Au revoir reverse grip

the lawman

So as of yesterday I have decided to finally lose the hurley grip I’ve been holding onto for dear life. I used this grip playing PandP for years and playing golf for 2.5 years with it. There are 3 clubs which I will keep the reverse grip on namely 50, 60 and putter (not gonna give my up and downs away that easily).

There are two main reasons for the change.

The left shoulder lower is hindering progress and the more I ignore it and push harder and harder the more I’m straining the left shoulder tendons and ligaments. When I don't play for a week or two the discomfort is gone. It's a self diagnosis at the moment but I’m sure my PT will back me up when I see her.

The second reason is the golf game. I just think I’ve done all I can with this grip and further improvements will need the regular grip. I have ignored advice from great posts in here, my pro and playing partners thinking I could just play around it. Time is up on the ignorance and its time to move forward.

I’m gonna to track the process in stages and write something up when I’m finished. It won’t be a blog and I won't be putting it anywhere online as such. I will give it to other golfers who are thinking about changing and they can read what its like in general to make the change. I was dead against changing because I was worried about what lay ahead and what it would do to my game so maybe this will be able to help somebody out there who’s a bit worried.

So when its finished, reverse grippers, let me know if you would like a copy and I’ll send it on.

Disclaimer: I do not think the reverse grip is bad or unclean in anyway I just think for me right now its just not right.

Tin_Cup

Best of luck lawman!

spacecoyote

It'll be a tough challenge I'd imagine alright, but at least you're doing it at the start of the year so by the time qualifying golf starts hopefully it'll feel a little more natural.

Best of luck.

I'm only glad I was shown a golf grip before a hurling grip as a child when playing P&P which made life a lot easier for me when I took up the golf a couple of years ago

the lawman

spacecoyote wrote: »

It'll be a tough challenge I'd imagine alright, but at least you're doing it at the start of the year so by the time qualifying golf starts hopefully it'll feel a little more natural.

Best of luck.

I'm only glad I was shown a golf grip before a hurling grip as a child when playing P&P which made life a lot easier for me when I took up the golf a couple of years ago

That lucky alright spacecoyote. I went straight from hurling training onto a P & P course and didn't know any different. I'm confident I can do it coz I already have a good base knowledge of my swing and how it should be working etc.

padzer

Best of luck to ya lawman, i had my first ever lesson there on saturday, i told the pro that i wasnt keen on changing from the hurley grip so dont even bother. He did give me a few decent pointers though so il see how i get on.

Only got my handicap (12) there in november so ill see how this season goes before i even think of changing.

It seriously feels wrong holding a club with the correct grip, so fair balls to ya.

mafc

Best of luck with it lawman.... It is achievable, take that from one who reluctantly changed 2 years ago. Best decision I ever made, my only regret is that I didn't do it sooner.

It will take a lot of hard work .... Literally hitting 100's of balls but persist and you will be happy. When I changed I just hit ball after ball in the garden using a short swing on PW. I then progressed through the rest of the bag.

Strangely enough I still put left hand down & also use this grip for green side bunkers.
It all works for me and my recent scores have given me great encouragement.

the lawman

mafc wrote: »

Best of luck with it lawman.... It is achievable, take that from one who reluctantly changed 2 years ago. Best decision I ever made, my only regret is that I didn't do it sooner.

It will take a lot of hard work .... Literally hitting 100's of balls but persist and you will be happy. When I changed I just hit ball after ball in the garden using a short swing on PW. I then progressed through the rest of the bag.

Strangely enough I still put left hand down & also use this grip for green side bunkers.
It all works for me and my recent scores have given me great encouragement.

Cheers for that. I'm at the point now of just swinging freely in the house (no balls) and it feels alien. Range tomorrow night and a lesson next week. Might even get a round in on Sunday.

What are currently playing off and what were you when you changed?

the lawman

padzer wrote: »

Best of luck to ya lawman, i had my first ever lesson there on saturday, i told the pro that i wasnt keen on changing from the hurley grip so dont even bother. He did give me a few decent pointers though so il see how i get on.

Only got my handicap (12) there in november so ill see how this season goes before i even think of changing.

It seriously feels wrong holding a club with the correct grip, so fair balls to ya.

