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The overlapping grip (also known as the Vardon grip) is the most commonly employed set up by an amateur golfer.

However, there is more than one way to hold a golf club; other options include the interlock and baseball grip. In this article, I highlight the 7 common problems caused by an interlocking grip.

After reading this, you will understand why the Vardon grip is preferred to the interlocking golf grip. Although the latter worked for Bobby Jones and Jack Nicklaus, it is a hard handle for beginners to master.

7 Common Problems Caused by an Interlocking Golf Grip

1. Grip Pressure

Applying sufficient pressure to your golf club’s grip enables you to produce adequate clubhead speed and power on the downswing. In addition, it helps you keep your club on plane to execute accurate shots.

However, when you get it wrong, you lose control of the club, which impacts power and your swing path. Therefore, you produce inaccurate shots and fewer yards.

Strengthening your grip pressure positions you to close your clubface through impact, which can cause a hook. A solid grip also restricts your wrist hinge, disabling you from maximizing power through the back and downswing.

When you strengthen an interlocking grip, both palms face outwards, which is easy to identify at address. If you see this, step away from the golf ball and reboot your pre-shot routine.

On the contrary, insufficient pressure loosens the hold of your right index and middle finger. This reduces your clubhead speed and makes it challenging to square the clubface up at impact. As a result, you leave the face open, which prompts left-to-right sidespin from a right-handed golfer. This motion sends your ball slicing into the right rough.

2. Lack of Control

A lack of control stems from the poor grip pressure of the golf club. I regularly notice that amateur golfers struggle to control the golf club when employing an interlock grip for that exact reason. Now, this is not the grip’s fault; it means that the golfer did not set up correctly.

Casual golfers that grip the club excessively tight tend to close the clubface at contact leading to consistent hooks. Conversely, those operating with a weak trailing hand will struggle to generate sufficient swing speed and often leave the face open at impact. This causes a loss of distance and consistent slices.

3. Limited Wrist Hinge

A firm grip hampers your wrist’s ability to hinge on your backswing and downswing. This restriction minimizes your power and clubhead speed, resulting in a loss of distance. In addition, the inability to hinge your wrists makes it challenging to get your clubface square for contact.

4. Open Clubface at Impact

An issue that a weak interlock grip cause is an open clubface through impact. The reduced control of the golf club prevents you from closing it on the downswing to bring it square at impact.

Therefore, your clubface remains open to the target line through contact. The angle of the clubface at impact encourages left to right ball flight for a right-handed golfer. In other words, you produce a fade when executed correctly. The worst-case scenario is a slice.

5. Loss of Clubhead Speed

To avoid deeply interlocking fingers, amateurs weaken their trail hand. This is done by rotating your right hand around the grip until you can see the back of it. That creates a v-shape that aligns with your left shoulder.

Operating with this hold on the golf club reduces your control and the number of fingers touching the grip. This reduces your stability on the downswing to spawn the necessary energy for a long golf shot.

6. Discomfort

Besides the loss of club speed and lack of control, the interlocking grip is uncomfortable, especially when you have larger hands. Contrarily, golfers with smaller hands feel that the interlock offers the most sealed grip.

However, the issue I have with the interlock is that it does not feel natural. No matter how many times I have tried to use it, it does not feel comfortable. The club either feels too loose in my hands, or I feel as if my right hand is strangling the left one.

7. Blisters on The Webbing of Your Finger

Playing with a firm interlock grip can cause blisters and cuts on the webbing between your right pinky and ring finger. The pressure and friction of your glove on this delicate skin prompt blisters.

In addition, the synthetic leather of your golf glove can scratch or cut your skin. No matter how brave you are, a cut in the webbing of your finger is unbearable. I learned that lesson when I was six, and a leather cricket ball cut deep into my webbing between my right thumb and index finger.

How to Address These Problems

Shallow Lock

Eradicating the deep interlock problem is an easy fix. It simply requires an adjustment of the point where your right pinkie locks between your left ring and index finger. A deep lock sees you push your pinky, all the way, into the webbing between the left index and middle finger.

