Art Wall's Batter-up Grip

Ever since the late Harry Vardon popularized it—by winning six British and one U.S. Open—golfers everywhere have believed in the overlapping grip. Even in the U.S., where small boys know instinctively how to grab a baseball bat, it was widely felt no golfer could succeed without the Vardon.

Art Wall Jr. was one player who started golfing by simply picking up a club like a pinch hitter on his way to the plate. When he turned pro, rivals couldn't believe their good luck, although two of them took pity and wised him up. Get rid of that crazy grip, they told him, you won't get anywhere with it.

Art—and it—have now gotten to the top of the golf pile, and the strongest present likelihood is that golf will soon be full of characters slashing at tee shots like a batter going after a low, outside curve. Wall doesn't feel this will hurt golf at all. He especially recommends his grip for women and men with small hands. It's more natural, less tense, requires less wrist action. The drawings on the right (baseball's Roy Sievers, top; Wall, bottom) show it isn't a true baseball grip. Wall has both thumbs on the shaft.

P.S. It's apt to promote a hook. But then, what isn't?