Types of Golf Grips: 3 Basic Styles Explained

Getting to know the various golf grips is one of the keys to establishing a consistent and effective golf swing on the course. Your golf hands are the only body part making contact with the club and ultimately they control the clubface position, swing plane and overall shot quality. There are three basic golf grips, overlapping, interlocking, and ten-finger, all of which provide unique benefits based on your hand size and desired feel. The grip type that you are comfortable with, whether you’re a new golfer aiming to get the basics right or an established player wishing to perfect your technique, is paramount when it comes to making good contact with the ball. With good gear and grip pressure, learning one of these golf grip styles will be the basis for playing better and achieving lower scores.

Why Your Golf Grip Matters

Your grip has an influence on every part of your swing mechanics and shot-making, so it is one of the single biggest fundamentals to get right. How you place your hands on the golf club sets the stage for how well you can manage the club face through impact, which in turn controls the direction and trajectory of your shots. Different golf grips encourage a different wrist set and action in the hands, which in turn determines whether you have a weak, neutral or strong grip, one that may be suited for your golf swing or one that may not be.

The function of using just the right amount of grip pressure, to control yet free your clubhead to release naturally through the ball. Excessive tension inhibits your swing arc and reduces your potential distance, while too little pressure can make you lose control and hit it all over the place. You should hold the club in a comfortable manner that allows you to easily grip and feel comfortable when swinging. For good traction and durability, buy a set of quality golf grips for sale that will be able to support your preferred grip style for the duration of numerous rounds on the course or practice sessions ahead.

The 3 Basic Types of Golf Grips

1. Overlapping Grip

The overlapping grip, also known as the Vardon grip after the great golfer Harry Vardon, is the most popular grip choice for both professional and amateur golfers worldwide. In this grip type, right-handed golfers place the left hand higher on the golf club, which is then followed by the placing of the right hand but below the left hand, with the right pinky finger overlapping between the left index and middle finger. This interlocking grip forms a single connection to encourage synchronized hand action throughout the swing without hindering its individual finger control, which is vital for clubface management.

The overlapping grip works exceptionally well for golfers with larger hands or stronger grip strength, as it allows both hands to work together without one overpowering the other. This grip style naturally promotes a neutral grip position that helps maintain proper clubface alignment through impact. Most golf instructors recommend the overlapping grip for developing players because it encourages proper wrist hinge essential for consistent ball striking. When combined with appropriate grip pressure and quality equipment, the overlapping grip provides excellent control and power for golfers of all skill levels.

2. Interlocking Grip

The interlocking grip provides a second option that results in an even stronger connection between your hands as you swing. With this kind of grip, right-handed players interlock the right pinky finger with the left index finger, effectively locking the hands together with no gap between them. This interlock grip encourages synchronized movement of the hands and may be particularly advantageous for golfers with small hands or for those who have trouble keeping a secure grip during the swing.

The interlocking grip has been used by many tour pros, including such undisputed greats as Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus, indicating that this grip is viable at even the absolute highest level. This type of grip may also feel more secure than the overlapping grip, which can enhance confidence and ease the tension in your grip as you swing. The overlapping grip assists even depth to hands so hands do not separate during swing which results in greater control with complete consistency. For golfers experimenting with various golf grip types, the interlocking grip can offer the middle ground between feeling secure and natural, which makes it a great option for practicing a repeatable golf swing.

3- Ten-Finger (Baseball) Grip

The ten finger grip, also known as the baseball grip, is the one in which every one of your fingers is on the golf club and there is no overlapping or interlocking between the hands. This is similar to how you would hold a baseball bat, and with a right handed golfer's left hand placed higher on the club and right hand below with no interlocking fingers.

This grip makes it possible for both hands to deliver the most power to the swing, which some golfers might find helpful when searching for greater distance. The ten finger grip also kind of promotes a stronger grip without having to work the hand position around in that, for a golfer that maybe struggles with a slice or that's struggling with a weak ball flight. The baseball grip is not so popular among high-level golfers, but for beginners who care more about comfort and natural feeling than conventional instruction, this is a good choice. Proper grip pressure becomes especially important with this grip style, as the increased hand involvement requires careful balance to maintain control while maximizing power generation.