Cheers padzer its alien alright at the moment. You sound exactly like I did when I got my first handicap last year of 12. I think I've gone as far as I can with it and improvement will only truly come from changing. I'll let you know how I'm going.

PARlance

the lawman wrote: »

Cheers padzer its alien alright at the moment. You sound exactly like I did when I got my first handicap last year of 12. I think I've gone as far as I can with it and improvement will only truly come from changing. I'll let you know how I'm going.

Best of luck lawman, I was playing last weekend with a guy that made the change 2 years ago.
He said it was far less painful to change then he expected.
The first few months were difficult but after that it all went great, he wished he did it sooner, he's come on leaps and bounds since (after having reached a plateau with the reserve grip for a few years).

Would you be as well the rip the proverbial plaster off altogether and change the 50 & 60 too?
I would have thought that the fact that you're using the reverse grip for these might hinder or delay your adjustment elsewhere.

Then again, I've a mate that plays long clubs right handed and short clubs left handed. And I am a left hander playing right handed.... Take little notice of me

the lawman

ajcurry123 wrote: »

Best of luck lawman, I was playing last weekend with a guy that made the change 2 years ago.
He said it was far less painful to change then he expected.
The first few months were difficult but after that it all went great, he wished he did it sooner, he's come on leaps and bounds since (after having reached a plateau with the reserve grip for a few years).

Would you be as well the rip the proverbial plaster off altogether and change the 50 & 60 too?
I would have thought that the fact that you're using the reverse grip for these might hinder or delay your adjustment elsewhere.

Then again, I've a mate that plays long clubs right handed and short clubs left handed. And I am a left hander playing right handed.... Take little notice of me

Cheers AJ. There is not much shoulder extension for very short wedge shots so I'd rather just keep them reverse for now.

My short game is strong so I'm hoping to maintain that. I'm really only including shots from the edge of the green and putting. A full wedge and it'll be the new grip.

That's the plan but it may change as I go.

charlieIRL

fair play dude, best of luck.

Paranoid Android 2

Be weird at the start but I'd say you'll start releasing the club better.

Had the opposite problem a few years ago when I played hurling with a golf grip. After a bit of cajoling I changed and improved the weak side but still feels unnatural on my strong side.

Anyway good luck with it. Probably get worse before it gets better, but stick with it.

Mono25

I changed from the hurley grip two winters ago and as previously said wish I did it earlier.

I also didn't find it as bad as I expected. plenty of practise out the back garden with those plastic golf balls and what i found very helpful was a training aid grip. I got one in halpennys and they fitted it to and old 7 iron and i used to just walk around the house trying to get used to the feel of it

and yes i think you may aswell change the grip for the lob wedges aswell.

best of luck, in time you will be glad you stuck with it.......

the lawman

Mono25 wrote: »

I changed from the hurley grip two winters ago and as previously said wish I did it earlier.

I also didn't find it as bad as I expected. plenty of practise out the back garden with those plastic golf balls and what i found very helpful was a training aid grip. I got one in halpennys and they fitted it to and old 7 iron and i used to just walk around the house trying to get used to the feel of it

and yes i think you may aswell change the grip for the lob wedges aswell.

best of luck, in time you will be glad you stuck with it.......

Thanks for that.

Did your game improve markedly? If so which areas improved the most?

IanPoulter

the lawman wrote: »

Cheers for that. I'm at the point now of just swinging freely in the house (no balls) and it feels alien. Range tomorrow night and a lesson next week. Might even get a round in on Sunday.

What are currently playing off and what were you when you changed?

Stay off the Golf Course for a while is my advice. The range is the place for now. Your competitive instincts will take over on the golf course and tempt you back to what you know best. Beware !

I played P&P for years with the hurley grip but once I took up golf (12 years ago) I decided to go orthodox. Can't really remember how quickly I came to terms with it but the hurley is completely alien now.

Mono25

the lawman wrote: »

Thanks for that.

Did your game improve markedly? If so which areas improved the most?

Yes it did. The main and biggest improvement being that my drives and longer clubs were far far straighter and for the first time ever i could hit a slight draw. Could never do that when cackhanded.

Also agree with Poults with staying off the course at least not in any comps, I used to play alot with a mate who was just starting out so didn't feel so bad when I duffed shots which will happen.

