Learning how to grip a golf club correctly is the foundation of a great golf swing. Your grip is your only connection to the club, and even small mistakes in how you hold a golf club can lead to slices, hooks, and inconsistent ball striking. In this comprehensive guide, you'll discover the three main golf grip types (overlapping, interlocking, and baseball), proper hand placement, grip pressure, and common mistakes to avoid.
Whether you're a complete beginner wondering how to hold a golf club for the first time or an experienced player looking to refine your technique, this step-by-step guide will help you master the perfect golf grip for better control, distance, and consistency.
The golf grip is the most fundamental element of your swing. A proper grip allows you to control the clubface through impact, generate maximum clubhead speed, and maintain consistency shot after shot. Professional golfers spend countless hours perfecting their grip because they know it's the foundation of everything else in the swing.
A poor grip can cause the clubface to be open or closed at impact, leading to slices or hooks. It can also restrict your wrist hinge, reducing power and distance. The good news is that learning how to grip a golf club correctly is relatively simple once you understand the fundamentals.
There are three main ways to grip a golf club, and each has its advantages. The best grip for you depends on your hand size, flexibility, and personal preference.
The overlapping grip is the most popular among professional golfers. To form this grip, place the pinky finger of your trailing hand (right hand for right-handed golfers) in the groove between the index and middle fingers of your lead hand (left hand for right-handed golfers). This grip provides excellent control and is ideal for golfers with larger hands or stronger grip strength.
The interlocking grip is used by many top players, including Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus. Instead of overlapping, you interlock the pinky finger of your trailing hand with the index finger of your lead hand. This grip creates a unified feeling between your hands and is often preferred by golfers with smaller hands or those who want their hands to work more as a single unit.
The baseball grip, also called the ten-finger grip, is where all ten fingers are on the club without overlapping or interlocking. This grip is often recommended for beginners, juniors, or golfers with arthritis because it's the most natural and requires less hand strength. While less common among professionals, it can be very effective for recreational golfers.
Start by placing the club in your lead hand so the grip runs diagonally from the base of your pinky finger to just above the first joint of your index finger. Close your fingers around the grip, then place your thumb slightly to the right of center on top of the grip. When you look down, you should see two or three knuckles on your lead hand.
Place your trailing hand on the club so the lifeline of your palm fits over your lead thumb. Your trailing thumb should rest slightly to the left of center on the grip. The "V" formed by your thumb and index finger on both hands should point toward your trailing shoulder.
Now connect your hands using one of the three grip types described above: overlapping, interlocking, or baseball. Experiment with each to find which feels most comfortable and gives you the best control.
Your grip pressure should be firm but not tight. On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being as tight as possible), aim for a 4 or 5. A common analogy is to grip the club like you're holding a bird – firm enough that it can't fly away, but gentle enough that you don't hurt it. Gripping too tightly creates tension in your forearms and restricts your swing.
Many beginners place the club too much in the palm of their lead hand instead of in the fingers. This reduces wrist hinge and makes it difficult to square the clubface at impact. The club should rest primarily in your fingers, not your palm.
A "strong" grip (where you can see three or more knuckles on your lead hand) tends to close the clubface and produce hooks. A "weak" grip (where you can only see one knuckle or none) tends to open the clubface and produce slices. Most golfers should aim for a neutral grip where you can see two to three knuckles.
The "V" formed by your thumb and index finger on both hands should point toward your trailing shoulder. If they point in different directions, your hands aren't working together, which leads to inconsistent shots.
Excessive grip pressure is one of the most common mistakes in golf. It creates tension throughout your body, restricts your swing, and reduces clubhead speed. Remember: light grip, fast swing.
The best way to ingrain a proper golf grip is through repetition. Here are some practice tips:
For more golf instruction, explore our complete golf tips guide and learn how to swing a golf club.
Improve your grip with these highly-rated products: