The most used golf grip on the PGA Tour isn't a single style, but a specific position: the neutral to slightly strong grip. This hold is the overwhelming favorite because it allows the world's best players to deliver the clubface squarely to the ball with incredible consistency and power, without needing last-second manipulations with their hands. This article will show you exactly what that looks like. We'll break down the three main grip styles you see on TV, explain the differences between a weak, neutral, and strong position, and guide you step-by-step so you can find the perfect hold for your own game.
When you ask what grip Dustin Johnson or Rory McIlroy uses, the answer has two parts: the style and the position. Style is about how your hands are physically connected on the club - do your fingers overlap or interlock? Position is about how your hands are rotated on the handle - are they turned away from the target (strong) or towards the target (weak)?
While the style is mostly a matter of personal comfort, the position is what truly matters for performance. The vast majority of Tour professionals use a neutral to slightly strong grip position. Why? Because this position puts the hands in a powerful, natural alignment. It encourages the club to release properly through impact, turning a difficult timing move into an almost automatic part of the swing. It's the engine for both consistency and power, providing a stable foundation that removes guesswork from the equation.
Let's first look at the three ways to connect your hands on the club. Each one has its own feel and set of benefits, and the "best" one is the one that gives you the most confidence and stability.
This is the classic, most historically popular grip. To do it, the pinky finger of your trail hand (right hand for righties) rests on top of the space between the index and middle fingers of your lead hand (left hand).
With an interlocking grip, the pinky finger of your trail hand hooks or links together with the index finger of your lead hand. It has seen a huge surge in popularity over the last few decades.
As the name suggests, this grip involves placing all ten fingers on the club, with the pinky of the trail hand pressed up against the index finger of the lead hand. While it's the least common on professional tours, it’s a perfectly valid and effective way to hold the club.
Truthfully, this is about what feels right. There is no performance advantage between the overlap and the interlock. Go to the range, hit balls with both, and stick with the one that feels more stable and comfortable. Don't force yourself into one just because your favorite player uses it. A confident hold is a repeatable hold.
This is where things get really important. Your grip position - how far your hands are turned onto the club - is the steering wheel for your clubface. Get this right, and you’ll have a much easier time hitting straight shots. Get it wrong, and you’ll spend your whole round fighting a slice or a hook.
A great way to check your position is by looking at the "V" shape formed by your thumb and index finger on each hand.
The neutral grip is the pro standard because it aligns with the anatomy of your arms and promotes a natural return to a square clubface at impact. Here’s how to find yours:
This position is a solid, reliable starting point for any golfer. It puts you in a position of power without forcing you to manipulate the club.
A "strong" grip doesn't mean you squeeze the club harder. It means both hands are rotated more to the right on the handle (for a right-handed player), away from the target.
A "weak" grip is the opposite. Both hands are rotated more to the left (for a right-handed player), towards the target.
Now that you understand the pieces, how do you build the perfect grip for you?
The most common grip you'll find on tour is a neutral to slightly strong position. This gives elite players the baseline for control and consistency that lets them swing with freedom. While the specific style choice between an overlap or interlock is a personal preference, mastering your grip position is a non-negotiable fundamental for controlling the clubface and improving your ball flight.
Your grip is your only point of contact with the club, and small changes can have a big impact. If you're struggling to understand why your ball is flying a certain way or aren't sure if your hold is helping or hurting, ask for clarity. You can ask questions about your grip any time, get a clear strategy for your next shot, or even snap a picture of a tricky lie where grip pressure is critical. With Caddie AI, you have an expert coach in your pocket, ready to take the guesswork out of your game and help you play with more confidence.
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