The Grip is the most important fundamental in the golf swing simply for the fact that it is our only connection to the golf club. Yet, the vast majority of golfers don’t have anything resembling a proper golf grip.

I see many golfers that might not even have one of their thumbs or a forefinger touching the club when
they swing it.

The first thing I ask them is if they have ever seen a PGA Tour player grip the club that way. When they answer “No” I ask “don’t you think we ought to imitate the best players in the world?”

Why a Proper Golf Grip?

Why is it so important go have a proper golf grip so important? Because it controls the clubface angle at impact. As indicated in the discussion regarding the Ball Flight Laws, the angle of the clubface at impact is most important to determining ball flight.

If the clubface is open at impact, the ball will likely fly to the right (assuming you are a right handed player). An open clubface is typically caused by a weak grip.

In other words, if you are a right handed player, your hands are turned to far to the left on the club. If you are a left handed player, your hands are turned too far to the right on the club.

If the clubface is closed at impact, the ball will likely fly to the left. A closed clubface at impact is typically caused by a grip that is too strong. If you are a right handed player, your hands are turned too far to the right on the club. If you are a left handed player, your hands are turned too far to the left.

Ideally, what we would like is a NEUTRAL grip. So how do we achieve that?

The Proper Golf Grip

(Right Handers)

1. 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.

2. 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).

3. 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.

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

5. 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.

6. 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.

(Left Handers)

1. Your right hand should be placed on the club so that the right thumb points down the club shaft at 11 o’clock.

2. The V formed by your thumb and forefinger should point between your left cheek and shoulder.

3. Your left hand should be place so that the pad of the left thumb covers your right thumb. Wrap your fingers around the club from there.

4. Your left thumb should be pointed at 1 o’clock down the club shaft.

5. The V formed by your thumb and forefinger should point between your left cheek and shoulder, parallel to the V formed by your right hand.

6. Form a trigger with your left forefinger, and that trigger should be directly beside the thumb, not underneath the club and not on top of the grip.

Whether you work with an overlap grip, interlock grip or a 10 finger grip is up to you. I personally recommend not using the 10 finger grip as that results in the hands working more independently than we like. We want the hands to work as one unit throughout the swing.

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.

This photo demonstrates a weak grip for the right hander. Both hands are rotated too far to the left. Notice how the V of the bottom hand would be pointing at the LEFT shoulder, and how you can barely see the second knuckle of the top hand. The 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. The only way to get more comfortable with the new grip is to work on it, practice with it. Swing the club in the garage so you get used to it during the winter months.

However, I do not recommend you change your grip under the following circumstances:

1. If you have a strong grip as described previously, but you still slice the ball, then do not try to achieve a more neutral grip, as it will only worsen your slice. You have to work on your swing mechanics first.

2. If you have a weak grip and still hook the ball, again, do not try to go to a more neutral grip, as you will only hook the ball more. You have to work on swing path first.

Proper Golf Grip Pressure

In regard to 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.

Work on developing a proper golf grip and in the long run, you will achieve greater consistency.

In the video below I discuss this key fundamental of the golf swing.