This is uncomfortable and a fast way to hamper wrist hinge, boost discomfort, and increase blisters and cuts. Simply place your right pinkie higher up, closer to the joint of your left index finger, to overcome this.

Interlocking at this point brings your hands closer together, which enables them to work in unison and produce an optimal shot.

The Golf Doctor demonstrates where the optimal point to overlap or interlock this. This will help you achieve the desired pressure and hand positioning:

Ultimately, the solution is simple, interlock your right pinkie at the point of your left index finger joint. This will loosen the grip slightly, increasing your comfort and boosting the freedom of your wrists.

Neutral Trail Hand

Opposite to the deep interlock issue is a weak trail hand. Golfers often weaken the trail hand to combat the strong grip caused by deep interlocking. A light trail hand occurs when you rotate your right hand around until you can see the back of it.

This weakens your grip and causes some of your fingers to relinquish their handle. A weaker grip often causes golfers to leave the clubface open through impact, resulting in a slice.

Overcoming a weaker trail hand requires rotating your right hand anti-clockwise. In other words, you twist your right hand around the grip until you see your thumb running down the grip. This creates a neutral grip position for your trail hand, increasing your comfort and control over the golf club.

A neutral position makes it easier for you to generate maximum clubhead speed and square your clubface up at impact. Therefore, you give yourself the best chance of producing straight, long golf shots.

Rest The Tip of The Right Pinky Finger in The Webbing

The final solution to mastering an interlocking grip is the position of the tip of your pinky finger. Most amateurs tend to guide the tip of their right pinky finger to the knuckle of their left index finger.

Amateurs typically do this for an overlapping and interlocking grip. However, this setup causes your right index and ring finger to lift off the grip. This means you have two fewer fingers controlling the club, which impacts your power and stability.

The simple solution to this issue is to guide the tip of your right pinky into the webbing between your left index and middle finger. Keeping your pinkie in this spot allows you to keep the right index and middle finger on the grip.

As a result, you are now prepared to produce maximum clubhead speed and keep your clubface on path. That means you have a higher chance of delivering a more extended, straighter golf shot.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years. Current Handicap: 8

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Stars and Stripes grip design, in bold red, white and blue grip colorway, benefits the Folds of Honor Foundation. Available April 20.

Wixom, MI – SuperStroke, the No. 1 Putter Grip in golf and the leader in innovative Tour-proven golf grip technology, is proud to unveil its Limited Editon Folds of Honor Putter grip with a portion of the sales of every grip in this release being donated to the Folds of Honor Foundation.

This SuperStroke Zenergy putter grip, available in the popular Pistol 1.0, will be available on SuperStrokeUSA.com on April 20.

Draped in the bold red, white, and blue iconography with the Stars and Stripes motif of the American Flag, this patriotic grip design celebrates 250 years of this nation’s freedom and unity while honoring the vital educational support Folds of Honor provides the families of fallen or disabled military service members and first responders who protect our communities and country. The Folds of Honor logo appears in its signature blue script while the SuperStroke logo features red and blue script with textured white-on-white stars behind it for a subtle touch of feel and patriotism.

Founded in 2007 by Lt Col Dan Rooney, the only-ever F-16 fighter pilot to also be a PGA of America Golf Professional, Folds of Honor has awarded nearly 73,000 scholarships, totaling over $340 million in all 50 states. Among the students served, 43 percent are minorities. It is rated a four-star charity by Charity Navigator and has earned a Platinum Seal of Transparency on Candid.

“Folds of Honor is grateful to SuperStroke for creating and offering this Limited-Edition Folds of Honor putter grip to help shine a light on our mission and the lives of the military and first responders’ families who have sacrificed so much,” said Sara Bush, Senior Director of Golf Relations for Folds of Honor. “The educational need for these families is substantial, and we’re able to carry on this work with the overwhelming support from the golf community and partners like SuperStroke.”

