Holding a golf club correctly is essential for good swing mechanics and consistent ball striking. There are many different ways to hold a golf club, but the most common and effective way is the overlapping grip.
Which gripping technique should I choose?
There are 3 basic ways of holding a golf club, however, a beginner should choose the 10-finger grip
The 10-finger grip (also called the touch typing grip or standard grip) is generally recommended for beginners learning to type. This grip involves placing the fingers on the home row keys (ASDF for the left hand and JKL; for the right hand) with the fingers slightly curved so that the tips of the fingers can press down on the keys.
The other two grips you mentioned, the overlapping and interlocking grips, are variations of the 10-finger grip that are typically used by experienced typists to increase typing speed and accuracy.
Step-by-step guide on how to properly hold a golf club
Using the 10-finger grip:
- Start by standing in your golf stance with the club head on the ground and the shaft pointing up.
- Place your left hand (for right-handed players) on the grip with the palm facing down and the fingers wrapped around the club.
- Place your right hand (for right-handed players) on the grip with the palm facing down and the fingers wrapped around the club. Your right thumb should be on top of the shaft, not along the side.
- Place your left index finger on top of the right thumb.
- Place your right index finger on top of the left thumb.
- Keep your left index and right index finger together, they should be touching.
- Your other fingers should wrap around the grip, but not so tight they are gripping it hard.
- Your hands should be positioned symmetrically on the grip.
- Adjust your grip pressure to be firm but not too tight. You should be able to move the club in your hands without much resistance.
- Keep the knuckles of your left hand facing you and the knuckles of your right hand facing the ground.
Using the overlapping grip:
- Start by standing in your golf stance with the club head on the ground and the shaft pointing up.
- Place your left hand (for right-handed players) on the grip with the palm facing down and the fingers wrapped around the club. Your thumb should be pointing down the shaft, toward the clubhead.
- Place your right hand (for right-handed players) on the grip with the palm facing up and the fingers wrapped around the club. The little finger of your right hand should rest on top of the index finger of your left hand.
- Adjust your grip pressure to be firm but not too tight. You should be able to move the club in your hands without much resistance.
Using the Interlocking Grip:
- Start by standing in your golf stance with the club head on the ground and the shaft pointing up.
- Place your left hand (for right-handed players) on the grip with the palm facing down and the fingers wrapped around the club. Your left thumb should be pointing down the shaft, toward the clubhead.
- Place your right hand (for right-handed players) on the grip with the palm facing up and the fingers wrapped around the club. The little finger of your right hand should interlock with the index finger of your left hand, forming a “V” shape.
- Keep your left thumb and right little finger touching, that’s where the name interlocking comes from.
- Make sure that your hands are positioned correctly on the club, with your left thumb pointing down the shaft and your right little finger interlocked with the left index finger.
- Your left hand should be positioned closer to the shaft to help control the clubface, while your right hand should be positioned farther down the club to help generate power.
- Adjust your grip pressure to be firm but not too tight. You should be able to move the club in your hands without much resistance.
- Make sure that the knuckles on your left hand are facing you, and the knuckles on your right hand facing the ground.
Key points to keep in mind when holding the club:
- Make sure that your hands are positioned correctly on the club, with your left thumb pointing down the shaft and your right little finger resting on top of your left index finger.
- Your left hand should be positioned closer to the shaft to help control the clubface, while your right hand should be positioned farther down the club to help generate power.
- Keep your grip pressure firm but not too tight. A good way to check this is to hold the club lightly and then try to move it back and forth in your hands. If it moves too easily, your grip is too loose; if it doesn’t move at all, your grip is too tight.
- Remember that, holding a golf club is the foundation for a good swing and proper ball striking, so it’s important to practice and perfect your grip. Also, the grip that works for one player may not work for another, so it’s always good to experiment and find the grip that feels the most comfortable and natural for you.
What problem might a beginner face with golf grip?
There are several problems that a beginner golfer may face when trying to learn proper grip techniques. Some of these include:
Holding the club too tightly: This can cause the golfer to lose control of their swing and hit the ball inaccurately.
Incorrect hand placement: Placing the hands too far forward or backward on the club can cause the golfer to lose power and accuracy.
