Are You Holding the Club Too Softly?

Tom Kim’s Secret to Ball Striking: Grip Strength, Wrist Set, and the Power of Pivot

Tom Kim is one of the most exciting young players on the PGA Tour. A rising star in the TGL, a Netflix golf docuseries favorite, and even Scottie Scheffler’s best friend—Kim has quickly become a household name. But beyond the charisma and competitive fire, his golf swing is built differently than most tour players, and it’s a fascinating study in elite ball striking.

Want a video breakdown of the drill? Click here (it’s only 2 minutes)

Breaking Down Tom Kim’s Impact Position

If you take a look at his impact position, you’ll notice something nearly every great ball striker has in common—his body is completely cleared, shoulders are rotated open, and his lower body is fully engaged. It’s a textbook position. But how he gets there is unique.

The Grip Strength That Defies Conventional Wisdom

You’ve likely heard Ben Hogan’s famous quote about holding the club like a baby bird—light enough not to crush it, but firm enough that it doesn’t fly away. That’s great in theory, but in reality, most elite players apply far more grip strength than that advice suggests.

Tom Kim grips the club tightly—so much so that if he were holding a baby bird, well… let’s just say that bird wouldn’t make it. But this isn’t a flaw—it’s actually a key advantage in his swing.

Why? Because grip strength is critical in transition. No matter how lightly you hold the club at address, the force applied in the downswing is significant. For many amateur golfers, gripping the club too softly leads to excessive hand action, clubface inconsistency, and weak impact positions.

A Unique Wrist Set for Clubface Control

Most tour players, when their lead arm reaches parallel to the ground in the downswing, have their club set at about a 45-degree angle—creating what many refer to as “lag.”

Tom Kim? Not even close.

At the same point in his swing, his club is nearly vertical (90 degrees). That’s a much wider angle than most players, but it allows him to control the clubface primarily through his pivot, rather than relying on hand action.

This is similar to Steve Stricker’s motion—where less wrist hinge means more control, a more stable clubface, and a swing that’s repeatable under pressure.Key Takeaway for Your Practice

Why This Works—and How You Can Apply It to Your Game

Kim’s swing is built around pivot-driven ball striking. Since he doesn’t rely on excessive wrist action or a deep lag position, he uses his body to control the clubface. His hips and shoulders rotate together, allowing for a powerful and repeatable impact position.

For many amateur golfers, too much lag or excessive wrist action can lead to:

✅ Clubface inconsistency

✅ Late clubhead release (leading to weak impact)

✅ Early extension or falling back in the downswing

If you struggle with those issues, experimenting with a firmer grip and a wider wrist set could help you develop a more consistent, pivot-driven swing like Tom Kim.

Final Thoughts

Tom Kim might not have the classic lag-loaded swing of other tour pros, but his grip strength, simplified wrist action, and elite pivot mechanics make him one of the best ball strikers on tour.

Next time you practice, try experimenting with a firmer grip and a wider wrist set to see how it impacts your ability to control the clubface. It just might be the key to hitting more solid and consistent shots—just like Tom Kim.

Thanks for reading! I hope this inspires your next practice session. If you found this helpful, share it with a fellow golfer who might enjoy these tips. Have questions or ideas for future topics? Let me know—we’d love to hear from you!