Get a grip: how to hold your golf club

The grip is where it all begins for your golf shot. Getting it right can be the difference between a birdie on the par-4 or spending your days in the rough.

Many hours have been spent in the 19th hole analysing one another’s grips. So and so does it this way; I’ve been taught to hold it like this; it feels more natural when I grip in this style.

This neurosis over our grip is actually well-founded. Remember, it’s the only place your body connects with the equipment – the grip is the bridge from your body to the club. No matter how good your body shape and swing are, if you’re not holding the club right this won’t translate into your shot.

Your hands and wrists can control everything from the spin of the ball to the force you strike it with. A good grip, therefore, is one of the most important aspects of anyone’s game.

The pressure’s on

Before you position your hands, think about how tight you’re holding the club. Squeezing the life out of it can lead to a rigid swing, resulting in slicing or under-hitting the ball as you can’t follow through properly.

A lighter grip is often recommended as it increases the flexibility of your wrists adding power to your swing, and the movement of your hands allows your club face to rotate more easily for a sweeter strike.

The reality can be different though, as your grip will naturally tighten as you swing. A good tip is to try and remember how tight your grip was on the start of your downswing on your best shots.

By replicating this tension in your hands throughout your swing, you’ll see better results.

The main types of grip

There’s generally considered to be 3 types of golfing grips – interlocking, overlapping and baseball.

Each has its own benefits, but the thing to remember is to go with what’s comfortable for you. It’s no use trying a grip that feels forced, as you won’t get a fluid, natural swing.

Overlapping

Style

This is one of the most common grips in the game. Sometimes called the Vardon Grip, after Harry Vardon who made it famous, it sees the little finger on the trailing hand lie in the groove between the forefinger and middle finger of the leading hand.

Used by the likes of Matt Kuchar, it’s popular among learners as well. It tends to favour those with larger hands, as golfers with small hands can find it results in a lack of club control.

Pros and cons

While it brings the hands together as a single unit, it also gives the player the freedom to unlock them as they strike the ball for added power. It promotes good wrist-hinging, again providing oomph for your drives.

Some, though, say this freedom can lead to an off-plane swing, while others believe it gives you the freedom to rotate the club head naturally on your swing for better connection.

Matt Kuchar is a fan of an overlapping grip

Interlocking

Style

Less common among professionals, the interlocking style is still a popular grip and is favoured by Tiger Woods. It is similar to the overlap, except the little finger on the trailing hand and the forefinger on the lead hand interlock.

Pros and cons

The interlocking creates a strong, single unit for the grip and reduces unnecessary wrist movement. It means you can create a sturdy grip on the club without having to squeeze down too hard. This gives the swing a more natural feel.

As the hands stay steady, it can provide consistency in your swing. For golfers who hit 1 in every 5 sweetly, maybe switching to interlocking could provide a more uniform outcome.

It is often recommended for golfers with smaller hands as the overlap can be difficult for short fingers. Some golfers, though, feel it restricts movement, and others say it can lead the club’s handle to shift towards the palm of the hands.

Rory McIlroy favours the interlocking technique

Baseball

Style

Seen less often, this is sometimes used with beginners to give a rough idea of how to hold a club. The hands simply lie alongside each other with no overlapping or interlocking – as if you were holding a baseball club.

Pros and cons

It’s a good starter grip and can be used to teach the basics of how a club should be held.

Some have also suggested it gives greater control on the head during impact, while the lack of unity between the hands gives them the freedom to split on the follow through for more power.

Left or right?

While you may have grown up your whole life as a leftie, it’s worth trying both hands when it comes to golf as you may find you’re more comfortable the other way round.

A lot of people write with one hand and play sports with another.