Lack of finger pressure: Not using enough finger pressure on the grip can cause the club to twist in the hand, leading to poor shots.
Inconsistent grip: Changing the grip from shot to shot can make it difficult for the golfer to develop a consistent swing.
Not understanding the different types of grip: there are different types of grip, like Interlocking, Vardon, and overlapping, a beginner may not be able to understand the right one to use which can make a difference in performance
Not practicing enough: like anything else, proper grip technique takes practice and repetition to master.
Not considering the size and shape of the club: different clubs, such as drivers and irons, may require different grip techniques to optimize performance.
Not paying attention to weather conditions: golfers should adjust their grip based on whether it is hot, cold, dry, or wet. If hands are slick with perspiration or if the grip is wet, it can be harder to maintain control.
Not focusing on the grip during the swing: It’s not enough to just have the right grip at the address, it is important to maintain proper grip throughout the swing for best results.
Not addressing pain or discomfort: If the golfer experiences pain or discomfort in the hands or wrists while gripping the club, it may be a sign that the grip needs to be adjusted, or they may need to consult a medical professional.
Right-Handed vs Left Handed: Holding a golf club
Remember, golf grip is important as it is your only connection with the club so it’s essential that the grip is comfortable, and secure and promotes good swing mechanics.
The main difference between holding a golf club for right-handed and left-handed players is the orientation of the hands on the grip.
For right-handed players, the left hand is placed on the grip first, with the thumb pointing down the shaft and the fingers wrapped around the grip. The right hand is then placed on top of the left hand, with the thumb also pointing down the shaft and the fingers wrapped around the grip. This grip is called a “baseball grip”.
For left-handed players, the process is reversed. The right hand is placed on the grip first, with the thumb pointing down the shaft, and the left hand is placed on top, also with the thumb pointing down the shaft.
For both left and right-handed players, the club should be held gently but securely and fingers should be able to move freely.
Additionally, there can be slight variations to the grip which can be specified for each player, for example, some right-handed players may prefer an overlapping grip where the right pinky finger is placed over the left index finger on the club.
It is important to note that while holding a club, the grip should be comfortable and secure, promoting good swing mechanics. And the grip that’s comfortable for one player may not be comfortable for another. The grip should be appropriate to the size and shape of the club and the golfer’s own hand size and shape.
To hold a golf club properly, some related things to learn include:
Grip: The way you hold the club can affect your swing and the direction of the ball. There are several types of grips, such as the Vardon grip and the overlapping grip, that are commonly used in golf.
Stance: Your stance is the position of your feet and body before you swing. A proper stance will help you maintain balance and generate power during your swing.
Alignment: Proper alignment is important for ensuring that your clubface is square to the target when you make contact with the ball.
Swing: The swing is the motion you use to hit the ball. It consists of several parts, including the backswing, downswing, and follow-through.
Posture: Keeping a proper posture throughout the swing is important for maintaining balance and consistency in your shots.
Club selection: different types of clubs have different purposes like the driver is meant to hit the ball far while the putter is meant to hit the ball into the hole.
It is crucial to learn the right club for different shots and understand the right distance, trajectory, and spin that each club produces.
FAQ
How should I position my dominant hand on the club grip?
Place your dominant hand on the club grip with your thumb pointing down the shaft.
How should I place my other hand on the club?
Take your other hand and place it on top of the first hand, with the thumb also pointing down the shaft.
How should I interlock my fingers or overlap my fingers?
Interlock your fingers or overlap your little finger on your bottom hand with the index and middle fingers of your top hand.
How much pressure should I apply to the grip?
Adjust your grip pressure so that it is firm but not overly tight.
What is a good starting point for a proper golf club grip?
A general instruction for proper golf club grip is to place your dominant hand on the club grip with your thumb pointing down the shaft and take your other hand and place it on top of the first hand, with the thumb also pointing down the shaft. Interlock your fingers or overlap your little finger on your bottom hand with the index and middle fingers of your top hand and adjust your grip pressure so that it is firm but not overly tight.
Is there any variation that professionals use?
Some professional players may have a slightly different grip, but this is a good starting point, it’s best to find a grip that feels comfortable and natural to you.