Golf Tip: The natural grip

The grip is obviously the No. 1 fundamental in golf. I would say that 90 percent of the problems that amateurs have come with the position of the left hand.

When amateurs go to grip the club, they put the club in front of them, and then they look at their hand to grip the club. When they do that, their arm turns from its natural state, and the left hand ends up in the wrong position.

You need to borrow the method a Tour player uses to grip the club. Watch your favorite player prior to address. Chances are, he grips the club with his arm at his side, even slightly behind, in its natural state as it hangs next to the body.

Look at what I’m doing in the photos:

• I allow my arm to hang in its natural state next to my body.

• I take the club in my fingers, then grip it, with my arm still hanging next to my body. In this position, the clubhead should be just off the left foot.

• I then bring the club out in front of my body and add the other hand.

Rob Akins is the Drector of Instruction at Spring Creek Ranch in Collierville, Tenn.