Whether you're a beginner or an advanced golfer, one of the essential elements to playing well is a sound, natural grip on your golf club. Otherwise, you won't be able to deliver the club face squarely to the back of the ball; you won't be able to keep the club from slipping during your swing; your swing won't have a fluidity or continuity of motion; your ball won't get the requisite power at impact.
Types of Golf Grips
There are three primary grip styles. The Vardon, also known as the overlap, can be traced to golfer Harry Vardon in the early 1900s and is the most popular, especially among players with normal or large hands. The interlocking, or interlock, grip is popular for people with shorter fingers or thicker hands. The baseball grip, also known as the 10-finger grip, is generally preferred by golfers with small or weak hands and those who suffer from joint pain.
Vardon Grip
In the Vardon grip, you should place the little finger of your bottom hand on top of the crease between the index and middle finger of your top hand, so the little finger overlaps. If you are right-handed, the bottom hand would be the right hand. If you are left-handed, the bottom hand would be the left hand.
Interlocking Grip
As its name suggests, the interlocking grip is formed by interlocking your hands together. Lodge the little finger of your bottom hand between the middle and index fingers of your top hand.
The Baseball Grip
Imagine gripping your golf club the same way you would grip a baseball bat, and you have the 10-finger baseball grip. All of your fingers are placed directly on the club with the index finger of your top hand resting against the side of your little finger on your bottom hand. There is no overlapping or interlocking --- just one hand on top of the other.
Misconceptions
There is no one right golf grip. It's up to you to decide which feels right for you. Then it's practice, practice, practice.
Warning
No matter which golf grip you choose, it won't feel comfortable in the beginning. It typically takes about a month of practice before you begin to experience a natural connection to the grip. It's not just the grip you choose, it's also the pressure you apply to the grip. If you hold it too tightly, you won't be able to swing through with consistency. If your grip isn't tight enough, you won't have control over your swing.
Expert Insight
The famous golf pro Sam Snead once said, "Grip the club as if you were holding a baby bird. Not so tight that you squeeze the life out of it, but supple enough that the bird does not fly away." Snead also said, "If a lot of people gripped a knife and fork the way they do a golf club, they'd starve to death."
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