I spent years death-gripping my clubs like I was hanging off the edge of a cliff.
Trust me, if your knuckles are turning white and your forearms are tense, you’re making the same mistake I did.
And no, I’m not talking about that rubber grip on your club – I’m talking about how your hands work with the club.
The right golf grip pressure should feel more like holding a small bird: secure enough that it won’t fly away but gentle enough that you won’t hurt it.
This single change transformed my game from erratic to consistent, and it can do the same for yours.
The Basic Truth
Your grip isn’t just another piece of the puzzle – it’s the foundation of every shot you’ll ever hit.
Those frustrating slices and hooks started disappearing when I finally got my grip right (not forever but… sometimes).
There are three proven ways to hold a golf club, and here’s what’s interesting: the best grip for you depends on your hand size and comfort level, not what the latest Instagram sensation is doing.
The Overlapping Grip (aka The Vardon)
You’ll see most tour pros using the Overlapping Grip (also called the Vardon).
Place your right pinky (for right-handed golfers) on top of the space between your left index and middle fingers. This is the grip I naturally use and for me it offers fantastic control once you’re comfortable with it.
But I naturally used this grip after many years playing (field) hockey. It may not work the same for you.
The Interlocking Grip
The Interlocking Grip is perfect if you’ve got smaller hands like Tiger Woods or Jack Nicklaus – and those names alone tell you how effective it can be.
Your right pinky and left index finger interlock, creating a secure connection between your hands.
For a lot of people this is their go-to grip because it gives them the most consistent contact.
The Ten-Finger Grip
The Ten-Finger Grip (or Baseball Grip) is exactly what it sounds like – all fingers on the club, just like you’re holding a baseball bat.
While some traditionalists might raise an eyebrow, I’ve seen plenty of single-digit handicappers use this grip successfully. It’s especially good if you’re just starting or need more power in your swing.
The key isn’t which grip you choose – it’s sticking with it long enough to develop consistency.
When you first try a new grip, it should feel a bit strange. That’s a good sign – it means you’re breaking old habits.
Getting Technical
Now let’s talk about hand position – this is where most golfers (myself included) have their ‘aha!’ moment.
Your grip position isn’t just about comfort; it’s controlling where your ball goes, even before you take the club back.
Think of your left hand (for right-handed golfers) as your ball flight control center. When you look down at address, you’ll see your knuckles—and how many you can see tells you everything about your grip. Understanding grip fundamentals is as crucial as knowing The (Actual) Way to Perfectly Clean Golf Clubs for optimal performance.
Weak Grip
For years, I couldn’t figure out why my ball kept slicing right.
Turns out I had what we call a ‘weak’ grip – my hands were rotated too far toward the target, and I could barely see my knuckles at address.
Every shot was like watching a scared rabbit run for cover in the right rough.
Strong Grip
On the flip side, when you rotate your hands away from the target (showing four knuckles or more), you’ve got what’s called a ‘strong’ grip.
This can help fix a slice, but go too far, and suddenly, every shot is hooking left like it’s trying to make a U-turn —much like the common mistake of Overclubbing, which can throw off your game entirely.
I see this a lot with players who overcorrect their slice. And was a mistake I first made after (over) correcting my weak grip.
Neutral Grip
The sweet spot is the ‘neutral’ grip—you should see about 2½ knuckles on your left hand at address. Mastering this grip can significantly improve your Up and Down game around the greens.
This is your goal.
When I finally found this position, it felt like someone had installed GPS in my golf ball. Straight shots became the norm, not the exception.
Here’s a simple way to check: Take your grip and hold the club out in front of you at waist height, parallel to the ground.
If you can see 2-3 knuckles on your left hand, you’re in the neutral zone.
Practice this in front of a mirror until it becomes second nature. Your shots will tell you if you’re getting it right—straight balls mean you’re there, and consistent curves mean you need to adjust.
8 Drills That’ll Help Your Grip
After teaching these drills to countless golfers, I’ve found these eight exercises consistently deliver results.
Most can be practiced anywhere, even during your workday.
The Umbrella Drill
I stumbled across this one by accident during a rainy round. Some umbrella handles perfectly mimic the golf grip’s shape and size.
Place your trail hand thumb at 1 o’clock position, then add your lead hand with both thumbs touching.
This natural position creates the perfect grip angle without overthinking it.
