TREVINOS TAPE ON LEFT THUMB
 

Yoda -

You mentioned Lee Trevino having tape over his left thumb. I also read your post on this subject "somewhere." The question is this: Was the purpose of this tape because his thumb was irritated or simply so he would have better feel with the #1 Pressure Point, whether he called it that or not.

I don't have large hands and I do have a problem putting pressure on that thumb . . . I can get it on #3, and it seems to be taking more pressure. But as hard as I push against the thumb, I can't really seem to really feel unusual pressure on it.

Thanx for your thots.

Dave

I think I remember Yoda telling me the tape was there as a reminder to keep pressure on it....

Re: TREVINOS TAPE ON LEFT THUMB
 

Hey Dave,

You may try this. My hands aren't really big either. Could never really feel PP1 strongly until I incorporated this grip change.

Check your left thumb position. Based on traditional instruction, I had a really tight "V" with thumb pressed against the part of my hand above the forefinger.

Based on advice from EC I changed the tight "V." I now have a significant GAP between the thumb and hand. This will get your thumb on the aft side of the grip. Now when you place the cup of your right hand on your newly positioned aft thumb, you'll be able to feel the PP1 pressure. It took some getting used to. But if you are trying to hit you want to really feel PP1.

The GAP is your friend.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

R

THICKER GRIPS?
 

Thanx for the posts!

I was piddling around with a training iron today . . . has a rather thick handle. But then I realized that I had a much better feel of the PP#1.

So maybe I need to go with thicker grips and I know Yoda and YodasLuke have done this as well.

Therefore . . . I probably need new GRIPS . . . and new SHAFTS, because I have gathered that it's better to err on the side of stiffness, and I've got graphite regular, which my son recommended when I started losing distance. But then I could just get a new set of irons! Maybe we'll get some good reports from Orlando on new equipment.

Dave

The tape may be there for both - feel and protection - when I switched to a 'gap' and a hitter's motion I gave my 'thumbprint' a very good workout indeed. I do not use a glove however, with cord grips.

The 'gap' approach is something you must try if you have not already done so. Study 10-2-B.

Feel your hands are 'facing' each other, as in gripping a ruler (get a ruler and try it). They should be turned slightly however, up to approx 45 degrees.

Use an overlap - but as Lynn pointed out previously - do not overlap in the 'groove', but just on 'top' of the index finger of the left hand. Combined with the 'gap', this little change really, really solidifies the wedges. You can't help but feel them, given proper extensor action.

Trevino's 'Irritated' Left Thumb
 

Is Lee Trevino taping his thumb because it is irritated?

Well, if so, all I can say is that it has been irritated for about 36 years, because that's how long I've watched him play Golf! And ever since I can remember, that Gloved Left Thumb has always been taped. Personally, I think he originally did it to prevent any possible slippage between the Glove and the Shaft, and it has long since become a habit.

Thanks for posting, Dave. Keep'em comin'!

I've heard that Trevino had a cut on his thumb and started using a bandaid on it. When the cut healed, he kept the bandaid because he liked the feel. He tried to get a sponsorship from the Bandaid company but they declined. He then switched to tape. Well, that's what I heard somewhere. I can't remember if it was from an interview with him or second hand or an old wives tale. The mind goes as we age. I think.

I seem to remember your story.......?
 

One truism,"The mind goes as we age. I think."

This is probably true. There has never been a more avid self-marketer on tour than Trevino. On the weekend preceding the 1970 PGA Championship, I went to the only indoor shopping mall in town. Inside, Trevino and his wife had set up a table. He was hitting wiffle balls down the long shop lined hallway and selling autographed pics of himself for $10.

The older I get, the better I used to be.......
 

In '70 I was hiding in the woods at Merion with the local caddies. We were next to the practice tee and watched Trevino moving the ball at will. When done, instead of walking to his courtesy cart, he walked right at us. Nabbed. Grinning, he rousted us. Fearing for our lives and more so the steely retribution of Merion, the boldest among us changed the imminent subject.

"Mr. Trevino, how can you hit the ball so many different ways?"
"With these." and he held out his hands.
"And this." He pointed to the low pad on his right index finger.
Grinning again, "Now you boys get out of here before I call your mamas."
We left skid marks.

Little did I know I had gotten the best golf lesson of my life for free. And it would take 34 years to find out how it is done properly.

Selfpromoter or not, he had the smartest hands of his generation.