The 10-finger golf grip, often called the baseball grip, is arguably the most natural way to hold a golf club, yet many players dismiss it without giving it a fair chance. If you struggle with hand strength, pain from arthritis, or simply find the more common overlap and interlock grips to feel awkward, this grip could be your ticket to more power and consistency. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from who it’s best for, its specific benefits, and a step-by-step tutorial on how to use it correctly.
What Exactly is the 10-Finger Golf Grip?
Unlike the two other primary golf grips - the overlap (Vardon) and the interlock - the 10-finger grip does just what its name implies: all ten of your fingers are in full contact with the club’s handle. Think of how you’d naturally pick up and swing a baseball bat or an axe, that’s the fundamental idea.
Here’s the simple distinction:
- Overlap Grip: The pinky finger of your bottom hand (trail hand) rests on top of the space between the index and middle fingers of your top hand (lead hand).
- Interlock Grip: The pinky finger of your trail hand links together with the index finger of your lead hand.
- 10-Finger Grip: There is no overlapping or interlocking. The pinky finger of your trail hand simply snuggles up directly against the index finger of your lead hand, so all ten digits are on the grip.
While some traditionalists might look down on it, many successful golfers have used the 10-finger grip. The goal is to hold the club in a way that allows you to control the clubface and swing with power and consistency. If this grip helps you do that, it’s the right grip for you.
Who Benefits Most from a 10-Finger Grip?
While anyone can use this grip, it proves especially advantageous for certain types of golfers. If you fall into any of these categories, you should seriously consider giving it a try.
1. Complete Beginners
For someone new to golf, the game already presents enough challenges. The 10-finger grip is the most intuitive and comfortable way to hold the club. Getting a new player to interlock or overlap their fingers can feel strange and often adds unnecessary complexity. Starting with a 10-finger grip allows beginners to focus on the more important parts of the golf swing, like posture and rotation, without getting hung up on an awkward-feeling hold.
2. Junior Golfers
Young players often have small hands and lack the finger strength required for the other grips. Forcing a junior into an overlap or interlock can cause them to lose control of the club at the top of their swing. The 10-finger grip puts both of their small hands fully on the club, giving them maximum leverage and control to swing the club properly.
3. Senior Golfers and Players with Arthritis
As we age, joints can become stiff and painful. For golfers with arthritis or reduced hand flexibility, the interlocking or overlapping of fingers can cause discomfort and even pain. The 10-finger grip places less strain on the finger joints, making it a much more comfortable and sustainable option that can help you enjoy the game for years to come.
4. Players with Small or Weak Hands
If you have smaller hands or lack significant wrist and finger strength, the 10-finger grip can be a game-changer. By having all your fingers on the club, you maximize surface contact and leverage. This translates directly into more control and the ability to generate more clubhead speed without feeling like you have to squeeze the life out of the grip.
The Undeniable Advantages of a 10-Finger Grip
Switching to this grip can offer some tangible benefits to your game, regardless of your skill level.
- Increased Clubhead Speed and Power: With both hands working at full capacity on the club, many players find they can generate more leverage and release the club more freely through impact. This uninhibited release can often translate to a noticeable increase in distance, especially for those who lack physical strength.
- Superior Comfort: For many, this grip simply feels better. There's no awkward linking of fingers or stretching your pinky over another finger. It’s a very natural fit that can help reduce tension in the hands, wrists, and forearms. A relaxed grip is a fast grip.
- Can Help Correct a Slice: A slice is often caused by an open clubface at impact. The 10-finger grip naturally encourages a fuller release of the hands through the hitting area. This quicker rotation can help close the clubface, turning that weak slice into a soft draw or at least a much straighter shot.
- Simplicity: There’s beauty in simplicity. There’s less to think about and less to go wrong with the 10-finger grip. You place your hands on the club and you’re ready to go.
Step-by-Step: How to Use the 10-Finger Grip Correctly
Simply putting ten fingers on the club isn’t enough, doing it correctly is what delivers results. Setting up your hands properly ensures they work together as a single unit, which is the whole point of any good golf grip.
(These instructions are for a right-handed golfer. Lefties, just reverse the hand directions.)
Step 1: Get Your Lead Hand (Left Hand) Right
The lead hand is your steering wheel - it largely dictates the clubface. Getting it right is foundational.
- Hold the club out in front of you with your right hand, with the clubface square to your target line.
- Bring your left hand to the grip. You want to place the handle primarily in the fingers of your left hand, running diagonally from the base of your pinky to the middle of your index finger. Avoid placing it in your palm - that kills你的leverage.
- Close your hand over the top of the grip. When you look down, you should be able to clearly see the first two knuckles of your left hand. If you see only one, your grip is too “weak,” and you’ll likely slice. If you see three or more, it’s too “strong,” and you might hook the ball.
- Check the "V" formed by your thumb and index finger. This “V” should point roughly toward your right shoulder. This is the hallmark of a neutral, effective grip.
Step 2: Get Your Trail Hand (Right Hand) on the Club
The trail hand is your engine, providing a lot of the speed and power. Its placement is just as important.
- With your left hand set, bring your right hand to the club as if you were going to shake hands with it. Your palm should face your target.
- Place the lifeline of your right palm directly over your left thumb. This helps unify the hands and makes them feel connected.
- Wrap your right-hand fingers around the grip. The right hand should also hold the club more in the fingers than the palm for maximum sensitivity and power.
Step 3: Unify Your Hands (The Key to the 10-Finger Grip)
This is where the 10-finger grip comes together. The common error is leaving a gap between the hands.
- Slide your right hand up until the pinky finger of your right hand is pressed firmly against the index finger of your left hand.
- There should be no gap between your hands. They need to feel like a single, cohesive unit, not two separate entities competing for control. Apply gentle pressure between the hands to connect them.
Step 4: Check Your Grip Pressure
Once your hands are in position, check your tension. A common mistake is to squeeze the club too tight, which restricts a fluid swing. On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is barely holding on and 10 is a death grip, you should be at about a 3 or 4. Imagine you are holding a small bird - you want to hold it firmly enough that it can't fly away, but not so tightly that you hurt it.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the 10-finger grip is a simple, powerful, and deeply comfortable way to hold a golf club. It’s a perfectly valid choice for any golfer, but especially powerful for those new to the game, juniors, seniors, or anyone who feels the other grips are simply not working for them. Give it an honest try at the range, focusing on getting your hands set correctly and working as one unit.
Experimenting with things like your grip can sometimes feel like guess work, and having an expert opinion can bring a ton of clarity. This is precisely why we developed Caddie AI. If you're on the range struggling with a slice and wonder if your 10-finger grip is too strong, you can ask for immediate, personalized advice. You can even send a photo of a tricky lie on the course to get a recommendation on how to play the shot. It's like having a 24/7 golf coach in your pocket to help you sort through any question, big or small, so you can play with more confidence and understanding.