The vast majority of professional golfers on tour use the Vardon grip, more commonly known as the Overlap grip. It provides a fantastic blend of stability and feel that the world's best players rely on. In this article, we’ll break down this popular grip, look at the other main styles you’ll see on TV, and help you figure out which one is the right fit to give you more control over your golf ball.
Walk down a PGA Tour driving range and you’ll see the Overlap grip everywhere. Named after the legendary English golfer Harry Vardon, who won six Open Championships, this grip has been the standard for over a century for good reason. It’s simple, effective, and promotes excellent a connection between your hands.
For a right-handed golfer, the Overlap grip involves taking your normal hold and then placing the pinky finger of your right hand so it rests in the gap between the index and middle fingers of your left hand. It just "overlaps" the top hand.
Why is this the go-to for so many elite players?
Players like Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan, Phil Mickelson, and Brooks Koepka have all used the classic Overlap grip to win major championships. It's a proven method for high-level performance.
While the Overlap might be the most common, it’s not the only grip you’ll see at the top of the game. The second most popular choice is the Interlock grip, and it has some serious star power behind it. The two most dominant players of all time - Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods - both won all their majors using an Interlock.
So, what's different? In an Interlock grip, the pinky of the right hand and the index finger of the left hand actually hook together. They are physically "interlocking," creating a very secure connection.
The argument for the Interlock is all about connection. There is literally no way for your hands to slip or work independently when they are linked together like this. This is why it's often recommended for:
The takeaway here is that "most popular" does not always mean "best for you." If the two greatest golfers to ever play the game used a different method, it’s clearly an outstanding option. Other famous Interlock users include Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas.
You won't see this one very often on tour, but it's not totally absent. The Ten-Finger grip is exactly what it sounds like: all ten fingers are in contact with the golf club handle, much like you would hold a baseball bat. There is no overlapping or interlocking.
The main reason it's less popular mong professionals is that it can sometimes encourage the hands to work too independently. For a powerful player, having the right hand so completely on the club can lead to it becoming too dominant in the downswing, causing hooks or inconsistent strikes.
However, that doesn't mean it has no place in golf. The Ten-Finger grip can be an excellent choice for:
Tour pro Scott Piercy is a fantastic player who has had a long, successful career using a ten-finger grip, proving you can absolutely play high-level golf with it.
Choosing how your fingers connect is only one part of the equation. Two other elements, grip alignment and pressure, are just as important for controlling the clubface - the steering wheel of your golf shots.
Before you even think about connecting your hands, the top hand must be positioned correctly. Place your left hand on the grip so you're holding it mostly in the fingers, from the base of your little finger to the middle joint of your index finger.
When you look down, you should be able to see two knuckles on the back of your left hand. The "V" shape created by your thumb and index finger should be pointing roughly toward your right ear or right shoulder. This is a neutral grip, and it's the foundation for consistency.
For most golfers, learning the neutral position is the best path forward.
How tightly should you hold the club? The most common mistake amateur golfers make is strangling the grip. Way too much tension freezes your wrists and arms, robbing you of speed and feel.
Imagine you're holding a small bird in your hands - you want to hold it firmly enough that it can't fly away, but not so tight that you hurt it. Another great mental image is a tube of toothpaste with the cap off. Squeeze just enough that no toothpaste comes out. On a scale of 1 to 10, where 10 is the tightest you can possibly squeeze, your grip pressure should feel like a 3 or 4.
So, with all this information, how do you decide? Let's walk through it.
While the statistics favor the Overlap grip as the most popular among professionals, the legendary success of those who use the Interlock proves there is more than one way to hold a golf club properly. Your goal isn't to copy a specific pro, but to find the method that allows your hands to work together as a single unit, providing control without creating unhealthy tension.
Still wrestling with how the grip feels or have follow-up questions you'd be too embarrassed to ask anyone? Our goal with building Caddie AI was to give every golfer a 24/7 swing coach. You can ask for a quick refresher on grip checkpoints while you're at the driving range, or even snap a picture of a difficult lie on the course to get instant advice on how to play it. We believe having an expert in your pocket takes the guesswork out of the game so you can focus on swinging with more confidence.
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