As I continue on my theme of common problems I see with my regular students, this one is easy to fix. This problem is grip pressure. In this case, too much pressure. Most golfers will play better, hit the ball farther, and hit the ball straighter with a grip pressure that is much lighter than they are presently using. On a 1 to 10 scale, most golfers should have a grip pressure that is in the 3 range. You want to be able to feel the club head when you lift the club off the ground at address. If you cannot feel the weight of the club head in your hands then you are holding too tight. Don't get me wrong, I do not want you hold the club loosely. I should not be able to take the club away from you at address. You would not be able to maintain control of the club head and shaft throughout the swing with such a loose grip pressure. Here are a couple of drills that will help you find the correct grip pressure for your swing.

Drill #1

1. Take your normal address position.
2. Take your normal grip.
3. While holding the club, open your hands so that you can see your palms.
4. Relax your hands and wrists.
5. Take your grip as tightly as possible. Define this grip pressure as a 10.
6. Repeat steps 2 – 4.
7. Take grip as light as possible. Define this grip pressure as a 1.
8. Now firm up the grip pressure just a bit. Define this grip pressure as a 3.

Drill #2

1. Take your normal address position with your new, normal grip pressure at a 3.
2. Relax your wrists and arms by slowly waggling the club back and forth.
3. Relax more by slowly breaking your elbows moving the club up and down.
4. Hover the club behind the ball, feeling the club head.
5. Swing back and through with your normal motion at half speed.
6. Slowly increase the speed on the down swing while maintaining the relaxation acquired during steps 2 to 4.

Maintaining a relaxed grip pressure and swing tempo is a very difficult task for most people, but definitely a worthwhile one. Most people who stick with it are surprised to find that they hit the ball farther and straighter in a relaxed state rather than a tense state. Those people also contend that their body doesn't hurt as much after each round of golf. Another wonderful benefit of a very achievable task. Good luck and good golfing!