How to Hold a Golf Club Correctly

May 24, 2025 Charles C. Elliott

Proper grip is among the most essential steps for anyone new to golf. A good firm grip allows you to hit the ball straighter, cover more distance, and do it with consistency. If you’re just starting out, learning how to hold a golf club correctly is the foundation of building a solid and effective golf swing. This simple guide will take you through the steps of how to properly grip a golf club.

What We Cover In this Post

Why Your Golf Grip Matters

Yet your hands are the only part of your body that ever touches the golf club, and your grip influences your swing and ball direction! When you hold it right you exert control and balance, as well as good power. Plus, it’s much more effective at avoiding common errors such as slicing (the ball will curve to the right) or hooking (the ball will curve to the left).

Short Guide: How to properly hold a golf club

The first thing you need to do is to focus on the Lead Hand (Left Hand for Right-Handed Golfers)

Point the face of the club straight and hold the club waist high in front of you.
Do not put the grip in your palm, but rather across the base of your fingers.
Wrap your fingers around the handle of your club. When you look down, you should see two to three knuckles of your lead hand.
Your thumb and forefinger will form a “V”; this should also point to your right shoulder.

Hooking Up the Trail Hand (Right Hand for Right Handed Golfers)

With the grip above your fingers, put your right hand under the left.
Use your right palm to cover the fingers of your left hand.
Your right thumb and index finger also create a “V” shape that points toward your right shoulder.

Types of Golf Grips

The three most prevalent types of placing your hands on the club —

1. Overlapping Grip (Vardon Grip)

Put your right hand pinky finger across the gap between your left index and middle fingers.
This is a very common grip used by players with larger hands.

2. Interlocking Grip

Drag the pinkie of your right hand and insert it between the index finger of your left hand.
It is one commonly used by players with smaller hands, including the likes of Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus.

3. Baseball Grip (Ten-Finger Grip)

Grip the club with all ten fingers, as if you were holding a baseball bat.
For beginners and people with joint pain, this grip is very easy to use.

Also Read: How to Fix Your Golf Slice

Grip Pressure: Neither Too Intense nor Too Laid-Back

Consider a tube of toothpaste — you want to squeeze it just enough that it does not slip out of your grasp, but not hard enough that you squeeze toothpaste out. If you are holding the club too tight, tension builds in your grip, creating restriction in your swing. If it’s too loose, you can lose control of the club.

Tips for Practicing Your Grip

At Home: You do not need to be out on the golf course to practice your grip. When watching television or in front of a mirror, grip a club.
Ascertain Your “V” Positioning — The “V” Shapes created by your thumbs and index fingers need to be pointing towards your right shoulder.
Use a Mirror: Mirror practice can help you view your hands and correct them.

Also Read: How to Record a Golf Swing

Understanding how to grip a golf club — this is a fundamental skill that can do wonders for your game. By selecting the grip that is right for you and getting into the habit of practicing with it often, you will soon find confidence and consistency with your swings. Just remember, all the great golfers started with the fundamentals, so work on your grip slowly and enjoy the process of learning golf.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why does grip matter?

Ans: It controls the swing and shot direction.

2. What if I grip it wrong?

Ans: You may slice, hook, or lose power.

3. Palm or fingers?

Ans: Use your fingers.

4. How many knuckles should I see?

Ans: Two to three.

5. Where should the “V” point?

Ans: At your right shoulder.

6. Best grip for big hands?

Ans: Overlapping grip.

7. Best grip for small hands?

Ans: Interlocking grip.

8. Easiest grip for beginners?

Ans: Baseball grip.

9. How tight should the grip be?

Ans: Firm but relaxed.

10. Can I practice at home?

Ans: Yes, with a mirror or while watching TV.