The Grip

The grip is the only contact point between the player and the club. Every other fundamental — stance, posture, alignment, swing path — operates downstream of how the hands hold the club. A poor grip creates compensating moves throughout the swing that are difficult to fix with instruction until the grip itself is addressed.

Grip Types

Overlapping (Vardon) grip: the little finger of the trail hand rests in the channel between the index and middle fingers of the lead hand. The most widely used grip among recreational and professional players. Promotes a unified hand action and suits players with larger hands.

Interlocking grip: the little finger of the trail hand and the index finger of the lead hand interlock. Common among players with smaller hands or shorter fingers. Creates a more connected feel but can increase tension if the fingers grip too tightly against each other.

Ten-finger (baseball) grip: all ten fingers contact the grip with no overlap or interlock. The simplest grip mechanically; often recommended for beginners, juniors, or players with arthritis or hand strength limitations. Produces slightly more independent hand action, which some players find gives more feel.

None of these is inherently superior — the correct choice is the one that allows both hands to work as a unit without tension.

How to Hold the Club

Lead hand (left hand for right-handed players):

• The grip runs diagonally across the fingers — from the base of the index finger to the pad below the little finger. It does not run straight across the palm.
• The club is held primarily in the fingers, not the palm. A palm grip reduces wrist hinge and feel; a finger grip provides both.
• At address, two to three knuckles of the lead hand should be visible when looking down. This is the standard neutral position. More knuckles (stronger grip) promotes a draw or closes the face; fewer (weaker grip) promotes a fade or opens it.
• The thumb rests on top of the grip, slightly to the trail side of center — not wrapped around.

Trail hand (right hand for right-handed players):

• The trail hand grip also runs through the fingers, not the palm.
• The thumb and index finger of the trail hand form a trigger-like position — the pad of the thumb rests on top of the grip, and the index finger wraps slightly under.
• The V formed by the thumb and index finger of both hands should point roughly toward the trail shoulder. Both Vs pointing in the same direction indicates a unified grip.

Grip Pressure

Grip pressure is one of the most consequential and least-discussed variables in the swing. Too tight a grip kills clubhead speed, reduces feel, and creates tension that travels up the arms and into the shoulders. Too loose produces instability at impact and inconsistent face angle.

• The scale: on a 1–10 scale where 1 is barely holding the club and 10 is maximum squeeze, most instruction settles on 4–5. Enough pressure to control the club, not enough to feel tension in the forearms.
• The instinct problem: grip pressure naturally increases under pressure — anxiety tightens the hands before it shows anywhere else. Players who start at 5 often play tournament rounds at 8. A deliberate check of grip pressure is worth including in the pre-shot routine.
• Where pressure lives: the primary pressure points are the last three fingers of the lead hand and the middle two fingers of the trail hand. The index finger and thumb of both hands should be relatively relaxed. Thumb pressure on the grip is almost always excessive.
• In rough and uneven lies: grip more firmly than normal to prevent the club from twisting at impact. The only situation where increased grip pressure is genuinely appropriate.

Grip Size

Grip size affects how the hands work through impact. A grip that is too thin promotes excessive hand action and a closing face; one that is too thick reduces hand rotation and can leave the face open. Standard grips suit most players; midsize or oversize grips are useful for players with larger hands, arthritis, or a tendency toward overactive hands. A basic grip fitting takes minutes at any golf shop.

Regripping

Grips harden, smooth out, and lose tack with use and exposure to heat and UV. A worn grip is the most under-addressed equipment issue in recreational golf — players will buy new clubs before they'll replace a $10 grip that's costing them control and feel on every shot.

• Regrip when the grip feels slick even when clean and dry, when the surface is visibly cracked or hardened, or when you find yourself gripping tighter than normal to compensate.
• As a rough guide: players who play 20+ rounds per year should regrip annually. High-frequency players may need it every 6 months.
• Many golfers find their performance immediately improves after regripping simply because they can relax their grip pressure on a fresh, tacky surface.

How the Grip Affects Ball Flight

• Strong grip (lead hand rotated away from target, multiple knuckles visible): the face tends to close through impact, producing a draw or hook. Strong grips are common among players with a natural draw or who need to close a chronically open face.
• Weak grip (lead hand rotated toward target, fewer knuckles visible): the face tends to stay open or fade through impact. Weak grips are common among players with a natural fade or who are working on controlling an overactive release.
• The grip is not a quick fix: changing grip strength to compensate for a swing fault (e.g., weakening the grip to stop a hook caused by an inside-out path) treats the symptom not the cause. Changes to grip strength should be intentional and coordinated with instruction, not reactive.