Learning how to hold a golf club is one of the most important steps in building a strong golf game. The way we grip the club—using interlock, overlap, or baseball style—can change our control, comfort, and swing results. Each grip offers different benefits, and choosing the right one can make our golf swings more effective and enjoyable.
Understanding these grip types helps us set up for success before we even take a swing. Whether we are new to golf or looking to improve, finding the grip that fits our hands and playing style is a simple way to boost our confidence on the course.
Key Takeaways
- Grip style affects both comfort and control with a golf club.
- Each grip type (interlock, overlap, baseball) has unique advantages.
- Improving our grip can lead to better swings and more consistent shots.
The Fundamentals of Golf Grip
A good golf grip gives us better control of the club and helps make our swings more accurate and consistent. The way we hold the club affects how well we connect with the ball and how the clubface meets the target at impact.
Why Grip Matters
The grip is our only contact with the club, so how we hold it decides if we have power and accuracy or frustration and mis-hits. A strong and stable grip keeps the clubface square at impact, which is key for straight shots.
A poor grip often leads to slices, hooks, or weak shots because the clubface opens or closes at impact. When our hands work together on the club, our swing becomes more consistent and repeatable.
Using the right grip lets us control the ball’s direction and distance. It can also reduce strain on our hands and wrists, lowering the risk of injury.
Grip Pressure and Control
Grip pressure is about how tightly we hold the club. If we squeeze too hard, our wrists and arms become tense, which limits the natural movement of our swing. A grip that is too light can cause the club to twist or slip during the swing.
The best grip pressure feels firm but relaxed. We want to grip the club strong enough so it does not move, but not so tight that our knuckles turn white. A simple way to check is to aim for holding the club like we would a tube of toothpaste—tight enough not to drop, loose enough not to squeeze anything out.
Keeping our grip pressure even during the swing is important for control, especially when our hands get sweaty or the weather changes. Consistent pressure helps maintain accuracy and gives us better distance control.
Stance, Posture, and Alignment
To get the best results from our grip, we need good stance, posture, and alignment. Our feet should be shoulder-width apart for stability. Knees should be slightly bent, and we should tilt forward from our hips to create balance.
Our spine needs to stay straight while we bend forward. This athletic posture helps us turn our shoulders during the swing. When setting up, our toes, knees, hips, and shoulders should all point in the same direction as our target to help direct the clubface.
Aligning our body and clubface with our target makes it easier to hit straight, controlled shots. If our posture and alignment are off, even a good grip cannot save the shot from going sideways.
Types of Golf Grips Explained
Golfers have three main grip styles when holding a golf club: the interlocking grip, the overlapping (Vardon) grip, and the baseball (ten-finger) grip. Each grip changes how our hands connect with the club and can affect control, comfort, and swing style.
Interlocking Grip Technique
With the interlocking grip, we link the pinky finger of our trailing hand (right hand for right-handed golfers) with the index finger of our lead hand (left hand for right-handed golfers). This grip creates a strong connection between our hands.
Many players with smaller hands or less grip strength find the interlocking grip helpful. Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus both use this technique.
To form the interlocking grip:
- Place our lead hand on the club with the thumb pointing down the shaft.
- Wrap our trailing hand around so the pinky interlocks with the lead hand’s index finger.
- Both thumbs should point straight down the shaft for a neutral grip.
This grip can help keep our hands working together during the swing. It often feels secure but may be uncomfortable for people with larger hands.
Overlapping (Vardon) Grip Technique
The overlapping or Vardon grip is one of the most common grips used in golf. Here, we rest the pinky finger of our trailing hand over the gap between our lead hand’s index and middle finger.
Many advanced golfers prefer this style because it allows flexibility and control. Players with larger hands often find it more comfortable.
To use the overlapping grip:
- Grip the club with our lead hand, wrapping fingers and placing the thumb down the shaft.
- Position our trailing hand so the pinky overlaps the space between the lead hand’s index and middle finger.
- The hands rest close together but do not interlock.
This grip works well for both a neutral grip or a strong grip. It helps us blend hand movement and power, keeping the club stable through impact.
Baseball (Ten-Finger) Grip Technique
The baseball grip has each finger touching the club, similar to how we hold a baseball bat. There is no interlocking or overlapping between the hands.
This grip is often used by beginners, juniors, and players with smaller hands or less strength. It is easy to learn and feels natural for many people.
Steps to create the baseball grip:
- Place our lead hand on the club with the thumb facing down.
- Bring our trailing hand onto the club so all ten fingers are in a row with no overlap or interlock.
- Align the hands so they work together in a straight line.
The baseball grip can help with generating power, especially for players who struggle with the other grips. However, it may lead to less control if our hands don’t move together smoothly.
Effect of Grip on Your Golf Swing
How we hold the golf club has a direct impact on ball flight, power, and the control of our shots. The way we grip the club also affects how consistent and repeatable our swings become on the course.
Influence on Ball Flight and Trajectory
The grip sets the foundation for where the club face points at impact.
If our grip is too strong (hands turned too much to the right for a right-handed player), we close the club face, often leading to a lower ball flight or even a hook. A weak grip (hands turned left), can open the club face, leading to higher shots or slices.
Each grip style—interlock, overlap, and baseball—can influence wrist hinge and natural rotation through the swing. More wrist hinge from certain grips can create extra lag, which affects launch angle and spin. Correct hand placement helps us square the club face, leading to straighter, more predictable ball flights.
Achieving Power and Distance
The way we grip the club helps us create power and maximize distance.
A secure grip allows us to maintain control during the downswing without squeezing too tightly, which leads to better club head speed. Interlock and overlap grips often give us more leverage and lag, two key factors for generating distance. The baseball grip, with all fingers on the club, may help newer or younger players who need added comfort for their swing power.
