Even when you do pay attention to all the details and work on your grip as much as possible, you still may find that is just isn’t quite right. This troubleshooting section will touch on some of the most common grip problems, and how to get them corrected.

The first problem that many golfers will find after they have worked on their grip is a tendency to hook the ball to the left quickly – especially off the tee. This is usually as sign that your grip is too strong. When you notice that you are starting to have trouble with a hook, try turning your left hand a little bit to the left until you reach a slightly weaker position. Experiment with different hand positions on the driving range until you are able to find one that seems to produce the ball flight you are looking for on a consistent basis.

Another grip-related issue is when you start to deal with shots that are pushed out to the right of your target. Often, these shots won’t turn either right or left in the air – they will just start on a line out to the right, and then travel straight until they land. This can be a frustrating problem to deal with because you will feel like you are making a quality swing, only to look up and see the ball sailing off to the right of your intended target. Frequently, pushed shots are a result of a grip that is too weak. Try turning your left hand grip a little bit to the right, and then hit some practice shots. Just as above, keep experimenting with grip positions until you find the spot that allows you to hit straight shots right at your target.

Losing power in your swing is the last troubleshooting point that needs to be made in relation to your grip. Commonly, golfers who work on their grip specifically will suddenly notice that they are unable to hit the golf ball as far as they used to. What happens is that when the golfer is working on the technical aspects of their grip, they subconsciously start to grip the club tighter and tighter. This is especially true if you are making a big change in your grip, as you will be tempted to hold on tighter because you are uncomfortable with the new position of your hands.

The result is obvious – the tighter grip leads to less club head speed through impact, and a loss of distance. To remedy this problem, make an effort to grip the club with less pressure at address. If you have formed a good grip on the club, and your grips themselves are in good condition, you should be able to control the club without squeezing it too tightly. Practice a lighter grip pressure with small swings at first to make sure you can maintain control of the club before moving up to larger, more powerful swings. With your grip pressure just right, you should soon see your power return.

As a golfer who is serious about improving your game, spending time on your golf grip is something that you should look forward to doing. Sure, it isn’t as exciting as other parts of the game, but the effect that it can have on your scores is powerful. From making sure you have the right types of grips on your clubs to practicing the proper grip mechanics, this is a seemingly small part of the game that can dramatically change the shots you are able to hit. Grip changes are notoriously difficult to get comfortable with, so you will need to commit to plenty of practice time in order to successfully make your new grip a natural part of your game.