Quick answer: Tense forearms and no fluid wrist hinge on the way back; the wrist set shows up late or not at all and the tempo shortens.
What it does to the ball
Loss of clubhead speed and of the natural release: shorter ball, wider dispersion and pushes to the right.
Root causes (by frequency)
Competitive tension or the urge to hit hard
A poorly placed grip that forces you to squeeze just to hold the club
How to fix it
Constant pressure of 4 out of 10: hold the club like a bird — firm enough that it can't escape, soft enough not to hurt it
Drills that fix it
Penick's bird · 10 min · 15 reps
Calibrate a constant grip pressure of 4 out of 10 Hold the club as if it were a bird: firm enough that it can't escape, soft enough not to hurt it. Make practice swings feeling soft forearms. Hit balls keeping the same pressure from address to finish; if the grip tightens at the top, start over.
Frequently asked questions
What is "Excessive grip pressure" in the golf swing?
Tense forearms and no fluid wrist hinge on the way back; the wrist set shows up late or not at all and the tempo shortens.
What does excessive grip pressure do to the ball?
Loss of clubhead speed and of the natural release: shorter ball, wider dispersion and pushes to the right.
How do you fix excessive grip pressure?
Constant pressure of 4 out of 10: hold the club like a bird — firm enough that it can't escape, soft enough not to hurt it