How to Grip a Golf Club
Learn the basics of holding a golf club, mistakes to look out for, and where to improve your skills.
Think of your golf grip as the foundation upon which your swing is built. It's the secret to maintaining control, consistency, and the stability you need during your entire swing. Beyond keeping your wrists in check, a correct golf grip ensures your shots hit the mark straight and accurately.
Basics of Gripping a Golf Club
When it comes to golf grips, there are three primary options to consider, the overlapping, interlocking, and ten-finger grips. The overlapping grip, invented by Johnny Laidlay and popularized by Harry Vardon, is the most commonly recommended choice, however, it's a good practice to experiment with all three grip styles to identify which one complements your game the most.
Ten-Finger Grip
- Start by placing your lead hand (for right-handed golfers, it's the left hand) toward the top of the cub, on the club's grip, with the thumb pointing downward along the handle.
- Position your trailing hand (right hand for right-handed golfers) directly below your lead hand, making sure that your hands are in close proximity without overlapping.
- Remember to maintain a relaxed grip pressure for better flexibility in your swing.
Overlapping Grip
- Start with both hands in contact with the club handle, similar to the ten-finger grip.
- Lift the pinky finger of your trailing hand and rest it on the groove between the index and middle finger of your leading hand.
- Ensure that the thumb of your leading hand still points down the club handle.
- Move the trailing hand closer to the leading hand, ensuring there's no gap between them.
Interlocking Grip
- Begin with the overlapping grip.
- Shift the pinky finger of your trailing hand so that it's fully between the index and middle fingers of your leading hand.
- Now, your index finger of the leading hand should be positioned between the pinky and ring finger of the trailing hand, effectively "interlocking" the grip of both hands.
Common Golf Grip Mistakes
If you find yourself struggling to hit the ball in a consistent manner, it's crucial to examine your grip for these common mistakes:
- Holding the club too tightly: Excessive grip pressure can close the clubface at impact, potentially causing a hook.
- Holding the club too loosely: Inadequate grip pressure can open the clubface at impact, leading to a slice.
- Incorrect hand placement on the club
- Inconsistent grip pressure with each swing
- Moving your wrists too much
- Ill-fitting gloves
For more tips and ways to fine-tune your grip, check out this video on How to Properly Grip Your Golf Club. Now that you've learned the basics, head to one of our pristine golf courses to practice with each gripping style.