Ava Romero
The placement of your hands when golfing is crucial to achieving the perfect swing and hitting the ball well. Your hands are your only connection to the golf club, so their positioning will play a significant role in where the ball goes. The position of your hands at setup, in relation to the golf ball, can help determine the quality of your ball striking. For instance, the back of your lead hand should mirror the angle of the clubface. Your hands should also stay ahead of the clubhead, promoting a better angle of attack and a downward strike.
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What You'll Learn
- Hand and wrist positions are closely related
- The right hand should go on the bottom, left hand on top
- The left-hand grip: thumb and forefinger make a V pointing to the right shoulder
- The right-hand grip: thumb and forefinger make a V pointing to the right shoulder
- The interlocking grip: right-hand pinky finger interlocks with the index finger of the left hand
Hand and wrist positions are closely related
At address, the hands should be in a neutral position. This includes the grip, as well as the placement of the hands in relation to the clubhead and golf ball. The club shaft should be aligned with the lead forearm, and the hands can be in line with the golf ball. It is important not to start the golf swing with an overly cupped (extended) or bowed (flexed) lead hand and wrist position. The back of the lead hand should mirror the angle of the clubface.
The transition from the backswing to the downswing is crucial for generating power and consistency. The hands should stay ahead of the clubhead, promoting a better angle of attack and a downward strike. The lead wrist should move into a flexed position and not become more extended. The best players strike the ball with a slightly flexed lead hand.
There are several ways to grip the golf club. One method is to grip the club in the fingers of the right hand, wrapping the fingers around the grip with the left-hand thumb falling under the pad of the right hand. The right thumb should point down or slightly diagonally left on the shaft. The pointer finger should leave a little space between it and the middle finger. This establishes an athletic grip, with the hands working together in the swing.
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The right hand should go on the bottom, left hand on top
When golfing, the right hand should go on the bottom of the club, and the left hand should go on top. This is because placing your right hand below your left hand gives you better control over the swing.
To get into the correct position, start by gripping the club with your left hand. Allow your arms to hang limp and notice where your hands and wrists align. You will see that the back of the left glove hand tends to point more away from you, as opposed to pointed at the target. The golf grip should cross through the fingers on a diagonal and exit between your pinky finger and the pad of your left palm. This gives full freedom of movement to your wrists, which is key to a powerful swing.
Next, with the palm of your right hand facing inward, move it toward the club with the bottom of your hand aligned with the base of the thumb on your left hand. The thumb on your left hand should press against the middle of your right hand’s palm. Wrap the fingers of your right hand around the golf club and place the part of the palm below the thumb on your right hand over the thumb on your left hand. The thumb should be on top of the club, not wrapped around it. To ensure your right hand is in the correct position, your thumb and forefinger should make another “V” or crease that should point toward your right shoulder.
It is important to note that the hands should run together, softly pressing up against each other. This forms a semi-bond between your two hands, encouraging them to work together in the swing.
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The left-hand grip: thumb and forefinger make a V pointing to the right shoulder
The left hand is crucial in gripping a golf club. The grip should be in the fingers of the left hand, not the palm. The left thumb should fall slightly diagonally off to the right, with the thumb and forefinger making a V shape that points towards the right shoulder. This is called a strong grip and is often used by players who prefer to draw the golf ball.
To get into the correct position, first, take your golf posture without gripping the club. Allow your arms to hang limp and notice where your hands and wrists align. Then, grip the club somewhere between neutral and strong to align your hands and wrists in their most powerful position. You should see 2 to 3 knuckles on your left hand, and the golf grip should cross through the fingers on a diagonal, exiting between your pinky finger and the pad of your left palm.
The left-hand grip is important as it gives full freedom of movement to your wrists, which is key for power in the swing. It also helps to form a semi-bond between the two hands, encouraging them to work together in the swing.
It's worth noting that the left-hand grip is just one part of the overall grip, which also includes the right hand. The right palm should be placed directly over the left thumb, with the right pointer finger curled around the grip, leaving a little space between it and the middle finger. This creates a signature trigger finger.
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The right-hand grip: thumb and forefinger make a V pointing to the right shoulder
When gripping a golf club, the V formed between your right thumb and forefinger should point towards your right shoulder. This is a standard instruction for golfers and is considered a neutral grip. A neutral grip is generally taught as a standard because it allows for a powerful swing and is adaptable to different body types and kinetics.
To achieve this grip, hold your hands up straight and squeeze your right thumb tightly to the base of your pointer knuckle. Place the club in the grip formed by your thumb and forefinger, then wrap the rest of your fingers around the grip. The right thumb can be straight down or diagonal left on the shaft, depending on your preference.
Some golfers prefer a stronger grip, which involves the V pointing further away from the body, towards the rear shoulder. This type of grip may be preferable depending on the shot and club being used. For example, a driver swing at high speeds may require a stronger grip.
Other golfers prefer a weaker grip, with the V pointing more towards the head. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution for grip, making sure the V points in the right direction is a crucial fundamental for golfers to master.
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The interlocking grip: right-hand pinky finger interlocks with the index finger of the left hand
When golfing, the placement of your hands is crucial. The hands are the only part of the body that connects with the golf club, so their position can significantly impact your game.
One popular grip style is the interlocking grip. This grip is formed by connecting and interlocking the right-hand pinky finger with the index or pointer finger of the left hand. This creates a soft interlock, with the webbing between the fingers gently resting against each other. This type of grip is different from the overlapping grip, where the pinky finger of the right hand rests on top of the left-hand index finger, and the ten-finger grip, where the hands are placed beside each other on the club.
The interlocking grip is preferred by many golfers because it connects all ten fingers to the club in some way. This provides a stronger grip for some, especially those with larger hands, and can help eliminate slicing. It also promotes a semi-bond between the hands, encouraging them to work together during the swing. Additionally, with less finger overlap on the grip, golfers can expect lighter grip pressure, which can improve consistency and control.
To achieve the interlocking grip, start by gripping the club with your left hand. Allow your arms to hang naturally and notice the alignment of your hands and wrists. Position the golf grip to cross diagonally through the fingers of your left hand, exiting between your pinky finger and the pad of your left palm. Then, with your right hand open, align the palm with the shaft parallel to the club face. Interlock your right-hand pinky finger with the left-hand index finger, allowing the hands to softly press against each other.
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Frequently asked questions
If you are right-handed, place your right hand at the bottom and your left hand on top. Grip the club with your fingers, not your palms, to give your wrists freedom of movement. The "V" or crease between your thumb and forefinger should point toward your trail shoulder.
The hands should stay ahead of the clubhead, with the lead wrist in a flexed position. This promotes a better angle of attack and a downward strike.
Place the club on the ground and look at your left hand. The "V" or crease made by your thumb and forefinger should point toward your right shoulder.
Your hands should be in a neutral position, with the club shaft aligned with the lead forearm and the hands in line with the golf ball.
Wrap your fingers around the grip, with your left-hand thumb falling under the pad of your right hand. Your right thumb should point down or slightly diagonally left on the shaft.
