Jason Birnbaum on The Role of Grip in Golf: A HackMotion Webinar
We say it often at HackMotion, but the grip is your only connection with the club. If the grip is incorrect, it will impact your wrist angles and, ultimately, your ability to control the clubface.
While many golfers focus on shoulder turn or hip rotation, Jason demonstrates that proper hand placement is crucial for hitting straighter, more consistent shots.
In this webinar recap, we’ll explore:
- Screening & Measurements (How Jason evaluates each student’s wrist mobility, grip strength, and hand size)
- Common Grip Categories (Weak, Neutral, Strong – why each matters for ball flight)
- Using HackMotion to Fix & Fine-Tune (Data-driven insights for shaping a grip that supports a stable clubface)
Contents
Grip Screening and Measurements
Before any technical changes, Jason conducts a quick but thorough evaluation of a golfer’s grip to fully understand their range of motion and how that impacts their ability throughout the golf swing.
Physical capabilities will play into the wrist action you can take in your golf swing.
Wrist Range of Motion
- Extension & Flexion: Can the student flex their lead wrist enough to close the clubface, or are they stuck in extension?
- Radial & Ulnar Deviation: Does the student have enough ability to hinge (radial) and unhinge (ulnar) without strain?
Forearm Rotation
- Pronation & Supination: Jason checks how much the student can rotate their forearm. Limited pronation/supination can affect how they square the face.
Grip Strength Test
- Using a hand dynamometer, Jason measures a golfer’s grip strength. If players lack grip strength, a stronger grip placement with the club more in the fingers will help square the face without excessive wrist action.
Hand Size & Grip Size
- Small Hands: Often force the handle up into the palm, limiting wrist mobility. These players typically need thinner grips to wrap more fingers around the club and create more mobility in their hands.
- Large Hands: Can more easily adopt a stronger, finger-based hold. They may benefit from thicker grips if they’re over-rotating (hooking).
Weak, Neutral, and Strong Grip Categories
Once Jason determines a student’s physical profile, he classifies their grip as weak, neutral, or strong. Each category has distinct effects on wrist mechanics and clubface control.
Weak Grip
- Characteristics: The club sits high in the palm with fewer knuckles visible on the lead hand.
- Typical Miss: Tends to open the face (slice).
- Why It’s Tricky: There is a limited range of motion in the wrists, making it tough to square the club at impact without extreme manipulation.
Neutral Grip
- Characteristics: The club crosses the lifeline from the base of the pinky to the index finger; 1–2 knuckles are visible.
- Ideal For: Balanced wrist hinge and easier movement into flexion/extension.
- Consistency: One of the best grips for helping golfers create a repeatable release position.
Strong Grip
- Characteristics: More knuckles are visible on the lead hand, and the handle sits deeper in the fingers.
- Benefits: It makes it easier to move into flexion in transition (closing the face sooner), reducing slices.
- Caution: Overdoing it can lead to hooks or pulls if combined with poor face/path control.
Using HackMotion to Fix Grip Issues
Once a student’s grip is established, the HackMotion can provide real-time feedback on wrist angles and grip consistency.
Most importantly, small grip tweaks can be analyzed using the data from HackMotion on extension and flexion numbers. This process eliminates guesswork and improves the learning process.
Real-World Example: Jessica’s Setup Fix
In this webinar, Jason also goes through the process he did with Jessica a top student of his who was struggling with a weak grip that caused too much extension in the lead wrist at impact. She was measuring nearly 22 degrees of extension at impact.
Jason made the following adjustments:
- Stronger Grip – Moved the club more into the fingers, showing 2+ knuckles.
- Ball Position – Shifted it slightly back, ensuring the handle wasn’t lagging behind.
- Slight Forward Shaft Lean – Helped reduce extension at address.
The results showed that Jessica moved to about 8 degrees of extension at impact, and she noticed a straighter shot and better overall compression.
Final Thoughts
From TPI-style screenings to HackMotion data, Jason Birnbaum shows how a well-fitted grip sets the stage for proper wrist mechanics.
It’s important to remember that the physical characteristics of golfers will determine some of their ability when it comes to wrist action in the golf swing.
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