Expert: Chip Aki - 10/6/2005

Question
Chip,

I've always had problems with overgripping the ball and knuckling my thumb to hang on to the ball in my backswing.  I am working hard to keep my thumb straight and concentrate on feeling my thumbnail against the back of the hole on release.  Seems to work well (lost a little leverage I think) but I am feeling a lot of discomfort on the middle-right and right side of the knuckle of my thumb.

Could this be a pitch problem since I am changing my thumb positioning?

Span is 4 1/2, thumb is 1/4 reverse 1/4 away.  My fingertips aren't very flexible and I have the fingers pitched a 1/4 forward so have found the reverse in the thumb helpful with the short span.

Long question - so thanks a lot for yor time.

Answer
That seems to be a lot of away pitch with that much reverse.  I would try to work your way to zero latteral pitches.  Both of the pitches you use will get you out of the ball pretty quick.  Thay may have started your squeezing problem.

Good luck,
Chip