What is a....

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mgranato

mgranato

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....long or short left thumb (for righties). Any pictures? What are the pros and cons of each?

I hear this discussion from time to time, but have no idea what it means. Any help for the "challenged" is appreciated.:rolleyes:
 
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softconsult

New
Latest issue of Golf Magazine, page 84 - 85. Discusses this very topic, but
what they say seems like nonsense to me. They say Long thumb equals more
clubhead control and greater distance because you will have more centered contact.

I would say that long thumb allows more wrist cock than short thumb. Beyond that I
wouldn't hazard a guess.

Me, I'm a short thumber because in the 9th grade I hit John Hummer in the head during
boxing class and broke my left thumb up around the wrist area. Long thumb can still
make that area hurt a little.
 
mgranato

mgranato

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I saw that article, but they are talking about the right thumb - which I've never heard discussed about being long or short. The left thumb is the one I hear talked about most, any thoughts on what it means to be long or short with the left one?
 
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lookingtolearn

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Shorter thumb (top) vs. longer thumb (bottom)

2mgmvc6.jpg


One of the main things it affects is the "angle to the shaft."
 
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softconsult

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You are correct, I mis-read it. Probably because I have known about long left thumb versus short left thumb for a long time, but have never heard refer to the right thumb. I would think the long right thumb on the top of the grip could be a recipe for steering the shot.
 
Richie3Jack

Richie3Jack

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mgranato said:
....long or short left thumb (for righties). Any pictures? What are the pros and cons of each?

I hear this discussion from time to time, but have no idea what it means. Any help for the "challenged" is appreciated.:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Hogan taught the short left thumb in '5 Lessons.' I think it's one of the worst things, if not the worst thing taught in the book.

Yes, many could use that short left thumb effectively. But I don't know of anybody who improved because of the short left thumb while I have seen many get worse because of it.

The long left thumb makes it easier to lag/torque the club on the downswing because the thumb can now bend with will allow for more lag. If you're looking to float load, I would suggest a long left thumb.

I recently changed to the long left thumb and it made a tremendous difference and now the sound I make because I'm really compressing the ball is quite noticeable.









3JACK
 
K

Kevin Shields

Super Moderator
Most Tour players, notable exceptions include Mickelson and Ryan Moore, play with a short thumb. Usually helps secure things at the top. A long thumb, for one thing, CAN help a hook by retention of #3 acc through impact.
 
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spmurph

New
Kevin Shields said:
A long thumb, for one thing, CAN help a hook by retention of #3 acc through impact.
Click to expand...

Does a short thumb aid releasing #3 accumulator? It definitely feels like it does but I know about feels.

When I worked with Brian, he strengthened my grip and shortened my thumb. I had open face problems. I didn't ask him why he made the grip change. I just trusted that they would work and they did.
 
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ScottRob

New
the long and short of it

In my exprience short thumb gave me a sweep release look (less #2), long thumb gave me more of a snappy look. No doubt long thumb changes how the #3acc functions.
 
natep

natep

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I've been curious about this as well. I have curved thumbs and when I use the short thumb I can't get anywhere near a 90 degree angle between my left arm and clubshaft. It's more like 135 degrees.

But if I try to lengthen it I feel like the club is bouncing all over the place and moving around in my left hand.
 
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