you’re forced into compensations mid-swing.
What a Good Grip Actually Does
A functional grip gives you:
Neutral control of the clubface without manipulation
Freedom to create speed without tension
A consistent strike pattern
Predictable ball flights
It allows the club to behave as it’s designed to — rather than you trying to “save” it through impact.
The Key Elements of a Great Grip
1. Structure Over Feel
The hands need to be placed on the club in a way that supports control and leverage, not just comfort.
2. Clubface Awareness
Your grip largely determines where the clubface points at impact — this is everything in ball flight.
3. Pressure Control
Too tight = tension and loss of speedToo loose = lack of controlThere’s a balance that allows both.
4. Consistency
If your grip changes slightly each time, your ball flight will too.
Why You Should Get It Checked
Here’s the reality:
Most golfers will:
Spend money on new clubs
Watch endless swing videos
Try to “fix” their swing
…but ignore the one thing that controls everything.
A 5-minute grip check can:
Instantly improve strike
Tighten dispersion
Add speed
Simplify your swing
How We Fix It at PMG Academies
At GOLFiN, we don’t guess — we measure.
Using TrackMan data, we can link:
Face angle
Club path
Strike location
…directly back to how you hold the club.
You’ll get:✔️ Clear understanding of what your grip is doing✔️ Simple, structured adjustments✔️ Immediate feedback through ball flight and data✔️ A plan to make it stick
Final Thought
If your grip isn’t right…
You’re building your swing on unstable foundations.
Fix that first — and everything else becomes easier.
Ready to Get It Sorted?
Book a session and we’ll show you exactly what your grip is doing — and how to improve it.
No guesswork. Just clarity.
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