What Does Interlocking Your Fingers Do in Golf?

Choosing the right way to hold a golf club can feel like unlocking a secret, but the interlock grip is one of the most popular and effective methods used by amateurs and legends of the game alike. It’s a simple technique designed to unify your hands and simplify your swing. This article will walk you through exactly what interlocking your fingers does, the pros and cons, how to get the grip right, and how it compares to the other main styles so you can decide if it's the right choice for you.

What Exactly Is the Interlocking Grip in Golf?

The interlocking grip, or interlock, does precisely what its name implies: it locks your hands together on the golf club. For a right-handed golfer, the pinky finger of your right hand hooks underneath and intertwines with the index finger of your left hand. For left-handed golfers, it's the opposite - the pinky finger of the left hand links with the index finger of the right hand.

The whole point of this grip is to make your two hands work as one connected unit. In a golf swing, you don't want your left hand and right hand having a disagreement about what to do. The interlock merges them, encouraging a swing that's powered more by the rotation of your large muscles - your shoulders, torso, and hips - rather than by small, inconsistent hand and wrist movements.

If you're looking for proof of its effectiveness, just look at the two greatest winners in the history of men's professional golf. Both Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have used the interlocking grip to dominate the sport, which tells you it’s more than capable of handling power and pressure at the very highest level.

The Main Purpose: To Unify the Hands for Control and Consistency

The single greatest benefit of the interlock grip is the connection it creates. When your hands are physically linked a little more securely, they lose some of their independence. This might sound like a bad thing, but in the golf swing, it's often a huge advantage. Many common swing faults happen when one hand - usually the trail hand (the right hand for a righty) - becomes too dominant and takes over at the wrong time.

Think about a new golfer who tries to "scoop" the ball into the air. That "scoop" or "flip" is almost always caused by an overactive right wrist trying to lift the ball. The interlock grip makes this much harder to do. By weaving the pinky and index finger together, you slightly restrict the mobility of the trail hand's wrist. This makes it more likely to stay passive, allowing the bigger muscles of the body to lead the club through impact. The result is often a more stable clubface through the hitting area, which leads directly to straighter, more solid shots.

In essence, the interlock helps you feel the golf club as an extension of one single lever (your arms and club working together) instead of two separate levers (your hands moving independently). This feeling of unity is the foundation for a more repeatable, powerful, and consistent golf swing.

Pros and Cons of the Interlock Grip – Is It For You?

Like any technique in golf, the interlock grip isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. It has distinct advantages for certain types of players, but it might not be the most comfortable or effective option for everyone. Here’s a breakdown to help you figure out if it fits your game.

Advantages of the Interlock Grip

• Creates Incredible Hand Unity: We've touched on this, but it’s the number one selling point. By physically connecting your hands, you promote a cohesive movement. If your hands tend to feel disconnected or fight each other during the swing, the interlock can be revolutionary.
• Excellent for Golfers with Smaller Hands: Players with smaller hands or shorter fingers often struggle with the alternative Vardon (overlap) grip. The overlap can feel clumsy, like the hands aren't securely attached. The interlock closes that gap, creating a much more secure and compact feel on the club.
• Tames an Overactive Bottom Hand: Do you find yourself hitting quick, snapping hooks that dive left (for a righty)? That’s often the sign of a bottom hand that’s closing the clubface too fast through impact. The interlock naturally quiets this hand down, helping you deliver a square clubface more consistently.

Drawbacks and Considerations

• Can Feel Unnatural and Tense at First: Let's be honest, holding a golf club feels weird in the beginning no matter how you do it. The interlock can be especially foreign. Some golfers find that intertwining their fingers introduces tension into their hands, wrists, or even forearms. Remember, a good golf setup should feel athletic but relaxed. If the interlock makes you feel tight, it may not be for you.
• Not Always Great for Joint Pain: For golfers who deal with arthritis or pain in their finger joints, the interlock might feel uncomfortable or even painful. Forcing the fingers into that position can put stress on delicate joints. In this case, the overlap or ten-finger grip is usually a much better and more comfortable option.
• Potential Loss of "Feel" for Some: While restricting hand movement is good for control, some highly skilled players feel it robs them of a bit of touch or "feel" in their hands, especially on shorter shots around the green. This is very subjective, but something to be aware of.

