Golf

How to Hold a Golf Club Correctly

March 8, 2025March 8, 2025 by editor

The golf grip serves as the only physical connection between a player and their club, making it the most crucial element of any golf swing. Learning how to hold a golf club correctly can make the difference between a successful shot and a disappointing slice into the rough.

In fact, professional players like Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have relied on specific golf grip techniques to achieve their legendary status. A proper golf grip requires careful attention to pressure, which should range between 4 and 8 on a scale of 1 to 10, depending on the shot. Consequently, mastering the three basic types of golf grips – the overlapping grip, interlocking grip, and 10-finger grip – becomes essential for any golfer seeking to improve their game.

Want to step up your golf game? It all starts with the right grip! This fun and easy guide will show you how to hold a golf club like a pro, covering hand placement, grip pressure, and top techniques. You’ll find out which grip suits your swing best and how to avoid common mistakes that can throw off your game.

Golf Club Grip Basics Explained

Understanding how to hold a golf club starts with mastering the fundamentals of the grip itself. The grip section of a golf club must be round without obvious bumps or hollows according to official golf rules.

Parts of the golf club grip

Modern golf grips come in various materials and designs to accommodate different playing styles. The primary materials include rubber, leather, and synthetic compounds, each offering unique benefits for how to hold a golf club properly. These grips feature specific characteristics:

Standard rubber grips: Durable and cost-effective
Thread (cord) grips: Enhanced moisture resistance
Elastomer grips: Superior tackiness and hand conformity
Natural rubber grips: Balanced feel and durability

The size of your golf grip significantly influences your swing mechanics and amplified wearing your golf glove on the correct hand. Research shows that more than 50% of golfers use the wrong grip size. Moreover, using an incorrectly sized grip can cost a player approximately five strokes per round.

Why grip matters for your swing

Understanding how to grip a golf club properly is fundamental because it directly affects swing mechanics and shot accuracy. According to a recent study by Golf Pride, 82% of low-handicap players reported that new grips felt secure in their hands, while only 24% felt the same security with worn grips.

The grip primarily influences three crucial aspects of your golf swing. First, it enables proper wrist hinge and arm rotation necessary for speed and fluidity. Additionally, the relationship between hands and clubface determines shot patterns through impact. Furthermore, a proper golf grip allows better control, power, and accuracy while preventing common swing flaws.

Grip pressure plays a vital role in swing performance. On a scale of 1-10, optimal grip pressure should vary between 4 and 8, depending on the shot and club selection. Too much grip tension leads to excessive tension in the wrists and forearms, limiting shoulder movement and reducing swing speed.

Tour professionals often favor a slightly stronger grip position, allowing for heavier body rotation and better shaft support through impact. This preference isn’t necessarily planned but rather an intuitive adaptation that enables more efficient swing mechanics.

How to Hold a Golf Club Step by Step

Mastering how to hold a golf club requires precise hand placement and proper pressure control. Let’s break down each component step by step.

Left hand placement

Initially, hold the club at a 45-degree angle in front of you. Place the club diagonally across your left hand, running from the middle of your index finger to the base of your pinky. The grip should rest half an inch from the end to improve control without sacrificing power. When looking down, you should see 2½ knuckles of your left hand – this indicates a neutral position. The ‘V’ formed between your left thumb and forefinger should point toward your right shoulder.

Right hand position

Afterward, position your right hand by placing the club diagonally across your fingers. The fleshy pad of your right thumb should rest directly on top of your left thumb. Essentially, the ‘V’ created between your right thumb and forefinger should point toward your chin. If this ‘V’ points over your right shoulder, your grip is too strong; if it points toward your left shoulder, it’s too weak.

Connecting your hands

Primarily, there are three ways to connect your hands. The overlapping grip involves placing your right pinky on top of the space between your left index and middle fingers. Otherwise, try the interlocking grip, where your right pinky and left index finger interlock. The third option, the baseball grip, simply places both hands next to each other without interlocking or overlapping.

