Repetition is key in the sport of golf. Without constant practice and good, repeated movements, you will not be successful when you golf. One practice that should always be repeated is having a correct grip on your club. Having a proper grip is the basis for your whole game. A good grip will generally lead to a good swing which, in turn, will help you have a good score.
Purpose
According to GolfSwingFeeling.com: "A proper golf grip plays the most important role in the golf swing, simply because it connects your hands with the club, and the feel of swinging the club comes from your hands." A common misconception is that there is one correct grip. Every golfer, from amateurs to pros, grips and swings the club differently. There is no one perfect grip. However, generally there are three accepted grips that include the overlap, the interlocking and the hammer. It is important to develop a grip that is comfortable and works for you.
Benefits
Your overall game will improve dramatically once you start holding the club properly. According to GolfHelp.com, a good grip will keep the club head square at impact and keep the shaft from turning in your hands. The proper grip will keep your ball going straight down the fairway, thereby eliminated nasty hooks and slices. A comfortable and relaxed grip retains rhythm, knocks away inconsistencies in your swing and promotes a good follow through.
Overlapping Grip
The overlapping grip is by far the most used grip. Widely considered the most comfortable, over 90 percent of golfers use this grip, according to GolfHelp.com. Also known as the Vardon Grip, beginners should attempt this grip before all other ones. For right-handed golfers, start by holding the club with your left hand. Your thumb should be pointing down the top of the club shaft. Wrap your right palm around your left hand. Your fingers from your right hand should be underneath the shaft with your right pinky overlapping your left index finger. Stay relaxed, with pressure coming only from your last three fingers on your left hand, according to GolfSwingFeeling.com.
Interlocking Grip
For those not comfortable with the overlap, the interlocking grip is a great alternate. Used by golfers with smaller hands, many believe this particular grip produces better results. Performed by great golfers such as Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus, this grip locks the hands together, allowing for greater control of the club, according to MasteringGolf.co.uk. To execute the interlocking grip, start the same way you would when performing the overlap, but instead of overlapping your fingers, interlock your right pinky with your left index finger.
Hammer Grip
The Hammer grip, also known as the baseball or double-fisted grip, is perhaps the easiest grip to learn but is recommended the least. All 10 fingers are used to wrap around the handle of the club, which gives more freedom in hand action. Even though this is favorable to beginners, according to MasteringGolf.co.uk, it does not encourage the hands to work together as a single unit in tandem with the club, which may slow improvements in your golf game. As you would with a baseball bat, grab the club with your left hand and then with your right on top. Your left index finger should be resting on your right pinky.
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