Lee Trevino's Right-Hand Grip: Curve It, Keep It Low
Lee Trevino believes it’s a mistake to think you need the same grip for every shot. The right hand controls everything: by changing its position, he can make the ball curve without altering the rest of his swing. He also demonstrates how to hit the ball high and, most importantly, how to hit it low without hooking it.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
Lee Trevino says that The right hand is the driving force behind everything. To make the ball drop a little to the right, he changes nothing but his right hand: he places it higher on the ball, to the point where you can almost see a knuckle, and moves the ball back slightly. He explains the’elastic effect of the forearm: The hands and arms always want to return to their natural position at impact. If the right forearm is turned upward at address, a good player risks hooking the ball. For a specific shot, therefore, you adjust your starting position so that this natural return works in your favor, without changing your swing.
To hit a high shot, he leans back and stays on his right side. To hit a low shot, with all clubs up to the sand wedge, You have to position yourself above the ball. He doesn't release the club: he pulls his hand upward, which keeps the clubface square to the target and reduces loft. In his view, those who step back to hit a low shot end up hooking it. On these three-quarter or deceleration swings, the end of the handle remains in front of the face, along the axis of the forearm.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Start with your normal grip.
- To make the ball land on the right, place your right hand higher on the ball and move the ball back slightly.
- Look at your right forearm: its position at address indicates how the clubface will rotate at impact.
- To play high, lean back and stay on your right side.
- To hit a low shot, position yourself over the ball.
- Pull your hand upward instead of letting the club drop: the clubface stays square and the loft decreases.
- Keep the tip of the clubhead in front of the ball on three-quarter swings.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Change your entire swing to make the ball curve.
- Believing that the grip must be the same for every shot.
- Stepping back behind the ball to make it fly low: you end up hooking it.
- Release the club with a low, decelerating swing.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Series with an 8-iron, changing only the position of the right hand
- Mark on the right forearm to check your position at address
- Three-quarter low shots, keeping your hands above the ball
- Short, bump and run shots with a sand wedge, with the end of the shaft in front of the clubface
Your Questions
According to Lee Trevino, should you use the same grip for every shot?
No. He thinks that's a misconception. He only adjusts his right hand—which controls everything—to make the ball curve without changing the rest of his swing.
What is the elastic effect of the forearm?
The hands and arms always want to return to their natural position at impact. If the right forearm is turned upward at address, the clubface closes as it comes through, and a good player is likely to hook the ball.
How does Lee Trevino hit a low shot?
He positions himself over the ball and doesn't release the club: he pulls his hand upward, which keeps the clubface square and reduces the loft. Taking a back swing to hit a low shot causes a hook.
How do you hit a high ball?
Lee Trevino leans back and stays on his right side. He explains that leaning forward reduces the club's loft.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Lee Trevino). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.