If our hands work together through the swing, we can release the club face naturally, resulting in more energy transfer to the ball. Proper grip pressure and alignment make it easier to accelerate the club through impact.
Controlling Slices and Hooks
Grip style is one of the first things we should check if we struggle with slices or hooks.
A neutral grip helps us keep the club face square to our aim line, which reduces side spin. A too-weak grip can cause us to leave the club face open, producing slices. A too-strong grip can over-rotate the face, resulting in hooks.
Small adjustments, like turning our hands slightly clockwise or counterclockwise on the handle, allow us to quickly adjust ball curve. Keeping a consistent grip also helps us better feel how the club face is moving through the hitting area.
Grip Adjustments for Swing Consistency
Consistency in grip equals consistency in our swing and results.
Using the same pressure and hand position each time allows our muscles to repeat the same motion. Switching between interlock, overlap, or baseball grips often can make it hard for our hands to remember the correct feel. We recommend practicing grip changes until new adjustments feel natural.
A steady grip helps us control club face position, aim, and timing. When our hands stay quiet and connected, it’s easier to repeat solid shots, improve accuracy, and avoid mistakes caused by last-minute grip changes. This builds trust in our swing from the tee to the green.
Improving and Practicing Your Grip
Good grip practice is essential for better ball control and swing consistency. Simple changes like correct hand placement and routine practice can lead to noticeable results on the course.
Step-by-Step Grip Setup
A proper grip starts with how we place our hands on the club. First, we hold the club in our lead hand (left for right-handed golfers), laying the handle across the fingers and not the palm. Our thumb should point slightly down the shaft.
Next, we fit the trail hand (right hand for right-handed golfers) so it wraps around the lead hand. If we use an interlock grip, we hook our pinkie from the trailing hand with the index finger from the lead hand. For the overlap grip, the pinkie rests on top of the gap between the lead hand’s index and middle fingers. For a baseball grip, all ten fingers rest on the club without linking.
We check that the V-shape between our thumbs and index fingers on both hands points towards our right shoulder (for right-handed players). Keeping grip pressure light but secure is key to avoid tension during the swing.
Address Position and Ball Placement
Correct grip isn’t enough unless we match it with a good stance and accurate ball placement. At address, our feet should be shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and our weight balanced evenly.
The ball’s position changes with the club. For a driver, the ball goes just inside our lead heel. For irons, it’s more in the middle or slightly forward. Our hands should be slightly ahead of the ball at address for most full swings, helping to control the clubface throughout the swing plane.
Setting up this way puts us in a strong position to start the backswing. It helps maintain solid contact through the downswing and follow-through.
Expert Tips from PGA Professionals
PGA professionals emphasize that our grip directly affects swing mechanics, timing, and direction. Moe Norman, a legendary ball-striker, was known for his focus on grip pressure and simple hand alignment. Top coaches often suggest using a neutral grip, as it helps us square the clubface at impact.
Many pros recommend practicing grip changes on the range before taking them to the course. It’s normal for a new grip to feel strange at first. We should check our hand position between shots, using a mirror or even taking short video clips for feedback.
When we struggle with slices or hooks, professionals often have us check our grip first before making major swing changes.
Building Muscle Memory Through Practice
Muscle memory is built with regular, focused practice. Using drills like slow-motion swings helps us keep our hands in the right spot during the backswing and downswing. Practicing our grip at home with a club, without hitting balls, allows us to get comfortable with the feel.
Grip trainers and alignment aids can help reinforce proper technique. Repeating the correct grip setup every time we pick up a club is important. We should pause at address to make sure our hands are placed right. Over time, this consistent routine makes the correct grip automatic, even under pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing the right golf grip helps us find balance, control, and comfort. Different grip styles affect how we swing the club and address the ball.
What are the differences between an interlock grip and an overlap grip?
With the interlock grip, we hook the pinky finger of our trailing hand with the index finger of our lead hand. In the overlap grip, our trailing hand’s pinky finger rests on top of the gap between the lead hand’s index and middle fingers.
The interlock grip often feels secure and connects the hands tightly. The overlap grip may feel less restrictive and often suits people with larger hands.
How do you properly execute an overlap grip in golf?
We place our lead hand on the club first. Our trailing hand then wraps around, with its pinky finger sitting on top of the space between the lead hand’s index and middle fingers.
Both thumbs should point down the shaft. We want the hands to feel like they move together as one unit.
What are some common issues encountered with an interlocking golf grip?
Some golfers find the interlock grip uncomfortable, especially if they have larger hands or stiff fingers. It can cause pinching or a cramped feeling.
It may also lead to tension in the hands, which affects swing smoothness. If the fingers overlap too much, we might lose some control.
Can you explain the reverse overlap golf grip and when to use it?
The reverse overlap grip is common in putting. We place the lead hand’s index finger on top of the trailing hand’s fingers.
This grip stabilizes wrist movement and adds control during short, delicate putts. We rarely use the reverse overlap grip for full swings.
Is the interlock or overlap grip more popular among PGA Tour players?
Both grips are used by professionals, but the overlap grip is slightly more common on the PGA Tour.
Well-known players, like Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus, prefer the interlock grip, while many others choose the overlap. The choice depends on hand size and personal comfort.
How can a beginner effectively learn the double overlap golf grip technique?
We start by putting the trailing hand’s pinky and ring fingers on top of the lead hand’s index and middle fingers.
It helps to practice without hitting a ball, focusing on comfort and keeping the grip pressure light. Working with a coach or using video guides can make it easier for beginners to master this grip.