What's The Best Golf Grip For Your Game?

Finding the best golf grip to match your physical characteristics and style of play doesn't have to be difficult.

Unfortunately, most beginning golfers settle on the first grip they learn. While this grip may be the most comfortable at first, it's not necessarily the best grip to use.

While there are really only three different types of golf grips, there are some things to consider when picking the right one. Note that any change to your golf grip will feel awkward at first.

The three basic golf grips are as follows:

Overlap golf grip (also called the Vardon grip)
Interlocking golf grip
Baseball golf grip (also known as the 10 finger grip)

Overlap Golf Grip

The overlap grip is probably the best golf grip for most golfers playing today. This grip gets its name because the pinkie finger on the dominant hand overlaps with the index finger of the weaker hand.

The reason the overlap grip is so popular and effective is because it keeps both hands together on the grip but also allows each hand to have equal feel on the club.

Compared to its interlocking cousin, the overlap grip doesn't lock the hands together.

Golfers often prefer the overlap grip because it provides a slightly better feel on the club. Not having the hands locked together also helps many golfers make a more fluid wrist turn.

The overlap grip above. Notice how the pinkie finger overlaps the index finger.

Interlocking Golf Grip

The interlocking golf grip is very similar to the overlap golf grip. All features between these two grips are identical except that, instead of the pinkie finger overlapping the index finger, these two fingers interlock.

Think of the pinkie and index fingers forming a chain link, like the picture to the right.

The interlock style is the best golf grip for people who have smaller hands or shorter fingers. In the overlap grip, golfers with short fingers find it hard to keep the hands together...

The pinkie finger is just too short to keep a firm overlap position on the index finger.

The interlock golf grip also helps some golfers who find that their hands lose control of the golf club at the top of the swing.

The interlocking grip above. The pinkie and index fingers "lock" together.

Baseball Golf Grip

Most of us at one point or another have used the baseball golf grip. While this grip can present some swing challenges, it does have some advantages for certain golfers.

For golfers who are really struggling with a bad slice or just can't seem to generate enough power in their swing, the baseball grip may be the best golf grip.

By separating both hands on the club, some golfers find it much easier to make a complete and powerful wrist turn.

Improving the wrist turn is usually the first and most important step when addressing slices and swing speed issues.

The baseball grip above. Both hands are separate, like gripping a baseball bat.

Other Grip Considerations

There are a few of other things to consider for the grip techniques described above. The relative positioning of your hands on the grip determines the amount of torque your hands and arms exert on the club. A strong golf grip exerts more power than a weak golf grip.

If a golfer uses an overlap grip and finds that she consistently pushes or fades the ball, she may try a stronger grip. If she's right handed, a stronger golf grip would be accomplished by slightly rolling the right hand to the left on the top of the grip.

If another golfer uses an interlock grip and often hits a low hook, he may try a weaker interlock golf grip. If he's right handed, a weaker golf grip would be accomplished by slightly rolling the left hand to the left on the top of the grip while simultaneously rolling the right hand to the right.

While strong and weak golf grips certainly can solve certain types of problems, a neutral grip is the best golf grip. You can tell if you have a neutral grip by looking down at your grip on the club at address...

If you see more than one or two knuckles on each hand, you have a strong grip. If you don't see any knuckles, you have a weak grip.

A neutral grip is best because it won't cover up any existing swing issues. For example, if a golfer uses a stronger golf grip to combat a slice, she may actually be ignoring a larger swing issue...

Her swing plane may be incorrect which causes her to slice.

A strong grip may help her reduce the amount that she slices the ball, but she still has the same swing plane issue.

If you're just starting out, take a small bucket of balls to the range and practice with each kind of grip. Really focus on getting the grips right and pay attention to the quality of your shots. You should be able to quickly determine which of the three basic grip styles is the best golf grip for your game.

Found your best golf grip? Learn more golf grip tips here.