The proper golf grip is the main way you connect to the golf club. It sets up your whole swing. A good grip helps you hit the ball straight and far. Many great players say the grip is the most vital part of your swing.
Why Your Golf Grip Matters So Much
Your hands are the only things touching the club. They control the clubface through impact. A bad grip makes it hard to swing well. It leads to slices or hooks. A good grip helps you control power and direction. Think of your hands as the engine of your golf swing.
The Grip Sets Up the Clubface
The way your hands sit on the club affects the clubface angle. If your hands are too open at address, the clubface aims right (for a right-handed player). This often causes a slice. If your hands are too closed, the clubface points left. This can cause a hook. Getting the grip right helps you square the clubface at impact easily.
Grip Consistency is Key
If you change your grip often, your swing will be shaky. A consistent grip means a consistent swing. Once you find a grip that works, stick with it. Practice it until it feels natural.
Finding the Right Size Grip
Before looking at golf grip techniques, you need the right size grip. A grip that is too small forces you to squeeze hard. This tight grip restricts your wrists. A grip that is too big makes it hard to close the clubface.
How to Check Your Grip Size
There are simple ways to check if your grip is the right fit.
- The Index Finger Test: Hold the club in your lead hand (left hand for righties). Your index finger should rest lightly against the middle finger of the same hand. If there is a large gap, the grip might be too big. If your fingers press too hard into the palm, it might be too small.
- Visual Check: Look down at your hands at address. If the grip looks too bulky, it may be too large.
If your grips are worn or the wrong size, get them changed. This is a cheap fix with big rewards.
The Three Main Golf Grip Techniques
There are three main ways golfers hold the club. Most tour pros use one of these three golf grip techniques. You need to pick the one that fits your hand size and wrist action best.
1. The Interlocking Golf Grip
This method is popular with players who have smaller hands. It uses both hands to lock together.
- How it Works: The pinky finger of your trail hand (right hand for righties) wraps around and interlocks with the index finger of your lead hand (left hand).
- Pros: It keeps the hands working together more closely. It can help keep the lead wrist strong.
- Cons: It can feel unnatural at first. It might restrict wrist movement for some players.
2. The Overlapping Golf Grip (Vardon Grip)
This is the most common grip on tour. Many top players use this style.
- How it Works: The pinky finger of your trail hand rests on top of, or overlaps slightly into, the groove between the index and middle fingers of your lead hand.
- Pros: It connects the hands well while allowing good wrist hinge. It feels natural for many average golfers.
- Cons: If you overlap too much, it can weaken the connection between the hands.
3. The Ten-Finger Golf Grip (Baseball Grip)
This grip uses all ten fingers on the club.
- How it Works: Both hands are placed on the grip like holding a baseball bat. There is no overlap or interlock. The hands sit right next to each other.
- Pros: It feels very natural, especially for beginners or those with very large hands. It creates a strong, unified feel.
- Cons: It can make the hands feel disconnected. It might lead to too much hand action in the swing.
| Grip Type | Hand Connection | Best For | Common Issue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interlocking | Pinky hooks index finger | Smaller hands | Restrictive feel |
| Overlapping | Pinky rests on top of lead hand groove | Most golfers | Potential weak connection |
| Ten-Finger | Hands touch directly | Beginners, large hands | Less hand unity |
Building Your Grip: Step-by-Step Instruction
Learning the proper golf grip takes time. Follow these steps carefully for a right-handed golfer. (Reverse the lead/trail hand roles for left-handed players).
The Left-Hand Golf Grip (Lead Hand)
This is the control hand. It sets the relationship between your arm and the clubface.
- Place the Club: Hold the club across your fingers, not deep in your palm. The handle should run diagonally across your fingers, moving up toward the base of your index finger.
- Close the Hand: Close your fingers around the club. The grip should sit more in the pads of your fingers.
- Check the Wrinkle: When you look down, you should see about two to three knuckles on your left hand. This forms a slight “V” shape with your thumb and index finger. This “V” should point toward your right shoulder. This is key for a good left-hand golf grip.
The Right-Hand Golf Grip (Trail Hand)
This hand provides stability and power. It dictates how the clubface closes.
