I Gripped a Club Wrong for Nearly Twenty Years, and I Didn't Know It Until a Stranger Fixed Me
Now hold on a second. You'd think after forty-four years of swinging a golf club, I'd have the grip down cold. And I did—right up until a young pro at a driving range in Beckley watched me hook one into the next county, walked over, and said, "Sir, your right hand is fighting your left. Let me show you something." Ten minutes later, I was hitting the straightest 7-iron I'd hit in a decade. Ten minutes. That's all it took to undo twenty years of bad habit.
Here's the thing about the grip: it's the only part of the club you actually touch. If your grip is wrong, every other fix is a band-aid on a broken bone. I see beginners every week choking the club like a hammer, and I want to walk over and say, "Friend, loosen up. The club ain't going anywhere." So let me show you what that pro showed me, the same way he showed it—slow, simple, and without all the fancy terms. If you get this one thing right, everything else gets easier.
Why You Should Trust Me on This
My name's Earl Buck Hatfield. I've been playing golf in Beckley since 1982, and I've held more grips than I've held door handles. I've gripped too tight, too loose, too strong, and too weak. I've played with overlapping, interlocking, and ten-finger grips—and I've seen how each one changes the ball. I'm not a teaching pro, but I've been taught by a few good ones, and I've learned which grip works best for a beginner and a weekend golfer. That's what I'm passing on to you.
I won't sell you a gadget or a glove. But I will tell you that a decent glove makes learning the grip easier, especially when your hands sweat. If you need one, here's a search for beginner golf gloves on Amazon. If you're watching your cash, DHgate has cheaper ones with slower shipping. You don't need a glove to learn the grip, but it helps.
The Three Grip Styles, Explained Without the Jargon
There are three common ways to hold a golf club, and they all work. The one you choose depends mostly on your hand size and comfort. Here they are, plain and simple.
1. The Overlap Grip (Vardon Grip). Place the pinky finger of your right hand on top of the gap between your left index and middle fingers. This is the most popular grip on tour and in public parks. It works for most men with normal-sized hands. I've used it for most of my life.
2. The Interlocking Grip. Instead of resting the pinky on top, you lock it between the index and middle fingers of the left hand. This works well for players with smaller hands or weak fingers. It also keeps the hands connected, which helps some beginners stop slicing.
3. The Ten-Finger Grip (Baseball Grip). All ten fingers on the club, like a baseball bat. This is what most beginners do naturally, and it's fine for a while—especially for kids, seniors, or anyone with hand pain. It gives you more strength but less control. I started with this and eventually moved to overlap.
If you're brand new, try the interlock or ten-finger first. They feel more secure. You can switch later, and you probably will. The important thing is not which grip you use—it's that your hands work together as a team.
How to Grip the Club Correctly in Five Simple Steps
Here's the exact setup I use, and I'll keep it as simple as I can.
Step 1: Hold the club in your left hand first. Let the handle run diagonally from the base of your little finger up through the middle of your index finger. Close your fingers around it. Your left thumb should point straight down the shaft.
Step 2: Add your right hand. For a right-handed golfer, place your right hand below the left. Your right thumb should also point down the shaft, and your right palm should face the target. Don't squeeze the life out of it.
Step 3: Connect your hands. Use whichever grip style you picked—overlap, interlock, or ten-finger—and make sure there's no gap between your hands. They should feel like one unit, not two.
Step 4: Check the "V" shapes. Look at the back of your hands. The V formed by your thumb and index finger on each hand should point roughly toward your right shoulder (for a right-handed player). That's a neutral grip. If both Vs point too far right, the grip is strong. Too far left, it's weak. Neutral is the safest place to start.
Step 5: Loosen up. Squeeze the club like you're holding a small bird. Tight enough that it can't fly away, but loose enough that you don't crush it. That's the pressure. Most beginners hold it way too tight, and that tension runs all the way up their arms.
Three Honest Drawbacks to Fixing Your Grip
I won't pretend changing your grip is easy. Here's what you'll face.
1. It feels weird for weeks. A correct grip will feel wrong at first because your hands are used to the wrong thing. Stick with it. After a few range sessions, it'll feel natural, and your ball will go straighter.
2. You might get blisters in new places. Different pressure points mean new friction. That's normal. A glove helps, and so does time. I still remember the callus I got on my right pinky when I switched to overlap. It faded after a month.
3. You'll want to go back to your old grip under pressure. When you're on the course and nervous, your hands will try to return to what they know. That's the hardest part. You have to consciously check your grip before every shot for a while. I still do it on the first tee.
Red Flags: Signs Your Grip Is the Problem
If you're slicing, hooking, or hitting weak shots, your grip might be the culprit. Here's what to look for.
🚩 Your knuckles are white from squeezing too hard.
🚩 Your right hand is underneath the club instead of slightly on top.
🚩 You feel tension in your forearms at address.
🚩 Your hands are too far apart—there should be no gap between them.
🚩 You can't feel the clubhead during the swing.
If any of these sound familiar, try the five-step setup above. Most swing problems start in the hands, and most hand problems are fixable in ten minutes with a patient instructor or a mirror.
Who Should NOT Obsess Over the Grip Yet
If you've never held a club before, don't overthink this. Pick up a club, use the ten-finger grip, and just swing. You can refine your grip after you've hit a few buckets and decided you like the game. No need to perfect it on day one—just don't strangle the club.
If you're a kid just starting out, the ten-finger grip is fine. In fact, it's what most kids use naturally. Let them have fun first, then fix mechanics later.
And if you're a veteran golfer with a grip that works and you're hitting the ball fine, then leave it alone. Don't fix what ain't broke. I changed my grip because it was broken. If yours isn't, go enjoy the fairway.
Frequently Asked Questions About Golf Grips
Which grip is best for beginners?
Most beginners are comfortable with the ten-finger or interlocking grip. They feel more secure. I started with ten-finger, then moved to overlap as I got more comfortable. Try a couple and see which one keeps your hands connected without tension.
How tight should I hold a golf club?
On a scale of 1 to 10, aim for about a 4 or 5. You want to hold it firmly enough to control the club, but loose enough that your wrists can hinge. If your knuckles are white, you're gripping too hard.
What's the difference between a strong and weak grip?
A strong grip means both hands are rotated to the right (for a righty), and it can help fight a slice. A weak grip rotates left and can worsen a slice. For beginners, a neutral grip with both Vs pointing toward your right shoulder is the safest starting point.
Can I fix my slice by changing my grip?
Often, yes. Many beginners slice because their hands are too weak or too tense. Strengthening the grip slightly or simply loosening up can straighten the ball. But if you've already got a strong grip and still slice, the problem might be in your swing path, not your hands.
Do I need to regrip my clubs regularly?
If you play a lot, yes. Worn grips make you squeeze harder, which creates tension. A fresh grip costs a few dollars and can make your clubs feel new. I regrip mine every couple of years, or whenever they start feeling slick.
Where to Go From Here
Once you've got the grip down, the next fundamental is your stance. I've written a guide on golf stance for beginners that pairs perfectly with this one. Then move on to Maya's swing basics for the full picture.
If you want to practice your grip without buying anything, just grab a club at home and hold it while you watch TV. Five minutes a day builds the muscle memory faster than you'd think. And if you need a glove or any starter gear, the beginner gear hub has honest recommendations.
When you're ready to test your new grip on a real course, Earl's list of Beckley golf courses will point you to a good one. Now go hold that club like it matters—but not like it owes you money.