These are the most popular options by far, and the ones that will work best for almost any golfer. Which grip you ultimately choose says a lot about the way you want to release the club through the hitting zone. To alleviate this tendency, learn to make your hands work together by experimenting with the triple-overlap grip. On the other side of the equation, let’s look at some of the advantages to hitting short game shots using an interlocking grip. Place the little finger of your right hand between the index and middle fingers of your left hand, overlapping those fingers as in the photo. This is more of a ‘body’ swing, where rotation from the legs and torso are the main drivers of club head release. If a golfer feels that his wrists are hinging, he could better use an oversized grip. With plenty of information regarding both of these grips now stored away in your head, it is time to get to work deciding which one is going to be right for you. Laidlay, a Scotsman, won the British Amateur Championship in 1889 and 1891. It is easy to get short shots on line, so distance control is the number one priority when chipping or pitching the golf ball from around the green. To do this, take the pinky finger on your right hand and place it on top of your left hand, in the crease between your second and third finger. Some of your most nervous moments on the golf course are going to come when you are hitting short shots, and the security that the interlocking grip provides might be of some comfort in those moments. Those with smaller hands may find it difficult to get into a comfortable position with this type of grip, and they may struggle to control the club properly throughout the swing. If you have larger hands use overlap grip style. Rather than using the standard reverse overlap grip, the hand can be placed side by side. Each has their own advantages when it comes to the short game, but you can certainly play quality short shots with either grip. However, if you only match up on one or two of those points – or none of them – you will want to give the interlocking grip a closer look. In order to give your possible grip change the best chance at success, you will want to hit every single shot with the ‘new’ grip during this practice session. Before you set out to work on the style of your grip and possibly experiment with the other option, it is important to note that grip changes are notoriously difficult to make within your golf game. That is going to have to be up to you. Don’t argue with what feels natural, as that will always be your best choice. There is also another variation of the interlock grip that is worth mentioning – the double interlocking golf grip. To review, the overlapping grip lends itself nicely to players with large hands, smooth swings, and minimal hand action through impact. Less right hand. Well, again, there is no right or wrong answer. This was particularly so … The grip change is hard enough on its own, you don’t need to complicate things by trying to launch 300 yard drives right off the bat. A good explosion shot from the bunker is all about the right hand working the club through the sand, so the interlocking grip should be a big help in this area. Before you reach for your driver and start swinging as hard as you can, start out with the short clubs hitting shots at only 75% or so of your maximum effort. He won the U.S. Open in 2003 and remains a weekly tour contender. But your choice of grip is, in some sense, a personal choice: What's comfortable for you, what you have confidence in. Then, your right hand fourth finger is laced between the pointer and middle finger on your left hand. Many golfers appreciate the secure feeling that the interlock provides so they can swing as hard as they want without feeling like the club might slip in their hands. There are three main grips used by golfers: the Vardon grip, the interlocking grip and the 10-finger (or baseball) grip. The bottom line: Test both techniques and go with the one that feels most comfortable. It is possible that you feel comfortable with the new grip after only a few practice sessions and a round or two on the course. The overlapping grip is the grip of choice for most pro golfers—by some estimates, upwards of 90 percent of PGA Tour golfers use the Vardon grip. However, for most players, the decision on the style of grip they are going to use will come down to just two choices – either an overlapping golf grip, or an interlocking golf grip. The more common overlap grip, also known as the Vardon grip, overlaps the pinky finger of the right hand over the index finger of the left hand. If you watch some professional golf from time to time and pay careful attention to their grips, you will see that plenty of players use either option. While you are welcome to experiment with this unusually grip, it won’t be the right choice for most players. Taylor, for example, won the British Open before Vardon did with the little finger on his right hand overlapping. I was looking for ways to be more consistent and I came across an article explaining that nearly 90% of tour pros use an overlap grip, the rest use interlock. If you change your grip for the full swing, chance are you are going to want to change your short game grip as well. Using the interlocking or overlapping grip on irons is good for adding more feel to you shots. Again, the softer feel of an overlapping grip is helpful because it should give you a better