page_title: Ben Hogan
section_title: "The Grip"
hierarchical_section_title: Ben Hogan / "Five Lessons" and golf instruction / "The Grip"
caption_attribution_description: Golf grip
context_page_description: William Ben Hogan was an American professional golfer who is generally considered to be one of the greatest players in the history of the game. Hogan is notable for his profound influence on golf swing theory and his legendary ball-striking ability.
  His nine career professional major championships tie him with Gary Player for fourth all-time, trailing only Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Walter Hagen. He is one of only five players to have won all four majors: the Masters Tournament, The Open, the U.S. Open, and the PGA Championship. The other four are Nicklaus, Woods, Player, and Gene Sarazen; Hogan's first major win came at age 34.
context_section_description: Hogan says, "Good golf begins with a good grip."  Without a good grip, one cannot play to his or her potential.  The grip is important because it is the only direct physical contact you have with the ball via your golf club.  A bad grip can cause dipping of the hands at the top of the swing and a decrease in club head speed.  This can cause a loss of power and accuracy. The following describes the perfect golf grip in the eyes of Mr. Hogan:
  "With the back of your left hand facing the target, place the club in the left hand so that, 1) The shaft is pressed up under the muscular pad at the inside heel of the palm, and 2) The shaft also lies directly across the top joint of the forefinger".
  "Crook the forefinger around the shaft and you will discover that you can lift the club and maintain a fairly firm grip on it by supporting it just with the muscles of that finger and the muscles of the pad of the palm."
  "Now just close the left hand-close the fingers before you close the thumb-and the club will be just where it should be."
  "To gain a real acquaintance with this preparatory guide to correct gripping, I would suggest practicing it five or 10 minutes a day for a week until it begins to become second nature."
  "To obtain the proper grip with the right hand, hold it somewhat extended, with the palm facing your target. Now-your left hand is already correctly affixed-place the club in your right hand so that the shaft lies across the top joint of the four fingers and definitely below the palm."
  "The right hand is a finger grip.  The two fingers which should apply most of the pressure are the two middle fingers."
  "Now with the club held firmly on the fingers of your right hand, simply fold your right hand over your left thumb."
caption: GolfGripC-1024x677
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