One thing i noticed at the beginning aswell was that I was losing distance but that came back when I the grip etc became more natural.

Everyone one of my friends has noticed a big improvement in my game so again as frustrating as it will be I still say stick with it.

the lawman

Cheers Mono25 and IP.

The round at the weekend is just a knock about with my brother in law so it'll be all about practice. He's due a win so here's his chance!

A draw eh? A draw has been the stuff of dreams for me and my hurley hands. Here's hoping.

the lawman

So was making decent progress and enjoying the changes when it's now come to a complete stop. Felt a sharp pain in my left shoulder blade and turns out I've torn/strained my lateral rotator cuff. Gonna be out for 4 weeks!!

Can't seem to catch a break but in fairness I overdid the practice and should have eased off when I felt some discomfort.

All I can do is walk around the house gripping a club correctly but no swings.

First world problems eh.

link_2007

Ouch! I have struggled a lot with my shoulder in the past (just the left one). Thankfully some weight lifting seems to have strengthened it up a lot and I haven't had any issues in a few years now (touch wood).

It's definitely a set back but the fact you were making good progress means you shouldn't be discouraged too much.

I know it's a pain in the arse but as I said to FdP about his back injury, the important thing is to ensure that it is fully recovered before you go back swinging a club. Don't take the approach that 'it feels ok today, I'll just hit a few wedge shots'. Injuries are part and parcel of sport, albeit an annoying one. Reoccurring injuries are soul destroying though.

FixdePitchmark

the lawman wrote: »

So was making decent progress and enjoying the changes when it's now come to a complete stop. Felt a sharp pain in my left shoulder blade and turns out I've torn/strained my lateral rotator cuff. Gonna be out for 4 weeks!!

Can't seem to catch a break but in fairness I overdid the practice and should have eased off when I felt some discomfort.

All I can do is walk around the house gripping a club correctly but no swings.

First world problems eh.

Jaysus - The Lawman you have had a bad run. The laws of statisitics dictate a turn is due.

I'm still on the physio bench, very frustrating.

Yes - have learnt that the body gives you warnings - more than 100 balls is banned now. 50 to 80 and take time over every ball and have a target and aim for that swing.

the lawman

Thanks lads. Ill be smarter now for it. Not gonna lift a club until I've strengthened that muscle up. And even then take it slowly.

My main issue here has been the swinging in my house. I get into a roll and ill spend an hour just practicing. As a good friend just told me its a good time to get a rest, weather is terrible.

IanPoulter

the lawman wrote: »

So was making decent progress and enjoying the changes when it's now come to a complete stop. Felt a sharp pain in my left shoulder blade and turns out I've torn/strained my lateral rotator cuff. Gonna be out for 4 weeks!!

Can't seem to catch a break but in fairness I overdid the practice and should have eased off when I felt some discomfort.

All I can do is walk around the house gripping a club correctly but no swings.

First world problems eh.

Did you get an MRI scan? You need to know if it's torn or just strained. Rotator cuff tears often require surgery:(

Hope it recovers soon. I had shoulder surgery this time a year ago for rotator cuff impingement. 6 weeks recovery but only abot 80% successful

the lawman

IanPoulter wrote: »

Did you get an MRI scan? You need to know if it's torn or just strained. Rotator cuff tears often require surgery:(

Hope it recovers soon. I had shoulder surgery this time a year ago for rotator cuff impingement. 6 weeks recovery but only abot 80% successful

Cheers IP. I was anxious when I heard the diagnosis as you normally associate rotator cuff tears with surgery. It was explained to me though that there are 4 of these cuffs on each side and I've 'done' the smallest one and least hidden one. Apparently there is a larger cuff that runs under bone which normally needs surgery to fix.

I am booked in with the Sports Surgey Clinic in May so if not fixed by then ill see a surgeon anyway.

How is your shoulder going? Was it your left one and who did the op?

IanPoulter

the lawman wrote: »

Cheers IP. I was anxious when I heard the diagnosis as you normally associate rotator cuff tears with surgery. It was explained to me though that there are 4 of these cuffs on each side and I've 'done' the smallest one and least hidden one. Apparently there is a larger cuff that runs under bone which normally needs surgery to fix.

I am booked in with the Sports Surgey Clinic in May so if not fixed by then ill see a surgeon anyway.

