Today on the blog we have the pleasure of featuring a guest blog post by the Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort  e-concierge, Cristian Diaz! 

Thank you very much for visiting us for another installment of  our beginner golf summer blog series! I decided to start this second chapter with a couple of tips on the fundamentals of the game.

Playa Mujeres Golf Course, located adjacent to Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort

Two basic tips:

1. By choosing the correct grip you will have more chances to hit straight and solid shots.
2. When placing your hands on the club correctly you will be able to feel where the club is and this will help you to optimize both power and control.

Below you will find my first lesson at the course for easy instructions to grip the club properly from the golf pro Javier at the Playa Mujeres Golf Course.

Step 1. Hold the club about 3 ft. in the air and in front of your body. Make sure the face of the club is square, not open or closed, place the club at an angle through the fingers of the left hand. The club should touch the base of the little finger and just above the first joint of the index finger (on the dots). Then Place your left thumb toward the back side of the shaft-a 1:00 position.

Step 2. Now it is time to place your right hand on the club. Place the club in the fingers of your right hand at an angle. Position the club handle so it touches the dots. This locates the club handle between section 1 and 2 of the right ring finger; directly on section 2 of the middle finger; and between section 2 and 3 of the index finger.

Step 3. Cover the left hand thumb with the lifeline of the right palm and make sure that the “V” formed by the right thumb and forefinger is parallel to the “V” on the left hand.

Step 4. Finally, to hit the ball farther use a light grip pressure. On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is light and 10 is tight, I recommend a pressure of 3 or 4.

Step 5. How Tight Should You Hold the Golf Club?

Gripping the club too tight can cause thin, weak shots that slice. A lighter grip pressure enhances wrist hinge – a vital power source in the swing. This light pressure also increases the amount of clubface rotation, thus improving your chance of squaring the club at impact.

On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is light and 10 is tight, I recommend a pressure of 5.

Are you thinking that was too technical? You are right! Golf is a complex game and we can’t begin properly without knowing these small details that will help us in the future.

Now you have to practice! If you don’t have a club try with a tennis racquet or anything that could simulate a golf club. You can also find many videos online that will help you illustrate what you’ve just read.

American professional golfer, Ben Hogan, said “Good golf begins with a good grip”. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but once you get used to it, you will hit the ball straighter and farther.

I hope you’ve enjoying reading our blog! Don’t miss our golf summer series and become a professional golf beginner with me!