How to Grip a Golf Club

Co-authored by Michael Metz

Last Updated: December 18, 2022 References

Knowing how to correctly grip a golf club can immensely improve your long and short game. The overlapping grip is the most common way to hold a driver, but some golfers prefer either the interlocking grip for added power during a shot, or the baseball grip because it feels more comfortable. Most golfers also hold a putter with an overlapping grip. However, you might also use a cross-handed grip if you are having difficulty putting smoothly.^{[1]
X
Research source}

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Using an Overlapping Grip

1
Take the club in your left hand. The head of your golf club should rest on the ground while you are positioning the starting grip of your left hand. The grip of the club should rest across the palm of your left hand. The heel of your hand, where it connects to the wrist, should be even with the end of the handle.
- If you find holding the end of the club even with the heel of your hand uncomfortable, you might improve your grip by leaving ¼" (.64 cm) of the handle extending beyond the heel of your hand.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
2
Arrange the fingers of your left hand. With the club still resting across your left palm and the heel of that hand even with the end of the club's grip, wrap your fingers around the grip. Your fingers should have no space between them, and your thumb should be lined up with the shaft.
- The last three fingers (pinkie, ring, and middle) of your left hand will form the foundation of your grip. These fingers should be firm against the club.^{[3]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Michael Metz
  Golf Instructor
  Expert Interview. 24 February 2022.}
- The knuckles of your pinkie, ring, and middle fingers should be mostly visible while gripping the club in this fashion, when viewed from the side of the club opposite your left hand.^{[4]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Michael Metz
  Golf Instructor
  Expert Interview. 24 February 2022.}
Advertisement
3
Orient your right hand with your pinkie finger. Your pinkie finger will serve as the anchor for the grip of your right hand. You should place your right pinkie finger so that it fits snugly between the knuckle of the forefinger and middle finger on your left hand.^{[5]
X
Research source}
4
Add your remaining fingers to the grip of the club. Curl the remaining three fingers of your right hand around the grip so there is no space between your fingers. The thumb of your right hand should be positioned over the thumb of your left hand, so they are both in alignment along the length of the shaft.
- Your hold on the club should be firm, but relaxed. Gripping the club too tightly can hinder your swing, while gripping too loosely may cause the club to fly free of your hands while swinging.^{[6]
  X
  Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Employing the Interlocking Grip

1
Hold the club with your left hand. The head of the club should rest on the ground as you adjust your hands in the proper positioning. Take the grip of the golf club in the palm of your left hand so that handle lies across your palm and the heel of your hand matches up with the end of the handle. Then curl the remaining fingers of your left hand around the handle so your fingers are positioned directly next to each other.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- The interlocking grip is often recommended to golfers with small hands.^{[8]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Michael Metz
  Golf Instructor
  Expert Interview. 24 February 2022.} If your hands are on the smaller side, this grip might be best for you.^{[9]
  X
  Research source}
2
Connect your right hand to your left with your right pinkie. Align your right hand so it is slightly lower than your left on the club. Try not to complicate your grip at this point by adding fingers aside from your right pinkie to the grip. Allow the palm of your right hand to rest against the handle. Then, interlock your right and left hand by putting your right pinkie underneath the forefinger of your left hand.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- You can often tell your grip is too tight when you feel discomfort in the overlapped pinkie/forefinger. If you feel this sensation, you should relax your hold on the club.
3
Complete the grip of your right hand. The fingers of your right hand can now be added to the grip. They should curl around your club firmly so that your fingers are arranged one after the next without gaps in between.^{[11]
X
Research source}
4
Lay both thumbs atop the shaft. Much like the overlapping grip, your thumbs should align to follow the shaft of the club. Your end grip should have both hands holding the club as a single, interconnected unit.^{[12]
X
Research source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Utilizing the Baseball Grip