idea of the touch you need to get the distance right. Assuming you already use one of the two grips, you should have a good idea of what that one is capable of. The overlapping grip is the grip of choice for most pro golfers—by some estimates, upwards of 90 percent of PGA Tour golfers use the Vardon grip. Brent Kelley is an award-winning sports journalist and golf expert with over 30 years in print and online journalism. Interestingly, while the vast majority of good golfers prefer the overlap, the two greatest golfers of all-time—Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus—both use the interlock. A surprising amount of golfers don't know what a reverse overlap putting grip is. Ben Hogan was among the advocates of overlapping, and it remains the grip of choice for a majority of amateurs and pros. The double overlap grip has gotten attention recently mostly because it's used by PGA Tour player Jim Furyk, who has more than $45 million in career earnings. To use the Vardon grip, a right-handed golfer should grasp the golf club using the following steps: For left-handers, the little finger of the left hand overlaps the index finger of the right hand and settles into the gap between the index and middle fingers. The major benefit of this grip is the security that it provides. The two most common are the interlocking grip and the overlapping (or Vardon) grip. Let’s examine the pros and cons of each. Is it quick and aggressive, or slow and smooth? It is your job to explore both of these grips and make sure the one you are using is the right one for your swing. As the name ‘overlap’ would indicate, your right hand pinky finger overlaps the pointer finger from your left hand when this grip is complete. Vardon's fellow "Great Triumvirate" member, J.H. Generally speaking, if you still feel completely lost with the new grip after hitting a few hundred shots on the practice range (spread out over a few sessions), you will probably be best served to stick with the grip that you have been using all along. This grips tends to be lighter on the club, allowing you to swing it back and forth more easily without too much involvement from your hands. However, for most players, the decision on the style of grip they are going to use will come down to just two choices – either an overlapping golf grip, or an interlocking golf grip.These are the most popular options by far, and the ones that will work best for almost any golfer. There is definitely no right or wrong in this case – whichever grip feels and performs best for you is the one you should go with. Each of these elements of the swing fit nicely with the attributes that the overlapping grip has to offer. Following are a few advantages to using the overlapping grip on your short game shots. Upside: Golfers with large and/or strong hands tend to overlap. Rhythm. Should you come to the decision that you do need to switch from the interlock golf grip to the overlap golf grip, or vice versa, plan on giving that change some significant time to become comfortable and reliable. When Vardon began using the grip, though, his stardom and advocacy for this way of holding a golf club led to his name being attached to it. The thumb of your left hand should fit in the lifeline of your right hand. It can feel a bit easier to release the golf club when using an overlapping grip. These are most commonly referred to as the Baseball Grip, the Vardon Grip, and the Overlap Grip. Having good rhythm in your short game is just as important as it is in your long game, and an overlapping grip should help you toward that goal. Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods both use an interlocking grip (arguably, the best two golfers in the history of the sport). Is it the right one for you? Many professionals like the overlap grip because it helps them have a much lighter grip pressure. The instructions found below are based on a right handed golfer – so be sure to reverse them if you play the game left handed. Many pro golfers have the pinky buried a little more. A picture of the grip is shown on the right. In order to create an interlocking grip, you are going to start the same way as with the overlap – by placing your left hand comfortably on the club. One often overlooked side effect of a grip chance is the impact that it can have on your short game. The interlocking grip is widely recommended for players with small hands and/or short fingers (like Nicklaus), as well as beginners and those who lack forearm strength. Most professional golfers use the overlapping grip, also known as the Vardon grip. Since the overlapping grip takes some of the power away from your right hand in the swing, those who overlap tend to let the club release on its own without much help from the hands and wrists. Who Was the First Native-Born American Winner of the US Open? Golfers tend to slice more when they adopt an interlocking golf grip compared to when they use an overlapping grip. They provide the ability to both control the club and swing it quickly through the impact area. The Classic Debate of Overlapping Vs. Interlocking Golf Grip. A good golf swing requires a light grip pressure to allow the club to swing freely regardless of what type of grip is being used. Both the interlocking and overlapping golf grips are great choices. Of course, there is no rule requiring you to use the same grip on your short shots as you do with your full swing, but most golfers don’t like