- Positioning: Place your right hand below your left hand on the grip.
- Connecting: Depending on your chosen technique, either interlock the pinky with the left index finger, or let the right pinky rest over the left index/middle finger groove (overlapping).
- The Grip Pressure: Your right hand should cover most of your left thumb when you look down. The “V” formed by your right thumb and index finger should point toward your chin or slightly right of your chin.
Final Grip Check: Pressure and Comfort
Once both hands are on, check the pressure.
- Pressure Scale (1 to 10): Aim for a pressure of about 4 or 5 out of 10. If 10 is squeezing as hard as you can, 4 or 5 is firm but relaxed.
- Feel the Balance: The grip should feel secure, but your forearms and wrists should remain relaxed. Squeezing too hard kills clubhead speed.
Deciphering Grip Strength: Neutral, Weak, or Strong
The final check on your proper golf grip involves judging its strength relative to the target line. This affects how the clubface rotates during the swing.
The Neutral Golf Grip
A neutral grip is the starting point for most golfers. It allows for natural release and control.
- Feature: When looking down at your lead hand (left hand), you can see two or three knuckles.
- Result: This position naturally promotes a square clubface through impact. It offers a great balance of control and release.
The Weak Golf Grip
A weak grip means the hands are rotated slightly toward the target at address.
- Feature: You can see four or more knuckles on your lead hand. The “V” points more toward your left ear or outside your right shoulder.
- Result: This position encourages the clubface to stay open or fade through impact. It is sometimes used by players who naturally hook the ball.
The Strong Golf Grip
A strong grip means the hands are turned away from the target at address.
- Feature: You can see only one knuckle, or none, on your lead hand. The “V” points strongly toward your right ear or even behind your head.
- Result: This position encourages the clubface to close quickly through impact, often leading to hooks or pulls. It can be beneficial for players who struggle with an open clubface or have limited wrist mobility.
Table: Grip Strength Impact
| Grip Style | Lead Hand Knuckles Visible | Hand Turn Direction | Typical Ball Flight Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weak | 3 or more | Away from target | Fade or Slice |
| Neutral | 2 to 3 | Square to target | Straight shot |
| Strong | 0 to 1 | Toward target | Draw or Hook |
Fixing Common Grip Flaws
Many golfers adopt bad grips without knowing it. Here are ways to spot and correct them.
Flaw 1: Grip Too Deep in the Palms
If the club handle sits deep across the palm of your lead hand, you lose finger dexterity. This restricts wrist hinge and makes it hard to square the face.
- Fix: Re-grip, focusing on placing the handle more diagonally across the fingers. You want the connection point between your thumb and index finger to sit roughly above the clubhead.
Flaw 2: Death Grip (Too Much Tension)
Squeezing too hard locks up your forearms and shoulders. This stops the smooth transfer of speed through impact.
- Fix: Practice swinging easy three-quarter shots while humming. If you can’t hum comfortably, you are squeezing too hard. Focus on lightness in the grip.
Flaw 3: Incorrect Right-Hand Golf Grip Placement
If the right-hand golf grip covers too much of the left thumb, the hands work against each other.
- Fix: Ensure that when you look down, you can still see a small portion of your left thumb running down the grip. The right hand should mainly support and guide the left hand’s position.
Adjusting Your Grip for Different Clubs
While the basic method stays the same, slight tweaks are needed for different clubs. These minor changes maximize efficiency for irons versus woods.
Gripping Irons (Short to Mid-Range)
For irons, you need control and accuracy. A neutral golf grip usually works best. Focus on making sure both hands feel securely connected. Since the swing arc is steeper, consistent pressure is vital.
Gripping Woods and Driver
The driver requires maximum speed and a sweeping motion. Some players favor a slightly strong golf grip with the driver. This helps ensure the clubface stays closed through the longer arc, preventing an early release or slice. However, keep the pressure light for maximum speed generation.
Gripping Wedges and Putter
- Wedges: You might use a slightly weaker grip on short wedges (like a flop shot) to intentionally keep the face open. For full shots, stay neutral.
