Ever wonder what Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Rory McIlroy all have in common besides winning majors? They all trust the interlocking golf grip to connect them to the golf club. This article is your complete guide to the interlocking grip, breaking down exactly what it is, why so many of the game's best players use it, and provides a step-by-step tutorial on how to build it for your own swing.
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So, What Exactly Is the Interlocking Grip?
At its core, the golf grip is your only connection to the club, making it a foundation for everything that follows in your swing. It's what I call the "steering wheel" of your golf shots. While there are a few ways to hold the club, they all aim for the same goal: to get a connected, repeatable feeling that allows the clubface to do its job. The interlocking grip achieves this in a specific way.
For a right-handed golfer, the interlocking grip involves linking the pinky finger of the right hand with the index finger of the left hand. This physical weaving of the fingers "locks" the hands together, encouraging them to work as a unified team rather than two separate entities fighting for control.
To understand the interlock better, it helps to see it in context with the other two popular grips:
The Overlap (or Vardon) Grip: This is the most common grip among professional golfers. Here, the pinky finger of the right hand rests on top, in the channel between the index and middle fingers of the left hand.
The Ten-Finger (or Baseball) Grip: Just like it sounds, all ten fingers are placed directly on the club's handle, much like holding a baseball bat. It's often recommended for total beginners, juniors, or players with joint pain.
Each grip has its merits, but the interlock has a unique feel and offers specific benefits that have made it the choice of some of the greatest to ever play the game.
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It's no accident that golfers like Jack Nicklaus, the 18-time major champion, and Tiger Woods, arguably the greatest of all time, chose a grip that some players find unusual at first. They chose it for its distinct advantages in creating power, accuracy, and consistency.
It Creates Unbeatable Unity
The single most important benefit of the interlocking grip is the unparalleled sense of connection it creates. By physically weaving your fingers together, you effectively fuse your hands into a single, cohesive unit. Why does this matter? Because a huge source of inconsistency in the golf swing comes from the hands working against each other. When one hand becomes too dominant, it can manipulate the clubface, leading to hooks, slices, and off-center strikes.
The interlock helps neutralize this "hand battle." It promotes a more passive hand action, allowing the club to move around the body powered by the bigger, more reliable muscles of the torso and shoulders. This rotational action is the true engine of the golf swing, and the interlock helps keep your hands from getting in the way.
It Provides Tremendous Security
Many golfers, especially those with smaller or average-sized hands, find the interlocking grip feels more secure. The physical link gives you confidence that the club isn't going to shift or slip in your hands during the swing, particularly at the top of the backswing or through the violence of impact. Tiger Woods himself has mentioned he started using it as a kid because his hands were small, and it helped him hold on to the club properly.
This sense of security can directly translate to more swing speed. When you feel confident that your connection to the club is stable, you feel free to rotate and unwind your body at full speed, knowing you have complete control.
It Can Simplify the Takeaway
For newer players struggling with a jerky or handsy takeaway, the interlocking grip can be a fantastic learning tool. Because a proper grip is already in place and feels connected, it simplifies the first move away from the ball. Instead of thinking about what your hands should do, you can focus on the correct feeling: turning your chest and shoulders in one smooth, connected motion. This one-piece takeaway sets you on a much better path for the rest of your swing.
A Step-By-Step Guide to the Interlocking Grip
Alright, let's get this grip built. Remember that changing your grip is like trying to write with your opposite hand at first - it's going to feel bizarre and maybe even a little weak. That is completely normal. The goal is to build it correctly, not for it to feel comfortable on day one. Stick with it, and it will start to feel natural.
Step 1: Get Your Top Hand Right (Left Hand for a Right-Handed Golfer)
Hold the club out in front of you. Place your left hand on the grip so the handle runs diagonally from the base of your pinky finger to the middle of your index finger. You should primarily be holding the club in your fingers, not your palm.
