The grip is the most important fundamental in golf, as it is our only connection to the golf club. This is why it is critical that new golfers learn early on how to hold a golf club.
How you hold the golf club has a direct impact on the angle of the clubface at impact.
A weak grip will have a tendency to leave the clubface open to the target line at impact. This will cause you to slice the ball.
A strong grip will have tendency to result in the clubface being closed to the target line at impact. This will cause you to hook the ball.
Therefore, you want to strive for a neutral grip.
How to hold a golf club – step by step
(for right handers)
First, 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.
If someone is standing in front of you, they should only see two knuckles on the back of your left hand. If more are visible, your hand is turned too far to your right, i.e., your grip is too strong. If
If only one knuckle is visible, then your hand is turned too far to the left, in a weak position.
That covers the left hand position, now let’s look at the right hand.
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.
The photos below represent an overly strong grip and an overly weak grip.
This photo demonstrates a strong grip. Both hands for the right hander are rotated too far to the right.
As I mentioned, 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.
For left handed golfers, here is how to hold a golf club.
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.
Grip Pressure
How tight you hold the golf club is a matter of preference. However, it will also vary among the different shots you will hit.
Some golfers hold the club very tightly when they hit a driver in order to have a bit more control over the clubface at impact.
For shorter shots around the green, to have better “feel,” you’ll want to use lighter grip pressure.
Final thoughts
The shape of your swing will also determine how to hold a golf club.
For example, you have a swing that has a steep swing plane when attacking the ball in the down swing, then you’ll need a stronger grip in order to offset that swing path.
An outside in swing path, all things being equal, will tend to result in an open club face at impact. It’s just harder to release the club when you have a steep swing plane.
On the other hand, if you have a flat swing plane, it is easier to release the club. Therefore, in order to avoid hitting a bunch of hook shots, you’ll want to have a slightly weaker grip.
In the long run though, if you want to become a better ball striker, you will want to have a nice neutral grip to give you a greater chance at having the clubface square to your target line.
If you found this article to be informative, please share and feel free to comment below.
Thanks for reading!
