What is the right golf grip? The right golf grip is the one that feels natural, lets you swing freely, and helps you hit the ball straight. Picking the right grip is key to better golf. This guide will help you choose the perfect grip for your game. We will look at different golf grip types, sizes, and how to place your hands correctly.
The Foundation: Why Your Grip Matters Most
Your grip is the only part of your body that touches the club during the swing. It connects you to the club. A bad grip makes good swings hard. A good grip makes good swings feel easy. Think of it as your car’s steering wheel. If the wheel is wrong, driving well is tough.
A solid grip helps you control the clubface. This control matters most at impact. It affects your shot direction and distance. Mastering golf grip fundamentals sets you up for success.
Deciphering Golf Grip Types: Finding Your Style
There are three main ways to put your hands together on the club. These golf grip types matter for wrist action during the swing. Most golfers use one of these three styles.
Interlocking vs Overlapping Grip: The Main Choices
Choosing between the interlocking and overlapping styles is often personal. Both work well for many players.
The Interlocking Grip
This style means you link your pinky finger of your lower hand with the index finger of your upper hand. Jack Nicklaus famously used this grip.
- How it feels: It puts the hands closer together.
- Pros: It can feel very secure. It often promotes a slightly weaker grip naturally. This helps prevent the dreaded “over-the-top” slice.
- Cons: Some golfers find it restricts wrist movement slightly. It might feel awkward at first, especially for those with large hands.
The Overlapping Grip (or Vardon Grip)
This is the most common style used by pros. You lay the pinky finger of your lower hand over the gap between the index finger and middle finger of your top hand. Harry Vardon popularized it.
- How it feels: It joins the hands smoothly.
- Pros: It allows for very natural wrist hinge and release. It offers excellent feel for many players.
- Cons: If held too tightly, it can reduce hand synchronization.
The Ten-Finger Golf Grip (or Baseball Grip)
This grip uses all ten fingers on the club. It is very common for beginners.
- How it feels: It feels like holding a baseball bat.
- Pros: It is easy to adopt immediately. It keeps the hands connected firmly. This is often the best golf grip for beginners.
- Cons: It can make the hands feel disconnected during the swing. It sometimes makes it hard to square the clubface at impact. Many advanced players switch away from this grip later.
| Grip Type | Key Feature | Common User | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interlocking | Pinky and index finger linked | Players needing stability | Stronger wrists |
| Overlapping (Vardon) | Lower pinky rests on top | Majority of Tour Players | Natural feel and wrist action |
| Ten-Finger (Baseball) | All fingers touching | Juniors and New Players | Immediate connection |
Achieving the Neutral Golf Grip Placement
No matter which style you choose, the placement of your hands matters a lot. We aim for a neutral golf grip. A neutral grip lets your wrists work naturally to control the clubface.
Steps for Proper Golf Grip Placement
Follow these steps to check how to hold a golf club correctly:
- Setup Position: Stand in your normal address posture.
- Top Hand First (Lead Hand): Hold the club diagonally across the fingers of your lead hand (left hand for a right-handed golfer). The grip should run from the base of your index finger up to the first crease of your thumb.
- The Lifeline Check: When you place your lead thumb down, it should cover only about half of the thumb pad. You should see two or three knuckles on your lead hand. This is often called the “two-knuckle view.”
- Lower Hand Placement: Now, bring your trail hand (right hand for a righty) up. Place it so the lifeline of your trail hand covers your lead thumb. The ‘V’ shape formed by your thumb and index finger on the trail hand should point toward your right shoulder (or slightly inside it).
- Joining Hands: Connect your hands using your chosen grip type (interlocking, overlapping, or ten-finger).
- Final Check: Check the ‘V’ shapes made by both hands. Both ‘V’s should point roughly toward your chin or right shoulder. This indicates a generally neutral setup.
A good neutral grip supports a square clubface at impact. If your grip is too strong (too many knuckles showing), you might hook the ball. If it is too weak (not enough knuckles showing), you might slice it.
Determining the Right Golf Grip Size
Choosing the correct size is crucial. If the grip is too large or too small, your hands have to work harder. This often leads to tension and poor release. This is where a golf grip size guide becomes helpful.
Why Size Matters
- Grip Too Small: You tend to squeeze the club too hard to keep control. This causes tension in the forearms and shoulders. It often leads to a closed clubface and pulls or hooks.
- Grip Too Large: You cannot get your fingers fully around the grip. This makes it hard to activate your wrists properly. You might lose feel and struggle to square the face, leading to pushes or slices.
How to Measure for Grip Size
Grip size is mostly determined by the size of your hands and your finger length.
- Measure Your Hand Length: Measure from the tip of your middle finger down to the crease in your palm (where your palm meets your wrist).
- Compare to a Guide: Use the measurements below as a starting point. Most retail grips offer standard, midsize, and oversize options. Junior grips are smaller still.
| Hand Measurement (Inches) | Recommended Grip Size |
|---|---|
| Under 7.25 inches | Undersize (or Ladies) |
| 7.25 to 8.5 inches | Standard |
| 8.5 to 9.5 inches | Midsize |
| Over 9.5 inches | Oversize (Jumbo) |
A Note on Feel: While charts offer a good baseline, personal feel is king. Some players prefer a slightly larger grip even if their measurement suggests standard. Always test how the grip feels in your hands.