How is your shoulder going? Was it your left one and who did the op?

May is a long way away. Get an appointment with a surgeon quick. Cortesone injections is the normal approach before considering surgery.

Yes it was my left shoulder. I was suffering impingement from bone spurs pinching the bursa and the rotator cuff. I couldn't raise my arm up over my head - it would only go as far as horizontal to the ground. Shea O'Flanagan was the surgeon in the Sports Surgery Clinic though I believe Hannan Mullet is the top guy for shoulders in the SSC. The op was called a "subacromial decompression" - basically scraping away calcified bone spurs.
I have pretty much full mobility but I still suffer pain in it. I'd say it's about 80% right.

If you're into gore take a look at the op on this youtube clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-KntFH8xRc

the lawman

The appointment is with Hannan alright and he's meant to be the best. My Physio tells me I'm nowhere near surgery as my movement is fine. Ill keep the appointment though and if I need answers quicker ill get an MRI through the GP.

Cheers and best of luck with the ongoing rehab (I'm sure you're still at it!)

the lawman

Just wanted to close this thread out for anyone searching some help in years to come!

I've made the change and if I discard 10 weeks of not playing due to injury then its taken about 6 weeks in total. I started this at 12.2 and I went out to 13. As of last week I'm back at 12.2 so the change is officially done.

Best decision I've ever made in golf. Biggest difference is driving and long second shots. I'm longer and straighter. Would recommend to any of the reverse grippers out there who are thinking about changing. It's not as bad as you think at all and its actually quite a lot of fun.

To end, if anyone wants to ask for some specific advice feel free to message me and ill be glad to help.

inthehole1

hi
thinking of changing over from cack handed grip after playing for last 6 years
was wondering how big of a job really is it
how has everyone got on that has changed over in last year or so
thanks

the lawman

inthehole1 wrote: »

hi
thinking of changing over from cack handed grip after playing for last 6 years
was wondering how big of a job really is it
how has everyone got on that has changed over in last year or so
thanks

To answer your first question it's NOT as big a job as you think. 6 weeks I was back playing off my handicap.

It's the best thing I've ever done in golf. With the left-hand down I was at the end of my ability and couldn't really improve much more. The correct hands allows me to improve my swing etc. What's your handicap?

You're also doing it at a good time as the qualification comps start to wind down. Make the call and don't look back. I still use my old grip for putting and greenside chips.

I'd be glad to help in any way I can but trust me its not as taunting as you think.

inthehole1

the lawman wrote: »

To answer your first question it's NOT as big a job as you think. 6 weeks I was back playing off my handicap.

It's the best thing I've ever done in golf. With the left-hand down I was at the end of my ability and couldn't really improve much more. The correct hands allows me to improve my swing etc. What's your handicap?

You're also doing it at a good time as the qualification comps start to wind down. Make the call and don't look back. I still use my old grip for putting and greenside chips.

I'd be glad to help in any way I can but trust me its not as taunting as you think.

hi
playing off 13 now with some good days and some bad ones
was expecting it to take much longer,
think i will go at it pretty soon and work at it over the winter and hopefully by next spring in will be ready to hit form:)
are you playing much better or consistant since you changed

millerj

inthehole1 wrote: »

hi
playing off 13 now with some good days and some bad ones
was expecting it to take much longer,
think i will go at it pretty soon and work at it over the winter and hopefully by next spring in will be ready to hit form:)
are you playing much better or consistant since you changed

I always played hurling with the golf grip so am probably lucky now but just thinking of three guys who I know playing with the 'hurley' grip and funnily they play off 3,5 &8. Played with the 3 handicapper recently in Fota and I really could not see a chink in his game....! would love to be able to hit the ball like him.

the lawman

inthehole1 wrote: »

hi
playing off 13 now with some good days and some bad ones
was expecting it to take much longer,
think i will go at it pretty soon and work at it over the winter and hopefully by next spring in will be ready to hit form:)
are you playing much better or consistant since you changed

The main difference is driver distance and consistent iron striking. Short game much the same really. I feel like I'm becoming a much better player. I can get tips and advice now whereas before felt I was not eligible! If that makes sense.

inthehole1

the lawman wrote: »

The main difference is driver distance and consistent iron striking. Short game much the same really. I feel like I'm becoming a much better player. I can get tips and advice now whereas before felt I was not eligible! If that makes sense.

know exactly what you mean about advice
its that consistant striking that i am hoping for
going to get onto pro at club at book the first lesson and start the process

inthehole1

millerj wrote: »

I always played hurling with the golf grip so am probably lucky now but just thinking of three guys who I know playing with the 'hurley' grip and funnily they play off 3,5 &8. Played with the 3 handicapper recently in Fota and I really could not see a chink in his game....! would love to be able to hit the ball like him.

