The Short Game "Shortcut": The Weak Grip Advantage

Written By Tom Johnson

I advocate for a technical "shortcut" for shots around the green that most amateur players overlook. Watching PGA Tour greats like Jeff Sluman, I learned that an elite short game often requires a weak grip.

  • The Technique: Rotate both hands counter-clockwise into a "weak" position for bunkers and flop shots.

  • The Physics: This allows the club to naturally rotate open on the backswing and prevents it from closing and digging on the through-swing.

  • The Result: You can use the "bounce" of the club and strike the sweet spot more consistently, allowing for better distance control and the ability to hit high shots with significant backspin.

While it may feel "weird" at first, adding the weak grip into your short game arsenal is a requirement for anyone striving to be an elite player.

Here is a video of Steve Elkington from a demo at Meadow Club talking to the members about the importance of the grip to his swing and short game:

Here is a picture of Ben Hogan’s famous “Weak” grip:

Tom Johnson
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Target-Oriented Intent: The "Pressing Rewind" Process