The Glove Test
This simple pressure check transformed my own grip. Put your glove on normally, then grip the club.
The glove should move slightly as you swing. If it’s stuck in place like concrete, you’re gripping too tightly. If it’s sliding around, you need more pressure. Finding this middle ground is crucial for consistent contact.
The Ruler Drill
This desktop drill has saved countless practice sessions. Hold a ruler like a golf club and check your knuckle position.
The ruler’s straight edge makes it easier to spot proper alignment. I practice this between meetings to reinforce muscle memory.
The Spray Bottle Test
A wet grip instantly reveals pressure problems. Lightly mist your grips with water (standard spray bottle, nothing fancy).
Take some swings.
A flying club means your grip is too light; aching forearms signal it’s too tight. The perfect pressure keeps the club secure without tension.
The Alignment Rod Clock
Position your lead thumb at 6 o’clock and trail thumb at 12 o’clock on an alignment rod.
This drill builds awareness of proper hand position throughout the swing. When I started using this drill, my shot consistency improved within a week.
The Penny Drill
Balance a penny on your grip during slow-motion swings. Gradually increase speed while keeping the penny in place. This drill teaches smooth acceleration without grip tension.
Start with half swings, then progress to full swings as your control improves.
The Two-Glove Drill
Wearing gloves on both hands heightens your awareness of pressure points. Make slow swings focusing on where you feel pressure in each hand. This drill helped me identify and fix grip pressure changes during my swing.
The Lead Hand Only
This advanced drill quickly reveals grip flaws. Using only your lead hand, start with chip shots and progress to fuller swings. Focus on maintaining control without your trail hand’s support. While humbling at first, this drill builds remarkable grip strength and control.
When to Use These Drills
Building these drills into your daily routine accelerates improvement. I’ve found success by integrating them into these specific situations:
At Home
The ruler drill fits perfectly into morning coffee routines. During evening TV time, I practice the umbrella drill between shows. Even five minutes of focused grip practice while reading email builds muscle memory that transfers directly to the course.
At the Range
Start each session with the glove test to establish proper pressure. Between shots, use the penny drill to maintain that pressure. When fatigue sets in—and it will—switch to the lead hand only drill to reinforce proper technique rather than build bad habits.
Before Your Round
While waiting for your tee time, the two-glove drill provides excellent warm-up feedback. A quick spray bottle test ensures proper grip pressure, especially in humid conditions. Finish with a final grip check in your setup routine.
The Four-Week Journey to Grip Greatness
Week 1: The Adjustment Phase
The first week challenges your muscle memory. Every grip feels foreign, and your shots may temporarily get worse. I remember questioning everything during this phase, but this discomfort signals real change happening.
Week 2: The Breakthrough
Expect moments of brilliance mixed with familiar mistakes. Your new grip starts producing pure shots, though inconsistently. Focus on the good shots – they’re previews of your improved game.
Week 3: The Integration
Your new grip begins feeling natural, and shot consistency improves noticeably. During this week, my students typically report their first full rounds without grip thoughts.
Week 4: The New Foundation
The grip becomes automatic. Distance control improves. Ball flight becomes more predictable. This new foundation opens the door for refining other aspects of your game.
Common Problems and Quick Fixes
Death Grip Tension
Excessive grip pressure restricts club movement and tires your forearms. Solution: Start with the glove test to establish baseline pressure, then use the penny drill to maintain it throughout your swing. I’ve seen this combination solve death grip issues within one practice session.
Loose Club Control
A loose grip typically causes inconsistent face control and erratic shots. Solution: The two-glove drill immediately highlights pressure points, allowing you to feel exactly where your grip needs adjustment.
Inconsistent Contact
When grip pressure changes during your swing, contact suffers. Solution: Combine the alignment rod clock with lead hand-only practice. This pairing develops consistent pressure and proper hand position throughout the swing. Most players see improvement within three practice sessions.
The Bottom Line: Grip It Right, Swing It Right
Golf is challenging enough without fighting your own hands. Stick with these drills for two weeks and watch your game improve; your scorecard will thank you, your friends will notice, and that slice will be a thing of the past.
A perfect grip might feel awkward at first, but practice it whenever you can, and soon enough, your old grip will be a distant memory.
Get out there and grip it right; the fairways aren’t going to find themselves.