Yes, you absolutely hold a golf club left-handed the same way a right-handed person holds it, just mirrored. The core principles of a good grip golf club left handed remain the same: comfort, consistency, and control. This guide will walk you through every step to build a left handed golf grip from scratch.
Why Your Golf Grip Matters So Much
The grip is the only part of your body that truly touches the club. It links you to the clubhead. A bad grip ruins a good swing fast. It sets the stage for everything that happens next in your swing. For beginners, learning the beginner left handed golf grip correctly from the start saves much frustration later.
The Grip: The Foundation of Your Swing
Think of your hands as the steering wheel for the club. If the wheel is crooked, the car goes crooked. If your grip is weak or too strong, your shots will go astray. Good players focus heavily on their grip. This is true whether you are aiming for a left hand golf swing grip or a standard right-handed one. The key is mirroring the technique.
Deciphering the Left Handed Golf Grip Technique
When you are holding a golf club right hand dominant left handed, the setup feels backward at first. But once you establish the correct hand order, it becomes natural. For a left-handed golfer, the order is the right hand on top (closer to the top of the grip) and the left hand below it.
Hand Placement Order
For a left-handed swing:
- Right Hand Placement: This hand goes on the club first, near the top. It acts as the guide.
- Left Hand Placement: This hand sits below the right hand. It powers the swing.
This setup might seem strange if you are naturally right-handed but play golf left-handed. Focus on how the clubface aligns at address. That alignment is the goal, not which hand feels more natural doing what first.
The Importance of the Right Hand (Top Hand)
The right hand controls the angle of the clubface throughout the swing. It is the primary control mechanism in a left handed golf grip technique.
- Positioning: The grip should sit across the fingers, not deep into the palm. You should see about two to three knuckles on your right hand when looking down at address.
- Pressure: The left handed golf grip pressure on this hand should be lighter than the left hand. It guides; it does not squeeze.
The Role of the Left Hand (Bottom Hand)
The left hand provides power and stability. It helps square the clubface at impact.
- Positioning: The grip should run diagonally across the palm, ending near the base of the little finger.
- Vee Formation: The “V” formed by the thumb and index finger of the left hand should point toward your chin or slightly outside your right shoulder.
Three Main Types of Left Handed Golf Grips
There are three main ways to join your hands when building your proper left handed golf grip. Choosing the right one depends on your hand size, flexibility, and swing tendencies.
1. The Interlocking Grip
This grip is famous for promoting unity between the hands. It is often favored by golfers with smaller hands, as it locks the two hands together securely.
- How to Apply (Left-Handed): The pinky finger of your lower hand (left hand) interlocks with the index finger of your upper hand (right hand). They hook together.
- Feel: Very connected and secure.
- Best For: Golfers seeking maximum control over the clubface rotation.
2. The Overlapping (Vardon) Grip
This is the most popular golf grip for left handers and right-handers alike. It allows the hands to work more independently while still maintaining a solid connection.
- How to Apply (Left-Handed): The pinky finger of your lower hand (left hand) rests in the groove between the index finger and middle finger of your upper hand (right hand). It overlaps slightly.
- Feel: Natural flow and good integration of power.
- Best For: Most average golfers; it provides a great balance of control and feel.
3. The Ten-Finger (Baseball) Grip
This grip involves simply placing the hands together, much like holding a baseball bat. All ten fingers are on the grip.
- How to Apply (Left-Handed): Place the right hand at the top, and then immediately place the left hand right underneath it, with the left hand’s index finger separated slightly (if preferred).
- Feel: Very easy for beginners to adopt initially.
- Best For: Very small hands or golfers who struggle to connect their hands in the other two methods. It is often a temporary how to grip a golf club as a left hander solution before moving to Vardon or Interlocking.
Step-by-Step Guide to the Beginner Left Handed Golf Grip
Follow these steps carefully to establish your starting point for a great swing. We will focus on the Vardon overlap as the standard starting point for the left handed golf grip technique.
Step 1: Set Down the Club
Hold the club out in front of you with your arms hanging naturally. The clubface should point straight ahead (square to your target line). This helps you see the proper relationship between your hands and the clubface before squeezing down.
Step 2: Place the Right Hand (Top Hand)
This is the guiding hand.
- Wrap your fingers around the club.
- Ensure the grip runs diagonally across the palm.
