Your grip may be the most important factor in hitting a solid shot. If your grip is incorrect, then you usually have to make compensations in your swing to get the ball to go where you want it.

Check the position of your left thumb (if you are a right-handed golfer) in your grip. As you grip the club with your left hand, make sure that your thumb sits to the right side of the grip (if you are looking down at your hands) rather than on top of the club. The left thumb should never be placed straight down the middle of the grip. This is a very weak position.  You will have a hard time hinging your wrists and supporting the club at the top of your swing and will most likely slice your shots.

Incorrect: If your left thumb goes straight down shaft then you have a weak grip and will most likely slice your shots.

Correct: Ideally, you want your left thumb to sit on the right side of the grip as you are looking down on your hands for a neutral grip.

Test Your Grip

 Hold the club just with your left hand. Lift the club off the ground and extend your arm out so that the club is parallel to the ground.  Notice the clubface position.  If your thumb is placed on the grip correctly, then the leading edge of the clubface will stay square.  If your left thumb is on the club incorrectly, in a weak position, then the leading edge will fan open. Adjust your thumb until you can extend your left arm and the leading edge stays square.

Incorrect: If your thumb is in the wrong position, then your clubface will open causing a weak shot.

Correct: Ideally, you want your clubface to stay square as you extend your left arm.  Adjust your thumb until you can achieve a square clubface.

To learn golf-fitness exercises, take the Cardiogolf 30-Day Challenge.

Take the Cardiogolf 30-Day Challenge to find the best exercises for you.

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 Karen Palacios-Jansen is an LPGA Teaching Professional and Certified Personal Trainer.  She developed Cardiogolf, a golf-specific fitness system available at KPJgolf.com.