Have you ever wondered if the way you hold a golf club is the best technique to hit the ball straight and hard? Or are you looking for a different grip and wondering how a person with a low handicap holds a stick?
We’ve got all the details you need to make the right decision on how to hold a golf club, giving you a breakdown of the different types of golf grips as well as a visual breakdown of how to hold a golf club properly.
Grab one of your irons from the bag, a blade and an old/spare golf glove and see how you can improve your golf grip!
Different types of golf grips
First of all, let’s take a look at the different types of golf grips used by beginner golfers to the pros:
10-finger grip
The 10-finger grip is the least complicated of the grips. This grip will allow all your fingers to rest on the stick next to each other. The grip should not be visible between the palms. The 10-finger grip will allow golfers more wrist movement, which can help with swing power, however, the 10-finger grip has several disadvantages.
(image of a 10-finger grip)
Since the hands are next to each other in a 10-finger grip, there is a greater chance of less control over the face of the stick. By less control, we mean that it may be more difficult to keep the club face where the ball hits. When considering this grip, keep in mind your weaknesses when it comes to hitting the ball. Ask yourself, “Do I struggle more with power or accuracy?”
Overlapping handle
The overlapping grip is probably the most common grip used by players with low handicaps. To use this grip, rest your little index finger and middle finger on the grip.
This grip has gained popularity mainly because players have discovered that it unifies their hands on the club for greater control while still being able to provide the wrist movement needed to generate power in the swing.
(image of overlapping handle)
The overlapping grip may be a basic grip for most golfers, but remember that using the gripping technique correctly can be difficult if you have weak or small hands. If you’re looking for the best balance between swing control and power, consider stacking holds.
Locking handle
The blocking grip is another popular grip that connects the hands well on the club, providing excellent control when striking the ball. This is done by interlocking the right little finger with the index finger.
(picture of locking handle)
If you’re looking for a stronger hand connection, a locking grip will give you better swing control. Just remember that you can sacrifice some of your grip feeling for locking as the two fingers will be more connected compared to other grips.
Steps for proper golf grip
To help you understand the basics of a good golf grip, we have broken down the grip into 6 steps:
Before we start: The following steps are for a right-handed golfer. If you’re a left-handed golfer, just turn your hands to follow. We will also show the steps for the overlapping grip as we believe this is the best technique for most golfers
- Start by catching the club with your left hand and lifting it parallel to the ground
- Grabbing the stick with your left hand, angle the grip between your thumb and forefinger.
- Wrap your fingers around the grip and point your thumb down the grip towards the club head.
- Your grip at this point should be firm enough that you can release the grip with your index and middle fingers and not drop the club
- Take your right hand and place your little finger between your left index and middle fingers
- Wrap the rest of your hand around the grip so that your right thumb slightly overlaps your left. Both thumbs should be pointing towards the club head
- Once the grip is established, get into position and direct the ball with the club face to the ball.
(step by step image carousel on how to properly capture the bookmark)
Marking the glove for proper grip
If you’re having trouble telling if you’re holding your hand correctly in step two, try this:
- Put on a spare or old golf glove and open your palm so that your fingers are pointing forward and your thumb is pointing up
- Take the blade and draw two diagonal lines on the glove where the handle of the stick will lie.
- Grasp the club with your trailing hand and place it within the two diagonal lines drawn on the golf glove
(photo of glove with diagonal markings)
Try to memorize the feel of the golf club placed in the diagonal lines on your glove. Over time, the stick will naturally position itself in the right part of your hand and you won’t need that old glove with markings.
Golf trick tips to keep in mind
Remember that your hands ultimately control the way you hit the ball. Your swing sequence, stance, and stance all affect where your hands are when you hit the ball. Your grip will be the deciding factor when it comes to club face and ball position. Keep these tips in mind as you develop the right grip:
- Don’t feel the need to hold the club too much! Holding the club too hard will contribute to poor contact with the ball and even less swing power. When you focus your strength in one area, you take away strength from other areas.
- Watch how far up or down you put your hands. The closer your hands are to the head of the club, the closer you will get when shooting. Try to grip the stick about one inch from the tip of the stick and with the hand closest to the tip of the stick.
- Do you have a problem with the accuracy of your shots or do you feel that you are doing too much with your hands? Check your grip! Without even realizing it, many players grip the club in a way that contributes to hooking or cutting the ball. Try to release your swing with your current grip and watch the club hit the ball.
Application
The last thing you want to think about on the golf course is how to hold your golf club properly. As you practice, take the time to focus on the basic aspects of your golf grip and choose the grip that best suits your game. Be sure to check out our others golf guides that will help you improve all areas of your golf game.
