Relationship between Grip and Position at the Top
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Brian Manzella
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The Grip and a The Top.
If you have "Manzella Neutral" Grip (matching the score lines to the VISUALLY FLAT left wrist and forearm), and you wind up with the clubface so-called "laying on the plane," your left wrist will be VISUALLT FLAT and turned the same amount OPEN as the clubface.
90 degress!
Almost everyone calls this position "square" but it is not.
If you grip it strong and you COCK YOUR LEFT WRIST in the plane of the left arm--the so-called "Left ARM Flying Wedge"--the clubface will STILL be in the same position at the top if the left arm rotaes the same amount.
Plus, better palyers can FEEL the clubface to some extent.
If you have "Manzella Neutral" Grip (matching the score lines to the VISUALLY FLAT left wrist and forearm), and you wind up with the clubface so-called "laying on the plane," your left wrist will be VISUALLT FLAT and turned the same amount OPEN as the clubface.
90 degress!
Almost everyone calls this position "square" but it is not.
If you grip it strong and you COCK YOUR LEFT WRIST in the plane of the left arm--the so-called "Left ARM Flying Wedge"--the clubface will STILL be in the same position at the top if the left arm rotaes the same amount.
Plus, better palyers can FEEL the clubface to some extent.
I think that explains a lot Brian. With a strong grip, my left wrist is cupped and the clubface is parallel to my left forearm. With a Manzella neutral grip, my left wrist is flat and the club is in the same position, and honestly the strong grip feels good at address and BAD at the top.
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chrisfx811
New
I recently had a lesson with Brian, and I have to say that having him show me the grip and how to take it first hand, made all the difference in the world.
I didn't initially go to it, as I kept fighting the change, thinking that I needed a stronger left hand grip.
A slightly stronger grip felt much more powerful to me, although the results weren't powerful shots.
Today, in the middle of a practice round going horribly wrong, I stopped myself in the fairway on hole #5 and committed to getting the Manzella neutral grip right.
I dropped 4 balls around 100 yards, normally not a good distance for me.
I hit 2 each with my 53 & 58 wedges.
All 4 flew straight, with little curvature, and in the direction I was aligned.
On the next tee box, I hit a 265 yard drive (confirmed by Bushnell)
Dropped 3 balls, and wedged all 3 within 15 feet of the pin.
Next hole, I tattoo another drive down the middle, then push one right, but with very little curvature.
Played 5-1/2 through 8 with this grip and mishit that one pushed drive.
At that point I made a committment to myself, that I would not change from this grip again.
The grip feels less powerful, probably because I'm not strangling the club, but it produced shots that flew straighter and farther than my so called 'feelings' would have indicated.
I didn't initially go to it, as I kept fighting the change, thinking that I needed a stronger left hand grip.
A slightly stronger grip felt much more powerful to me, although the results weren't powerful shots.
Today, in the middle of a practice round going horribly wrong, I stopped myself in the fairway on hole #5 and committed to getting the Manzella neutral grip right.
I dropped 4 balls around 100 yards, normally not a good distance for me.
I hit 2 each with my 53 & 58 wedges.
All 4 flew straight, with little curvature, and in the direction I was aligned.
On the next tee box, I hit a 265 yard drive (confirmed by Bushnell)
Dropped 3 balls, and wedged all 3 within 15 feet of the pin.
Next hole, I tattoo another drive down the middle, then push one right, but with very little curvature.
Played 5-1/2 through 8 with this grip and mishit that one pushed drive.
At that point I made a committment to myself, that I would not change from this grip again.
The grip feels less powerful, probably because I'm not strangling the club, but it produced shots that flew straighter and farther than my so called 'feelings' would have indicated.
I had the Manzella neutral grip down before I had a lesson with Brian. I do know that when I get tired I can slip into a strong grip. After that, I start swinging below the plane.
My observation was just that the clubface seems to somehow control the left wrist through balance. A Manzella Neutral grip puts the club in a position that it wants me to have a flat left wrist at the top. If I go too weak, my wrist arches, too strong and it cups. Something tells my arms/wrists what will put the clubface in the right postion.
My observation was just that the clubface seems to somehow control the left wrist through balance. A Manzella Neutral grip puts the club in a position that it wants me to have a flat left wrist at the top. If I go too weak, my wrist arches, too strong and it cups. Something tells my arms/wrists what will put the clubface in the right postion.
gommo
New
Is there a connection between the strength of your grip and the actual diameter of the grip on the club. I'm thinking my grips on my club are too thin and this is making my neutral grip feel a little off?
Could this be the case? My clubs are just an intro set that I picked up. They're the right size but I didn't get club grips fitted.
Thanks
Could this be the case? My clubs are just an intro set that I picked up. They're the right size but I didn't get club grips fitted.
Thanks
Brian Manzella
Administrator
There is a trick....
First of all, let me say that I only "give" the "Manzella-Neutral" Grip to those who need it.
But the TRICK!
Make sure the heel pad is STILL ON TOP and the THUMB is still on the aft-side of the grip.
First of all, let me say that I only "give" the "Manzella-Neutral" Grip to those who need it.
Number players who can break 85 who need it: 50%
Number players who can't break 85 who need it: 80%
Number players who can't break 85 who need it: 80%
But the TRICK!
Make sure the heel pad is STILL ON TOP and the THUMB is still on the aft-side of the grip.
chrisfx811
New
Gommo,
I have found that I am more consistent with midsize grips or at least 2-3 wraps of build up tape on normal size grips. Specifically, I really like the Golf Pride dual durometer midsize grips, as the soft outer layer makes it feel better than the midsize in the New decade Multi comps I was using.
I have found that I am more consistent with midsize grips or at least 2-3 wraps of build up tape on normal size grips. Specifically, I really like the Golf Pride dual durometer midsize grips, as the soft outer layer makes it feel better than the midsize in the New decade Multi comps I was using.
I identify with you. I have a hard time "neutralizing" my grip; it feels both awkward and less powerful. It feels like there's no way the club will ever square up. And if it does, it feels like it won't go anywhere.
rchang72
New
Brian, when I make sure that my heel pad is on top, my thumb is probably only to 1:00 on the grip (assumind 12:00 is on top of the shaft). Is this aft enough?
Roger
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