How to Play Golf with a Strong Grip

A strong grip can be a game-changer if you fight a slice, but it's often misunderstood. A strong grip has nothing to do with how tightly you squeeze the club, it’s all about the position of your hands. This guide will walk you through exactly what a strong grip is, how to form one correctly, and the specific swing dynamics it creates to help you hit straighter, more powerful shots.

What Exactly is a "Strong" Golf Grip?

In golf terminology, the terms "strong," "neutral," and "weak" refer to how your hands are rotated on the club's handle. Imagine standing at address and looking down at your hands.

• A weak grip is when both hands are rotated to the left (for a right-handed golfer). You'd likely see only one knuckle on your left hand, and the "V" shapes formed by your thumbs and index fingers would point toward your left shoulder.
• A neutral grip is the textbook middle ground. You'd see about two knuckles on your left hand, with both "V"s pointing roughly toward your chin or trail shoulder.
• A strong grip is when both hands are rotated more to the right, away from the target. From your perspective, you'll be able to see three, or in some cases even four, knuckles on your lead (left) hand. The “V”s formed by the thumb and forefinger on both hands will point well to the right of your head, toward your trail shoulder or even outside of it.

This clockwise rotation of the hands presets them in a position that makes it much easier and more natural to close the clubface through the impact zone. For the tens of thousands of golfers who struggle with an open clubface and a nagging slice, this can feel like a revelation.

How to Correctly Form a Strong Grip: A Step-by-Step Guide

Changing your grip is always going to feel strange at first. The connection to the club is sensitive and ingrained. Follow these steps methodically, and practice them without even hitting a ball until the new position starts to feel less alien.

Step 1: Position Your Lead Hand (Left Hand for Righties)

Start by holding the club out in front of you with the clubface perfectly square to your imaginary target. Now, let your left arm hang naturally from its socket.

1. Place your left hand onto the grip, ensuring you are holding it primarily in the fingers, not deep in the palm. The butt end of the club should rest just below the pad at the base of your palm.
2. Now, rotate your hand to the right on the grip until you can comfortably look down and see at least three knuckles on your left hand's index, middle, and ring fingers.
3. Check your "V." The V shape created by your left thumb and index finger should be pointing toward your right shoulder or even just outside of it.

This is the engine of the strong grip. This preset rotation gives your clubface a head start in the race to get square at impact.

Step 2: Position Your Trail Hand (Right Hand for Righties)

Your right hand’s job is to support the left hand and mirror its strong position. It should not try to fight or neutralize it.

1. As you bring your right hand to the club, position it so the palm of your right hand covers your left thumb. You want it to fit snugly, palm-over-thumb.
2. Rotate your right hand slightly to the right as well. The "V" formed by your right thumb and index finger should run parallel to the "V" of your left hand, also aiming toward your right shoulder.
3. When you close your fingers, the lifeline of your right palm should fit neatly over your left thumb, unifying the hands.

Step 3: Connect Your Hands

You have three primary options for connecting your hands. Many professionals use the overlap or interlock, but the ten-finger grip is also perfectly acceptable, especially for beginners or those with smaller hands.

• Overlap (Vardon): Rest the pinky finger of your right hand in the channel between the index and middle finger of your left hand.
• Interlock: Link the pinky finger of your right hand with the index finger of your left hand.
• Ten-Finger (Baseball): Simply place all ten fingers on the club, with the right pinky right up against the left index finger.

Do not obsess over this part. Choose the connection that feels most secure and comfortable to you. The hand rotation is what truly matters.

The Pros: Why a Strong Grip Can Fix Your Slice

So, you've adopted this new, slightly odd-feeling grip. What is it actually doing in your swing?

It Naturally Closes the Clubface

This is the number one benefit. A slice is caused by an open clubface in relation to the swing path. A strong grip essentially gives you an "anti-slice" bias. Because your hands are already turned away from the target at address, the natural un-rotation of your arms and body through the downswing will make the clubface release and close. For a slicer whose club is often lagging wide open, this built-in release mechanism is a powerful corrective. It turns a conscious, difficult manipulation into a more passive, natural motion.

It Encourages a Powerful In-to-Out Swing Path

Many slicers have a steep, over-the-top swing path where the club comes down from outside the target line. A strong grip can help promote a shallower, more rounded swing arc. It feels more natural to let the club drop to the inside on the downswing from this position, which sets you up to swing from "in-to-out" - the foundation of a powerful, high draw.

It Maximizes Wrist Hinge and Lag

When your hands are turned more to the right, it promotes a freer and fuller wrist hinge at the top of the backswing. This wrist set is a primary source of power, as it stores energy that gets released through impact. Many golfers who have a weak grip struggle to hinge their wrists properly, leading to a "wide" takeaway with very little power stored. A strong grip almost forces you to create this crucial power angle.

The Cons and Considerations: It's Not For Everyone

Before you commit fully, it’s important to understand the potential downsides. A strong grip is a specific tool for a specific problem, not a universal solution.

The Major Risk: The Dreaded Hook

The very thing that fixes a slice - promoting clubface closure - can be your worst enemy if you overdo it. If your body rotation stalls and your hands become too active, a strong grip will cause the clubface to shut too quickly. The result is a nasty, low, quick hook. Players who already draw or hook the ball should generally avoid strengthening their grip further.

Difficulties on Finesse Shots

Around the greens, on delicate pitches and chips, you often want a quiet clubface that doesn't rotate much. A strong grip fights this. Many pros - like Dustin Johnson and Zach Johnson, who use very strong grips for their full swings - will noticeably "weaken" their grip for short-game shots. They turn their hands back toward neutral to prevent the club from turning over and to allow them to use the bounce of the wedge more effectively.

Drills to Groove Your New Strong Grip

Once you’ve settled on the grip, you need to teach your body how to use it. Don't go straight to the course and fire away. Use these drills to build confidence.

• Half Swings to Feel Release: With a 9-iron or wedge, take your new strong grip and make small, waist-high-to-waist-high swings. Don't try to manipulate the club. Simply focus on rotating your body back and through. The goal is to feel how the club releases on its own Passively. You should see the ball start straight or with a slight draw.
• The Punch Shot Drill: To make sure you don't start hooking it, practice hitting low punch shots. With a 7-iron, focus on rotating your body all the way through to a "hands-in-front" finish. This teaches you that the body rotation, not a flip of the hands, squaring the club. A strong grip means you don't need to try and roll your hands over - your body's pivot takes care of it.
• Constant Check-Ins: Your body's muscle memory is powerful. It will try to revert to your old grip. Before every single shot on the range, go through your checklist: clubface square first, left hand on, see three knuckles, then right hand on, V’s pointing right. This conscious reinforcement is what builds a new habit.

Final Thoughts

A strong grip can be an incredibly effective adjustment for golfers who lose distance and accuracy due to a slice. By presetting your hands to encourage clubface closure, it can simplify your swing thoughts and unlock a more powerful, natural release. While it's not a fit for every player, especially those already battling a hook, it's a worthwhile change to experiment with if you're stuck in a slice-filled rut.

Understanding if a grip change is right for you, or how it might affect your course strategy, requires good feedback. If you're working on changes like these and need a trusted second opinion, that's exactly why we built Caddie AI. Our app acts as your personal 24/7 golf coach, giving you instant, expert advice on any question you have - from analyzing your swing fault to strategizing the best way to play a hole - so you can make smarter adjustments and play with more confidence.