Mark Solomon from Golf Made Simple reveals that excessive grip pressure is rarely a hand issue, but rather a symptom of shallow breathing and internal tension. He argues that traditional tips like 'holding a bird' are unrealistic, instead advocating for deep belly breathing during the pre-shot routine to maintain calmness. By mastering breath control, golfers can prevent the physical tightness that restricts swing freedom and ruins consistency.
Your hands and arms are merely messengers; tension actually starts with your breathing and internal state.
Traditional grip pressure analogies like 'holding a tube of toothpaste' are often ineffective during the high-speed motion of a swing.
Shallow breathing leads to shorter movements and tighter muscles, which directly impacts clubhead speed and path.
Practice deep belly breathing: inhale through the nose to expand the stomach, then compress the stomach to exhale.
Incorporate breathing into your pre-shot routine while standing behind the ball to reset your nervous system before hitting.
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