The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1938-04-07
Ghezzi Stresses Handy
Grip to Improve Col
Extended Pivot
Also Urged
By Vic
BY LESTER RICE

NEW YORK, April 7.-"Where
most golfers go wrong is in their
conception Cor should it be miscon-
ception) of the grip" Victor
Ghezzi told me in the convincing
tones of a man who had suffered
poignantly from faulty grip and
knew what he was talking about.
Golf is a handy game and If
the grip is not sound how can
it be expected to produce good
reSults?"
Ghezzi. golf professional at
the Deal Country Club on the
New Jersey shore, is one of the
games biggest men and mightiest
hitters. He is young, good look
ing, has curly black hair and rises
well above six feet. His swing,
despite his great inherent strength,
is typically graceful.
IT grip the club with the fingers
because, for me, it is more COM
Portable. For the average player,
l think it is the best method be-
cause it encourages more flexible
cock of the wrists.
FULL BODY TURN NEXT
II know this isn't considered
altogether proper because most Of
the professionals believe a more
secure grip can be obtained with
the palm of the hand-the method
a good many of them employ.
when 1 hold the club in the
palm, I often grip too tightly and
freeze at the ball. At the top Of
the swing I don't get the freedom
the finger grip gives me. But
of great Importance, especially for
those who are striving for addi-
tional length, is the pronounced
cock of the wrists the finger grip
encourages.
Having acquired proper grip
and also a correct stance, tn e
players biggest need then is a
full body turn. A large number
of the games evils, especially slic-
ing, pushing, socketing and lack
of distance, is caused by INSULT
Gent body turning. The hands
alone cannot expect to make the
ball go very far, yet that it what
most of the century boys appar.
emily believe, if you accept their
stationary bodies as evidence.
Tommy Armour specializes in
a closed stance with the right foot
drawn back, and this is one Of
the reasons he has been so sue
ceSSful as an instructor. This
kind of stance compels a freer
body turn, as it pushes the right
side out of the way quickly.
STRESSES EXTENDED PIVOT
"a great many playeres turn
by bending their bodies forward
toward the ball, with most Of their
weight on their left foot. This
gets them into a position where
it is impossible to get any assist
ing power from their bodies. These
players, I fear. are really afraid
of turning away from the ball.
1.-THE proper way, of course, is
to transfer most all the weight to
the right leg in the back swing
and bring it back again simultane-
ously with the down swing of the
club until it is checked by the
stiffening left leg. This is known
as hitting against the left side.
Sammy Snead's fine success
can be traced to an extended
pivot. If you planted two posts
on either side of him, he would
turn freely and fully without
touching them. His body doesn't
move forward a particle as he is
hitting the ball. He has long
hitting area like Bobby Jones,
which was the secret of the At
lantan's greatness"
TOMORROW in The Washing
ton Times, Lester Rice presents
Tony M0nerO, 1896 national open
champion, IOhO tells why the left
hand IL the kew TO GOOD Sof.)