How to Strengthen Your Golf Grip to Fix a Slice and Improve Your Swing

A slice is one of the most common problems golfers face—a shot that starts left and curves sharply to the right for right-handed golfers (or vice versa for lefties). While there are many factors that contribute to a slice, one of the primary culprits is an improper grip, specifically a grip that is too weak. Strengthening your grip is one of the most effective ways to gain control of your clubface, reduce the severity of a slice, and start hitting straighter, more powerful shots.

Here’s one video on a grip to help reduce a slice:

In this article, we’ll explore how to strengthen your golf grip, why it helps reduce a slice, and how it can improve your overall swing.

What is a Strong Golf Grip?

In golf, a strong grip refers to how much your hands are rotated to the right (for right-handed golfers) or to the left (for left-handed golfers) on the club. It doesn’t mean gripping the club tightly; instead, it’s about the positioning of your hands on the handle of the club.

• Weak Grip: In a weak grip, both hands are rotated more toward the target, with fewer knuckles visible on the lead hand (left hand for right-handed golfers). This often opens the clubface, leading to a slice.
• Neutral Grip: In a neutral grip, the “V” formed between your thumb and forefinger on both hands should point toward your trail shoulder (right shoulder for right-handers).
• Strong Grip: In a strong grip, your hands are rotated more to the right, and you can see more knuckles on your lead hand (usually 3-4 knuckles for a strong grip). This helps square or even close the clubface at impact, countering the open clubface that often causes a slice.

How a Stronger Grip Reduces a Slice

A slice happens when the clubface is open relative to the swing path at impact. The open clubface imparts left-to-right sidespin (for right-handed golfers), causing the ball to curve right. Strengthening your grip helps correct this by closing the clubface earlier in the swing, preventing it from being open at impact.

Here’s how a strong grip directly helps fix a slice:

1. Closes the Clubface: A strong grip promotes a more closed clubface position at impact, which counteracts the open clubface that leads to a slice. With a stronger grip, it’s easier to square or even slightly close the clubface at impact, reducing or eliminating the left-to-right spin.
2. Increases Control Over the Clubface: When your grip is too weak, it’s hard to control the clubface, especially during the downswing. A stronger grip improves your feel and control, helping you manage the face’s position more effectively through impact.
3. Encourages an Inside-Out Swing Path: A stronger grip often naturally promotes an inside-out swing path, which is the ideal path to reduce a slice. When combined with a square or closed clubface, this swing path helps straighten out your shots and can even result in a desirable draw.
4. Promotes a Full Release: One of the problems with a weak grip is that it can prevent you from fully releasing the club through impact. A strong grip encourages a fuller release, reducing the chances of leaving the clubface open and slicing the ball.

How to Strengthen Your Golf Grip

If you’re ready to strengthen your grip and reduce your slice, follow these steps to make the necessary adjustments:

1. Rotate Your Lead Hand

Start by rotating your lead hand (left hand for right-handers) slightly to the right on the grip. A good rule of thumb is to adjust until you can see at least 2-3 knuckles on your lead hand when looking down at your grip. This rotation strengthens the grip and helps close the clubface.

2. Adjust Your Trail Hand

Next, adjust your trail hand (right hand for right-handers). Move it more underneath the grip so that the “V” formed between your thumb and forefinger points toward your right shoulder. This positioning works in harmony with your lead hand to promote a stronger grip overall.

3. Maintain Light Pressure

A stronger grip doesn’t mean you should grip the club tighter. Maintain light, relaxed pressure in your hands to ensure you don’t create tension that restricts your swing. Light pressure combined with a strong grip position allows for better feel and control through impact.

4. Practice the New Grip

It can feel unnatural at first to change your grip, so it’s important to practice regularly with your new, stronger grip. Spend time at the driving range working on your grip until it becomes second nature. Focus on the difference it makes in clubface control and ball flight as you groove this new position.

Why Grip Pressure Matters

In addition to the position of your grip, grip pressure also plays a crucial role in correcting a slice. Many golfers unknowingly grip the club too tightly, especially when they’re nervous about slicing the ball. A tense grip can inhibit the natural motion of the swing, preventing the hands from rotating properly and keeping the clubface open at impact.

To complement your stronger grip, make sure your grip pressure remains light and fluid. This will allow your wrists and hands to work correctly through the swing, helping you close the clubface and eliminate your slice.

Benefits of a Strong Grip Beyond Fixing a Slice

While a stronger grip is excellent for reducing a slice, it can also improve other aspects of your game:

1. More Power: A strong grip enables you to generate more power in your swing. By encouraging a full release through the ball, it helps you compress the ball more efficiently and create higher ball speeds.
2. Better Control: With a stronger grip, you’ll have more control over the clubface throughout the swing. This can lead to more consistent ball-striking and a better sense of where your shots are headed.
3. Ability to Shape Shots: Once you’ve mastered a strong grip, you’ll have the ability to hit a wider variety of shots, including draws and fades, by simply adjusting your grip pressure or swing path.

Conclusion: Strengthen Your Grip to Straighten Your Shots

A weak grip is one of the most common causes of a slice, but the good news is that strengthening your grip is an easy and effective way to fix it. By rotating your hands into a stronger position, you’ll gain more control over the clubface and be able to close it at impact, reducing the likelihood of a slice.

Not only will a stronger grip help you hit straighter shots, but it will also add power and consistency to your game. Whether you’re a beginner struggling with a slice or an experienced golfer looking to fine-tune your grip, making this simple adjustment can have a huge impact on your swing.

Remember to practice your new grip at the range, and over time, you’ll find yourself slicing the ball less and hitting more fairways.

Read more about how to fix your slice.