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GripClub Position Relative to the Ball Irons Beginner / Intermediate ⏱ 2 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Clubface Square at the address: the grip test

Does your grip feel right and does your clubface look square at address? Jason Baile, a Titleist instructor, suggests a test that takes just a few seconds. It often reveals a closed clubface, which you then compensate for by leaning the shaft too far forward.

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Jason Baile
Jason Baile · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

8 minSame problemThe club's sole is flat at address: should you force it?Simon Camirand · Beginner2 minSame problemHank Haney's Loop Exercise to Correct a SliceHank Haney · Beginner / Intermediate4 minSame problemNelly Korda's Left-Hand-Low Putting: Interlocked GripNelly Korda · Beginner / Intermediate

What the lesson shows

According to Jason Baile, one of the most common mistakes made by amateurs is to Do not align the grip with the face. The hands are positioned correctly, the clubface looks square to the ground, and yet the test shows something else. The player raises the club in front of him and stretches the left wrist, as at impact: the clubface is then closed.

Consequence: To hit the ball along the desired line, you have to tilt the club shaft forward significantly, or open the clubface in some way to get the ball to rise. Proper control: Take your grip, bend your left wrist in front of you, and make sure that the leading edge points toward noon, perfectly vertical. You don't need to tilt the club as much anymore; you maintain the loft, compress the ball, and it flies straighter down the fairway.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Use your usual grip and take your stance at the address.
  2. Without letting go of the club, raise it in front of you.
  3. Unlock your left wrist, as you would at impact.
  4. Look at the leading edge: it should point straight up, toward 12 o'clock.
  5. If it tilts, adjust your grip until the leading edge is vertical.
  6. Check this again before you start writing the address.

Key Takeaways

A grip that's positioned correctly in your fingers can still close the clubface.
The test is performed with the club held high in front of you, left wrist bent.
The leading edge must point toward noon.
A closed face forces you to tilt the clubhead too far forward.
Many players then open up the clubface to get the ball to rise.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Go by the appearance of the side facing the ground.
  • Use a grip that covers the face.
  • Compensate by tilting the handlebar sharply forward.
  • Open the clubface during the swing to get the ball to rise.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Leading-edge test at noon before each set
  2. A few swings with a properly adjusted grip, without forcing the shaft to tilt
  3. The same level of control with hybrids and woods

Your Questions

Why lift the club in front of you to check the clubface?

That's because, on the ground, the clubface may appear square, even though the grip is closing it. By raising the club and cocking his left wrist as if at impact, Jason Baile reveals the clubface's actual orientation.

What should the leading edge look like during the test?

It should point straight up, at noon. If it tilts, your grip closes the clubface, and you'll need to adjust it.

How does this relate to the angle of the handle?

With a clubface that’s closed relative to the grip, you have to tilt the shaft forward significantly to get the ball to fly straight. A clubface that’s aligned with the grip requires less tilt and retains loft to compress the ball.

Learn More

All “Grip” videos →Find the lesson that's right for youAll videos on “Club Position Relative to the Ball” →Find the lesson that's right for you Clubface at the Start of the Backswing: Keep It Looking at the BallAt the start of the backswing, the clubface should still be looking at the ball when your hands pass your back thigh; otherwise the swing gets too flat. The club's sole is flat at address: should you force it?It's normal for the club to rest on the heel: forcing the sole to lie flat raises the wrist, stiffens the arm, and shifts the grip to the palm. Hands in front of the clubhead at impact to compress the ballCompression comes from dynamic loft, not a steeper angle of attack: grip end toward the hip crease, timing, hands forward, left wrist bowed. Jason BaileAll of his lessons

Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Jason Baile). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.

* Amateur competitions with guidance from the pros