to switch back and forth. It is also possible that you never feel right with the new grip and decide to revert back to your old one. Click HERE for more School of Golf content. Most professional golfers use the overlapping grip; players such as Ben Hogan, Phil Mickelson, and Adam Scott. There are no hard and fast rules for who should pick an interlocking golf grip, and who should opt for the overlapping golf grip. To form this grip around the club, start by placing your left hand on the grip of the club, up towards the top. The ring finger on the right hand also touches the outside of the left index finger as well. Because of that secure feeling, there is also a nice sensation of connection between the club head and your hands during the swing. Which Golf Grip Styles You Should Use? Your hands should be able to remain relaxed and loose on the club, making it easier to achieve a full release through impact and maximize club head speed. One important point to make when talking about the interlocking grip is the need to maintain a light grip pressure throughout the swing. So who was the inventor of the overlapping grip? Some of the longest hitters on Tour use the overlapping grip, while others use the interlock. The disadvantages: harder to control the club during the swing, minor flaws have consequences on results, may limit distance. The shaft of the club should be running across your palm at the base of your fingers – not up your palm towards your wrist. The key to the short game is always putting in enough practice time to get comfortable and confident – and that isn’t going to change regardless of which grip you are using. Remain patient, and understand that the results aren’t going to be immediate. The benefits of the overlapping grip: are stability, comfortable, and easy to adapt too. If you think you have smaller hands use an interlock or a baseball grip. If you are a player with a smooth swing that uses tempo and rhythm more than raw power, the overlap could be a good fit. Overlapping golf grippers believe this style promotes better wrist action and allows a freer, more powerful release of the club through impact. Assuming you are already a golfer currently, you probably use one of these two grips right now in your swing. Michelle Wie shows off her interlocking grip in her finish position. Golf’s most utilized grip wasn’t popularized until the last century, by a professional British golfer named Harry Vardon. Do you use Overlap? But your choice of grip is, in some sense, a personal choice: What's comfortable for you, what you have confidence in. Most amateurs don’t have the time available to spend hitting balls on the range day after day in order to force a grip chance that isn’t coming naturally. More right hand in the bunker. 8 Things for Golfers to Know About Single-Length Irons, Meet the Wedges: An Intro for Golf Beginners. There is one pro that … That should make it no surprise that those with a more aggressive swing – especially through the transition – are likely to appreciate the interlocking grip. As you can see in the picture, both hands are on the left side of the grip. In golf’s most commonly used grip, the little finger of the right hand should overlap the left hand, resting between the index finger and the second finger. It is so named after the famous British golfer that was the first to promote its benefits and win major tournaments with it, Harry Vardon. And today, although it is probably more common to hear this grip called the overlap, the "Vardon grip" name still sticks. Using a swing like this can be highly effective and consistent, but it takes many hours of practice if you are used to placing more power in your hands during the swing. 'School of Golf' host Martin Hall has a tip everyone can use to hit the ball farther just by changing your grip. The double interlocking golf grip is even more secure than the regular interlock, as your hands will be tightly held together. The interlocking golf grip style finds the right pinky finger locked between the index and middle fingers of the left hand (for a right-handed golfer). For a basic chip shot, you should find it easier to make solid contact when your right hand isn’t controlling the club quite as much. I have seen players succeed with all three of these grip styles. However, as mentioned earlier, these are not hard and fast rules – you will have to experiment for yourself to determine which grip actually suits your swing best. Which one you should use? I played some 50 rounds using the overlap, but my hands always felt as if they were flying apart. It is true that there are more than two possible ways to hold a golf club. It make take several practice sessions before you are able to feel comfortable and confident enough to hit full-speed driver shots with this new grip. The majority of professional golfers (and golfers in general) use either the Vardon or the Overlap grips, as they generally provide the most stability. Harry Vardon was golf's first great international superstar in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It is rare to find a professional that is using a ten-finger grip, but it certainly is possible. Confused? The interlock grip can look like a reverse overlap. Don’t forget about hitting sand shots as part of the overall equation. Overall, the impact of your grip on the short game probably shouldn’t have too much to do with which one you end up choosing. Depending on the type of golf