How To Hold A Golf Club Right Handed

While there are an infinite number of ways that players hold a golf club right handed, there are three basic ways to do it with an unlimited number of variations after that.

The three main golf grip types that are being used are the interlocking grip, the overlapping grip, and the 10 finger grip.

The main differences that we are exploring here come from the underside of how you hold a golf club as you can see from the picture below:

Picture from: http://www.coastalbreezenews.com/2014/06/03/the-four-pre-swing-fundamentals-part-1-of-4/

The specifics of how each hand is placed on the club to create the golf grip in detail will be discussed in this post.

The main point here is to understand the differences between these three most common golf grip types and finding which one the player will want to use and is the most comfortable for them.

3 Ways To Hold A Golf Club Right Handed

10 Finger  

The picture on the far left is the underside of the ten finger golf grip. This way to hold  is also referred to as the baseball grip. As you can see from the picture, all ten fingers go onto the handle of the club.

The ten finger grip can be a very effective golf grip for a player to employ. Unfortunately, it has been frowned upon for several generations of golf instruction simply because it does not “seem right.” However, I have seen many ladies and beginners have success with this style.

Overlap  

The picture in the center is the underside of the overlapping golf grip.

You can start by taking the ten finger grip and simply lifting your right-hand pinky finger and slide your right-hand closer to your left hand. The player then will place the pinky in between the index finger and the middle finger of their left hand.

Interlocking 

The picture on the far right is the underside of the interlocking golf grip. To create the interlocking golf grip, the player can start with the overlapping golf grip.

The player will simply lift their pinky finger and allow the index finger of the left hand to be placed between the pinky finger and ring finger of your right hand. Then allow fingers to hold the handle of the club.

As an instructor, I am usually asked which is the best one to use for their swing. Frankly, the best one for you is very individual to the player. Do not be afraid to test each during your practice time. Typically, the one that feels the best will show itself fairly quickly.

Golf Grip Guide For Hand Position On A Golf Club

As we begin to talk about how to hold a golf club with a right handed golf grip, we will first discuss the lead hand or the left hand for right-handed golfers.

As was brought up earlier, there are an infinite amount of variations to a golf grip. Many agree on the three basic types previously discussed. However, there is much discussion about the role each hand plays and how they should be positioned on the golf club.

The variations of the overlapping, interlocking and the ten finger golf grip then morph into having the left hand (lead hand) and/or the right hand in a weak position, neutral position or a strong position. The PGA of America refers to these as an open faced grip, a neutral grip as well as a closed face golf grip (Golf Glossary and Golf Terms , n.d.).

The model golf grip for a player is going to be dependent on many variables such as strength, arm swing versus body swing and body speed while rotating.

When it comes to how to hold a golf club, common golf instruction often refers to the V of the grip from by the left thumb pressing up against the left palm as well as the V made by the right thumb pressing up against the right palm.

Depending on where the V’s of the grip are pointing, the golf grip will then be referred to as a weak, neutral or strong golf grip.

See the proper golf grip pictures below….

Left Hand

Weak / Open Faced Grip For The Left

The weak or open faced grip with the left hand is said to be achieved when the player can look down and see less than two knuckles. With a weak grip or open faced golf grip, the V of the left hand will be pointing more towards the player’s chin.

This type of golf grip is achieved by turning the hands in a counter clockwise motion around the handle or to the left. This allows the left thumb to rest more on the target side of the shaft.

The more the hands are turned around the club, the more the clubface will be influenced.

Strong / Closed Face Grip For The Left

The strong or the closed face grip with the left hand is said to be achieved when the player can look down and see three knuckles or more.

This style is known as a strong or a closed position of the face. It occurs when the V of the left hand would be pointing more towards the right shoulder.

This grip style is achieved by turning the hands in a clockwise motion around the handle or to the right. This allows the left thumb to rest clearly on the right side of the grip.

The more the hands are turned around the club, the more the clubface will be influenced.

Many players believe that if they hit a slice that simply a change of closing the face at setup will fix the problem. This is partially correct and has to be answered with “It depends” as you can still hit a slice from a strong position.

I say this because, the clubface will mainly determine the way the ball first starts and the path will determine the way the ball will change direction in the air. So, it depends on the way these two factors are changed.

Neutral Golf Grip For The Left 

The neutral golf grip with the left hand is said to be achieved when the player can look down and see two knuckles. Holding the club this way allows the player to blend an arm and body motion together. With a neutral grip, the V of the left hand would be pointing towards the right ear. And the left thumb would be just on the right side of the grip.

Now that we have discussed how to properly place your left hand for a golf grip, we will now discuss the options for the right-hand grip for right-handed golfers.

Right Hand

Weak / Open / Slice Faced Grip For The Right

The weak or open faced golf grip with the right hand is said to be achieved when the player can look down and the V made between the thumb and the palm is pointing more towards the chin.

This grip style is achieved by turning the right hand in a counterclockwise motion around the handle or towards the target. The more the hands are turned around the club, the more the clubface will be influenced.

Strong / Closed / Hook Face Grip For The Right

With a strong or a closed face grip with the right hand, the V of the right hand would be pointing more towards the right shoulder. This grip is achieved by turning the hands in a clockwise motion around the handle.

This allows the left thumb to rest clearly on the right side of the grip. The more the hands are turned around the grip of the club, the more the clubface will be influenced.

Neutral Golf Grip For The Right 

The neutral grip with the right hand is said to be achieved when the player can look down and the V made between the thumb and palm is pointing approximately at the right ear. Holding the club this way allows the player to blend an arm and body motion together.

With a neutral hold on the golf club, the V of the left hand would be pointing towards the right ear. And the right thumb would be just on the right side of the grip.

As you can now see, there are an unbelievable amount of combinations of how to “properly” hold a golf club right-handed. The different grips have different plusses and minuses with each.

Making sure that you understand how a grip change will alter your club face and swing path and eventually, your ball flight. Depending on if you are looking to hit a fade, slice, draw or a hook, it could make it easier for you or almost impossible.

Grip Pressure Fix – How You Want To Hold Your Golf Grip

For years and years, I have heard that when you go to hold your golf club, your grip pressure should be equal to the pressure of holding a bird. This seems funny to me.

First… I have never held a bird and frankly… I do not want to do it either.

Second… I want to get my club moving as fast as possible during the forward swing. For example, if I was swinging my driver, this would mean that the club head would be moving over 100 mph for me.

If the grip pressure that I have on my driver is “loose” or light enough to hold a bird, I would think that my club would go flying from my hands.

In keeping your shoulder blades and forearms relaxed, I can keep firm grip pressure on the club and still create the speed needed to get the start the ball online with speed.

With this being said, we are not talking about a grip pressure equating to a death grip on the club either as that would slow the overall swing speed down and the ball would not travel as far.

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