A proper golf swing begins with the correct grip. Though many golfers (both good and bad) have adapted a particular golf grip that matches their playing style, it is amazing how many golfers do not understand the correct mechanics of the golf grip and how both a proper and improper grip can affect the outcome of your golf shots.
Based on input and expertise from well-respected PGA teaching pros, here is a step-by-step checklist of proper golf grip basics for right-handed golfers. Note that these instructions are for a “neutral golf grip.”
Left Hand
- Place golf grip across the base of the little finger and just above the first joint of the index finger.
- Apply pressure to the golf grip with the last 3 fingers of the left hand.
- Fold your thumb and pad of left hand over the golf grip, ensuring the pad of your left hand palm is on top of the grip
- Place your left-hand thumb just right of the center of the shaft.
Right Hand
- Keeping your left hand properly placed on the golf grip, place the golf grip across the base of the fingers of the right hand.
- Wrap your right-hand fingers around the underside of the golf grip.
- Fold lifeline of the right hand over the left thumb.
- Right-hand pressure should be applied by the middle 2 fingers.
Key Checkpoints of Proper Golf Grip
- Palms should always face each other when applied to the golf grip.
- When looking down at the grip, knuckles of the left-hand forefinger and middle finger should be visible while the creases of thumbs and forefingers point between the right side of the face and right shoulder.
- Throughout the golf swing, the hands should work together as one unit with neither dominating the other.
When to Alter Your Golf Grip
- Use a “neutral golf grip” for the majority of your shots. A neutral golf grip results in a square clubface at impact.
- For “fade” shots where you want to curve the golf ball slightly from left to right around an obstacle, use a “weak” golf grip by rotating your hands to the left on the golf grip which opens your clubface.
- For “draw” shots where you want to curve the golf ball slightly from right to left around an obstacle, use a “strong” golf grip by rotating your hands to the right on the golf grip which closes your clubface.