Firm/Tight or Soft Grip? (Dante v. Snead)

Hi all 

I would like to canvass opinion on the type of grip you employ?

I'm a believer in the Joe Dante school of thought, which requires a very tight/firm grip.  The action of the golf swing should feel uncomfortable and full of tension, with the aim being to release this tension on impact with the ball.

However, a playing partner of mine is a believer in the complete opposite.  He uses a very soft/light grip.  He references the words of Sam Snead: 'You hold a golf club like you hold a new born baby bird, very gently'

I'd be interested to hear where everyone else falls within this debate?

Thanks

It has to be Sam Snead - soft grip.  I read this tip in a magazine a year or two ago, I think Monty said it was the one tip he would pass on to all amateurs.  I think he described imagining that you are holding a tube of toothpaste with the lid off in your hand.  Your grip should be light enough so that nothing would be squeezed out.

My iron play in particular showed immediate improvement after taking on this tip.  I can't recommend it highly enough, it's worth a try at least.

A light grip every time for me.

Hold the club has tight as you can then, release the pressure to light grip before commencing the back swing...

NWOT.........

I had been using a particularly firm grip, until I had a round with one of the pros at the Belfry, he gave me a few "pointers" and I now use a much lighter grip and it really seems to have helped my game. Basically on certain shots, I was gripping so tight (without really noticing) that I was tensing my wrists, which in turn led to all sorts of problems!!

Good spot Wayne!! All changed NOW, just for you!!!

I tend to grip tighter and tighter as the bad shots mount up, resulting in more and more bad shots.  When I do conciously (sorry if it's spelt incorrectly Wayne!) lighten my grip my game improves as my swing is smoother and my wrists work better. 

Capital letters to start a new sentence please..

*shouldn't""........S**

NWOT......

Back to the topic in question. I use a light grip. However it`s a baseball style grip, i.e. right hand completely below the left hand. Does anyone else use this style of grip? Ian

I use a light grip, around 4 on the grip scale (1 being lose, 10 being tight) I find gripping the club lightly stops a quick transition as you can't move too quickly....

The only efficient muscles are loose relaxed ones. How can such be induced from a tight grip?  Although I only have medium sized hands I use Lamkin Torsion Control  Tour Series oversize grips. I find larger grips more beneficial for an interlock grip, but there may be no logical reason for such. Anyway, I can now grip my clubs much more lightly with oversize grips and only very rarely suffer from head twist on impact.

When I played LD in Dallas last year several of the competitors could not keep hold of their clubs do to profuse humidity. Such should never cause a problem if these outstanding grips are used in conjunction with a glove. Otherwise use rosin powder on your hands / grips. Such is very cheap and is generally available from pro tenpin bowling shops. I found it to be excellent, but no longer need it.