Your connection to the golf club starts and ends with your hands, and the interlock grip is one of the most trusted methods used by weekend players and major champions alike. It's a fantastic way to unify your hands so they work as a single, cohesive unit throughout the swing. This guide will walk you through exactly how to build a proper interlock grip, understand if it's right for you, and avoid the common pitfalls many players fall into.
Think of your grip as the steering wheel of your car. It’s your only physical connection to the instrument you’re using, and it has a massive influence on the clubface at impact - which is the biggest factor in determining where your ball goes. A grip that’s too weak, too strong, or simply inconsistent can force you to make all sorts of compensating moves in your swing just to get the ball to fly straight. This is where inconsistency is born.
By building a solid, neutral grip, you set yourself up for success before the club even moves. It allows you to deliver the clubface squarely to the ball with much less effort and manipulation. The interlock style is a phenomenal way to build this consistency because it physically binds your hands together, encouraging them to operate as one.
The interlock grip involves linking the pinky finger of your trail hand (right hand for right-handed golfers) with the index finger of your lead hand (left hand). This physical connection is what gives the grip its name and its defining characteristic. By "locking" the hands together, it minimizes the chance of them separating or working against each other during the swing.
It's not just a grip for beginners, it has a legendary resume. Two of the greatest golfers in history, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, built their careers using the interlock grip. For them, it provided a secure and repeatable connection that held up under the most intense pressure. If it’s good enough for players with a combined 33 major championships, it’s certainly worth giving a serious look.
While any golfer can find success with the interlock, it tends to be particularly well-suited for a few types of players.
That said, it isn't for everyone. Some golfers, particularly those with very large hands or long fingers, might find the interlock feels a bit cramped. Additionally, players with arthritis or discomfort in their pinky finger might find the pressure of the interlock to be uncomfortable. In these cases, the overlap grip might be a better fit.
Building the interlock grip is straightforward. Grab a mid-iron, like a 7 or 8-iron, and follow these steps. We’ll cover this for a right-handed golfer (lefties, just reverse the hands).
Start by placing the club on the ground in front of you, with the clubface pointing squarely at your target. This is your foundation.
Now it’s time to add your right hand and make the connection.
Once the fingers are interlocked, the rest is simple.
Your hands should now feel like a single unit - connected, secure, and ready to go.
When learning a new grip, many golfers have a tendency to strangle the club. Gripping too tightly creates tension in your arms and shoulders, which kills your swing speed and feel. You're trying to swing an athletic instrument, not hold on for dear life.
The Fix: Think on a pressure scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is barely holding on and 10 is squeezing as hard as possible. Your grip pressure should be around a 3 or 4. A classic analogy is to feel like you’re holding a small bird - firm enough so it can't fly away, but gentle enough not to harm it.
Even with the fingers interlocked, it's possible for the hands to be misaligned on the club, with one hand too "strong" (rotated too far over the top) or too "weak" (rotated too far underneath). This will cause the clubface to open or close at impact, leading to hooks or slices.
The Fix: Always use the "V" checkpoint. Both the V on your left hand and the V on your right hand should point up towards your right shoulder (for right-handers). This ensures your palms are essentially facing each other in a neutral position.
The interlock should feel natural and snug, not forced or painful. If your fingers feel jammed together or if you experience pain in the knuckle of your left index finger, you might be interlocking too aggressively.
The Fix: Make small adjustments. Sometimes resting the right pinky a little more "on top" of the space between the left index and middle finger, rather than deeply hooked underneath, can feel more comfortable. Your goal is connection, not a wrestling hold. Keep experimenting with small shifts until it feels secure but comfortable.
How does the interlock stack up against the other popular grips? There’s no single "best" grip, only what's best for you.
Learning how to interlock your fingers correctly can transform your sense of connection with the golf club. It unifies your hands into a single, powerful unit, providing the stability and consistency championed by some of the game's all-time greats. Follow the steps, check for common mistakes, and give it a fair try - it just might be the change your game needs.
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