The Pistol 1.0  version of the SuperStroke Limited Edition Folds of Honor grip are available for $39.99 while they last.

“It’s always the perfect time to support the Folds of Honor and the crucial work they provide for military and first responders’ families. SuperStroke considers it an honor to do our small part to raise awareness of this esteemed organization’s incredible outreach and pivotal, inspiring work,” said SuperStroke’s Vice President, Marketing Ryan Harris. “America’s 250th birthday gives us a symbolic and timely opportunity to help place this worthy cause in front of large audience of golfers who can help us support the Folds of Honor – with a portion of the sales of every grip going to the Folds of Honor Foundation – and celebrate America’s wealth of beauty and liberties.”

Part of the Zenergy line, this limited-edition grip is made with SuperStroke’s enhanced SPYNE technology, new multi-zone texturing, and our patented no-taper shape for unmatched confidence to quiet your hands – and your mind. Features Include:

• Enhanced SPYNE Technology– The new SPYNE Technology has an improved, embossed ridge along the underside of the grip, engineered to make it easier to square the face at impact.  
• New Multi-Zone Texturing– Strategically placed textured in high-sensory areas designed to optimize feedback and comfort from the incredibly soft polyurethane outer layer.  
• No Taper Technology– Our patented No Taper minimizes grip pressure with an advanced parallel design that enables golfers to quiet their hands and add consistency to their stroke.
• Tech-Port– Located at the top of SuperStroke grips, Tech-Port allows golfers to easily add game-improvement options including the patented CounterCore weight system and performance tracking sensors.

The Pistol 1.0 is 1.14” wide and 10.6” long. It weighs 83g and has a 0.58” core.

Learn more at https://superstrokeusa.com/ and https://foldsofhonor.org/.

About Folds of Honor

Folds of Honor is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of US military service members and first responders who have fallen or been disabled while serving our country and communities. Our educational scholarships support private school tuition or tutoring in grades K-12, tuition for college, technical or trade school and post-graduate work, including a master’s degree, doctorate, or professional program. Funds for a second bachelor’s degree or trade/technical program certification are also available. Since its inception in 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded nearly 73,000 scholarships totaling over $340 million in all 50 states. Among the students served, 43 percent are minorities and 57 percent female. A total of 91 percent of expenses fund our mission of providing educational scholarships to the families of our nation’s heroes. It is rated a four-star charity by Charity Navigator and Platinum on Candid. It was founded by Lt Col Dan Rooney, the only-ever F-16 fighter pilot (with three combat tours in Iraq) and PGA Professional. He is serving as Commander of Recruiting for the Oklahoma Air Guard. For more information or to donate in support of a Folds of Honor scholarship visit foldsofhonor.org.

About SuperStroke

Since launching the first line of oversized putter grips in 2009, SuperStroke’s mission has been to help golfers make every swing and every stroke the best it can possibly be. This commitment to offering high-performing, innovative products has helped SuperStroke users earn more than $500 million on major professional tours around the world, as well as propelling amateurs to shoot their career-low rounds. 

In addition to custom grips, SuperStroke offers a full range of officially licensed products to help golfers show their team spirit on the course. This includes both putter and club grips from college, NFL, MLB, and NHL teams. 

One of the most trusted brands on all major tours around the world, SuperStroke’s team of ambassadors includes three-time major champion Jordan Spieth, eight-time winner on the PGA Tour Patrick Cantlay, 2019 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year Sungjae Im, and world-renowned coaches Michael Breed, Cameron McCormick, and Phil Kenyon. In addition to the company’s beloved putter grips, SuperStroke offers a full lineup of club grips allowing golfers to experience the benefits of SuperStroke technology in every shot. 

Visit https://superstrokeusa.com/ for more information. 

