How To Have A Proper Grip
By Steve Silverman
Having a proper grip is all about comfort. If a golfer is going to swing his club and drive the ball 200 to 250 yards down the fairway, he can't do it if the club doesn't feel comfortable. Here's the catch--the club will not feel comfortable right away. It will take time to get used to gripping the club in the correct manner. Once you do find the grip you like, you'll keep it for a long time
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderate
Take hold of the club with your left hand (for a right-handed golfer) and wrapping your hand around the top of the grip. Then take the small finger of your right hand and let it sit in the gap between your left forefinger and middle finger.
Line your thumbs up under each other. To check to make sure you have done this correctly, you should see a "V" when you look down at your thumb and forefinger. This is called the overlapping grip. It is used by most players.
Take hold of the club in a similar manner with your left hand. Slide the small finger of your right hand underneath your left forefinger. Once again, make sure your thumbs line up underneath each other. This is called the interlocking grip. It will take some time to get used to, but many players feel this grip gives them better control of the club and that they can hit a more accurate shot.
Pick up your club as if it were a baseball bat. Your left hand is on top and your right hand is underneath. It's just that simple if you want to use the "baseball" grip. While it is not as popular as the overlapping or interlocking grip, it is still an acceptable way to hold your club.
Choke down on your club when you are close to the green and ready to chip it on the putting surface. You need to get a better feel for your shot when you are less than 50 yards away and choking down will get you closer to the hitting area of the club and allow you to have a better feel for your shot.
Tips & Warnings
Go to the driving range and try all three grips and figure out which one you like best.
About The Author
Steve Silverman is an award-winning writer, covering sports since 1980. Silverman authored The Minnesota Vikings: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and Who's Better, Who's Best in Football -- The Top 60 Players of All-Time, among others, and placed in the Pro Football Writers of America awards three times. Silverman holds a Master of Science in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism.