- Look at your right hand. You want to see two or three knuckles when your arm is relaxed.
- The “V” formed by your thumb and index finger should point somewhere between your chin and your right shoulder.
Step 3: Place the Left Hand (Bottom Hand)
This is the power hand.
- Bring your left hand down and place it directly under the right hand.
- If using the Overlap (Vardon): Lay your left pinky finger across the gap between the right index and middle finger.
- If using Interlock: Hook the left pinky around the right index finger.
- Ensure the grip line runs diagonally across the left palm.
- The “V” on your left hand should match the “V” on your right hand, both pointing toward your chin or right shoulder.
Step 4: Check the Pressure
This is critical for the left handed golf grip pressure. Too much pressure kills swing speed. Too little pressure leads to loss of control.
- Imagine you are squeezing an empty tube of toothpaste, not crushing it flat.
- Rate your pressure on a scale of 1 to 10, where 10 is a death grip. Aim for a 4 or 5.
- The right hand should feel slightly lighter (3 or 4) than the left hand (5 or 6). The left hand needs more stability for impact.
Step 5: Stance Check
Once gripped, stand up to your stance. Your arms should hang naturally down toward the ball. If you have to strain your arms forward or hunch your shoulders to reach the grip, the grip is likely too long or too short for you, or your hand placement is incorrect.
Adjusting Grip Strength for Different Clubs
Not every club demands the same grip pressure. Mastering the left handed golf grip pressure requires variation based on the situation.
| Club Type | Recommended Pressure (1-10 Scale) | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Driver | 4 – 5 | Needs speed; lighter pressure allows for better wrist hinge and lag. |
| Irons (Mid to Short) | 5 – 6 | Requires control and consistency for approach shots. |
| Wedges | 6 – 7 | Maximum control needed for short, delicate shots around the green. |
| Woods (Fairway) | 5 | A balance between speed and accuracy. |
If you find yourself slicing or hooking the ball repeatedly, check your left handed golf grip pressure first. Many amateur golfers grip too tightly with their trail hand (the right hand for lefties).
Diagnosing Common Left Handed Golf Grip Faults
When learning how to hold a golf club left handed, you will likely encounter problems. Here is how to spot them and fix them.
Fault 1: The Weak Grip
This is when the hands are rotated too far to the right (too far counter-clockwise around the grip when viewed from behind).
- Sign: The golfer tends to hit slices or pulls. You see too many knuckles on the right hand (four or more).
- Fix: Rotate both hands further to the right (clockwise around the grip) until only two or three right-hand knuckles show. This strengthens the grip for a left-handed swing.
Fault 2: The Strong Grip
This happens when the hands are rotated too far to the left (too far clockwise around the grip).
- Sign: The golfer tends to hit hooks or pulls. You see the back of the left hand facing the target (too many left-hand knuckles visible).
- Fix: Rotate both hands slightly to the left (counter-clockwise) until the ‘V’s point more toward your chin.
Fault 3: Hands Are Too Deep in the Palms
If the grip is too deep in the palms, you lose wrist action and feel. This is common when holding a golf club right hand dominant left handed because the player tries to use their dominant hand too much for grip strength.
- Sign: Poor clubhead speed and lack of release through impact.
- Fix: Take the club out. Focus on placing the grip across the fingers first, especially the bottom (left) hand, before closing the fingers around it.
Fault 4: Incorrect Hand Separation
If the hands are too far apart (like holding two baseball bats end-to-end) or squeezed together too tightly, you lose synchronization.
- Sign: Inconsistent contact; topping or hitting behind the ball.
- Fix: Ensure the hands work as one unit. If using Vardon, the overlap should feel natural, not forced. If using Ten-Finger, the pinky and index finger should be touching firmly.
Adapting for Different Swing Needs
As your game evolves beyond the beginner left handed golf grip, you may need slight adjustments.
For Better Distance Control (Long Irons and Fairway Woods)
You want a grip that encourages a fuller release of the clubhead. A slightly weaker grip (rotating the hands slightly more to the left/counter-clockwise) can help prevent excessive hooks and maintain a more neutral path. Keep the left handed golf grip pressure slightly lighter here (4 on the scale).
For Maximum Control (Short Game and Putting)
Short games demand precision. Here, you can afford a slightly stronger grip (rotating the hands slightly more to the right/clockwise) to shut the face down slightly if you struggle with opening the face. Pressure should increase slightly (6 or 7) to minimize unwanted wrist movement.
