How to hold a golf club, the proper grip for playing golf

There are certain fundamentals a golfer needs to learn to develop a good, repetitive golf swing.

One could argue that the grip is the most important of these fundamentals, since it is our only attachment to the golf club.

The grip is what largely controls the angle of the clubface at impact, which is responsible for the initial direction of the golf ball.

Therefore, it is necessary to learn how to hold a golf club in order to better control the angle of the clubface.

Ideally, what we would like is a NEUTRAL grip.  So how do we achieve that?  Here are the basic points….

Here is how you hold the club if you are right-handed:

Your left hand should be placed on the club so that the left thumb points down the club shaft at about 1 o’clock. If your thumb is straight down the shaft, it is too weak.

The V formed by your thumb and forefinger should be pointed between your right cheek and right shoulder.

Then, if I am standing in front of you, I should only see two knuckles on the back of your left hand.

If I see more than 2, your hand is turned too far to the right (too strong).

If I see only 1, it is turned too far to the left (too weak).

Your right hand should be placed in such a way that the pad of the right thumb covers the left thumb. You then wrap your fingers around the club from there.

Your right thumb should be pointed at 11 o’clock down the club shaft.

The V formed by your thumb and forefinger should be pointed between your right cheek and right shoulder…parallel to the V formed by your left hand.

You should form a trigger with your right forefinger, and that trigger should be directly beside the right thumb, not underneath the club, and not on top of the grip.

When you place your hands on the club in this manner, the palms should be facing each other.

A proper grip

Whether you work with an overlap grip (pinky of righthand over top forefinger of left hand), interlock grip (pinky of right hand interlocks with forefinger of left hand) or a 10 finger grip is up to you.

Strong Grip

This photo demonstrates a strong grip.  Both hands for the right hander are rotated too far to the right.  The strong grip will have a tendency to result in a closed clubface at impact.

Weak grip

This photo demonstrates a weak grip for the right hander.  Both hands are rotated too far to the left.  A weak grip will tend to leave the clubface open at impact.

Changing your grip is often an uncomfortable change, but it is the key to hitting more consistent golf shots.

Does it need to be perfect?  No.  There are definitely successful players who’ve played with grips that are far from perfect.  Fred Couples comes to mind.

However, if you can keep your grip within a relatively neutral position, it will make it easier to get the clubface square at impact.

A word on grip pressure.

Most golfers have a tendency to hold on to the club too tight.

Most golfers tend to slice the ball, and holding onto the club too tightly will only make this worse.

However, if you tend to hook the ball too much, try holding the club a little tighter.

Ideally, we want medium grip pressure…not too tight and not too loose.

Get to work on this important fundamental if you want more consistency in your game.