Media Contacts: 

Kevin Frisch PR 
Carl Mickelson 
(512) 797-2673 
carl@kevinfrischpr.com 
 
Kevin Frisch 
(989) 614-0241 
kevin@kevinfrischpr.com 

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Did you know that three of the greatest golfers of all time use the interlock golf grip? 

Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Rory McIlroy all utilize the interlocking grip and it has helped them win a combined 37 major championships. It’s hard to argue with those kinds of results!

Not sure if the interlock golf grip will work for you and your golf game? Here is a look at the interlock golf grip, why it is used, and how to use it correctly. 

This grip may not help you win a major championship, but it could be the hidden key for you to shoot lower scores.

What is an Interlock Golf Grip?

An interlock golf grip is a popular grip and it has been around for quite some time. Lots of amateur and professional golfers swear that the interlocking grip is great for making the hands act as one unit. Here’s how the grip works:

1. Put the shaft of the golf club in both your left hand and right hand.
2. Take your right pinky finger and lock it in between your left index finger and middle finger.
3. Be sure to wrap your right index finger around the handle of the golf club to make sure the left thumb doesn’t slip off the handle.
4. If you’ve performed the grip correctly, your right thumb will be pointing straight down the shaft.

 ThoughtCo

The Benefits of This Golf Grip

Lots of golfers use the interlocking golf grip because of the many benefits that it provides. Keep in mind though that making any type of grip change can take quite a while to get used to. Here is a shortlist of advantages that the interlock golf grip provides.

1. Makes the Hands Act As One Unit

A common problem for golfers is that their dominant hand wants to take over their entire golf swing. When this happens, the golfer’s clubhead speed is reduced, which means he’ll lose lots of yardage with his shots.

Since the interlock golf grip locks the hands together, it becomes almost impossible for one hand to dominate the golf swing. This leads to a more balanced swing that is both powerful and accurate. The two hands working together in unison make it easier for the golfer to square the clubface.

2. Keeps the Hands from Slipping

Have you ever had your hands keep flying off the golf club during your backswing? Needless to say, it is super frustrating. Slippage tends to occur when golfers use the baseball grip (AKA the 10-finger grip) since the hands are not linked together in any way.

The interlocking golf grip makes sure that the hands stay on the golf club throughout the entire golf swing. This gives the golfer peace of mind, knowing that he doesn’t have to worry about his hands slipping down the shaft.

3. Perfect for Golfers with Smaller Hands

The interlock golf grip is an excellent choice for golfers with smaller hands. Jack Nicklaus had small hands and he was adamant that the interlocking grip helped him keep a better grip on the golf club. 

Tiger Woods doesn’t necessarily have small hands, but he also uses the interlocking grip. Nicklaus was Woods’ idol when he was a kid, so that’s why he started using the interlocking grip.

4. Golfers Can Use Less Grip Pressure

Since the interlock golf grip keeps the hands together, the golfer can relax the wrists and hands a bit more than he could with other grips. Applying less grip pressure helps the golfer increase his clubhead speed, which leads to more power off the tee.

So much of playing good golf is counterintuitive. The lighter you grip the golf club, the further the golf ball will go. It may sound crazy but it’s true.

Do Most Pro Golfers Use The Interlock Golf Grip?

Though the interlock grip is considered a proper golf grip, it is not the most popular on the PGA Tour. In fact, nearly 90% of golfers on the PGA Tour use the overlap grip (aka the Vardon grip).

Most golf instructors today teach the overlap golf grip to folks who are just starting to learn the game. This could be the biggest reason why most pro golfers use the overlap grip.

Other Common Golf Grips

Overlap Golf Grip

The overlap grip was made famous by Harry Vardon, a highly successful pro golfer who won 7 major championships from 1896 to 1914. This grip is considered to be the best choice for golfers with large hands. 

