How to Interlock Your Golf Grip

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Swing Mechanics & Fundamentals

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Quick Answer

• The interlocking golf grip is formed by placing the pinky of your trailing hand between the index and middle fingers of your lead hand.
• This grip is a favorite for promoting a unified swing and preventing hand separation during the downswing, leading to better control.
• Getting the alignment right is crucial for consistent power and a more reliable golf swing.

Who This Golf Grip is For

• Beginner golfers who need a stable and consistent hand position to build their swing fundamentals.
• Intermediate to advanced golfers who are looking to improve the connection between their hands for increased power and control, especially if they experience hand separation during their swing.
• Players who want to minimize unwanted clubface rotation through impact by creating a more solid, connected unit with their hands.

What to Check First

• Hand Dominance: First things first, are you a right-handed or left-handed golfer? This determines which hand is your lead hand and which is your trail hand. For righties, the lead hand is the left; for lefties, it’s the right.
• Lead Hand Placement: Position your lead hand on the club grip. For a right-handed golfer, this is your left hand. The grip should feel like it’s resting diagonally across the palm, not just in the fingers. Your fingers should wrap around the grip naturally.
• Lead Hand “V” Alignment: Form a “V” with the thumb and index finger of your lead hand. This “V” should point roughly towards your trail shoulder. This alignment is a key indicator of a proper grip that promotes a good swing path.
• Grip Orientation: Ensure the grip isn’t too far up in your fingers or too deep in your palm. The ideal position allows for both power and flexibility.

Step-by-Step Plan: Mastering the Interlocking Golf Grip

1. Position Your Lead Hand:

• Action: Take the golf club and place your lead hand (left hand for a right-handed golfer) onto the grip.
• What to look for: The grip should rest diagonally across the palm of your lead hand, running from the base of your pinky finger up to the middle of your index finger. Your fingers should feel like they are closing around the grip in a natural, relaxed manner.
• Mistake to avoid: Gripping too tightly will restrict your wrist hinge and kill power, while gripping too loosely can lead to a loss of control. Aim for a pressure that feels secure but allows for subtle movement. I once tried to grip it like a vice on a windy day – let’s just say the ball didn’t go where I wanted.

2. Introduce Your Trail Hand:

• Action: Now, bring your trail hand (right hand for a right-handed golfer) into position.
• What to look for: The key here is to nestle the pinky finger of your trail hand snugly into the space between the index and middle fingers of your lead hand. It should feel like a comfortable fit, not forced.
• Mistake to avoid: Don’t just lay your trail pinky on top of the lead hand’s index finger, and don’t let it float away. It needs to be actively engaged and interlocked.

3. Confirm the Interlock:

• Action: Gently press your trail pinky finger into the groove of your lead hand.
• What to look for: The pinky should feel firmly placed, creating a unified unit with your lead hand. There should be no significant gaps, and the two hands should feel connected.
• Mistake to avoid: If your pinky feels like it’s just resting there without making contact, it’s not truly interlocked. You need to ensure it’s making a firm, consistent connection.

4. Align the “V” Shapes:

• Action: Look at the “V” shape formed by the thumb and index finger of your lead hand, and then do the same for your trail hand.
• What to look for: Ideally, both “V” shapes should point roughly towards your trail shoulder. This alignment helps promote a consistent swing path and square clubface through impact.
• Mistake to avoid: If your lead hand “V” is pointing too far left (for a righty), you might be prone to slicing. If it’s pointing too far right, you could be looking at hooks. A consistent alignment is the goal.

5. Assess Grip Pressure:

• Action: Squeeze the club with your newly formed interlocked grip.
• What to look for: You want a grip pressure that feels relaxed yet firm. Think of it like holding a tube of toothpaste – you don’t want to squeeze it so hard that it oozes out, but you also don’t want it to slip from your grasp. A good starting point is around a 3-4 on a scale of 1-10.
• Mistake to avoid: Gripping too tightly kills wrist hinge, reduces clubhead speed, and makes your swing feel stiff and robotic. Gripping too loosely leads to a loss of control and can cause the club to twist in your hands.

6. Check for Hand Separation:

• Action: Make a few practice swings, focusing on the feeling in your hands.
• What to look for: Do your hands feel like they are working together as a single unit throughout the swing? Does the club feel stable and connected to your arms?
• Mistake to avoid: If you feel like your hands are separating or “flipping” at the top of the backswing or during the downswing, your interlocking grip might not be secure enough, or your pressure might be off.

7. The “Feel” Test:

• Action: Take a couple of half-swings, focusing on the sensation of the club in your hands.
• What to look for: Does the grip feel comfortable and natural? Can you feel the clubhead throughout the swing? Does it feel like it provides a solid connection to the club?
• Mistake to avoid: If the grip feels awkward, uncomfortable, or like it might come apart, don’t force it. Go back and re-adjust your hand placement and pressure.

8. Refine for Consistency:

• Action: Make full practice swings, paying attention to how the club releases through impact.
• What to look for: Are you able to maintain connection through the downswing? Does the clubface feel square at impact? Is the power transfer smooth?
• Mistake to avoid: Don’t be afraid to experiment slightly with hand placement and pressure until you find what feels consistently good and produces a repeatable swing.

Mastering the Interlocking Golf Grip

The interlocking grip, often called the Vardon grip after the legendary Harry Vardon, is a popular choice for golfers of all skill levels. It’s designed to create a strong, unified connection between your hands, which is crucial for a powerful and controlled golf swing. When your hands work together as one unit, you’re less likely to suffer from inconsistencies like hand separation during the downswing, which can lead to slices or hooks. This grip helps promote a more stable clubface through impact, allowing for better ball striking and more predictable shot dispersion.

