The grip, hands, must not restrict the wrists' freedom to react to the swing.The hands must be placed on the club in a position as to not allow the wrists to throw the clubhead out of the arc,but to bring the clubhead square to the target line at the ball.How successful the wrists hinge at the top of the backswing depends on how the hands are placed on the club.

Without a doubt the best grip is to have the hands close together.A player should experiment with the three types of grips:Overlapping,interlocking,and the 10-finger(baseball grip).Most fine players use the overlapping,which suggests that it is the best for the more advanced player.This is purely your call and doesn't mean that grip is the best of everyone.The overlapping grip is where the right little finger overlaps the left forefinger.Weaker players might find the interlocking grip gives them better results.Players with shorter fingers may have good results with the 10-finger grip.

Regardless of the grip used the position of the'V's"of both hands(formed by the forefinger and thumb)points somewhere between the chin and the right shoulder.Having the"V's" too far to the right would encourage a hooking action;too far to the left would encourage a slice.I not implying it will create either a slice or hook,but it will encouarge it.The left hand placement should be the guide for the right hand placement.

I've heard countless times that a hook was caused by a too strong right arm.That is not completely true.If the right was at fault it was because it was out of position;not too strong.When it comes to distance I wish I had ten right arms at impact if I maintained the correct positions,because then I can really let loose with all my power I have stored up.

Your grip is essential to your success because it's the only contact you have with the club.That's why how you put your hands on the club will have a tremendous influence on how you play.The wrist is a weak joint made up of small bones;short in strength,but long in flexibilty.The flexibilty depends upon how your hands are placed on the club.The closer they are the freer the movement.Too far apart will block their action.So you need to come to terms with your grip quickly so everything else will be able to function properly in your swing.

Golf joke of the week:

Two young men,Justin and Matt,decided to take up golf and scheduled a lesson together with an instructor.After the lesson,they made a tee time to play for the following Thursday.When they got to the first tee,Justin pulled out a driver,checked off all the points the pro had told him,and promptly shanked a drive about 50 yards.Matt shanked his drive as well,but the shot glanced off a tree and hit a rock,which sent the ball flying towards the green.There it rolled up about ten feet from the hole.Justin glared at Matt and snarled,"Why didn't you tell me you had been practicing!"

Tom Ward can be reached at www.adventurousgolf.com