How to grip your golf club is just as important, or even more so than any aspect of your golf swing. Your grip on the golf club is what connects you, your body and mind to the golf club. This connection is vital as it does not only promote physical connection, it allows you to feel the club and connect with your mind. Mind muscle connection, ensures all elements of the golf swing are in sync and work in tandem. There are three main types of golf grips used by golfers.
Baseball/10 Finger Grip
The baseball grip, or 10 finger grip, is when you grip the golf club with your with your hands resting atop one another. There is no locking or overlapping of the index and pinky fingers.
Overlapping/Vardon Grip
The overlapping grip is the same as the baseball grip except you place your pinky finger from the lead hand between the middle and index knuckles of the other hand. This creates a sort of anchor, merging your two hands as one. The overlapping grip can have micro affects on distance. With one less finger gripping the golf club, control and transfer of power is reduced. This may also hinder control for the same reasons. The overlapping grip will indeed increase your stability and comfort, and is much easier to adapt to than the next grip option.
Interlocking grip
The interlocking grip expands upon the overlapping grip. In this method, the pinky finger is interlocking with the index finger rather than being anchored over the top. The interlocking grip is the most common amongst professional golfers as it allows for the most stable connection between the two hands. Completely interlocking the fingers that connect the hands, creates a unity which promotes consistency and greater control. The only real downside to the interlocking grip is the discomfort. This discomfort is the main reason golfers decide the interlocking grip is not for them. Despite the discomfort, if you can get used to the interlocking grip, over time it may feel natural, becoming your preferred grip of choice.
Conclusion
Although the baseball grip is suggested for beginner golfers, it is unlikely to be the grip you stick with as your develop golfing skills develop. The baseball grip is a great place to start. It will feel the most comfortable when you first start swinging your golf clubs. Once you are familiar with your newly adopted grip, it will feel uncomfortable experimenting with other grips. Over your golfing career and development, you will likely experiment with all three types of golf grips. I recommend starting out with the baseball grip, transitioning to the overlap grip and then eventually the interlocking grip.
At the end of the day, the choice is yours to make. Each option has marginal advantages and disadvantages and thus, personal preference and comfort should be the deciding factor. Don’t forget to invest in a quality golf glove and the importance of regripping your golf clubs. Doing all of these things will mean your grip is the best it can be.
