Strong Grip VS. Manzella Neutral

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swingobsessed

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I am trying to understand why a person would use a neutral grip (or Manzella neutral) over a strong grip or vice versa. Theoretically wouldn't it be easier to use a strong grip and just bring that down into the ball with little hand rotation (or roll) as opposed to all of the rotation (or the feel of rotation) required by the neutral grip?

I am currently using the Manzella neutral grip after my lesson with Brian last year. I just didn't get a chance to discuss the pros and cons of each grip and if a person should start moving to a stronger grip once they get better with clubface control.
 
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holeout

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It would seem that it would depend on what an individual's tendency is. If one feels more comfortable with the "full roll" swivel, then a more neutral grip is probably for them.
 
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pecky987

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it really depends on a.) what your trying to do and b.) the individuals tendencies.

a slicer coould be given a strong grip, but they would have to try and open the face just to hit it straight, and a neutral grip would help them learn to close the face more

i find hookers or people who swing too far to the right can benefit from slightly dtronger grips and they sorta hold off the blade
 
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Jim Kobylinski

Super Moderator
I would prefer everyone to learn golf and become a good ballstriker to use a neutral grip (ala manzella neutral). Then once you know how to play using that, then use whatever grip you want.

There are just too many compensations that one can build into a "strong" grip when they aren't a good ballstriker.
 
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fronesis

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I don't have Jim or pecky's experience on the lesson tee, but I do have a lot of experience with my own swing here.

There has to be *some* rotation of the arms in the swing: on the backswing the clubface has to open some, and on the downsing it has to close some. With a strong grip, one has to hold the clubface relatively open in order to prevent a serious hook. As Jim says, good players can certainly learn to do this, and do it well.

But if you are a slicer, then I think Brian explains quite well why the strong grip is not a solution. You just learn to open the clubface even more, to get well under the sweetspot.

I was a slicer with a relatively weak grip when my first pro switched me to a very strong grip. I hit draws for a few weeks, and it was lots of fun. But the draws included some ugly hooks, and I intuitively learned to block all my shots in order to keep the clubface open. I played with this grip for many years, but I was still a slicer.

With the NSA pattern, you aren't a slicer any more. But NSA wouldn't work with a strong grip - you'd hit it SO FAR LEFT it's unimaginable. So in order for Brian to teach you how to square the clubface properly, you need to start with a neutral grip.

What really hits it home for me is that for most players a strong grip will make you ingrain the opposite principles of what Brian teaches in NSA. Even if the grip helps you hit the ball relatively straight, a strong grip may make you MORE of a slicer. It did for me.
 
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swingobsessed

New
I like the neutral grip, but I think I struggle with it because I don't feel like I am able to swing enough left without coming out of my axis tilt. I had shoulder surgery on my left shoulder several years ago, so my external elbow rotation is almost non-existent. As such, I really have to almost spin out my pivot to the left in order to swing enough left. I am wondering if I am building in some bad habits in order to do this.
 
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thefuture37

Banned
If you have strong hands and forearms, a strong grip can simplify your swing. You can minimize your need for body rotation back and through and focus on maximizing your leverage with your hands for power. For example, think of the swing of Boo Weekley.
 
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