Luke is an avid weekend-warrior golfer from the East Coast who plays golf more than he cares to admit.
Learn How to grip a golf club for a Beginner Right Handed Golfer in this comprehensive guide from the experts at OurGolfClubs.
How to grip a golf club – the quick and simple way
Here’s the fastest way to properly grip a golf club as a righty in 4 moves or steps:
1. grab your left hand with your right hand, making sure the head of the club is facing away from you
2. wrap your fingers around the handle, avoiding the overlap between the left thumb and index finger (you want to allow a slight bit of space)
3. actually gripping this time? good! place both thumbs on top of the shaft with both hands
4. finally, with your right thumb slightly more on top than left thumb, create pressure between your right thumb and index finger to hold the club in place
This is a good grip for beginners because it allows you to relax your arms when at address (this will be really important later when we talk about swing mechanics).
That’s it – if you’ve done it correctly, your left thumb should be in line with your index finger and the right hand will be in a similar position. The club should feel secure in your hands without any twisting or slack from either hand.
Golf Grip 101
The basics of a golf grip are simple – keep the club face square – all you have to do is make a closed fist with your left hand and wrap your right hand around it.
If you’re holding the club correctly, then there should be a gap between your index finger and thumb that’s approximately half an inch wide on both hands.
Proper Golf Grip Technique
There are a few proper ways to grip your golf club, the most common is done by the thumbs being on top of the grip.
Another way to grip a golf club is to have your palms facing downward and instead of having the thumbs up, they’re down by your fingers.
You can also put one hand on top or underneath for this style of grip.
A word about your left thumb
In a golf grip, the left thumb is in line with the index finger. If you have your thumb wrapped under or on top of your fingers, that’s incorrect. There should be a little bit of space between your left thumb and your index finger.
Grip pressure in your hands and club
The optimum pressure to hold onto the club is about 5–8 pounds of pressure – any more than that can cause you to have a loose grip, which can lead to poor shots and dropped balls.
Hold a golf club !
When your hands are on the club, try to create even pressure between both hands. A lot of people think they should grip more with their right hand (which is more of a power grip), but that isn’t always best for everyone. You want to create an even grip, not a power grip or a loose one.
Baseball grip vs Goll Grip
The two famous grips are baseball and golf. The difference between these two is that in baseball, the thumbs are usually down, while in golf the thumbs should be up.
Proper Golf Grip for a Right Handed Golfer
Now that you know how to grip a golf club as a beginner righty let’s talk about your hands and positioning on the club:
Proper Golf Grip: Left Hand Positioning
The correct golf grip involves your left hand placement to be placed on the handle of the club first and it should be underneath your right hand.
Proper Golf Grip: Right Hand Positioning
Your right hand will be on top of the left hand. Your arms should be separated from each other – this allows the club to have a wider striking area as well as allowing you to swing back further.
In addition, if you hit a ball too far or hard, your fingers won’t be in a position to get hit by the club.
When gripping a golf club, beginners often complain of pain or discomfort in their hands and wrists at address. If this is happening, here’s a few tips:
• Keep your left wrist flat – if your left wrist is bent back when you grip the club, your wrist and hands will be in a much weaker position.
• Position the club in the natural groove between your thumb and index finger – if you wrap your thumb around to meet with your index finger, this can cause discomfort, as well as actually dropping the club head when you take a swing.
• Make sure that both thumbs are at the same height on the club handle. If one of them is higher than the other, this can cause discomfort and even injury.
What is a Neutral Golf Grip?
The Neutral golf girp is somewhere between a strong and weak grip. Here are some benefits to having neutral grip:
• The golf club is more balanced in the golfer’s hands which leads to less fatigue, especially during long rounds.
• Has greater potential for achieving maximum distance with little effort on the part of the golfer.
A lot of people think that this is the best golf grip for beginners, and it’s a great option if you’re just starting out.
Neutral Grip vs Weak and Strong Grips
A weak golf grip is when the left thumb is positioned under the club and your right hand is more on top of everything. A strong grip is when both thumbs are on top of the club with the palms facing each other.
