Assuming you are already a golfer currently, you probably use one of these two grips right now in your swing. 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. Another common feature of a player that is well-suited to the overlap is a smooth golf swing. Here's the rundown on the grip that Tiger and Rory use. 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. Less right hand. The majority of professional golfers use an overlap or an interlocking grip. However, Vardon did not invent the grip, he merely popularized it. There are three main grips used by golfers: the Vardon grip, the interlocking grip and the 10-finger (or baseball) grip. Rare is the golfer who is equally comfortable with both of these options, as one typically feels more natural and produces better ball flights. However, there are plenty of problems with this grip. Because this grip feels so tight and secure around the club, it is easy to get carried away and squeeze the grip too tightly. Depending on the type of golf swing you are trying to make this can be either a good or bad thing. As long as you understand the pros and cons of each option, and put in the necessary practice time to make it comfortable in your game, better golf can be achieved no matter which path you go down. 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. 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. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses to be considered. 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. Confused? Brent Kelley is an award-winning sports journalist and golf expert with over 30 years in print and online journalism. So how long should you give the new grip before making a decision? The interlock grip can look like a reverse overlap. Many pro golfers have the pinky buried a little more. 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. 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. The main advantage to using this grip is the freedom that it offers you within the swing. 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. Each has their own advantages when it comes to the short game, but you can certainly play quality short shots with either grip. One important point to make when talking about the interlocking grip is the need to maintain a light grip pressure throughout the swing. Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods both use an interlocking grip (arguably, the best two golfers in the history of the sport). 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. It is rare to find a professional that is using a ten-finger grip, but it certainly is possible. The ring finger on the right hand also touches the outside of the left index finger as well. 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. And also, of course, there's the grip named after him. That means that your two hands will essentially be ‘tied’ together by the interlacing of those fingers around the grip. We discussed above how a smooth swing is the right fit for an overlap swing. And there are some advantages to each depending on the type of golfer you are. The Classic Debate of Overlapping Vs. Interlocking Golf Grip. If you have larger hands use overlap grip style. 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. The interlocking grip is also a good fit for golfers with smaller hands, so some LPGA golfers prefer the interlock to the Vardon. For one, it is difficult to generate proper club head speed due to the complete lack of control in your right 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. And today, although it is probably more common to hear this grip called the overlap, the "Vardon grip" name still sticks. 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 … Harry Vardon was golf's first great international superstar in the late 1800s and early 1900s. However, plenty of golfers with larger hands have used this grip as well simply because it feels right to them. Think specifically about the transition in your swing from backswing to downswing. One often overlooked side effect of a grip chance is the impact that it can have on your short game. 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. 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. With such a relaxed grip on the club, sudden changes of direction in the swing are going to be hard to control. 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. Of course, it is this same ‘loose’ feeling that some golfers don’t enjoy about the overlapping golf 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. 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. Some people think that they are less likely to have hand irritation or blisters when using the overlap grip as well. Also, the club head feels ‘disconnected’ from the swing and is difficult to control through the hitting area. I would guess that's what Luke's doing. Do you use Overlap? It is also possible that you never feel right with the new grip and decide to revert back to your old one. Don’t argue with what feels natural, as that will always be your best choice. Most professional golfers use the overlapping grip; players such as Ben Hogan, Phil Mickelson, and Adam Scott. 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. Vardon Overlap Grip. 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. If you change your grip for the full swing, chance are you are going to want to change your short game grip as well. 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. There is a good chance that it will feel quite strange at first, and you may have trouble hitting decent shots. 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. Calm the nerves. To get started, all you need to do is head to your local driving range for a practice session. 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. 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. 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. There is one pro that … Indeed, the Vardon grip – or overlap grip – is used by 90% of Tour players and an overwhelming majority of amateur golfers around the world. 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. 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 his encyclopedia of golfers called The Who's Who of Golf, first published in 1983, Peter Alliss wrote that before the Vardon grip took over as the main golf grip, "the majority had played with all fingers on the club, sometimes with a small gap between the two hands, and the shaft, particularly with the right hand, was held in the palm.". These are most commonly referred to as the Baseball Grip, the Vardon Grip, and the Overlap Grip. 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). 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. 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. Edit: if you’re a scratch golfer, I too would be terrified of switching. Interlock or Baseball Grip? Is it quick and aggressive, or slow and smooth? 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. 