Tiger Woods is one of the most popular and successful golfers of all time, and his signature move has been to use a neutral grip while playing. This is essentially when the palms face each other but not in the traditional ‘palms up’ or ‘palms down’ positions.
His hands are ergonomically positioned within the golf club which allows for more power during his swings. In addition to his neutral grip, Woods also tends to place the club in a slightly closed position which leads to a square face at impact.
This club face squareness helps to ensure straighter shots that have a more consistent trajectory. Woods is also known for regularly using a light pressure grip, which allows for better control and feel.
The light pressure grip helps keep his wrists stable and prevents any flicking or rolling of the golf club. Ultimately, the grip Tiger Woods uses is a combination of neutral positioning and light pressure, which produces a desirable combination of power and accuracy.
Table of Contents
Does Tiger Woods use a strong grip?
Yes, Tiger Woods uses a strong grip. This grip is referred to as “The Tiger Woods Grip” and is characterized by a slightly stronger grip pressure than a neutral grip. Woods favored this grip in his younger years and is noted to have used a weaker grip as he aged and suffered various injuries.
His current grip is still considered strong when compared to a neutral grip, and utilizes a strong right-hand grip with a lot of pressure on the left. This grip allows Woods to create a lot of clubhead speed, control left-to-right ball flight, and hit high draws.
Woods also varies his grip slightly depending on the club he is using, for example; a weaker grip is used for drivers and a stronger grip for his irons.
What PGA players use a strong grip?
Many Professional Golfers Association (PGA) players use a strong grip on their golf clubs. A strong grip typically involves rotating the hands more to the right (for a right handed golfer) on the club handle.
This typically leads to a closed club face compared to a “neutral” or “weak” grip. Players with a strong grip often generate more power and spin on the ball. In addition, they can hit with a draw or a fade to create more trajectory or spin on the ball.
Notable tour players using a strong grip include Tiger Woods, Jim Furyk, and Rory McIlroy. Professional golf instructors often suggest that players use a strong grip if they wish to hit the ball further, or play with a left-to-right (fade) shot shape.
The downside is that having a strong grip reduces the level of control a player has over the golf ball.
Do any pro golfers use a weak grip?
Yes, some professional golfers are known to use a weak grip for certain shots. A weak grip is when the back of the left hand (for right-handed golfers) is angled away from the target rather than straight down at the target.
This can reduce the amount of draw or hook spin on the ball which makes it easier to keep fairway shots within the desired target line, and it can be beneficial for keeping approach shots from ballooning out of control on windy days.
There are pros who have incorporated a weak grip in their overall game, such as Ernie Els who also uses a right-handed “stinger” shot, and Phil Mickelson whose preferred grip is a weak version of the classic overlapping grip.
Although using a weak grip doesn’t work well for every golfer, some professional players have found it to be effective in keeping their fairway shots more consistent.
Is it OK to have a strong golf grip?
Yes, it is OK to have a strong golf grip. A strong golf grip is one that is firmer than the typical golf grip. It involves squeezing the club handle tighter and it is a good way for golfers to gain control and power in their swings.
It allows them to get the maximum potential out of their swings, as the stronger grip leads to a more consistent strike of the ball. However, it is important to not grip the club handle too tightly. When the grip is too strong it can lead to tension throughout the body, which can impact the ability to make a proper swing.
A good grip is one that is comfortable and has no tightness or tension. To find the right grip, golfers should aim for a 6 out of 10 grip pressure and slowly increase it each time they practice until they reach that comfortable level.
Does Bryson DeChambeau have a weak grip?
No, Bryson DeChambeau does not have a weak grip. DeChambeau is known for having one of the strongest grips in the game, famously using one of the strongest grip tensions available for the clubs he uses.
While he does use a relatively weak grip for his putter, the rest of his clubs are held with a very strong grip. This strong grip is part of the reason DeChambeau has been able to generate so much club head speed in his drives, and it has enabled him to become one of the longest hitters in golf.
DeChambeau adjusts his grip depending on what club he is using, but overall he is known for using very strong grips on his clubs.
Does Tiger use standard or midsize grips?
Tiger Woods typically uses a Golf Pride Tour Velvet Midsize grip when playing. He believes the grip helps him maintain control of his club and allows him to optimize his swing. In addition to using the midsize grip, his team of coaches also suggest customizing the size of the grip and texture of the rubber depending on the weather and playing conditions.
The midsize grip is slightly thicker than the standard size, giving the player more circumference to hold on to, helping to alleviate tension in the hands and arms during a swing. Additionally, the thicker profile promotes consistent hand positioning, allowing for more accuracy and greater distance.
Tiger has attributed this grip to providing him the confidence and control he needs to perform under pressure on the professional tour.
What is the most popular grip on PGA Tour?
The most popular grip on the PGA Tour is the overlapping grip. It is used by the majority of professional golfers and has been for many years. This grip involves the golfer’s hands overlapping one another, with the dominant hand (typically the right hand) placed on top.
The overlap grip provides more control and stability than other grips, and is preferred by many professionals. The strength of the grip can vary, depending on the player’s preference. A weak grip or a stronger grip can be used with the same overlapping technique.
The overlapping grip is often used in combination with other techniques. Players may use a slightly different approach, combining a weaker lead hand with a stronger trailing hand. This helps to minimise mis-hits and provides additional stability.
Overall, the overlapping grip remains the most popular style amongst PGA Tour players, although its use can vary from player to player. It helps to generate power and accuracy, but does not completely eliminate the possibility of mis-hit shots.
Practice and technique are necessary for mastering the grip and achieving optimal performance.
