Getting to grips with the game

​They are our initial and final contact with the club. A poor grip can lead to negative knock-on effects throughout the swing.

Right handed players will instinctively grab the club with their right hand positioned on top and put their left hand below. This is the grip that hurlers generally use but club-face alignment and leverage are adversely affected by it.

The best position for the hands is one that easily allows wrist hinge – right below left for a right-handed player and left below right for a left-handed player. Wrist hinge creates a lever between the lead arm and the club, and is the single most important aspect of speed creation in the swing.

THREE DIFFERENT GRIPS

Neutral: A neutral grip sees both hands placed equally 'on top' of the club. This is the ideal placement of the hands on the club as it has a neutral effect on club-face alignment and will not have a tendency to cause subconscious swing alterations.

Strong: For right handed players, the left hand is too much on top of the club and the right hand too much underneath the club - both positioned too far to the right of neutral. A strong grip has a closing effect on the club face throughout the swing.

Weak: For right handed players, this grip sees the left hand positioned underneath the club and the right hand too much on top of the club - both positioned too far to the left of neutral. A weak grip has an opening effect on the club face throughout the swing.