Under Pressure

Many of the players I coach ask me, "what is an important part of the golf swing that I can make some simple adjustments and improve the swing I already have." One area to raise your awareness and positively effect your swing is the grip. The first thing that I might tell them is to stop referring to it as a grip but rather a hold. Don't grip the golf club, hold it in your hands. The pressure you apply to the golf club can effect club face angle, plane of the club, angle of the shaft at impact, and probably most drastically the speed of the club. The next time you go out to play, observe the pressure you apply to the club at address and observe the pressure you apply during the swing. Does it change, are you aware of the changes, and are you aware of where the changes take place in the swing (top of the swing, at impact, on the forward swing)? I have observed that if you raise your awareness of grip pressure consistency is not far behind.