swing you are trying to make this can be either a good or bad thing. Those falling into the ‘slow and smooth’ category will typically be better off with the overlap. It’s especially popular among LPGA tour professionals. His newfound technique revolutionized the sport so much that, even to this day, the overlapping grip is also commonly known as the Vardon Grip. If you are a player who changes directions quickly at the top of your swing, the interlocking grip should give you the security that you need to keep control over the club during this move. Even if you have never before used an interlocking grip, it is worth the effort to at least hit a few balls on the driving range with the interlock to see how it feels to you. Most golf historians agree it was probably amateur golfer Johnny Laidlay. Some of the pro golfers that have used the overlap grip through the years include The grip provides necessary unity between the hands without inhibiting their movement, freeing the golfer to fully release the club through impact for powerful shots. Weak Grip. The main advantage to using this grip is the freedom that it offers you within the swing. This article will just be based on the first-two mentioned gripping styles as the baseball grip (also called ten-finger grip) is the least preferred grip that instructors/teachers use. So, if you are considering a switch to interlock after years of using overlap, hit all of the practice balls with the interlocking grip. Stick with it, and you should be rewarded in the long run. Interlock or Baseball Grip? This is the top advantage to the interlock when chipping or pitching – being able to control the club face as it moves through the rough. The Vardon Grip—also called the "overlapping grip" or the "Vardon Overlap" grip—is the method of holding the golf club that is most popular among professional golfers. How do they help? Some find it … The result is typically scooped or thin contact that produces fat or sculled shots. As you might expect, the interlock is a popular choice among those with small hands due to the security it offers. The club will want to twist in your hands when playing from deep rough, so the control that the interlocking grip offers is invaluable. This grip was popularized by Henry Vardon in the late 19th century and is the most popular grip of professional golfers. The simple fact that top professionals can be found using both of these grips is a perfect demonstration that each can work for you in your own game. Edit: if you’re a scratch golfer, I too would be terrified of switching. Because this grip feels so tight and secure around the club, it is easy to get carried away and squeeze the grip too tightly. If you are a right handed golfer, the overlap grip places your right pinkie on top of the left index finger. The traditional interlocking grip is going to be a strong choice for players who have small hands, make an aggressive transition in their swing, or simply like to have a secure feeling between their hands and the club. The pro tip is to use a grip style according to the size of your hands. The Vardon grip, named for its originator, English legend Harry Vardon, is formed by placing the right pinky finger on top of the seam between the left index and middle fingers. The lead hand’s thumb should be seated along the middle of the trailing hand’s palm. Well basically, there are three common golf gripping styles familiar amongst avid golfers; the Overlapping Grip, Interlocking Grip, and Baseball Grip. While you want to keep your right hand out of most of your short shots, that certainly isn’t true from the greenside bunker. Indeed, the Vardon grip – or overlap grip – is used by 90% of Tour players and an overwhelming majority of amateur golfers around the world. There is a good chance that it will feel quite strange at first, and you may have trouble hitting decent shots. And also, of course, there's the grip named after him. A strong grip will have you drawing or hooking the ball. Rare is the golfer who is equally comfortable with both of these options, as one typically feels more natural and produces better ball flights. The majority of professional golfers use an overlap or an interlocking grip. One of the most common causes of bad pitches and chips is the dominant hand (right for righties) taking over the swing. To place your hands on the handle using the Vardon Overlap, take the little finger on the trailing hand and place it between the index and middle finger on the lead hand (for right-handed golfers, the lead hand is the left). Control through the rough. This time, instead of resting your right hand pinky finger on top of the fingers of your left hand, you are going to ‘interlock’ the pinky finger between your second and third fingers on the left hand. To get started, all you need to do is head to your local driving range for a practice session. An interlocking grip at times tends to cause more discomfort to players because of the locking position while the overlapping grip is more comfortable … Your job now is to try out the other grip and see if it offers enough advantages to warrant a switch. Gripping the club is the most basic act in golf, yet there are many variations in grip styles. To start with, it generally works better for a player with large hands. Vardon Overlap Grip. My hands are small and the interlocking grip is the one I use today, but a few years ago, in an experimental mood, I fooled around with the