A proper golf grip is an essential part of your golf setup. Follow these tips for the ultimate and illustrated guide into how to hold a golf club in your hands.
Your golf grip is the only link you have with the golf club and ultimately with the golf ball. Mistakes made here will translate into bad golf shots that go or spin left or right, leaving you no chance at producing straight golf shots at the target.
First of all, there are three types of golf grips in how your hands link together. The first one is the baseball grip. When using that grip your hands are simply one atop each other on the grip, with no finger from one hand crossing over or interlinking with the other hand.
The second grip type is the overlap grip, or sometimes referred to as the Vardon grip. In this grip the small finger in your bottom hand rests on top of the other hand, in between that hand’s index and middle finger. This is the most popular type of golf grip.
The third grip type is the interlinking grip, or simply interlock grip. In this grip, the small finger in your bottom hand is curled up around the index finger from the top hand. This grip type is notable because it is used by Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, among many others.
The grip type you choose is a matter of personal preference but you are encouraged to adopt either the interlinking grip or overlap grip over the baseball grip, which is more often found in golfers that are beginning or golfers with joint issues and the like.
No matter the grip type you choose, make sure that you don’t hold the club in your top hand (left hand for a right-handed golfer) too high on the grip. When you hold the club in your hands, the end of the club should stick out slightly out from the palm of your hand. If it is not, you are probably gripping the club too high on the club.
Next you will want to make sure to position your left hand in what is referred to as a neutral grip. That means that when you hold the club in your hand, you should be able to see two knuckles when you address the ball. These knuckles are from your index and middle finger.
If you see three knuckles (index, middle and ring fingers) you have a strong grip in your left hand. If you only see one knuckle (index finger) you have a weak grip. We recommend you use a neutral grip instead, with two knuckles showing. When you do, make sure that your thumb is pressed against your index finger. In this position, the line between your thumb and your index finger will form a V, and that V should point at your right shoulder.
Next you will place your right hand below your left hand, with your right palm sitting on top of your left thumb. When you do and again for a neutral grip, the V in your right hand should point up towards your chin. If it points too far back towards your right shoulder or outward then your grip is strong. If the V points towards your left shoulder or outward then your grip is weak.
We highly encourage you to adopt a proper grip even if it feels unnatural in your hands the first few times you try to swing at the ball. Yes, modifying your grip can feel awkward at first but hitting while using an incorrect grip will rob your shots of consistency and the ball flight will tend to spin too much. Power through that uncomfortable phase and your golf game will thank you.
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