The primary benefit of the interlocking grip lies in its ability to keep your hands connected. For many golfers, especially beginners, the tendency is for the hands to work independently, leading to a loss of power and control. The interlocking grip physically links your hands together, forcing them to act in concert. This can be particularly beneficial for golfers with smaller hands, as it can help them feel a more secure grip on the club.

When you’re learning how to interlock your golf grip, it’s essential to pay close attention to the details. The way your fingers and palms interact with the club’s grip directly influences your swing. A grip that’s too tight can restrict the natural release of the clubhead, while a grip that’s too loose can lead to a loss of control. The goal is to find a balance that allows for both power and finesse. The alignment of the “V”s formed by your thumbs and index fingers is another critical element. When these “V”s point towards your trail shoulder, it generally indicates that your hands are in a neutral position, which is conducive to a straight shot. Deviations from this alignment can lead to the clubface opening or closing excessively through impact, resulting in slices or hooks.

For those looking to improve their golf swing, understanding and implementing the interlocking grip is a significant step. It’s not just about how the hands fit together; it’s about how that connection translates into a more efficient and powerful swing. The interlocking grip encourages a smoother transition from the backswing to the downswing and helps maintain lag, which is essential for generating clubhead speed.

Common Mistakes

• Grip Pressure Too Tight — Why it matters: Squeezing the club too hard restricts the natural hinge and unhinging of your wrists, which is vital for generating clubhead speed and power. It also makes your hands and arms tense, leading to a less fluid swing and potentially inconsistent contact. — Fix: Focus on a relaxed, pressure-sensitive hold. Imagine holding a small bird – firm enough so it doesn’t fly away, but gentle enough not to crush it. Aim for about a 3-4 on a 1-10 scale.
• Pinky Finger Not Engaged — Why it matters: If your trail pinky finger isn’t properly interlocked, it reduces the stability and connection between your hands. This can lead to your hands separating during the swing, causing a loss of control over the clubface and inconsistency in your shots. — Fix: Ensure your trail pinky finger is making firm contact and is truly nestled between the index and middle fingers of your lead hand. It should feel like an integrated part of the grip, not just resting there.
• Lead Hand “V” Misaligned — Why it matters: An incorrect “V” alignment (formed by the thumb and index finger of your lead hand) can significantly affect your swing path and the clubface angle at impact. If the “V” points too far left (for a righty), it can lead to slicing; if it points too far right, it can cause hooks. — Fix: Double-check that the “V” formed by your lead thumb and index finger points roughly towards your trail shoulder. This is a crucial checkpoint for a neutral grip.
• Club Too Far in Fingers (Lead Hand) — Why it matters: Holding the club predominantly in the fingers of your lead hand, rather than across the palm, reduces the leverage and power you can generate. It also makes it harder to control the clubface through impact. — Fix: Ensure the club rests diagonally across the palm of your lead hand, running from the base of your index finger to the heel of your palm. Your fingers should then wrap around the grip naturally.
• Trail Hand Too High on the Grip — Why it matters: If your trail hand is positioned too high on the grip, above where it comfortably overlaps or interlocks with your lead hand, it can lead to an open clubface at impact. This often results in slices. — Fix: Your trail hand should overlap or interlock comfortably with your lead hand, with the lifeline of your trail hand covering the thumb of your lead hand. It shouldn’t feel like it’s sitting way up on top.
• Ignoring Grip Pressure Changes — Why it matters: Grip pressure can change throughout the swing without you realizing it. If you start tight and loosen up, or vice versa, your control and power will be compromised. — Fix: Make a conscious effort to maintain consistent, relaxed grip pressure throughout your swing. Practice feeling the pressure and actively try to keep it steady.

FAQ

• What is the interlocking golf grip?

The interlocking golf grip, also known as the Vardon grip, is a method of holding the golf club where the pinky finger of your trailing hand is placed into the groove between the index and middle fingers of your lead hand. This creates a unified grip.

• Who benefits most from the interlocking grip?

This grip is excellent for beginners seeking stability, as well as golfers who tend to have their hands separate during the swing. It’s also a good option for players with smaller hands who want a more secure feel.

• How do I know if my interlocking grip is correct?

You’ll know your interlocking grip is correct if your trail pinky finger is securely nestled between your lead index and middle fingers. Both “V” shapes (formed by thumb and index finger on each hand) should point roughly towards your trail shoulder, and the overall grip should feel stable without being overly tight.

• Is the interlocking grip the only way to grip a golf club?

No, there are other popular grips, including the overlapping (or Vardon) grip, where the trail pinky finger overlaps the lead hand’s index finger, and the ten-finger (or baseball) grip, where all ten fingers are on the club without overlap or interlock.

• Can I switch to an interlocking grip if I’m already playing golf?

Absolutely. It’s common for golfers to experiment with different grips to find what works best for them. It might feel a bit strange or unnatural at first, but with consistent practice, the interlocking grip can become second nature and significantly improve your game.

• How tight should I grip the club with an interlocking grip?

You’re aiming for a relaxed but firm grip. Think of it as a 3-4 on a scale of 1-10, where 1 is extremely loose and 10 is a death grip. Too tight kills speed and feel; too loose sacrifices control. The interlocking nature helps maintain connection even with a lighter pressure.

• What is the difference between an interlocking grip and an overlapping grip?

The main difference is how the trail pinky finger is positioned. In an interlocking grip, the trail pinky finger fits between the lead index and middle fingers. In an overlapping grip, the trail pinky finger overlaps the lead index finger. Both aim to connect the hands, but the feel and mechanics can differ slightly.

Sources:

• How to Achieve a Better Golf Swing with an Interlocking Grip