- Putter: The putting grip is unique. Many golfers use heavier grips or specialized styles (like the claw or cross-handed). The key here is minimizing wrist movement, so the grip is often thicker and held more firmly, though still relaxed.
Comprehending Grip Changes for Different Ball Flights
If you are struggling with a specific shot shape, adjusting your grip can offer an immediate, though sometimes temporary, fix.
If You Slice (Ball curves right for a righty)
A slice happens when the clubface is open at impact relative to the swing path.
- Strengthen the Grip: Try turning both hands slightly to the right (stronger position). Check to see more knuckles on your lead hand.
- Goal: This encourages the clubface to rotate and square up through impact.
If You Hook (Ball curves left for a righty)
A hook happens when the clubface is too closed at impact.
- Weaken the Grip: Try turning both hands slightly to the left (weaker position). Check to see fewer knuckles on your lead hand.
- Goal: This keeps the face slightly more open at impact, preventing over-rotation.
It is important to remember that grip changes should complement, not replace, swing adjustments. Relying solely on a strong or weak golf grip to fix a swing fault can mask deeper issues.
Practicing Your Grip: Drills for Muscle Memory
Your grip needs to become muscle memory. It should happen automatically when you stand over the ball.
The “Takeaway Check” Drill
- Set up to the ball using your chosen proper golf grip.
- Take the club back slowly, just a few feet (the takeaway).
- Stop and check your left wrist position. It should remain flat or slightly bowed (cupped is bad).
- If your left wrist is cupped, your grip might be too weak, or you are rolling the club open too early.
The “Grip Pressure Feel” Drill
- Hold the club. Squeeze to a 10/10 pressure. Feel how tight your forearm muscles are.
- Relax the squeeze down to a 4/10 pressure. Notice how your forearms soften.
- Take easy half swings. Focus on maintaining that 4/10 pressure throughout the swing. If the pressure spikes at the top or just before impact, you are gripping too hard.
The “Grip Swap” Drill
This drill helps you feel the individual roles of the left-hand golf grip and right-hand golf grip.
- Hold the club with only your left hand (lead hand). Make some light swings. Feel the control.
- Hold the club with only your right hand (trail hand). Feel how much power it provides, but also how much control you lose.
- Bring both hands together using your preferred technique (overlapping golf grip or interlocking golf grip). The goal is to have the control of the left hand combined with the power potential of the right hand.
Golf Grip FAQs
What is the easiest golf grip for a beginner?
The ten-finger golf grip is often the easiest for beginners to adopt immediately because it feels natural, like holding a bat. However, the overlapping golf grip is generally recommended long-term as it promotes better connection and wrist action needed for consistency.
Can I change my golf grip if I have used the same one for years?
Yes, you can change your grip, but it requires patience. Changing a fundamental habit like the grip takes significant practice. Expect a temporary loss of distance and accuracy when implementing a new grip style, such as switching to an interlocking golf grip if you previously used a ten-finger style. Dedicate practice time solely to grip drills for several weeks before expecting results during a round.
Should my hands be in the palms or the fingers?
The grip should sit primarily across the fingers of your lead hand, moving toward the pads beneath the fingers. If the handle sits too deep in the palm, you lose leverage and dexterity. A slight curve in the fingers is necessary to hold the club securely without tension.
What is the difference between a neutral golf grip and a strong golf grip?
The difference lies in how far the hands are rotated around the club. A neutral golf grip shows two to three knuckles on the lead hand. A strong golf grip shows one or zero knuckles, meaning the hands are turned more to the right (for right-handers), encouraging the face to close faster.
Does grip hand pressure change depending on the club?
Generally, the pressure level (out of 10) should remain similar (around 4-5) across most clubs for consistency. However, slightly lighter pressure can be used with the driver to maximize speed, while slightly firmer pressure might be used with short wedges for maximum control and less wrist movement.
Is the cross-handed grip the same as the ten-finger golf grip?
No. The cross-handed (or left-hand low) grip involves placing the right hand below the left hand, but the lead hand (the top hand) is also reversed (a right-hander uses their right hand on top). The ten-finger golf grip has both hands oriented normally but stacked directly against each other.