How to Hold a Golf Club (Right-Handed)

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Quick Answer

• Place your left hand on the grip first, then your right hand below it.
• Form distinct “V” shapes with the thumbs and index fingers of both hands, pointing them towards your right shoulder.
• Maintain a relaxed but firm grip pressure – think “light and easy,” not “death grip.”

Who This Is For

• Beginner golfers who are just starting and need to build a solid foundation.
• Right-handed players looking to troubleshoot inconsistent shots or improve their overall game by fixing their grip.
• Anyone who’s been told their grip might be the culprit behind their slice or hook.

What to Check First for a Correct Golf Grip

Before you even think about wrapping your hands around the club, do a quick check. It’ll save you a lot of headaches on the range.

• Stance and Posture: Make sure you’re standing correctly. Feet shoulder-width apart, a slight bend in the knees, and a gentle lean from the hips. Your grip will feel totally different if your setup is off.
• Club Length: Is this club built for you? If it’s too long, you’ll have to adjust your posture, messing up your grip. Too short, and you’ll be hunched over. Verify it fits your height.
• Grip Condition: Give the rubber on the club a good look. Is it worn smooth, cracked, or slick with sweat? A bad grip means a bad connection to the club. Get it regripped if it’s seen better days.
• Clubface Alignment: Before setting your hands, ensure the clubface is square to your target. This sets the stage for a good swing.

Step-by-Step Plan for How to Hold a Golf Club Right Handed

Alright, let’s get down to business. Holding the club right is fundamental. It’s your connection to the clubhead, and it dictates a lot of what happens during your swing.

1. Lay the Foundation with the Left Hand:

• Action: Place the club on the ground in front of you, with the clubface pointing directly at your target. Now, take your left hand and place it on the grip. Position it so the grip runs diagonally across the palm, from the base of your little finger towards the middle of your hand.
• What to look for: The club should feel balanced and stable on the ground. Your left hand should feel like it’s “holding” the club, not just “gripping” it. The grip should sit comfortably in the lifeline of your palm.
• Mistake to avoid: Don’t hold the club at an angle in the air before setting up. Let it rest on the ground. Also, avoid gripping too much with your fingers alone; the grip needs to be anchored in your palm.

2. Secure the Left Hand:

• Action: Once the club is positioned correctly in your left palm’s lifeline, close your left hand around the grip.
• What to look for: When you look down, you should see approximately two to three knuckles on your left hand. This indicates a neutral grip position. Your thumb should be positioned slightly to the right of the center of the grip.
• Mistake to avoid: Don’t squeeze the life out of the club here. A death grip will restrict your wrist action later. Keep it relaxed but firm.

3. Bring in the Right Hand:

• Action: Now, bring your right hand down to the grip, placing it directly below your left hand. Your right hand should overlap, interlock, or simply be placed next to your left hand, depending on your chosen grip style. For most beginners, an overlapping or ten-finger grip is recommended.
• What to look for: The lifeline of your right palm should cover your left thumb. Your right thumb should rest slightly to the left of the center of the grip, almost parallel to your left thumb. This ensures your hands work together.
• Mistake to avoid: Don’t let your right hand get too far over the top of the grip, as this can lead to a closed clubface and hooks. Conversely, if it’s too far under, it can lead to an open face and slices.

4. Form the “V” Shapes:

• Action: With both hands now on the club, look at the “V” shape formed by the thumb and index finger of your left hand. Do the same for your right hand.
• What to look for: For a right-handed player, both of these “V” shapes should point roughly towards your right shoulder or slightly down your right leg. This alignment is key for promoting a square clubface through impact.
• Mistake to avoid: If the “V”s point too far inward (towards each other) or too far outward (away from your body), you’re setting yourself up for directional control issues.

5. Set Your Grip Pressure:

• Action: This is arguably the most important step. Assess how tightly you’re holding the club.
• What to look for: Imagine you’re holding a delicate bird or a tube of toothpaste without squeezing it out. It should feel secure enough that the club won’t slip, but relaxed enough that you can feel the clubhead. A good test is to gently wiggle the club; it should move fluidly with your wrists.
• Mistake to avoid: The most common mistake is gripping too tightly. This tension travels up your arms, into your shoulders, and restricts your natural swing motion. It kills clubhead speed and feel.

6. Final Check and Feel:

• Action: Take a practice swing or two, focusing on the feel of the club in your hands.
• What to look for: Does the club feel like an extension of your arms? Can you feel the weight of the clubhead? Does the grip feel comfortable and natural?
• Mistake to avoid: Don’t overthink it after you’ve set your grip. Once it feels right, commit to it and let your body learn the motion.

How to Hold a Golf Club Right Handed: Common Mistakes

Even with the best intentions, golfers often fall into common grip traps. Knowing these can save you strokes.

