Your golf grip is the only connection you have with the club, making it one of the most important fundamentals of the game. A bad grip can cause slices, hooks, and a major loss of distance. In this guide, we’ll teach you the right way to hold a golf club in a simple, easy-to-understand way, so you can gain more control and power on every shot.
The Three Main Grips
While the exact position of your hands may vary slightly, there are three primary grips used by golfers:
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The Overlap Grip (Vardon): This is the most popular grip among professional and amateur golfers. It involves overlapping the pinky finger of your trailing hand over the index finger of your lead hand.
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The Interlock Grip: Used by players like Tiger Woods, this grip involves interlocking the pinky of your trailing hand with the index finger of your lead hand. It creates a strong connection between both hands, which can be useful for players with smaller hands.
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The Ten-Finger Grip (Baseball Grip): This grip is great for beginners and provides a feeling of more control. Both hands are on the club without any overlapping or interlocking.
Getting the Right Grip: Step-by-Step
No matter which grip you choose, the key is to get the correct hand placement.
- Lead Hand First: For a right-handed golfer, place your left hand on the club first. The club should run diagonally across your fingers, and you should see two to three knuckles when looking down at your hand.
- Add Your Trailing Hand: Place your right hand on the club. The lifeline of your right palm should fit over your left thumb.
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Check Your “V”s: The “V”s formed by the thumb and index finger on both hands should point toward your right shoulder.
- The “Not Too Tight” Principle: You should hold the club with a firm but relaxed grip. Squeezing too tightly creates tension in your arms and shoulders, which kills clubhead speed.
Conclusion
A proper golf grip is the foundation of a consistent swing. By focusing on hand placement and keeping a relaxed hold, you can improve your control and generate more power. Don’t underestimate the impact of this simple adjustment.
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