Dealing with Right-Hand Dominance
Many left-handed golfers learned skills using their right hand first (writing, throwing). When learning the left hand golf swing grip, this can cause the right hand (the top hand) to grip too tightly, trying to take over control.
Drill for Right-Hand Dominance Compensation:
- Take your normal left handed golf grip.
- Lift your right hand completely off the club, leaving only the left hand gripping it.
- Make slow-motion half swings (waist high to waist high).
- Focus entirely on feeling the clubhead square up using only the left hand’s action.
- Reintroduce the right hand, consciously making sure it only applies slight pressure (remember: right hand guides, left hand powers). This trains the proper hand roles in the left handed golf grip technique.
Grip Maintenance and Material Choice
The material you grip the club with significantly impacts how you must apply left handed golf grip pressure.
Grip Material Factors
- Rubber/Synthetic: The most common. They offer good feedback and moderate cushioning. They usually require a slightly firmer grip in wet conditions.
- Cord Grips: These have woven fibers embedded in them. They wick away moisture extremely well, meaning you can use lighter pressure even in the rain. They are rougher, which some golfers dislike.
- Tacky/Soft Grips: These feel sticky immediately. They are excellent for golfers who naturally have dry hands or prefer minimal left handed golf grip pressure. However, they can wear down faster.
Grip Size
If the grip is too thin, you tend to squeeze harder with your fingers to maintain control, leading to tension. If it’s too thick, you use too much palm and lose feel.
- Test: After gripping the club, you should be able to comfortably fit the tip of your index finger of your bottom hand (left hand) between your thumb pad and the top hand (right hand). If you can’t, the grip is likely too thick. If there is a large gap, it’s too thin.
Choosing the correct size is fundamental to achieving a proper left handed golf grip that maximizes feel and minimizes tension.
Practicing Grip Consistency
In golf, consistency is king. The grip must be the same every single time you address the ball. This is where drills focusing purely on the grip come into play, separate from the actual swing.
The “Wiggle Test” Drill
- Address an imaginary ball with your full left handed golf grip.
- Grip the club lightly (pressure 2/10).
- Wiggle the clubhead back and forth slightly, focusing on keeping your wrists relaxed.
- Slowly increase the left handed golf grip pressure until the clubhead stops wiggling smoothly, but before any tension sets into your forearms.
- This establishes the correct, relaxed pressure point for that specific day and club.
The “Grip, Setup, Pause” Drill
Many swing faults start before the swing even begins.
- Place your feet where you would normally stand.
- Take your left handed golf grip technique meticulously.
- Check your posture, alignment, and ball position.
- Pause for five full seconds, feeling the balance and the connection between your hands and the club.
- If anything feels wrong, regrip immediately.
- Once comfortable, swing.
Repeating this setup routine ensures you start every shot with the exact same grip. This consistency is vital for how to grip a golf club as a left hander effectively over time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Left Handed Golf Grips
Q: Do I need a different club shaft length if I play left-handed?
A: Yes, absolutely. While the grip technique is mirrored, the club itself must be designed for left-handed players, which affects the lie angle and shaft length for your height. You need clubs manufactured for lefties.
Q: If I am right-hand dominant, should I try to use a standard right-handed grip?
A: No. If you are playing left-handed, you must adopt the left-handed grip structure (right hand above left hand). Trying to force a right-handed grip pattern onto a left-handed swing setup will severely limit your power and control. Focus on mastering the left handed golf grip technique for your dominant swinging side (your left side).
Q: How often should I check my grip pressure?
A: Check your left handed golf grip pressure every time you play. Hands change throughout the day (sweat, fatigue). A quick wiggle test before every serious shot helps maintain the ideal grip setting.
Q: Is the baseball grip really okay for a permanent solution?
A: For some, yes. However, most top instructors suggest moving toward the Vardon or Interlocking grip as you advance. These grips promote better synchronicity between the hands, leading to more consistent clubface control during the swing. The Vardon overlap is the standard proper left handed golf grip for long-term improvement.
Q: What causes a “death grip” in a left-handed golfer?
A: A death grip usually happens when the golfer is tense or afraid of hitting a bad shot. For lefties, it often means the dominant right hand (the top hand) is squeezing too hard, trying to control the club when it should only be guiding. Lighten up the top hand pressure immediately.