I really like how Rick Shiels explains strong, weak and neutral grips in this video. And while he's right that a neutral grip can be a good way to straighten out your shot shape, there's a bit more to the story.
First of all, note that Rick's neutral grip isn't where your palms are clapped together like you're praying. Rather, each hand is turned so the palm faces down slightly. This is a truly neutral grip and it can help straighten out shots...
That is, depending on the rest of your swing.
For example, if you tend to get into more of a reverse-C finish position, there's a good chance your neutral grip will create a push or a slice. Or if you lean too much toward the target at impact, it will likely cause a pull or hook. Why?
Because a neutral grip assumes that your upper body stays mostly centered over the ball, not leaning backward or forward at impact, and your shoulder line is parallel to your aimline. When you lean one way or the other, you change where your shoulders point at impact, and that changes where the clubface is pointing.
Just bear in mind that the grip you decide to use depends in part on how your body moves during your swing. There's always some experimentation involved when choosing a grip, and that's why most instructors who prefer a certain grip also tend to prefer a certain swing method. And that's why almost none of the top pros use the same grip, as the Golf Digest article I linked to in this post pointed out.
So if one of your goals for 2021 involves a grip change, make sure you find a grip that complements your swing. Because ultimately it's not about the perfect grip, it's just about knowing where the clubface is pointed at impact.
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