The single most common reason golfers choose to interlock their fingers is to make their hands work together as a single, unified unit. By weaving the pinky of the trail hand with the index finger of the lead hand, they effectively lock the two together, preventing them from acting independently during the swing. This article will break down exactly what the interlocking grip is, explore its major benefits and drawbacks, and compare it to the other common grip styles so you can decide if it’s the right choice for your game.
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Why Your Grip Is The First Step to a Better Swing
Before we go deep on the interlock, let’s get one thing straight: your grip is your only connection to the golf club. It’s the steering wheel for your entire swing. Every bit of power, feel, and control you generate transfers from your body, through your arms, and into your hands. If that connection is weak, inconsistent, or just plain wrong for you, you’ll spend all your time making compensations just to get the clubface back to square at impact.
Think about it. A grip that's too weak (hands rotated too far away from the target) will often leave the clubface open, resulting in slices. A grip that's too strong (hands rotated too far toward the target) can shut the face down, causing hooks. Finding a neutral, comfortable grip is the foundation upon which a reliable swing is built.
There are three primary ways to hold the club, and the interlocking grip is just one of them. The other two are the overlapping (Vardon) grip and the ten-finger (baseball) grip. None of them are inherently "right" or "wrong." The best grip for you is the one that allows you to repeatedly deliver a square clubface to the ball with comfortable power.
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The interlocking grip, sometimes called the “small finger” grip, involves physically linking your two hands. For a right-handed golfer, this is how you do it:
Your right pinky finger hooks under and around your left index finger.
Your left thumb rests comfortably underneath the lifeline of your right palm.
The result is a sensation of being "locked in." Your hands feel inseparable. This particular grip has been famously used by some of the greatest players in history, most notably Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. Their success alone is enough to make any curious golfer want to give it a try. But just because it worked for them doesn't mean it's a silver bullet for everyone.
The Pros: Why Golfers Choose to Interlock
Golfers who swear by the interlock do so for a few powerful reasons. Understanding these benefits can help you figure out if it aligns with your own needs.
1. Unifies the Hands This is the primary benefit. The lock prevents your hands from separating during the swing, especially at the top of the backswing and through the transition. It encourages both hands to work as one lever, which is incredibly important for consistency. For many players, especially those who tend to get “handsy” and let their dominant hand take over, the interlock can calm things down and promote a more body-driven swing.
2. Enhances Club Security (Feel) Some players just feel more secure with their hands locked together. It can give you confidence that the club isn’t going to slip or twist at the top of the swing, a common issue for players with a weaker grip or less hand strength. This feeling of security can help a player commit to the swing more freely.
3. Ideal for Smaller Hands Players with smaller hands or shorter fingers often struggle with the overlapping grip because they can’t get enough of their trailing hand onto the club. The interlocking grip removes one finger from the handle, making it feel less crowded and allowing for a more complete and secure hold. This is why you’ll often see it recommended for junior golfers and many LPGA players.
The Cons: Why the Interlock Might Not Be for You
Of course, this grip isn’t without its potential downsides. It’s important to be aware of these before you commit to making a change.
1. It Can Be Uncomfortable For many golfers trying it for the first time, the interlocking grip just feels weird, awkward, or even painful. Forcing your fingers to link together in an unnatural way can cause friction and pressure, particularly on the pinky and index fingers. While this feeling often subsides with practice, for some, the discomfort never truly goes away.
2. Risk of Too Much Tension The term “interlock” itself implies rigidity. This can sometimes translate into a player squeezing the club too hard. The feeling of being “locked” can lead to tension creeping up from the hands into the forearms and shoulders. Excessive grip pressure is a notorious speed-killer, as it restricts the ability of your wrists to hinge and release freely, which is essential for generating clubhead speed.
3. Not a Great Fit for Large Hands Just as it suits smaller hands, it can feel cramped and awkward for players with very large hands or thick fingers. The overlapping grip is often a more natural and comfortable fit for those players.
Interlock vs. Overlap vs. Ten-Finger: Which One Suits You?
To really know if the interlock grip is for you, it helps to see how it stacks up against the other two main options.
The Overlapping (Vardon) Grip
This is the most popular grip among professional golfers. Here, the pinky of the trailing hand rests on top of the space between the index and middle finger of the lead hand. It promotes good unity without the tight "locked-in" feeling of the interlock, often giving the players a better sense of "feel" in their hands. It’s generally the go-to recommendation for players with average to large-sized hands.
The Ten-Finger (Baseball) Grip
Here, all ten fingers are placed directly on the club, like you’d hold a baseball bat. This grip can feel the most natural for beginners since it's an intuitive way to hold something. It’s also an excellent option for juniors, seniors, or anyone with arthritis or low hand and wrist strength. While it offers great leverage, its main weakness is that it can allow the hands to work too independently, leading to control issues for more skilled players.
Quick Comparison Guide:
Interlocking: Best for unifying hands and for players with smaller hands. Can feel very secure.
Overlapping: Most popular on tour. A great balance of unity and freedom. Best for players with average to large hands.
Ten-Finger: Best for maximum leverage and for players needing more power, especially beginners, juniors, or players with joint pain.
Ultimately, there is no magic grip. The goal is comfort, control, and repeatability. Your friend might swear by the overlap, but if the interlock feels better in your hands and produces straighter shots, then it's the right grip for you.
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If you think the interlocking grip might be worth a shot, give it a try correctly. Don’t just grab it and go, build it step-by-step to give yourself the best chance for success.
Set Your Lead Hand (Left Hand for Righties): Place your left hand on the grip so that you can see two knuckles (the index and middle finger knuckles) when you look down. The "V" formed by your thumb and index finger should point roughly toward your right shoulder. You want to hold the club more in your fingers than your palm.
Set Your Trail Hand (Right Hand for Righties): Bring your right hand to the club. The lifeline of your right palm should fit snugly over your left thumb. This is a massively important connection point that provides stability.
"The Lock": Now for the key move. Instead of just placing your right pinky on the club, hook it underneath your left index finger. Let them rest together comfortably. They don’t need to be jammed in there tightly.
The Relaxed Check: Settle into your final grip. On a scale of 1 to 10, where 10 is squeezing as hard as you can, a good grip pressure is around a 3 or 4. You should feel secure, but your forearms should be relaxed, not tense. If it feels painful, adjust until it’s more comfortable. It will feel different, but it shouldn't hurt.
Spend some time taking small, easy swings with your new grip at the driving range. Don’t immediately try to hit your driver 300 yards. Give your hands and brain time to get used to the new sensation. Hit short chips, then pitch shots, then full swings with a wedge, gradually working your way up through the bag.
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Choosing to interlock your fingers is a popular and effective method for unifying your hands, creating a more consistent swing, and feeling secure over the ball - especially for players with smaller hands. However, it's not a universal solution. The best grip for any golfer is the one that is comfortable, repeatable, and allows you to deliver the clubface squarely to the ball without having to think too much about it.
If you're experimenting with your grip but are still unsure which style is cleaning up your bad shots or why your ball is still flying offline, getting objective feedback can make all the difference. Sometimes, the problem isn't the grip itself, but how you're using it. This is where a tool like Caddie AI shines. Instead of endlessly guessing, you can get instant analysis on your game. You could ask for advice on which grip might suit you or even shoot a photo of a bad lie on the course and get an expert opinion on how to play the shot. It takes the guesswork out of the game, helping you make smarter, more confident decisions without having to wait for your next lesson.
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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