Ava Romero
The golf grip is one of the fundamentals of the sport, and there are three common types: the ten-finger or baseball grip, the interlocking grip, and the overlapping or Vardon grip. The Vardon grip is the most popular, used by 90% of Tour players and most amateur golfers, but this does not mean all golf pros use it. Some of the best players use a different grip, such as Tiger Woods, who famously used an interlocking grip, and Jack Nicklaus, who used an interlocking grip and won 33 major championships. There is no one right way to play golf, and techniques and strategies are constantly evolving.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most common grip | Overlapping grip |
| Grip popularized by | Harry Vardon |
| Interlocking grip users | Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy |
| Interlocking grip advantages | More connection, easier to keep hands connected, suitable for players with smaller hands, reduces tension in the swing |
| Overlapping grip advantages | Consistent results, freedom of hands, control, easier for longer fingers |
| Baseball grip users | Jhonattan Vegas, Scott Piercy, Kyle Mendoza |
| Baseball grip advantages | More natural for beginners, easier for shorter fingers |
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What You'll Learn
- Interlocking grips are more common, especially among golfers with smaller hands
- The overlap grip is usually considered the best option for most golfers
- The interlocking grip is easier to learn and offers more control
- The overlap grip became popular thanks to Harry Vardon
- There is no consensus on which grip is best
Interlocking grips are more common, especially among golfers with smaller hands
The interlocking grip is the most common grip, especially among golfers with smaller hands. It is the most basic grip and is usually the first grip that children learn when they start playing golf. It is also used by senior golfers who have difficulty wrapping their hands around the club. This grip style is also well-suited for players with smaller hands, such as children and female golfers, who will find this grip more comfortable than the overlapping grip. This is because the interlocking grip requires shorter fingers, allowing the tip of the pinky finger to nestle into the crest of the opposing hand.
The interlocking grip is also preferred by some of the best players in the sport, such as Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Rory McIlroy. Woods, in particular, believed that this grip gave him a better connection with the club, increasing overall clubhead speed and distance. This grip also offers more connection between the hands, making it easier for them to act together as a single unit and providing more control in the swing. With all ten fingers back on the club, golfers do not need to put as much pressure on the grip, reducing tension and allowing for a more fluid swing.
However, the interlocking grip is not a magic bullet for everyone's game. One of its main disadvantages is that it can reduce wrist movement too much, minimising the power from the snap-through and making big drives harder without a perfect swing. It can also amplify existing problems with swing and posture, as it makes players rely more on their whole body for power and accuracy.
While the interlocking grip is the most common, there are other grip styles that golfers can use, such as the overlapping grip and the baseball grip. The overlapping grip, also known as the Vardon grip, is used by 90% of Tour players and an overwhelming majority of amateur golfers worldwide. It involves connecting both hands through the right pinky finger, which lies on top of the depression between the left hand's index and middle fingers. The baseball grip, on the other hand, is exactly how it sounds—it is the same grip used when holding a baseball bat. This grip sees both hands pressed against each other on the club, but without any anchor linking them.
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The overlap grip is usually considered the best option for most golfers
The overlap grip, also known as the Vardon Grip, is considered the best option for most golfers. Popularised by British golfer Harry Vardon in the late 1800s, it is still widely used today, with the majority of PGA professionals favouring this grip. The overlap grip is particularly well-suited for golfers with larger hands, as it provides a comfortable grip that doesn't feel too cramped. It is also a good choice for those who tend to grip the club too hard, as it helps reduce grip pressure.
One of the biggest advantages of the overlap grip is that it offers a combination of freedom and control. By unifying the hands, it increases control over both wrists, allowing them to move in unison without sacrificing freedom of movement. This grip also makes it easier to produce consistent results, as it provides stability and allows for a natural rotation of the hands and forearms with less wrist involvement.
The overlap grip is also beginner-friendly and easy to get started with. It doesn't take long for it to feel natural, which can help speed up the learning curve and set golfers up for long-term success. This is likely why it is commonly taught in golf lessons and why many professional golfers continue to use it throughout their careers.
While the interlocking grip is favoured by legendary golfers like Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Rory McIlroy, it is not considered ideal for most players. The interlocking grip is better suited for those with smaller hands, as it can feel cramped for those with larger hands. It provides more control over the club and improves overall speed, but it can also amplify existing problems with swing and posture. Ultimately, the choice between the overlap and interlocking grip comes down to personal preference and what feels most comfortable and confident for the golfer.