Both of these golf club grips can be difficult to use, especially if you’re new to golfing or not very coordinated in your hands.
If you want to change the grip you have, don’t worry! The only way to get better at something is for it for it to become second nature so keep practicing until it feels natural.
Once you have your golf grip on the golf club, it’s time to practice so you can start playing. Once you get the hang of things, it’ll be easier for you to play. As always, don’t give up! You’ll get there in no time.
Interlocking and overlapping grips
The overlapping grip involves one hand of the golfer’s overlapping the other with gripping fingers interlaced, effectively choking up on the club.
The interlocking grip has one set of fingers from each hand wrapped around the same side of the grip, which creates a firm hold on the club.
For some people, using either of these grips can lead to better accuracy and feel while playing, but it all depends on what works for you.
If you have an issue with the grip you have right now, don’t panic. It’s something that people get better at over time – just keep practicing!
Tight Grip Pressure vs Loose Grip Pressure
What is Tight Grip Pressure?
When your hands are gripping too tightly, this can cause problems. For example, your swing will be a lot shorter and sloppy because you aren’t gripping the club in a natural way.
What is Loose Grip Pressure?
If you grip too loose on the club, you’ll have no control over it when you swing. It’s going to feel weightless in your hands, making it hard to have a good, clean connection.
Is there a perfect golf grip?
Golf is a game where it doesn’t matter what grip you use. If you have the right motion and swing path, it’ll be much easier for your to play.
Rest assured there is no true perfect golf grip rather, it’s up to you and your golf swing. Golf grip on the golf club is all about hand placement and your desired golf shot.
However, a lot of people find a grip that works for them and stick with it throughout their life because they’re more comfortable with that type of grip. It’s important to note that good golf begins when you hold a golf club!
There are a lot of different types of grips in golf, but the most common one is the Overlapping. This grip was brought to light by Gary Player who said that it’s very important for you to “get a good firm grip around the club.”
The overlapping grip on the golf club has one set of fingers from each hand wrapped around the same side of the grip, which creates a firm hold on the club.
If you play golf you probably use one of these grips without even knowing it!
PGA Golf Professional ‘Proper Grip’ Preferences:
PGA Professionals have been playing golf for a very long time (longer than junior golfers, at least) so suffice it to say, the pros adjust as they see fit.
How does Tiger Woods grip the golf club?
Tiger Woods has a strong grip, but his has less overlap than the average person’s.
What type of grip does Rory McIlroy have?
Rory McIlroy uses a Weak grip with quite a bit of overlap.
How does the interlocking grip or any other consistent golf grip affect the golf swing?
The golf grip on the golf club you go with will make or break good golf shots. The golf grip changes the entire swing in many different ways:
- Club Face
- Golf Ball Striking
- Desired Ball Flight
- Club Face Angle
- Swing Path
- Golf Ball Flight
Club face and your golf grip
How you hold a golf club and the golf grip affects the club face by making it open or close to the desired path you intend to hit the ball.
Ball Striking and your golf grip
Your golf grip on the golf club changes the ball striking by making it either clean or ragged. It contributes to accuracy and/or power in your shots.
Desired Ball Flight and your golf grip
With the right shape club face, your ball flight will be perfect! With the wrong golf grip on the golf club, well you’ll have to deal with an unpleasant shot. The grip you have will help ensure the ball flight is what you want it to be.
Club face angle and your golf grip
Your grip changes your club face angle in both the vertical and horizontal planes. It could change up your entire swing which is why Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and other pros adjust their grips throughout a round of golf.
Swing path and your golf grip on the golf club
Tiger Woods has a slightly outside swing that results in a fade, which he’s able to hit because of his grip. If Tiger were to change his grip it would’ve changed the shape of his swing path. This is why it’s important to choose wisely!
Ball flight and your golf grip
Getting the ball flight you want is important to delivering the ball into the hole every time. Get it right with golf grip on the golf club!
