There are various ways to grip a golf club correctly, each proven successful by top players throughout history. Golf offers numerous techniques for gripping and swinging.
A proper grip is our only connection to the club, crucial for how our swing functions and the matchups we create.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned golfer, this blog provides a clear roadmap for gripping your wedges, irons, fairway woods, and driver. The following method is one I use with my students to teach them how to grip a golf club properly and like an athlete!
How To Grip A Golf Club Properly?
1. Start with Your Lead Hand
Pointing both Vs. at your trail shoulder assumes we all move the same way, but we don’t. Each player has their own “natural motion.” A good grip enhances it, while a poor one restricts it.
Begin by placing your lead hand on the handle naturally. Stand upright with your arms hanging freely at your sides. No ball, no golf posture. Now, grip a club. This is your natural lead-hand position to start and finish your swing without manipulation.
2. Fine-Tune Your Grip
This exercise gets you close to your ideal lead-hand hold but might need adjustments. Ensure your lead-hand grip matches your lead-hip mobility. When synced, it’s magic.
Place your trail hand on the handle, hold the club in your address posture, and move into a “dynamic impact” position. Your weight should be on your front side, hands forward, and hips as open as possible. Check your results.
3. Add Your Trail Hand
Using your new lead-hand position, hold the club out in front of you at a 45-degree angle. Slip on your trail hand, placing the grip through the base of your fingers, not your palm. Hold the handle like a suitcase for the best control.
4. Do the Cast Drill
With both hands on the handle, move the club over your trail shoulder, then throw it forward like casting a fishing line. This drill replicates trail-arm extension in downswings. Ensure your trail-hand grip accommodates this extension.
5. Tweak and Finalize
Adjust your trail hand hold to match how your trail arm extends during your downswing. Once you cast the club in the drill, check the clubface position and make the necessary adjustments. Your Vs might not point to your trail shoulder, which is fine. Ensure no gaps between your fingers for maximum control. Now, your grip is perfect. Let it rip!
Types of Golf Grips: Finding Your Fit
There are several ways to grip a golf club properly beyond my outlined method. Let’s explore these various styles.
1. Interlocking Grip
Legends like Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods use the interlocking grip. Here, the pinky finger of the right-hand crosses between the pointer and middle fingers of the left hand, creating an interlock.
The key is to keep the fingers resting softly, without forcing them together, to avoid blisters and maintain swing speed.
2. Overlapping Grip (Vardon Grip)
In the overlapping grip, the right-hand pinky finger rests on the notch between the left pointer and middle fingers. This grip, favored by six-time Open Champion Harry Vardon, should feel soft and not forcibly wedged in place.
3. Ten-Finger Grip
The ten-finger grip, also known as the baseball grip, is less common among elite golfers but great for beginners. The hands meet at the right pinky and left pointer fingers, with the left thumb under the right palm, ensuring a better connection between hands.
4. Neutral Grip
A neutral grip has the creases between the thumbs and pointer fingers (the V’s) pointing toward your right eye. Players like Tiger Woods and Adam Scott use this classic hand positioning.
5.Weak Grip
A weak grip aligns the left hand more to the left, with the glove logo pointing at the target. This grip, used by Ben Hogan and Jordan Spieth, requires bowing the left wrist at impact but can be effective depending on one’s anatomy.
6. Strong Grip
A strong grip aligns the hands and wrists in a powerful position, with the V aiming towards the right ear and shoulder. Players like Dustin Johnson and Fred Couples employ this grip. I often recommend my students use a grip between neutral and strong for optimal power and control.
The Key Indicator That Your Golf Club Grip is Wrong
When a new student steps onto my lesson tee, I first notice the condition of their golf glove—precisely, whether there are worn areas or holes around the thumb or pad. If I spot these signs, I ask how long they’ve used the glove.
If they mention it’s only been a few rounds, it’s clear they’re gripping the club in their palm. Correcting their grip becomes my priority; this fundamental can only improve once addressed.
Now, take a look at your glove. Do you see wear around the thumb or pad?
If so, chances are you’re gripping the club with your palm. Here’s what you can do to make the necessary adjustments.
Frequently Ask Question
What is the ideal level of grip pressure for golfing?
Grip pressure varies depending on the shot. For instance, using a driver requires more pressure due to higher swing speeds, while chipping around the green with a wedge demands a lighter touch.
I recommend maintaining a firm grip where most of the tension is in your fingers. This ensures a solid connection to the club while allowing your wrists, forearms, upper arms, and shoulders to stay relaxed and maintain a full range of motion.
On a scale of 1 to 10, aim for a grip pressure between 4 and 8, adjusting based on the shot and club you’re using. This balance helps you stay connected to the club without sacrificing mobility and control.
What causes a slice in my golf swing, and how to correct it?
Slicing can stem from various factors within your golf swing. One critical aspect to consider is your golf grip.
Often, slicers exhibit a weak grip, particularly in their left hand. Additionally, they tend to hold the club tightly with tension in their arms and wrists, often gripping the club in their palms rather than fingers.
To remedy a slice, adopt a slightly firmer golf grip and position the club more in your fingers. This adjustment enhances the range of motion in your hands and wrists, aiding in squaring the club face at impact.
Why do your golf shots hook, and how to correct it?
Like a slice, a hook can arise from various factors within your golf swing. Regarding grip, those grappling with hooks often tend to adopt a solid grip. This manifests when the right-hand positions too far underneath the club, resembling a baseball-style grip, which can lead to separation between the hands.
To rectify a hook, adjust your grip by positioning the right hand more neutrally and ensuring the club rests more in the fingers. This adjustment typically aids in maintaining a less closed club face position throughout your swing, promoting straighter ball flight.
Should I maintain a consistent golf grip across all my clubs—wedges, irons, driver, and putter?
Your full-swing grip should remain consistent. However, many top golfers adopt different grips for short-game shots.
For instance, golfers often use a slightly weaker grip when chipping or pitching with wedges. This adjustment can help open the club face somewhat during shorter swings, facilitating softer, lofted shots near the green.
Putting introduces a variety of grip styles such as conventional, pencil, cross-handed, left arm-lock, claw, and saw. The putting grip tends to diverge from the full swing grip, as it varies based on individual preferences and putting techniques.
How much should I choke down on the golf club grip?
Depending on the shot, gripping down on the club can reduce carry distance or assist with challenging lies. Some players even grip down to the shaft when faced with a ball above their feet.
For a standard full shot, I recommend the butt-end of the club extending just beyond your left hand, ensuring your left-hand remains above the club’s knob, akin to gripping a baseball bat where your hand rests above the end rather than on it or hanging off.
Looking for an effective drill to improve your golf grip when hitting the ball?
A straightforward yet effective drill involves hitting short shots using only your trail hand. For right-handed golfers, grip down on the club where your right hand would typically rest, ensuring a finger grip that feels comfortable and natural.
This drill is handy for identifying and correcting overly strong or weak grips in your right hand, promoting solid contact and consistency in your shots.
Conclusion
Mastering the correct golf grip is foundational to improving your game. Holding the club in your fingers rather than your palm enhances wrist mobility and control, leading to better contact, increased distance, and reduced slice. A slightly firmer grip helps position your wrists dynamically, minimizing injury and stabilizing the clubface throughout the swing.
Remember, the perfect grip isn’t just about comfort—it’s about optimizing your swing mechanics for consistent, powerful shots. Take the time to practice and adjust your grip using the guidelines provided.
Learning how to grip a golf club properly sets the stage for a more effective and enjoyable golf game. With the proper grip, you’ll be on your way to swinging like an athlete and playing your best golf.