overlap and the baseball grips. However, Vardon did not invent the grip, he merely popularized it. Here's the rundown on the grip that Tiger and Rory use. The overlapping grip. To do the overlap grip, first, grab the club as you would for the baseball grip. Get comfortable with your pitching wedge first, then start to move your way through the bag. Let’s get started taking a closer look at the overlapping grip. While both of these grips can work great – and you will see both represented by plenty of players on the PGA Tour – one of them is going to be better for you than the other. He was a 6-time winner of the British Open and innovated many things in pro golf, including having one of the first equipment deals with a sponsor and authoring one of the first instructional books by a pro golfer. However, plenty of golfers with larger hands have used this grip as well simply because it feels right to them. (We respect privacy and keep all emails confidential). Next up after the baseball grip is the “overlap grip” or the “Vardon grip”. If you have small hands and still wish to use the overlapping grip, you will want to make sure that the grips on your clubs are small enough to make this possible. Tons of modern day pros use this grip and legendary players such as Ben Hogan. Spieth's grip is one of the more interesting ones on tour--a derivative of the standard overlapping grip 98 percent of PGA Tour players use and the interlock used by Jack Nicklaus … A weak grip on the club will result in a big cut or a slice. Some people think that they are less likely to have hand irritation or blisters when using the overlap grip as well. So how long should you give the new grip before making a decision? Baseball Grip – This is where the hands do not overlap in any way. Make sure that you keep a light grip pressure on the club even when using the interlocking grip so you don’t rob yourself of club head speed by adding tension to your hands and forearms. I would guess that's what Luke's doing. However, there are plenty of problems with this grip. You will feel like you have a firm grasp of the club so you can still hit a good shot even if your hands are a little shaky. Just an update on the progress of using the Reverse Overlap Grip for full swings. That means that your two hands will essentially be ‘tied’ together by the interlacing of those fingers around the grip. For one, it is difficult to generate proper club head speed due to the complete lack of control in your right hand. Also, among the very best players in the world, there are representatives of both choices. Most male golfers, especially most good male golfers, use the Vardon grip (as do many female golfers). Each has its own strengths and weaknesses to be considered. Touch. When done correctly, your hands should feel securely in place, and they shouldn’t move around much (or at all) during the swing. Nicklaus touted the grip as being more appropriate for golfers with shorter fingers, but a number of players who don’t have shorter fingers also use the grip…and a number of players with shorter fingers also use the overlapping, so this rule of thumb doesn’t seem to be very hard and fast. If all three of those points happen to match up with your swing, there is a high probability that the overlap is going to work best for you. Your grip is a very personal thing. To achieve this grip, you will interlock your right hand pinky finger between the third and fourth fingers on your left hand. Proponents point to its use by Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods – arguably the two greatest players in history – as evidence of the interlocking grip’s superiority. With that in mind, is the overlap or the interlock the better choice for short game shots? This grip technique is named after the great Harry Vardon, who popularized it in the late 19th/early 20th centuries. That said, if you want to use the baseball grip for irons as well for added distance, then feel free. With your left hand grip taken, add the right hand to the grip. Also, the club head feels ‘disconnected’ from the swing and is difficult to control through the hitting area. With such a relaxed grip on the club, sudden changes of direction in the swing are going to be hard to control. The overlapping or “vardon” grip is one of the most common in golf. You want to use the grip that seems to best suit your swing, and fighting a new grip for too long is a sure sign that it isn’t right for you. Calm the nerves. This grip places the club in the fingers and is the grip most likely to be taught by golf instructors. As you will see below, there are some basic guidelines as to which grip is more likely to work for you based on a number of factors, but even those aren’t set in stone. Another common feature of a player that is well-suited to the overlap is a smooth golf swing. The interlocking grip is also a good fit for golfers with smaller hands, so some LPGA golfers prefer the interlock to the Vardon. The Golf Grip: How to Properly Take Hold of the Club, How to Hold the Putter: Common Putting Grips and Their Pros and Cons, Top 10 Golfers of All-Time at the British Open, How to Place Your Trailing Hand on the Golf Grip, 24 Champion Golfers Who Died Tragic, Early Deaths. A comparison is made with each of the three most popular golf swing grip methods in use today: The Reverse Overlap, The Interlocking and the Unlap or Baseball Grip. 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