How to Create a Perfect Interlocking Grip: Step-by-Step

If you think the interlock grip could be a good fit, here’s how to put it on the club correctly. Remember the goal: secure, unified, and relaxed. (These instructions are for a right-handed golfer).

Step 1: Get Your Lead Hand (Left Hand) Right

This is the foundation of any good grip. Place the grip of the club diagonally across the fingers of your left hand, starting at the base of your pinky and running up to the middle section of your index finger. Close your hand over the top. When you look down, you should be able to see the knuckles of your index and middle fingers. The "V" that forms between your thumb and index finger should be pointing roughly back toward your right shoulder.

Step 2: Position Your Trail Hand (Right Hand)

Bring your right hand to the club so the palm is facing your target. The aum is for the lifeline in your right palm to fit snugly over your left thumb, which should be resting just slightly on the right side of the grip.

Step 3: Interlock the Fingers

Now for the main event. Instead of letting your right pinky rest on top of the left hand, you're going to gently slide it underneath the left index finger. Let them hook together naturally. You don’t need to force a deep, wrestling-style lock. A gentle but secure connection is all you need. Your left index finger can either relax on top of your right fingers or slightly curl around your right pinky. Both are acceptable, choose what feels more stable.

Step 4: Check Your Grip Pressure

This is critical. One of the biggest mistakes golfers make with the interlock is creating too much pressure. Squeezing the club to death kills your swing speed and feel. On a scale of 1 to 10, where 10 is as hard as you can squeeze, your grip pressure should feel like a 3 or 4. You want to hold the club securely enough that it won’t fly out of your hands, but lightly enough that your wrists and forearms remain free of tension.

Interlock vs. Overlap vs. Ten-Finger: Which Should You Choose?

The interlock is just one of the three main grip styles. The best way to find your perfect fit is to understand what each one does and experiment.

• Interlock Grip: We’ve covered this extensively. Best for hand unity, control, and often for players with smaller hands. Used by Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus.
• Overlap (or Vardon) Grip: This is the most popular grip among professional golfers. Instead of intertwining, the right pinky finger simply rests on top of the area between the left index and middle fingers. This grip also promotes hand unity but often feels more natural and less restrictive to players with average to large hands.
• Ten-Finger (or Baseball) Grip: Just like holding a baseball bat, all ten fingers are in contact with the club. This grip is great for juniors, seniors, or any player who needs to maximize their strength and leverage. It offers the most power potential, but it can also lead to very active, uncontrolled hands if you're not careful.

So, which is for you? Honestly, there’s no single correct answer. The best advice is to head to the driving range. Hit 10-15 balls with each grip style. Don't judge it after one swing. Give each one a fair trial and pay close attention to three things: comfort, control, and tension. The grip that allows you to feel the most comfortable, control the clubface the best, and remain free of tension is the right one for you.

Final Thoughts

The interlocking grip is an outstanding choice that promotes a connected, unified golf swing by locking your hands together, which is why some of the game's greatest players have depended on it. Its primary benefit is improving control by quieting overactive hands, but it’s not for everyone. The most important thing is to experiment and find the grip - whether interlock, overlap, or ten-finger - that makes you feel comfortable, athletic, and free of tension on every swing.

Making a change to something as fundamental as your grip can feel a little uncertain, and it can be hard to know if it's really helping. That’s an area where I can really assist. When you're trying a new hold on the club, you can use Caddie AI to instantly analyze your shot dispersion to see if the group sizes are getting tighter. If you're standing on the range and just can't shake that “weird” feeling from a new grip, just ask me for a tip, and you'll get a simple thought to help you get comfortable. I’m here 24/7 to take the guesswork out of the game so you can practice smarter and play with more confidence.