How To Hold A Golf Club
When a pro golfer takes a swing, they make it look effortless. The level of skill and finesse that pros display on the course makes it easy to forget that they had to learn how to hold golf club properly. At some point, they had to practice holding a golf club properly, just like you.
Whether you're completely new to the game or trying to improve your form, learning the correct way to hold a golf club can make a big impact on your performance. If you haven't mastered holding a golf club, you simply can't develop a consistent, reliable swing. This guide will review how to hold a golf club for beginners to get you on your way toward better play.
How to Hold Golf Club Properly
While there isn't one specific method to learn how to hold a golf club correctly, there are some methods that are tried and true. The method we will cover in this guide is the standard and what most people are describing when they talk about the proper way to hold a golf club. As a result, it's the best option of how to hold a golf club for beginners. This guide will focus on holding a golf club for right-handed golfers and explain the modification needed for left-handed golfers.
Follow these steps to master how to hold a golf club:
- Position the club out in front of you, holding it so that the face is square to the course.
- Start by moving your left hand.
- Line your left palm up with the handle.
- Place the heel of your hand close to the top of the club. Your hand should be about 0.25" of the way down from the top of the club. Don't place your hand at the very top.
- Rotate your hand where your first two knuckles are visible to make the hold feel natural.
- Place the palm of your right hand over your left thumb.
- Let your hand naturally close.
- Check your hand position by looking down at your hands. The thumb and forefinger should form a V that is pointing toward your chest. If it doesn't, release your hold and try again.
For left-handed golfers, the best method for how to hold a golf club is reversed. In other words, you will put your right hand about 0.25" from the top of the club and place your left palm over your right thumb.
For some people, the hand placement for properly holding a golf club comes naturally. To others, it feels awkward. If you're in the latter category, you can invest in a molded grip trainer that will help you put your hands in the right position.
Another trick to try is to use a permanent marker to draw lines on your golf gloves to help you get yourself quickly into that perfect V-shaped position to maintain full control of the club during your swing. Marking your gloves is an accepted practice that even some pros do.
Gripping A Golf Club
Don't proceed to learn how to grip a golf club until you can achieve the proper hold effortlessly. When the proper hold becomes muscle memory, mastering the right techniques for gripping a golf club will become much easier. Expect to spend some time practicing the proper golf grip, but don't worry. The amount of effort you invest will pay off, making it much easier for you to pull off difficult, yet essential shots, like hitting a draw in golf.
There are three different grip methods for you to consider. Try each of them a few times and then pick the one that feels most natural, focusing on it as you practice.
10-Finger Grip
What it is
With the 10-finger golf grip, all 10 of your fingers grip the club at the same time with equal amounts of pressure.
Benefits
Some benefits of gripping a golf club with a 10-finger grip include:
- Easy to master: doesn't take a lot of practice to master
- Speed boost: maximizes leverage to boost your swing speed
- Comfortable: many find this grip to feel natural. Kids, seniors and women may find it especially comfortable due to limited finger mobility or their smaller hand size
Drawbacks
Some potential drawbacks of gripping a golf club with a 10-finger grip include:
- Risk of applying too much force: because all 10 of your fingers are applying pressure you may tense up your arms and restrict the movement of your wrists
- Dominant hand may dominate: some find it hard to keep their dominant hand from gripping more tightly than their weaker hand
- Extra mobility: although tensing up your wrists too much can lead to problems, if your wrists are too loose, you may also end up with more hooks and slices. The 10-finger grip may allow too much freedom of movement
Overlapping Grip
What it is
With the overlapping grip, the pinkie finger on your right hand overlaps the pointer finger on your left hand for right-handed golfers. Left-handed golfers link their left pinky finger on their right pointer finger.
Benefits
Some benefits of gripping a golf club with an overlapping grip include:
- Comfortable for large hands: people with large hands, especially men, tend to find this grip comfortable
- Increases distance: grip boosts energy transfer to the ball
- Reduces risk of blisters: grip cuts down on friction to protect your hands
Drawbacks
Some drawbacks of gripping a golf club with an overlapping grip include:
- Poor timing: the increase in wrist freedom may hinder your swing
- Difficult for some people: people with small hands or limited finger dexterity might find it hard to maintain this grip
Interlocking Grip
What it is
With the interlocking grip, the pinkie finger on your right hand interlocks with the pointer finger on your left hand for right-handed golfers. Left-handed golfers link their left pinky with their right pointer.
Benefits
Some benefits of gripping a golf club with an interlocking grip include:
- Great for smaller hands: the interlocking grip can be a comfortable option for people with smaller hands
- Increases grip strength: your hands are less likely to slip so people with a weak grip may benefit from it
- Improves control and stability: allows your hands to function as a unit to improve control and cut down on hooks
Drawbacks
Some drawbacks of gripping a golf club with an interlocking grip include:
- Unnatural: may feel awkward or uncomfortable, especially if you have large hands
- Decreases distance: the grip reduce wrist power which can make for shorter shots
Protect Your Clubs
Knowing how to hold a golf club is an important first step in taking your game to the next level. Caring for and maintaining your equipment is also vital to success on the course. Protecting your golf clubs with stylish golf head covers from Devereux can help them stand the test of time, so you can continue to work on holding and gripping a golf club and to enjoy rounds with them for years to come.
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