The golf grip is one of the games fundamentals along with the stance and ball position. Looking for the perfect golf grip can be a long and excruciating search. To help you out, let’s talk about two of the basic golf grips: the overlapping grip and the interlocking grip.
Overlap golf grip
The overlap golf grip is sometimes referred to as the Vardon grip. This golf grip takes the right pinky finger and places it on top of the gap between the index finger and the middle finger on the left hand.
This grip is usually for people with larger hands and people who need to control their grip pressure. Some think that they are less likely to experience hand irritation or blisters when they use the overlap grip.
Some pro golfers such as Ben Hogan, Phil Mickelson, and Arnold Palmer have used the overlap grip through the years. Although this seems to be the more popular grip, don’t miss out on the interlocking grip.
Interlock golf grip
Contrary to the overlap grip, the interlocking grip is for people with smaller hands. An interlock grip is when your right-hand pinky fits between the index and middle fingers of your left hand. The idea behind this grip is to get your hands to work well together.
Interlocking golf grip pros and cons
Some of the cons of using this grip are that you end up gripping the club too tightly. Some people also feel that this grip feels funny and creates friction between the fingers.
One thing about the interlocking grip is used by Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. When you feel like the interlocking grip is too much, be comforted by the names on our side.
What is the best golf grip: Overlap or Interlock?
This question is one of the most significant debates in golf. There are teaching professionals that swear by the interlocking grip and would judge you for trying to use an overlap. But the reality is that you should pick which of the two grips allows your hand to sit neutral on the club.
Between the two grips, you need to pick one that ensures you can release the golf club and stay connected throughout your swing. There is no sure way to say that one is better than the other, although it is recommended that people with small hands use the interlock and those with larger hands use the overlap. In the end, it still depends on you.
The Baseball Grip – What is it and What are the Benefits?
The baseball grip is also known as the ten-finger grip and is one of the most basic club grips. This grip is often taught to children when they first begin, as it makes it simple for them. But as they grow older, remember to transition them away from the ten-finger grip.
When adult players use the ten-finger grip baseball grip, their hands don’t have anything that forces them to work together. When this occurs, it can lead to a lot of hand action in a swing. This can cause a player to swat at chip shots or grip the club too tightly.
For senior golfers who feel pain in their hands when using interlocking or overlapping grips, they can switch to a ten-finger grip. But they should make sure to watch the overall grip pressure.
Can I switch my golf grip?
If you’ve been playing with the interlocking grip for a long time and want to switch to overlap, that’s alright. But don’t ever think of switching back and forth between rounds or between seasons – that is a big mistake. Your grip is your connection to the golf club. Pick one and commit to it. Work on perfecting either the interlocking or overlap grip and don't fall down the rabbit hole of trying to find the perfect neutral grip.
What is the best grip to use for putting?
There are three main types of grips for putters: the reverse overlap, the claw, and the cross-hand. The goal of putting is to get your hands out of the way. The more large muscles you can use in your putting stroke, the more reliable your putts will be.
One of the popular grips in recent years is the claw, but for the amateur golfer, the claw grip can be difficult. What is recommended for amateurs is the reverse overlap.
The reverse overlap is having a finger or a few fingers from the left hand overlap the right. This comfortable putting grip does not take long for a golfer to learn.
What if an interlocking golf grip hurts my pinky finger?
One common complaint with the interlocking grip is that it hurts your pinky. Some solutions to this would be wearing a golf glove or simply easing up on the pressure. For right handed golfers, you want to have the handle of the club more in the fingers rather than the palm of your hand and that will reduce the pressure on your pinky finger.
How do I work out what is the best golf grip for me?
The only way to determine which golf grip will work best for you is through trial and error. Start with the overlap if you are a novice golfer with large hands. If you're new to golf and have small hands, start with the interlock.
As you keep playing and experience your swing strengths and start to develop your skills, you can better decide which grip is fit for you. The most essential thing to look for in a grip is anything that allows you to lay your hands on the club consistently.
You don't want to have to adjust your grip every time you acquire a club. Choose something that is both comfortable and effective, and stick to it.
What is the best golf grip for a draw shot?
The overlap grip makes it easier to draw the ball because this grip makes it easy to release a golf club. When you release the golf club, take the clubface and turn it from open to square to closed.
The club face is usually turning towards closed for you to hit a draw. It is easier to get to this release point with the overlap and that makes a big difference in the game. Interlocking golf grip for small hands
Final thoughts on interlocking vs overlapping golf grip
One thing that is certain, and that every golf professional will tell you, is that the grip is essential to your golf swing. If you do not perfect the grip, you cannot move on to swing mechanics and other higher-level stuff. Make sure that you are fully prepared for every swing and upgrade your golf game.