Close your hand. As you look down at the grip from your address position, you should be able to clearly see two - and only two - knuckles on your left hand (the index and middle finger knuckles). This is a great checkpoint for a neutral grip.
Check the "V". The 'V' shape formed by your thumb and index finger should point roughly toward your right shoulder or right ear. If it points at your chin, your grip is too weak, if it points outside your shoulder, it's too strong.
This neutral left-hand position is the foundation. Mess this up, and the rest won't matter.
Step 2: Place Your Bottom Hand (Right Hand for Righties)
Now, bring your right hand to the club. The goal here is to let it sit naturally on the side of the handle.
The middle of your right palm - the "lifeline" area - should fit snugly over your left thumb. Your right-hand fingers will then wrap around the club. Again, we are looking for a neutral position where the 'V' of your right thumb and index finger also points generally up towards your right shoulder.
Step 3: The Interlock
This is where the magic happens. Before closing your right hand completely, follow these simple motions:
Lift the index finger of your left hand (top hand) slightly off the grip. Just lift it up a little to create a space.
Take the pinky finger of your right hand (bottom hand) and slide it into the space you just created, hooking it underneath the upraised left index finger.
Finally, let your left index finger rest naturally down into the gap between the pinky and ring finger of your right hand. Settle both hands together. They should feel snug and unified, with no gaps between them.
Step 4: Checkmarks and Feel
Once you're holding it, take a look. Your hands should appear neatly intertwined and working together. Grip pressure is important, on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being a death grip, you want to be at about a 3 or 4. Just firm enough to maintain control but light enough to let your wrists hinge properly.
Again, this is going to feel strange. Your pinky finger might feel a little squished. Do not panic. Do short practice swings and hit short shots to get accustomed to the feeling before you go try to hit your driver full-out.
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Is the Interlocking Grip the Right Choice For You?
A grip change is a big deal, and I would only ever recommend it if your current grip is causing directional problems like a persistent slice or hook. The interlock is a fantastic option, but it's not a universal solution.
You might be a great candidate for the interlock if:
You have small or medium-sized hands. The interlock helps bridge any gaps and provides that extra security that can be hard to achieve with an overlap grip.
You arenew to golf. Learning the correct grip from the outset can save you years of struggle later on.
You suffer from a "loose" swing at the top. If you watch your swing on video and see the club wiggling around at the top of your backswing, the interlocking grip can help stabilize an action that will lead to more consistent contact strikes.
The interlock may NOT be your best fit if:
You have very large hands or short fingers. Some players with larger hands simply find the interlock too cramped and uncomfortable.
You have arthritis or pain in your hands. The nature of the interlocking grip can put a little more pressure on the fingers, and for some, the overlap or ten-finger grips are more comfortable choices.
Your current grip works! This is the most important one. If you have an unconventional grip but hit the ball consistently well, think long and hard before making a change. Golf is about results, not a perfect-looking handbook grip.
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The interlocking grip, trusted by some of golf's all-time greats, is a powerful way to unify your hands and promote a more consistent, connected golf swing. While it may feel odd at first, drilling the fundamentals and understanding its purpose can help you build a solid connection to the club that you can rely on shot after shot.
Perfecting a detail like your grip is a huge part of improving your swing mechanics, but taking that new swing to the course presents its own set of challenges. This is where I can help. With an on-demand golf expert in your pocket like Caddie AI, you can get instant answers for any situation you face. If you're stuck between clubs or don't know the right strategy on a tricky hole, just ask. You can even take a photo of a bad lie in the rough and get an immediate, expert recommendation on how to play the shot, helping you avoid those big numbers and play with total confidence.
Spencer has been playing golf since he was a kid and has spent a lifetime chasing improvement. With over a decade of experience building successful tech products, he combined his love for golf and startups to create Caddie AI - the world's best AI golf app. Giving everyone an expert level coach in your pocket, available 24/7. Caddie's mission is simple: make world-class golf advice accessible to everyone, anytime.
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