1
Take the club in your left hand. Rest the head of your club on the ground. Much like standard club grips, you should first hold the grip of the golf club in your left hand. Your left palm should be facing up, and the grip should lay across your palm. The end of the club's handle should end evenly with the heel of your hand.
- The baseball grip is especially recommended if you find the overlapping or interlocking grip uncomfortable.
- The baseball grip is often recommended to children, senior citizens, and women to provide greater leverage in the swing. However, this grip can cause issues with form, like flipping at the end of the downswing.^{[13]
  X
  Research source}
2
Curl the fingers of your left hand around the club. With the baseball grip, all the fingers of your left hand will wrap around the club, unlike other grips where your thumbs align with the club's handle. Hold the club loosely with your left hand fingers gripping in this fashion, with each finger, including your thumb, curling around the handle.^{[14]
X
Research source}
3
Place your right hand below your left hand on the grip. Your right hand should be directly below your left, with the club resting loosely in your palm and only your left hand fingers curled around the handle. Your left thumb should touch the meaty part of your hand connected to your right pinkie.^{[15]
X
Research source}
4
Add your remaining fingers to the grip. Curl your right hand fingers around the club. The thumbs of both hands should also wrap around the club handle, with your left thumb pushing slightly into the meaty part of your right hand connect to your pinkie. This grip is very similar to the standard baseball bat grip.^{[16]
X
Research source}

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Putting with a Cross-Handed Grip

1
Take your putter in your right hand. But first rest the head of your putter on the ground. Unlike most standard grips, the cross-handed grip begins with your right hand. With your right palm facing upwards, allow the club to rest across your right palm so that the heel of your hand and the end of the club are even.
- The cross-handed putting grip is especially effective and assisting with an even putting stroke. If you have difficulty with even strokes in your putting, this grip is recommended.^{[17]
  X
  Research source}
2
Wrap the fingers of your right hand around the shaft. Your right hand, at this point, should be loose and your right thumb should be in line with the handle of the putter. Your fingers should be arranged closely together so there is no space between them.^{[18]
X
Research source}
3
Link your left pinkie to your right hand grip. Your left pinkie finger will need to be sandwiched between the knuckle of your right forefinger and middle finger. Keep the remaining fingers of your right hand loose and uncurled around the handle. You'll first want your left pinkie link to your right grip with a hold that is comfortable, yet firm.^{[19]
X
Research source}
4
Add the remaining fingers of your left hand to the grip. The remaining three fingers of your left hand will curl around the handle. Your left thumb should lay atop the thumb of your right hand. Both thumbs should follow the length of the shaft of the club so both are in alignment with it.
- Holding the club in this fashion will help keep your left wrist firm as you putt. This will encourage more even putting.
- The cross-handed grip can look or feel awkward while you are getting used to it. It may take you some time before it becomes natural.^{[20]
  X
  Research source}

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Troubleshooting Your Swing

1
Mirror right handed form if you are left handed. Left handed golfers can achieve a good grip on the club by reversing these instructions so they are mirrored. For example, instead of starting off holding the club with your left hand, you would instead take the club in your right hand.^{[21]
X
Research source}
2
Rate and adjust your grip strength. Rate the strength of your grip from 1 - 10, with one being your weakest grip and 10 being your strongest. The kind of grip you should generally use when holding your club at about a 5 or 5½.^{[22]
X
Research source}
- Don't grip the golf club too tightly. You should hold it like a firm handshake. A tighter grip doesn't make a more powerful shot, it will only restrict your ability to take a full swing.
3
Maintain clean, straight angles in your form. A slight bend or angle will drastically affect your swing, especially on long shots and putts. When putting, even small deviations will be increased by irregularities in the terrain and can cost you strokes.
- When holding a putter, make sure your forearms and the shaft of the club form a straight line towards the ground.^{[23]
  X
  Research source}

Warnings

Always be certain others on the course/range are aware you are teeing off before doing so to prevent others from being hit by balls.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0