Finding the right grip pressure

The optimal grip pressure varies throughout your swing. Consider these pressure levels:

At address: maintain a pressure of 4 out of 10
During impact: increase to 9 or 10 out of 10
For putting: reduce pressure for better control

Notably, many amateurs grip the club too tightly. To find your ideal pressure, try this exercise: back off your grip pressure until the club almost falls from your hands, then firm it up just enough to maintain control. During the swing, the right hand should remain free enough to fire the clubhead through the hitting area, while the last three fingers of your left hand provide the primary support.

Three Main Types of Golf Grips

Professional golfers have long debated the merits of different grip styles, with each technique offering unique advantages. The golf world primarily recognizes two dominant methods for how to hold a golf club: the overlapping grip and the interlocking grip.

Overlapping grip technique

The overlapping grip, also known as the Vardon grip, remains the most widely used method for how to hold a golf club. British golfer Harry Vardon popularized this technique, which approximately 90% of professional golfers now use.

With this proper golf grip, the pinky finger of the trailing hand rests in the groove between the index and middle finger of the leading hand. This positioning creates a natural connection that allows both hands to work as a single unit.

The overlapping grip particularly benefits players who:

Have larger, stronger hands
Tend to grip the club too tightly
Seek better feel around the greens
Want to reduce tension in their hands

Interlocking grip method

The interlocking grip has earned its place in golf history through champions like Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus. This method of how to grip a golf club involves connecting the pinky of the trailing hand with the index finger of the leading hand in an interlocking position.

Generally, this golf club grip provides several distinct advantages. Since all ten fingers maintain contact with the club, players need less grip pressure to maintain control. This reduced tension allows for a more fluid swing motion. The interlocking method particularly suits:

Golfers with smaller hands
Players seeking additional clubhead speed
Beginners and junior golfers
Those struggling with slice shots

Nevertheless, the interlocking grip presents certain challenges. Although it offers excellent control, it can feel awkward for players with larger hands and might limit wrist movement, potentially reducing power in drives. Similarly, some golfers find it takes time to adjust to this style, particularly when transitioning from other grip methods.

The choice between these two techniques often depends on hand size and personal comfort. Although the overlapping grip dominates professional golf, both methods have produced championship-caliber players. Since grip preference remains highly individual, golfers should experiment with both styles while maintaining proper hand placement and pressure control.

Proper Golf Grip Positions

Mastering different grip positions opens up new possibilities in how to hold a golf club. Each position offers unique advantages for different playing styles and shot types.

Neutral grip setup

Learning how to hold a golf club starts with understanding the neutral grip position. In this setup, both hands wrap around the center of the grip, creating a balanced foundation. When executed properly, the ‘V’ shapes formed by the thumbs and index fingers point toward the right eye. Tiger Woods and Adam Scott exemplify the effectiveness of this proper golf grip technique.

The neutral grip provides several advantages:

Improved shot-making capabilities
Better loft and launch control
Enhanced consistency in ball flight
Flat wrist position at the backswing

Strong grip benefits

A strong grip fundamentally changes how to grip a golf club by positioning both hands slightly toward the right of the shaft’s center. This technique requires showing three knuckles on the lead hand – ring, middle, and index fingers. Professional players like Dustin Johnson, Zach Johnson, and Fred Couples have achieved remarkable success using this golf club grip style.

The strong grip primarily helps players who struggle with slicing, offering increased stability and power. This positioning promotes an in-to-out swing path, creating a more closed clubface at impact. Therefore, golfers often experience a lower, more penetrating ball flight, which proves particularly effective in windy conditions.

Weak grip advantages

The weak grip offers a unique way to hold a golf club. Hands sit slightly left of center in this position. Looking down, golfers see only one knuckle—the index finger—on the grip.

Many legends use this grip. Ben Hogan, Jon Rahm, and Jordan Spieth have found success with it.

