What Is a Correct Golf Grip?
By Steve Silverman
Knowing how to grip a golf club properly will not assure that a golfer will hit the ball correctly. However, not holding a club properly will almost assure that a golfer will not hit the ball well. Generally speaking, both hands should work as one when holding a golf club.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Take hold of the golf club in your left hand and slide it to the top of the grip. Place the small finger of your right hand in the space between your left forefinger and your middle finger. Make sure your thumbs align with each other. This is called the overlapping grip, which is used by most golfers.
Take hold of the club with your left hand. Slide the small finger of your right hand under the forefinger of your left hand. Make sure your thumbs align down the shaft of the club. This is called the interlocking grip, and a lot of golfers who want to generate extra power use this grip.
Take hold of the club in your left hand. Place your right hand directly under it as if you were taking hold of a baseball bat. Do not overlap or interlock your fingers. This is called the baseball grip, and it can benefit golfers who may feel restricted by the previous grips.
Check out your left hand. You should notice that a "V" is formed when you look at the spot between your left thumb and forefinger. This will assure that you have a chance to get adequate power on your swing when you tee off.
Grip the club at about a "5" on a scale of 1 to 10. If you think you can get extra power by holding it tighter, you are fooling yourself. The more you squeeze the club, the more you restrict your ability to take a full swing. Holding it any looser may cause it to wobble on impact with the golf ball.
Tips & Warnings
Try out all three grips at the driving range before deciding on one for yourself. Comfort and ease of swing should be your deciding factor.
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.