Overlap Grip for amateur golfers:
The overlap grip is in between the interlocking grip and the baseball/cantaloupe grip in terms of pressure. You can use it to play all types of shots, but beginners tend to use it more often because it’s simple to learn.
Interlocking Grip for amateur golfers:
The interlocking grip has a light hold on the grip and it’s commonly used by those who play a lot of golf.
Right hand baseball grip for amateur golfers:
Gripping the golf club like you’re holding a baseball bat or cantaloupe, as some people call it, is a weak grip that allows your hands to rotate through impact.
This is not the best grip for new right handed people or even most golfers because it doesn’t give you much control over the ball.
Left hand baseball or Cantaloupe Grip for amateur:
This weak grip is identical to the right hand baseball grip, but it’s with your left hand instead of your right.
What about a Left handed golfer correct grip?
Leftites use the opposite grip.
Left Hand Weak Grip:
This is a very weak hold and it’s used by most left handed amateur golfers.
Left Hand Overlap Grip:
This is when your left hand overlaps your right hand by 8-12 inches, which helps you get a little more control over the club. Finding the right distance is the key to getting the most control, so feel free to experiment!
Left Hand Interlocking Grip: Right Hand Weak Grip:
For some lefties, this is their favorite grip. It’s exactly like it sounds and where your left hand grips on top of your right hand with an overlapping hold. Although many novice golfers use this grip, it’s better for experienced players who want more flexibility.
Left Hand Interlocking Grip: Right Hand Overlap Grip:
Just like the interlocking right hand grip but with your left hand instead of your right!
Left Hand Interlocking Grip: Right Hand Baseball or Cantaloupe Grip:
When you use an overlapping grip like you would with your right hand, but instead do it with your left.
How to hold a golf club correctly:
Now that we’ve got everything squared away, let’s get down to business!
The best way for someone to find their perfect grip is by practicing different grips until they find one that feels comfortable.
- Take one of the golf clubs and stick the butt end of the grip into your palm and leave a gap between your thumb and pointer finger.
- Clench your hand and hold it like this before taking a swing. Make sure to keep all four fingers together on one side of the club, because if you let any stray they’ll mess up distance and accuracy!
- Make sure to keep the wrist straight when taking your swing. If you don’t, then there’s a good chance that you’ll hit the ball off-center.
- Keep in mind that most golfers change their grips throughout a round of golf depending on how they’re hitting the shot, so it’s best to use both hands when practicing!
Solid New Golf Grip for novices:
For those who don’t know which grip to use, the solid grip is a great way for them to learn. It’s simple and doesn’t require you to take a swing!
Just stick the butt end of the grip into your palm and make sure that your pointer finger and thumb are on one side of it. Now hold the club like you’re shaking hands with it.
To keep your wrist straight (no wrist hinge), make sure the shaft is pointing up and your palm is facing towards the ground.
The pointer finger should be along the golf clubs while your other fingers are wrapped around it. There should be a small gap between your ring finger and pinky so that they aren’t touching each other.
Incorrect Golf Grip:
The incorrect grip is when your fingers are too close together, which leads to a couple of problems with distance and accuracy.
If you don’t make a correction for this during the course of your round, then it’ll be difficult to fix!
It’s best for beginners to practice both hands when they hold a golf club, so that they can get a feel for the right grip and what it should feel like.
Try and practice during your next golf lesson! It’s important to know how to hold a club before hitting the links, so you don’t mess up your swing or posture.
Hold a golf club incorrectly or just take a lesson?
Now that we’ve talked about all of these types of grips, have you refreshed yourself on the types? If you still don’t know which grip to use, then the best thing for you to do is take a lesson!
Having a professional look at your swing will help them diagnose why your shots are going where they are, and how to fix it!
After all, if you’re not hitting the ball in the right direction, then what’s the point of holding a golf club?
Sometimes the reason people hit the ball off center is because their grip isn’t right for them, so make sure you get one that works for you. It may take hours of practice to gain comfort with different grips, but it’ll help you in the long run to hold your golf game consistent.