Many golfers feel that the overlap golf grip gives them more power since the wrists have more freedom to explode through the golf ball at impact. Here’s how to use the overlap grip:

1. Grip the shaft of the golf club with your left hand (for a right-handed golfer).
2. Set your right hand on the club but set your right pinkie on top of the space between your left index finger and left middle finger
3. This grip is similar to the interlocking grip but keep in mind that the hands are NOT locked together. The right pinkie simply laps over the middle fingers of the left hand

Ten-Finger Grip

This is also known as the baseball grip. This golf grip was the most widely used before the overlap grip burst onto the golf scene back in the late 1800s. The ten-finger golf grip is the simplest way to learn that all ten fingers rest comfortably on the club at the same time.

The 10-finger grip is a popular choice amongst kids and beginners. Some golfers feel that the 10-finger grip is the most comfortable option. This grip is rarely seen on the PGA Tour for a variety of reasons.

Strong vs Weak vs Neutral Grip

In addition to the way a golfer can align their fingers to hold the club, there are also 3 common grips that have to do with the positions of your hands:

Strong Grip

A strong golf grip is often used by golfers who are fighting a slice. With a strong grip, the golfer will be able to see three or more knuckles on his left hand while addressing the golf ball. Many golfers feel that a strong grip gives them more power and control of the clubface.

Weak Grip

A weak golf grip helps players who are struggling with a hook. With a weak grip, the golfer will see two or fewer knuckles on their left hand during their setup. PGA Tour superstars like Jordan Spieth and Jon Rahm use a weak grip.

Neutral Grip

With a neutral grip, the golfer will be able to see two or two and a half knuckles on their left hand at the address. Both Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods use a neutral grip, which works well with their interlocking grip style choice. Neutral grips are becoming more popular in the game of late. 

When to Use The Interlocking Golf Grip vs Other Grips

Here are some reasons to use the interlocking golf grip instead of either the overlap or the ten-finger grip.

• If you are a golfer with smaller hands or don’t have much forearm strength, go with the interlock golf grip. The Vardon grip and baseball grip are decent choices but they are a better fit for golfers with large hands.
• If your dominant hand tends to take over the golf swing (aka getting too handsy), opt for the interlocking grip since it’ll force you to use both of your hands equally.
• If you hook the golf ball quite a bit, try using the interlocking grip since it promotes more of a power fade type of shot shape.
• If you are using any other grip but having problems with your accuracy, give the interlocking grip a shot. It has helped lots of golfers hit the ball straighter.
• If your hands tend to slip off the golf club, consider using an interlocking grip. The interlocking grip may limit your wrist action a tad bit, but it’ll make it much easier to keep both of your hands on the club.

Mike Noblin

Mike has been involved with sports for over 30 years. He’s been an avid golfer for more than 10 years and is obsessed with watching the Golf Channel and taking notes on a daily basis. He also holds a degree in Sports Psychology.

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Distance is important for your tee shots, but all those yards are worthless if you can’t keep the ball in play. That’s why spurning accuracy in the pursuit of distance is such a dangerous game. You need a healthy dose of both skills to be truly effective.

Controlling the clubface is crucial in the pursuit of accuracy. While a face that’s a few degrees open or closed might not hurt you too much with the shorter clubs, with a driver in your hands it can be quite detrimental.

Sometimes when you’re really trying to get after it with a driver, your hands and wrists will get very active during the swing. And while this can generate some extra mphs on the radar, it can make controlling the clubface through impact difficult.

If this sounds like you, there’s an easy fix, courtesy of GOLF Top 100 Teacher Joe Hallett.

Use a split-hand grip

When you’re standing on the tee box and are staring down a tight driving hole, don’t make your practice swing as you normally would. Instead, grab the club and take a split grip and then make a practice swing.

It’ll feel weird at first, but you’ll notice that as you go back and through, the clubface is much more stable.

“It’ll be really hard to overly flip your wrists and hand through impact,” Hallett says.

Instead of relying only on your hands and wrists to generate speed, the split grip forces the club to get in sync with your body. Now, the big muscles are doing the work — and keeping the clubface much more stable through impact.

“Split the grip, and you’ll split the fairway,” Hallett says.

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