Old-timers had a huge advantage over us playing golf in the 2020s. Their heavy, unforgiving equipment forced them to swing with natural power dynamics. Ever tried swinging an extra-heavy club? Ever considered how grip pressure in golf can completely make or break your swing?

Sam Snead famously said you should hold the club like a baby bird, and while parts of that are true, it doesn’t always align with our need for control. Why is that, and how should you approach it?

Nicklaus said that you should grip the club as firm or loose as you still have relaxed fore arms.

For reader context: this article is a part of the FMM Swing System Page. I recommend that you start here instead.

High Grip Pressure in Golf – The Natural Power Killer

Excessive grip pressure in the downswing and follow-through stifles your natural swing. The only way to generate effortless power in golf is by allowing the forces in the club shaft to release naturally. You load these forces in the backswing and early downswing, and they need to be set free—otherwise, you’re left with a manipulated, forced motion.

Of course, it’s entirely possible to create power with high grip pressure, but it comes at the cost of the effortless clubface control that the old greats mastered.

High Grip Pressure in Golf – The Go To Control Factor

We are naturally inclined to control, and holding onto something tightly is an extension of that instinct. For 30 years, I played with increasing grip pressure, believing that adding pressure at impact would give me control over my shot. Paradoxically, this habit led to a massively rotating clubface, which not only made my scoring unpredictable but also resulted in serious injuries over time. My temporary fix was to close the blade in the backswing, but this only introduced a new set of problems.

The key takeaway is that true control isn’t achieved through gripping tighter. Instead, it comes from understanding how to use the wrists and arms correctly. The old greats approached this completely differently from most skilled amateurs today—primarily because they had to, given their equipment and the extremely spinny golf ball of their era.

Today, I play with almost spaghetti-like arms in the downswing and follow-through, and I’ve never felt more in control of my swing.

Low Grip Pressure unlocks Natural Power and Athletic Ability – Big Arc Swing Pattern

Do whatever you want in the backswing (unless you’re closing the blade—then, please, keep it neutral). Do whatever you want in the turn. But once you’ve moved through the transition, release all intentional grip pressure. I mean everything. This is what the Nicklaus, Watson, early Woods and early Rory etc did. They all utilized a massive swing arc in their favor.

Why is low grip pressure leading to swing goodness? Because it ensures natural power output and, even more importantly, unlocks your athletic ability. Releasing grip pressure in the downswing removes the blockers in your motion. When you’re in a relaxed state—both mentally and physically—you gain the ability to control the club the way you truly want.

Ever heard the idea that the golf swing release is like throwing a meatball into your own mouth? As crazy as it sounds, that’s exactly how it works—and it only happens with light grip pressure. The key takeaway: when you understand that reducing grip pressure is essential for natural power and athleticism, your subconscious urge to hold onto the club too tightly will fade. Over time, you’ll reach the sweet spot where you consistently hit great shots at your intended distance—while still feeling like you had 20% more in the tank.

Grip Pressure in Golf and Injuries

If you perform a golf swing with the ambition to extend your arms towards the target using high arm pressure (heavy arms as I call it), unless you’re exceptionally strong, you’ll likely face injuries over time. However, if you perform the same action with low arm pressure (soft arms), you avoid most of those issues. The heaviness or softness in your arms is influenced not only by your grip pressure but also by your club intentions.

Can you think of one great player (arguably the greatest) who had to cut his career short due to multiple injuries, and who was actually instructed to use high grip pressure to cope with tournament pressure? Tiger Woods.

On that note, here are my best take aways regarding lower back pain and golf.

Read more about especially the Big Arc Swinger pattern on my FMM Swing Academy here.

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