Correcting Common Grip Issues
Many golfers adopt bad habits over time. Fixing these issues is essential for improvement.
Fixing a Weak Grip
A weak grip means the lead hand is turned too far to the left (for righties). The ‘V’ points too far left.
- The Fix: Rotate your lead hand clockwise (to the right) on the club until you can see two or three knuckles when you look down at address. This strengthens the grip slightly.
Fixing a Strong Grip
A strong grip means the lead hand is turned too far to the right. You might see four or more knuckles.
- The Fix: Rotate your lead hand counter-clockwise (to the left) until you see only two knuckles looking down. This weakens the grip slightly and allows for better release.
The Critical Element: Golf Grip Pressure
It’s not just how you hold it, but how hard you hold it. Golf grip pressure is a common fault. Beginners often grip too tightly.
The Pressure Scale
Think of grip pressure on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is barely holding on, and 10 is squeezing as hard as possible.
- The Ideal Range: Most instructors suggest a pressure of 4 or 5 out of 10.
- Why Less is More: Too much pressure restricts blood flow. It tenses your forearms, shoulders, and upper back. This tension kills clubhead speed and makes fine control impossible.
Simple Pressure Checks
- The Squeeze Test: At address, squeeze the club like you are trying to crush a tube of toothpaste from the middle. That’s a 10. Now, relax that grip until it feels light but secure. Aim for that light feeling.
- The Waggle Test: If you can waggle the club freely without fear of dropping it, your pressure is likely good. If the club feels stiff or locked in your hands when you waggle, you are squeezing too hard.
Special Considerations for Different Skill Levels
The ideal grip often changes as your game evolves.
Best Golf Grip for Beginners
For those new to the game, comfort and connection are the priorities. The ten-finger golf grip is often the starting point. It ensures the hands work together immediately. Once the basic swing motion is established, transitioning to a Vardon or Interlocking grip can happen later. Focus less on perfect knuckle counts initially, and more on maintaining a relaxed hold.
Advancing Your Grip
As players develop speed and technique, they refine their grip to maximize power transfer. Many advanced players move toward a slightly stronger grip to manage ball flight, especially if they tend to slice. However, this adjustment must be made carefully so it doesn’t lead to excessive hooks.
Grip Maintenance and Material Choices
The grip material wears out faster than any other club part. It is essential to replace grips regularly.
Common Grip Materials
| Material | Feel/Characteristics | Durability | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rubber | Traditional, reliable feel | Good | All-weather play |
| Synthetic (Polymer) | Softer, more cushioning | Moderate | Players seeking comfort |
| Cord | Rough, highly textured | Excellent | Wet conditions, high swing speed |
Cord grips blend natural rubber with cotton fibers woven throughout. This texture wicks away moisture very effectively. They feel rougher but offer superior non-slip performance in the rain.
When to Replace Your Grips
You should change your grips every 12 to 18 months, or sooner if you play often.
- Check for Hardening: If the rubber feels slick or hard rather than tacky, it needs replacing.
- Check for Wear: Look for smooth spots where your fingers rub most often.
- Check for Slippage: If your hands slip in damp conditions, replace them immediately.
Finalizing Your Grip Selection
Choosing the perfect grip is a process of trial and adjustment, not a single decision.
Step-by-Step Selection Process
- Start Neutral: Use the knuckle count method described above to find a neutral golf grip.
- Choose Your Style: Try the interlocking, overlapping, and ten-finger grips. Spend a session or two with each. Which one lets your wrists feel the most free?
- Check the Size: Confirm the size using your hand measurement, then test it for comfort. Does it encourage you to relax your hands?
- Tune the Pressure: Focus intently on keeping your grip pressure low (4 or 5 out of 10) during practice.
- Commit and Practice: Once you select a style and size that feels good, commit to it for a while. Muscle memory needs time to build around the new feel.
Remember, even a slight adjustment in proper golf grip placement can dramatically change your ball flight. If you struggle consistently, consulting a PGA professional for a fitting is the best investment you can make. They can analyze your swing faults and recommend the perfect setup for your physique and swing style.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Golf Grips
Q: How often should I check my grip pressure?
A: You should check your golf grip pressure every single time you address the ball, especially when starting your practice session. Tension creeps in easily during the swing.
Q: Can I use different grips on different clubs (e.g., driver vs. irons)?
A: Yes, some players use slightly different sizes or feels. Often, the driver uses a slightly larger grip to encourage a more stable, less active wrist release, while irons might be standard size. However, consistency across all clubs is usually recommended for easier feel transfer.
Q: Does gender affect which grip size I need?
A: Yes. Generally, women and juniors have smaller hands and require Undersize or Ladies grips. Men often use Standard or Midsize. Always defer to your hand measurement over gender generalizations when using the golf grip size guide.
Q: Is the interlocking grip better for high handicappers?
A: Not necessarily. While it promotes stability, many high handicappers suffer from tension, which the interlocking grip can sometimes make worse if they squeeze too hard. A slightly larger, standard grip with low pressure might be better to encourage relaxation, regardless of the grip style.
Q: What is the main benefit of a standard overlapping grip?
A: The main benefit is that it allows the hands to work together most efficiently through impact, promoting a natural release of the clubhead. It is the preferred method for consistency among touring professionals.