The single most popular golf grip, used by an estimated 70-80% of touring pros and skilled amateurs, is the Overlap grip, also known as the Vardon grip. It's the standard for a reason, offering a fantastic blend of stability, feel, and control that helps golfers of all levels. This article will break down exactly how to use the Overlap grip, explain the other two primary grips - the Interlock and Ten-Finger - and help you find which one is the right fit to improve your game.
Before we build your grip, it's worth understanding why it’s so important. Your hands are your only connection to the golf club. They are the steering wheel for every shot you hit. An improper hold will force you to make all sorts of compensations in your swing just to get the clubface back to the ball squarely. Getting this fundamental right from the start makes everything else about the swing simpler.
The main goals of a great golf grip are to:
With that in mind, let's build the grip that most of the best players in the world trust.
So, why is this grip the dominant choice? Named after Harry Vardon, a six-time Open champion, the Overlap puts your hands in a position to work together beautifully. It prevents one hand (usually the bottom, or trail, hand) from becoming too active and overpowering the other. This leads to more consistency because both hands are acting as one cohesive unit, guiding the club instead of fighting each other for control.
Let's go through this for a right-handed golfer. If you're a lefty, simply reverse the hand instructions.
Place the clubhead on the ground behind the ball, aiming exactly at your target. Some grips have logos or markings to help you, but the best way is to look at the leading edge of the clubface itself and make sure it’s perpendicular to your target line. This sets your foundation before you even put your hands on.
Bring your left hand to the side of the grip. The club should run diagonally across your fingers, from the base of your pinky finger to the middle joint of your index finger. Don't place it in the palm of your hand, holding it in the fingers gives you more control and allows for proper wrist movement.
This is what we call a neutral grip position - your hand is not twisted excessively in either direction. It's a powerful and repeatable starting point.
Now, let’s add the right hand and create the "overlap."
One of the most common mistakes is gripping the club too tightly. Imagine you're holding a tube of toothpaste and you don't want any to squeeze out. On a scale of 1 to 10, where 10 is a death grip, you want to be around a 3 or 4. A light but secure pressure allows your wrists to hinge freely and gives you better feel for the clubhead during the swing.
While the Overlap is most common, the Interlocking grip is a very close second and is used by some of the greatest players of all time, including Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. It’s particularly popular with players who have smaller hands or who want to feel an even greater sense of connection between their hands.
The positioning of both the left and right hands is exactly the same as the Overlap grip. The only difference is what happens with the right pinky finger. Instead of resting on top of the left hand, the right pinky finger links or "interlocks" with the index finger of the left hand.
Benefits of The Interlock
Potential Downsides
Finally, we have the Ten-Finger grip. Just as the name implies, it involves placing all ten fingers on the club, much like you would hold a baseball bat. The hands are placed next to each other on the handle with the pinky of the right hand touching the index finger of the left hand, but without any overlapping or interlocking.
This grip is most often recommended for:
While effective for some, most instructors will eventually guide a player toward an Overlap or Interlock grip as they progress. The main drawback is that it can allow the hands to work independently, making clubface control less reliable. The bottom hand often becomes too dominant, leading to consistency issues.
So how do you choose? Start with the Overlap. It’s the standard for a reason. Practice it, get used to the feel, and see how it performs for you on the range. If your hands feel truly connected and you can control your shots, you've found your answer.
If you have smaller hands or feel like your hands are "slipping" or coming apart during the swing, give the Interlock an honest try. Don't switch back and forth every other swing - give it a few range sessions to see if it provides the security you're looking for.
Ultimately, a good grip should feel comfortable, secure, and should allow you to deliver a square clubface to the ball without thinking about it. The one that achieves that for you is the best grip for your game.
The Overlap (Vardon) grip is the choice of the vast majority of golfers because it provides a superb combination of control, unity, and feel. By following the steps to build a neutral Overlap grip, you're placing your hands in the single most proven position for golfing success. But remember, the Interlock and even the Ten-Finger grip can be successful alternatives depending on your individual hands and feel.
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