• Grip Pressure Too Tight — Why it matters: This is the big one. Squeezing the club too hard stiffens your wrists, limits your ability to hinge them during the backswing and release during the downswing, and ultimately robs you of power and control. It’s like trying to throw a ball with a clenched fist – you lose finesse. — Fix: Consciously focus on a light grip throughout your practice swings and your actual round. Imagine holding a baby bird; you want to hold it securely, but not crush it. If you feel tension in your hands or arms, consciously relax them.

• Left Hand Too High on the Grip — Why it matters: When the grip is too far into the fingers of your left hand, rather than seated in the lifeline of your palm, it tends to promote an open clubface at impact. This is a primary cause of slices. — Fix: Ensure the grip is firmly seated in the lifeline of your left palm. When you close your left hand, you should see those two to three knuckles clearly.

• Incorrect “V” Shapes — Why it matters: The V’s formed by your thumbs and index fingers are like little directional indicators. If they’re pointing too far inward or outward, they can force the clubface into an incorrect position at impact, leading to hooks or slices. — Fix: Make sure both V’s are pointing roughly towards your right shoulder or slightly down your right leg. This generally promotes a more neutral to slightly closed clubface through the hitting zone.

• Right Hand Too Far Over the Grip — Why it matters: If your right hand is positioned too much on top of the grip, your right thumb will be more in the center or even to the left of the grip’s center. This often leads to a closed clubface at impact, resulting in shots that curve excessively to the left (hooks for a right-handed player). — Fix: Your right hand should cover your left thumb, with your right thumb resting slightly to the left of the grip’s center. The grip should feel like it’s in the palm of your right hand.

• The “Death Grip” on the Right Hand — Why it matters: While grip pressure is important for both hands, an overly tight right hand can severely restrict the natural rotation and release of your wrists through impact, leading to reduced clubhead speed and a “stuck” feeling. — Fix: Be mindful of your right-hand pressure. It should mirror the relaxed pressure of your left hand. It’s there to guide and control, not to squeeze.

• Neglecting Grip Styles — Why it matters: There are three main grip styles: overlapping (Vardon), interlocking, and ten-finger (baseball). Using a style that doesn’t feel natural or trying to force a style that doesn’t suit your hand size or strength can lead to discomfort and inconsistent control. For instance, someone with small hands might find interlocking more secure than overlapping. — Fix: Experiment with the different grip styles. The overlapping grip is very common and often recommended for beginners. If you have smaller hands or feel less secure, try interlocking. A ten-finger grip can also be beneficial for players seeking more power. For left-handed golfers, the principles are the same but mirrored; check out guides on How to Hold a Golf Club Left-Handed for specific adjustments.

FAQ

• What is the correct hand placement for a right-handed golf grip?

For a right-handed golfer, the left hand goes on the grip first, positioned so the club runs diagonally across the lifeline of your palm. Your right hand then follows, placed directly below your left hand, covering your left thumb. The grip should feel like it’s seated comfortably in the palms of both hands.

• How tight should I hold a golf club?

You should hold the club with a relaxed but firm grip. Think about holding a tube of toothpaste without squeezing the paste out, or holding a delicate bird gently. It needs to be secure enough not to slip during the swing, but loose enough to allow for wrist action and feel. Most amateurs grip far too tightly, which hinders power and control.

• What are the different types of golf grips?

The three most common types of golf grips are:

1. Overlapping (Vardon) Grip: The little finger of your right hand overlaps the gap between the index and middle finger of your left hand. This is very popular.

2. Interlocking Grip: The little finger of your right hand interlocks with the index finger of your left hand. This is often preferred by players with smaller hands.

3. Ten-Finger (Baseball) Grip: All ten fingers are on the grip, with the little finger of the right hand resting next to the ring finger of the left hand, similar to how you’d hold a baseball bat. This can feel more natural for beginners or those with less hand strength.

• Why is the “V” shape important in a golf grip?

The “V” shape formed by the thumb and index finger of each hand acts as a visual guide for alignment. When these “V”s point towards your right shoulder (for a right-handed player), it generally indicates a neutral to slightly closed clubface position at impact. This alignment helps promote straighter shots and reduces the likelihood of severe hooks or slices.

• Can my grip affect my golf ball flight?

Absolutely, and significantly! Your grip is your only direct connection to the club. An incorrect grip can lead to a clubface that opens or closes unintentionally during the swing, resulting in slices, hooks, pulls, pushes, or inconsistent ball flights. Mastering the grip is a foundational step to controlling your shots.

• Should I use the same grip pressure for every club in my bag?

Generally, you want to maintain a consistent, light grip pressure throughout your bag. While you might feel a slight increase in pressure with longer clubs (like the driver) for control, it should never become a “death grip.” The key is consistency and relaxation. Overly tight pressure with shorter clubs can be just as detrimental as with longer ones.

• How often should I check my golf grip?

It’s a good habit to check your grip pressure and alignment before each shot, especially when you’re starting out. Periodically, especially if you notice a change in your swing or ball flight, reassess your grip entirely. Also, if your grips are worn or slick, it’s time for a regrip, which usually happens every 40-50 rounds or annually for regular players.

Sources:

• How to Hold a Golf Club Left-Handed