The Proper Grip for Holding a Golf Club

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Updated January 20, 2022

Without a doubt, the most important fundamental in the game of golf is the grip. Your grip is your primary control over your clubface, and your clubface determines to the greatest extent which direction your golf ball is going to fly. Having the correct grip, for you, is so important, but that means that every golfer has a different golf swing, and every golfer needs to find their correct grip.

What is the Best Way to Grip a Golf Club?

There is no one correct grip. A good grip is one that makes your golf ball fly straight. In general though there are a few characteristics that you want to look at:

  • When you hold on to the golf club, the club lays across the palm of your left hand. You close your hand on the club and the V that is formed by your thumb and forefinger should point right in between your right ear and your right shoulder.
  • Now your right hand closes on the club and the V that is formed by your thumb and forefinger on the right hand points more up towards your nose, and your hands fit together closely on the golf club.
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Overlap Grip vs. Interlocking Grip

I use an overlap grip. Many players use an interlocking grip.

The overlap grip, which is called a Varden grip, is really the most popular grip there is in golf today. That is a neutral grip, one where the clubface will be square when I get to the top of the swing. By square I mean the same angle as my left wrist the clubface is square right now.

If I have a tendency to curve the ball to the right I will want to use a stronger grip, where my hands are adjusted more to the right on the club. That has a tendency to close the clubface, where the face is pointed more skyward. If I have a tendency to hook too much to the left I want to use a weak grip, where my hands are turned to the left on the club and that will open the clubface just a bit at the top and keep your ball from hooking too much. So find the correct grip for you, but start with a good grip. One where your hands fit together on the golf club and can work as one unit.