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The interlocking grip is easier to learn and offers more control
The interlocking grip is a popular choice among golfers, including PGA Tour pros like Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. It is considered easier to learn and offers several advantages, including improved control and speed.
When it comes to learning, the interlocking grip has a more natural feel, giving players a sense of confidence from the start. This grip allows golfers to achieve the correct positioning more easily. It feels stronger when first adopted, which can be beneficial for beginners. The interlocking grip is particularly suitable for those with smaller hands, as it provides optimal control of the golf ball. This grip helps unify the hands, allowing them to act as a single unit during the swing.
The interlocking grip offers more control by reducing tension in the swing. With all ten fingers resting on the grip, golfers can maintain a consistent grip pressure throughout their swing, minimising tension and promoting a freer swing. This grip also reduces the need to focus on wrist action, as the connected hands naturally work together during the swing.
Additionally, the interlocking grip can help increase swing speed, as demonstrated by Jack Nicklaus, who attributed his improved swing speed to this technique. It is worth noting that while the interlocking grip offers these benefits, the choice between interlocking and overlapping grips ultimately comes down to individual preferences and playing styles.
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The overlap grip became popular thanks to Harry Vardon
The overlap grip, also known as the Vardon grip, became popular in the late 1800s thanks to British golfer Harry Vardon, a six-time winner of the Open Championship. While he did not invent the grip, he popularised it by writing about it in his instructional books.
The Vardon grip is used by 90% of tour players and the overwhelming majority of amateur golfers worldwide. With this grip, the hands are connected through the right pinky finger, which rests on the left index finger or in the depression between the left index and middle fingers. This anchor between the hands allows them to act as one unit during the swing, providing freedom and control.
Vardon himself used the overlap grip to slow his hands down as he played with hickory shafts. The grip is particularly suited to adult male golfers with long fingers and strong hands. In contrast, golfers with smaller hands may struggle with the overlap grip, as it requires a long pinky finger to act as a solid anchor.
While the Vardon grip is the most popular, the interlocking grip is the second most widely used. With this grip, the right pinky finger interlocks with the left index finger, connecting all ten fingers to the club. This grip is useful for golfers with smaller hands, offering more control and reducing tension in the swing. Notable golfers who have used the interlocking grip include Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Rory McIlroy.
Ultimately, the choice between the overlap and interlocking grips comes down to personal preference and what feels most comfortable and confident for the golfer.
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There is no consensus on which grip is best
The overlapping grip is usually the best option for most golfers. It became popular thanks to Harry Vardon in the late 1800s. With an overlap grip, your hands are not connected, and your right pinky rests on your left index finger. This grip makes it easier to have freedom of your hands but also plenty of control. Since your pinky connects your hands, they act as one unit during the swing. This also allows plenty of freedom for the wrist to operate correctly. Some notable Overlappers include Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, and Phil Mickelson.
The interlocking grip is more common and tends to be the grip of choice for golfers with smaller hands. This grip helps players connect their hands thanks to the pinky position. This makes it easier to keep them connected in the swing and operating as a single unit. It also reduces tension in your golf swing. Notable golfers who use this grip include Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Rory McIlroy.
The baseball grip or 10-finger grip is when all ten fingers touch the club, with the pinky of the trailing hand pressed against the index finger of the leading hand. This grip is usually adopted by young children as they begin swinging the club for the first time, as it comes quite naturally. It is also used by senior golfers who have difficulties wrapping their hands around the club using any other technique. Jhonattan Vegas and Scott Piercy are pros who use this grip.
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Frequently asked questions
The interlocking grip is one of the three main grips in golf, the other two being the overlapping grip and the baseball grip. The interlocking grip is when all ten fingers are connected to the club, with the pinky finger of the trailing hand placed between the index and middle fingers of the leading hand.
The interlocking grip is said to offer more control and reduce tension in the swing. It is also well-suited to golfers with smaller hands.
The interlocking grip can reduce wrist movement too much, making it harder to generate power. It can also amplify existing problems with swing and posture.
Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Rory McIlroy, and Ludvig Aberg are some of the notable golfers who use the interlocking grip.
There is no definitive answer to this question. While the overlapping grip is the most common grip used by golfers, many professional golfers have achieved success using the interlocking grip. Ultimately, the choice between the two grips comes down to personal preference and what feels most comfortable for the individual golfer.
