Before a golfer takes a swing, there's something important he must address: How he is holding the golf club. A sound golf club grip ensures the hands are properly placed to provide enough power and control to properly hit and direct the ball. Your hands should work together--not against each other--in order to swing and make contact with the ball. Use these tips to ensure your grip is game-worthy.
Step 1
Keep your hands relaxed, then approach the club. Put your palms on either side of the club to where your hands are directly opposite of each other.
Step 2
Grip the club with your left hand first (unless you are left-handed, then you would grip with the right first). The grip should fall where your palm meets your fingers and the backside of your hand should face where you are aiming.
Step 3
Beginning with your pinkie finger, curl your fingers around the club. The thumb should extend down the grip and fall slightly left of the center of the club's grip. If you prefer, you can point the index finger down the grip's length. Check to see where your fingertips fall. If your fingertips lightly touch the palm, you are utilizing the proper grip. If your fingers are folding too far in the palm, your grip may not be wide enough.
Step 4
Place your right hand on the club, with the palm opening toward the target. This hand should be placed lower than the left on the club.
Step 5
Grip the club with your right hand. Instead of pointing downward and wrapping the fingers around the club, you should wrap the fingers slightly up around the club. This is considered a trigger-like grip.
Step 6
Observe your hand placement. Do your right hand thumb and index finger form a V on the club that's visible when you look down? If so, then you are properly holding the club. You should also look for two visible knuckles on each hand--but no more or less than this, which also indicates you are properly gripping the club. If you have met these requirements, you are now ready to swing.
Tips and Warnings
- Two variations on the golf grip exist when it comes to your hand placement. The pinkie of the right hand can either overlap or interlock with the index and middle finger of the left hand. Although either method is used by professional golfers, the most common grip is the overlap method, according to BBC Sport.
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