Can Your Golf Grip Cause a Slice?

Your golf grip might be the single biggest reason you’re hitting that dreaded slice. That weak, curving shot to the right (for a right-handed player) sends stomach-sinking disappointment through so many golfers, but the fix often starts before you even begin your swing. This article will show you exactly how to diagnose if your grip is the culprit behind your slice and provide a clear, step-by-step guide to build a powerful, neutral grip that will help you start hitting straighter, more controlled shots.

Your Grip Is the Steering Wheel for Your Clubface

Think of your hands as the steering wheel for your golf club. Where your hands are positioned on the grip determines, to a large extent, where the clubface will be pointing at the moment of impact. An "open" clubface at impact - meaning it's pointing to the right of your target line - is the primary cause of a slice. The club strikes the ball with a glancing blow, imparting sidespin that sends it curving away from your target.

The most common cause of an open clubface for amateur golfers is a “weak” grip. Don’t confuse “weak” with a lack of pressure, it’s a technical term describing the positioning of your hands. A weak grip has your hands rotated too far toward the target (to the left for a right-handed golfer). From this position, it’s very difficult to get the clubface back to square at impact without some massive, last-second manipulation. The natural tendency during the downswing is for the face to remain open, leading directly to that slice.

Is Your Grip Causing Your Slice? A Self-Diagnosis Checklist

Let's find out if a poor grip is at the heart of your slice. You don't even need to be at the range for this, you can do it right now with a club in your living room. Here’s how you can check your own grip for slice-inducing faults.

1. Check Your Top Hand (the Lead Hand)

For a right-handed golfer, this is your left hand. It's the engine of clubface rotation, and if it's in a weak position, you're fighting a losing battle from the start.

• The Knuckle Test: Set up to an imaginary ball and look down at your left hand on the club. How many knuckles can you see on the back of your hand? If you can only see one knuckle, or even none at all, your grip is almost certainly too weak. A neutral, more powerful grip will usually show at least two to two-and-a-half knuckles of your index and middle fingers. Seeing too few knuckles means your hand is turned too far to the left.

2. Check The "V's" Formed by Your Thumbs and Forefingers

Another excellent visual cue is the "V" shape created by the space between your thumb and index finger on each hand. This tells the story of how your hands are aligned.

• Examine the Left-Hand "V": With your left hand in its normal grip position, where does that "V" point? In a weak, slice-prone grip, that "V" will point straight up your arm or, even worse, toward your left shoulder. This is a red flag.
• The Ideal "V" Position: For a neutral grip, the "V" of your left hand should point somewhere between your chin and your right shoulder. This position puts your hand in a much stronger, more functional place to naturally square the clubface through impact. The same goes for your right hand - its "V" should also point toward your right shoulder, running parallel to the "V" of your left hand.

How to Build a Slice-Proof, Neutral Golf Grip: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you discovered your grip is weak after running through that checklist, don't worry. This is one of the easiest fundamentals to fix. Follow these steps meticulously, and understand that it will feel strange at first. That's a good sign - it means you're doing it right.

Step 1: Get Your Lead Hand (Left Hand for a a Righty) in Position

Start with getting your top hand correct, as it dictates the rest of the grip.

1. Start with the clubhead on the ground, with the leading edge perfectly square to your target line.
2. Place the club primarily in the fingers of your left hand, not deep in the palm. The grip should run diagonally from the base of your little finger to the middle pad of your index finger.
3. Now, close your hand over the top. Rotate your hand to the right until you can look down and clearly see two knuckles (your index and middle finger knuckles). This rotates you from a "weak" to a "neutral" position.
4. Confirm the position by checking your "V". The V between your thumb and index finger should now be pointing toward your right shoulder.

Step 2: Add Your Trail Hand (Right Hand for a Righy)

Your right hand is there to support the club and add power, but it needs to work in harmony with the left hand.

1. Bring your right hand to the club. The lifeline in the palm of your right hand should fit snugly over your left thumb. This great checkpoint helps unify the hands.
2. Like the left hand, grip the club more in the fingers of your right hand. Your right index finger should form a "trigger" position, slightly separated from the other fingers.
3. Check the "V" on your right hand. It too should point up towards your right shoulder, running on a parallel line to the "V" on your left hand. Avoid letting this hand slip too far underneath the grip (a common mistake).

Step 3: Connect the Hands (Interlock vs. Overlap vs. Ten-Finger)

You have three main options for how to physically link your hands. No single method is inherently "better," so choose what feels most comfortable and secure.

• Overlap (Vardon Grip): The pinky of your right hand rests in the channel between your left index and middle fingers. This is the most popular grip among touring pros.
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The pinky of your right hand and the index finger of your left hand hook together. This is great for players with smaller hands and provides a very secure feel.
• Ten-Finger (Baseball Grip): All ten fingers are on the club, with the hands right next to each other. This is common for beginners, seniors, or players who lack hand strength.

The goal is for your hands to feel like a single, unified unit, not two separate entities fighting for control.

It's Going to Feel Awkward (And That’s a Good Thing!)

Changing your grip is like trying to write with your non-dominant hand. It will feel unbelievably strange. Your brain is wired for your old grip, so every instinct will tell you this new position is wrong. Trust the process. The initial awkwardness is a sign that you are moving away from the old habit that was causing your slice.

Don't try to change your grip and then go out and play a full round expecting your best score. You need to build new muscle memory first. Here’s a simple plan:

1. Home Practice: For the first few days, just hold a club with your new grip for a few minutes at a time while you're watching TV. Get your hands used to the feeling without the pressure of hitting a ball.
2. Range Repetitions: Start at the driving range with small, half-swings. Use a short iron, like a pitching wedge or 9-iron. Focus only on the feeling of your new grip and making contact. Don’t worry about distance or direction.
3. Gradual Progression: As you get more comfortable, gradually increase the length and speed of your swing. Slowly work your way up through the clubs in your bag. It can take thousands of repetitions for a new grip to feel innate, so be patient.

Final Thoughts

Your hands are your only connection to the golf club, making your grip one of the most critical fundamentals in your swing. While other factors can contribute to a slice, correcting a weak grip is often the simplest and most impactful change a golfer can make to start hitting the ball straighter and with more authority.

Once you’ve built a solid grip, the next step is applying that good fundamental to the golf course. Sometimes you need help making smarter on-course decisions or need a quick answer to a tough golf question. For those moments, having an expert like Caddie AI in your pocket can make all the difference, giving you access to 24/7 coaching and real-time shot strategy to help you play with more confidence and turn your newfound straight shots into lower scores.