A weak grip shines in specific situations. It benefits players who prefer hitting fades. Golfers quickly notice better feel around the greens. They also gain more control over high, soft shots.

This grip may reduce power. However, it improves timing and tempo throughout the swing. It also limits excessive hand rotation at impact. This makes it ideal for players struggling with hook shots.

Common Grip Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced golfers make mistakes when learning how to hold a golf club. These common errors can significantly impact shot accuracy and overall performance on the course.

Grip pressure issues

Fundamentally, grip pressure remains one of the most challenging aspects of how to hold a golf club properly. Research shows that excessive grip pressure restricts wrist movement, especially during club release. Players often squeeze the club too tightly, creating unwanted tension in their hands, arms, and shoulders.

The ideal grip pressure varies throughout the swing:

Address position: 4-5 out of 10
Backswing: 5-6 out of 10
Impact: 6-7 out of 10
Follow-through: 4-5 out of 10

Presently, many golfers grip the club too loosely, causing inconsistent ball contact and reduced accuracy. A proper golf grip requires finding the sweet spot between control and relaxation. Subsequently, this balance helps maintain consistent clubface angles at impact.

Hand position errors

Learning to grip a golf club correctly helps avoid common mistakes. Many golfers place the grip too far into the palm. Instead, it should rest in the fingers. This small mistake affects posture and causes overswinging.

The left thumb position is crucial for a proper grip. If extended past the index finger knuckle, it creates swing flaws. Keeping it at the right length ensures better wrist hinge and posture.

Another common mistake is incorrect right-hand placement. A strong right-hand position under the club leads to bad habits. It may reduce slicing temporarily but causes inconsistent shots.

Quick fixes for better control

To improve how to hold a golf club, several practical solutions exist. Currently, using a grip trainer helps develop muscle memory for proper hand placement. This tool teaches a neutral grip position, particularly beneficial for golfers seeking consistency and looking to break 80.

A simple yet effective drill involves drawing two lines and a dot on your golf glove. This visual aid ensures correct left-hand placement every time. Additionally, practicing with the club held horizontally helps determine optimal grip pressure – if the club feels too heavy, the grip is likely too loose.

For better control, focus on feeling the grip more in the fingers of the right hand rather than the palm. This adjustment promotes better clubface control through impact. Most importantly, these changes don’t require months of practice – improvements often appear immediately with proper guidance.

How To Hold A Golf Club Frequently Asked Questions

What are the three main types of golf grips?

The three main types of golf grips are the overlapping grip, the interlocking grip, and the 10-finger grip (also known as the baseball grip). Each offers different benefits and suits various playing styles.

How tight should I hold the golf club?

The ideal grip pressure varies throughout your swing. At address, maintain a pressure of about 4 out of 10. During impact, increase to 9 or 10 out of 10. For putting, reduce pressure for better control. Generally, grip the club firmly enough to maintain control without creating tension in your hands and arms.

How can I fix common grip mistakes?

To fix common grip mistakes, use a grip trainer to develop muscle memory, practice with visual aids like lines drawn on your golf glove, and focus on feeling the grip more in your fingers than your palm. Also, ensure you’re not gripping too tightly or positioning the club too far into your palm instead of your fingers.

How to hold a golf club right handed?

Grip the club with your left hand first, placing the handle across your fingers. Wrap your right hand below your left, interlocking or overlapping the fingers. Ensure a firm but relaxed grip, with both thumbs pointing down the shaft.

How to properly hold a golf club?

Start by placing your lead hand (left for right-handed players, right for left-handed) on the grip with fingers wrapped around. Position the trailing hand below, using an overlapping, interlocking, or baseball grip. Keep a firm but relaxed hold for better control.

How to hold a golf club left handed?

Place your right hand first, gripping the club across your fingers. Position your left hand below it, choosing an overlapping, interlocking, or baseball grip. Keep both thumbs aligned down the shaft and maintain a comfortable, controlled grip.