3,5 and 8 sound serious golfers
have always been told there is very few low handicapers playing cack handed

padzer

Fair balls Lawman, job done, congrats. I'd like to think some day i will make the change.

I'm jealous.

the lawman

padzer wrote: »

Fair balls Lawman, job done, congrats. I'd like to think some day i will make the change.

I'm jealous.

Cheers padzer. You don't have to be jealous at all just make the call this winter and do it. Trust me the hardest part is actually making the call to do it.

Go for it nothing to lose but lots to gain.

ronjo

I have always played cack handed since I picked up a golf club 25 years ago. I couldn't really imagine changing.

With two small kids I wouldn't have time to practice anyway as I never go to range.

I play off 10 and I think the two things that. I am affected on are length off driver and keeping it from slicing which of course are linked.

brick tamland

the lawman wrote: »

Cheers padzer. You don't have to be jealous at all just make the call this winter and do it. Trust me the hardest part is actually making the call to do it.

Go for it nothing to lose but lots to gain.

Fair play fella. Im also in 2 minds if I should switch or not this winter. My fear as above is I wont get out enough to practice. How much did you get out hitting bslls over thise 6 weeks?

jukebox2310

Playing off 6 myself with hurling grip. Again tend to suffer from slice when things are going bad but no problems with distance from the tee.
Friend of mine has similar grip and he is off of 4 and also know of a guy playing off of 2 with it.

Friend of mine off scratch tried to get me to change but couldn't come to terms with it and gave up on it after a week. Biggest drawback to hurling grip is you really cant get any lessons as not many pros want to teach you unless you alter your grip so unless you are happy to try and learn things yourself you are probably better off changing. Personally I never will change and I'm happy enough with that.

the lawman

brick tamland wrote: »

Fair play fella. Im also in 2 minds if I should switch or not this winter. My fear as above is I wont get out enough to practice. How much did you get out hitting bslls over thise 6 weeks?

I got a lesson and probably got out to range maybe twice a week for two weeks then back for a lesson and repeat and rinse for maybe 6 weeks.

A lot of the base work as at home where I would grab a club at every single opportunity to practice the new interlock. I have a small girl so obviously just sneaking in some swings also in the house helped. As I said every spare few moments spent with a club in the hand.

It really only took a week or two and lots of swinging that the new grip was the norm. Then it was about bringing that onto the course. Much easier than I thought.

I tried the old way last week in Corballis number 12 and shanked it 20 yards!! Just felt alien.

inthehole1

jukebox2310 wrote: »

Playing off 6 myself with hurling grip. Again tend to suffer from slice when things are going bad but no problems with distance from the tee.
Friend of mine has similar grip and he is off of 4 and also know of a guy playing off of 2 with it.

Friend of mine off scratch tried to get me to change but couldn't come to terms with it and gave up on it after a week. Biggest drawback to hurling grip is you really cant get any lessons as not many pros want to teach you unless you alter your grip so unless you are happy to try and learn things yourself you are probably better off changing. Personally I never will change and I'm happy enough with that.

have def seen that myself reference getting lessons,so have given up on them.if i was playing off 4 dont think i would be worrying about changing my grip either.fair play on the handicap

bangor

If you are playing off a low number with a hurley grip, then stay there, unless you are young enough to spend few years learning a new swing. It's not just a matter of changing hands around, no it's a matter of rechanging your whole body, which is a big feat when you don't know what should be changed. The hurley swing is about the height of your hands from the ball, instead of the right hand being high for hurley it's low for golf. the difference this makes is huge. In golf your body must travel past the ball before contact, you may find this difficult with a swing change if your hurley swing is well entrenched in your mind. Until you can make that change, to hit the ball from in front and not behind, just leave it alone or you may end up with two different
swings.