8 Things for Golfers to Know About Single-Length Irons, Meet the Wedges: An Intro for Golf Beginners. Most golf historians agree it was probably amateur golfer Johnny Laidlay. 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. 'School of Golf' host Martin Hall has a tip everyone can use to hit the ball farther just by changing your grip. Assuming you already use one of the two grips, you should have a good idea of what that one is capable of. 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. So who was the inventor of the overlapping grip? I played some 50 rounds using the overlap, but my hands always felt as if they were flying apart. That should make it no surprise that those with a more aggressive swing – especially through the transition – are likely to appreciate the interlocking grip. These are the most popular options by far, and the ones that will work best for almost any golfer. He won the U.S. Open in 2003 and remains a weekly tour contender. Get comfortable with your pitching wedge first, then start to move your way through the bag. Stick with it, and you should be rewarded in the long run. 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. As the name ‘overlap’ would indicate, your right hand pinky finger overlaps the pointer finger from your left hand when this grip is complete. A strong grip will have you drawing or hooking the ball. Patience is a hard thing to have when you are working on a swing change because you want to see instant results, but your progress is likely to come slower in this area. That said, if you want to use the baseball grip for irons as well for added distance, then feel free. The instructions found below are based on a right handed golfer – so be sure to reverse them if you play the game left handed. Upside: Golfers with large and/or strong hands tend to overlap. Ben Hogan was among the advocates of overlapping, and it remains the grip of choice for a majority of amateurs and pros. 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. 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. 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. It is true that there are more than two possible ways to hold a golf club. Now, I have written a detailed Instructional Article giving step by step instructions for achieving the Trilap grip. Just an update on the progress of using the Reverse Overlap Grip for full swings. As you can see in the picture, both hands are on the left side of the 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. The result is a very secure feeling grip which should provide you with a comfortable hold on the club throughout the swing. The Overlapping Grip. Well basically, there are three common golf gripping styles familiar amongst avid golfers; the Overlapping Grip, Interlocking Grip, and Baseball Grip. They provide the ability to both control the club and swing it quickly through the impact area. This was particularly so … Some find it … 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. But your choice of grip is, in some sense, a personal choice: What's comfortable for you, what you have confidence in. You have reached the maximum number of submissions for today. It is true that there are more than two possible ways to hold a golf club. 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. 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 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. 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. Opposite of the overlap grip, the interlock puts plenty of power and control in your right hand at impact, making it possible to aggressively release the club and hit through the ball using your hands and wrists. Also, among the very best players in the world, there are representatives of both choices. 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. 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. 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. How do they help? The benefits of the overlapping grip: are stability, comfortable, and easy to adapt too. 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. 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). Baseball Grip – This is where the hands do not overlap in any way. 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. Then, your right hand fourth finger is laced between the pointer and middle finger on your left hand. Rather than using the standard reverse overlap grip, the hand can be placed side by side. 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. 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. But your choice of grip is, in some sense, a personal choice: What's comfortable for you, what you have confidence in. With that in mind, is the overlap or the interlock the better choice for short game shots? The disadvantages: harder to control the club during the swing, minor flaws have consequences on results, may limit distance. Those falling into the ‘slow and smooth’ category will typically be better off with the overlap. Click HERE for more School of Golf content. I have seen players succeed with all three of these grip styles. Touch. Taylor, for example, won the British Open before Vardon did with the little finger on his right hand overlapping. Most male golfers, especially most good male golfers, use the Vardon grip (as do many female golfers). While oversized grips help control the club, it also reduces wrist break and thus reduces instances of ball skidding off the wrong direction. The lead hand’s thumb should be seated along the middle of the trailing hand’s palm. Some of the pro golfers that have used the overlap grip through the years include While you are welcome to experiment with this unusually grip, it won’t be the right choice for most players. Which one you should use? There is also another variation of the interlock grip that is worth mentioning – the double interlocking golf 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. 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. This grip places the club in the fingers and is the grip most likely to be taught by golf instructors. Using mid-size or over-sized grips on your clubs will only add to the level of difficulty for players with small hands who wish to use the overlapping option. Because of that secure feeling, there is also a nice sensation of connection between the club head and your hands during the swing. 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 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. His newfound technique revolutionized the sport so much that, even to this day, the overlapping grip is also commonly known as the Vardon Grip. A weak grip on the club will result in a big cut or a slice. Using the interlocking or overlapping grip on irons is good for adding more feel to you shots. That is going to have to be up to you. 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. On the other side of the equation, let’s look at some of the advantages to hitting short game shots using an interlocking grip. With your left hand grip taken, add the right hand to the grip. 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