Overlap vs Interlock vs Baseball Grips

[sc13ntific]

After a 12 year layoff I started playign again about a month ago. I have been using the grip my father taught me years ago. Interlocking my right pinky and left index finger. It seems to work well for me but I was watching some instructional stuff online and they were using a differnet grip.

Is there a better grip than the one I am using or does it just come down to personal preference?

[jamo]

As long as your grip is fairly neutral, it's all pretty much personal preference.

The 10 finger grip (aka baseball grip, where the fingers are not interlocking or overlapping) can lead to a more "handsy" swing though.

[sc13ntific]

Thanks

Gripping the club with the 10 finger grip you described seems un-natural to me, although I have seen a few people use it over the past couple of weeks.

[GaijinGolfer]

Whatever grip works for you is best. There is no, "right" or, "wrong" grip. I used the interlock for years but lately Ive started to develop a hook, which has forced me to use a weak grip, and Ive had to switch to a 10-finger grip in order to get my grip weak enough to not close the clubface.

[Brendon]

It normally is based on personal preference. I tried using the grip with your pinky finger (L) over index finger (R) like many golfers do; and I didn't do well with it: It felt uncomfortable. But, I just use a regular grip. Maybe I'll post it.

[Shripe]

It normally is based on personal preference. I tried using the grip with your pinky finger (L) over index finger (R) like many golfers do; and I didn't do well with it: It felt uncomfortable. But, I just use a regular grip. Maybe I'll post it.

It may be "regular" to you, but really, that does nothing to tell us what it is. :)

It definitely is up to personal preference. I started out with the baseball grip before learning its significance, and transitioned quickly to an interlock grip. I didn't even attempt overlapping as it just didn't have the same feel to me.

[2bGood]

I like the Vardon grip myself.

I addition to the ones in this picture is the reverse overlap (think vardon with the pinky and index finger reversed)

[Jell0b0y]

I have used all 3 but I feel more comfortable with the overlap. Its all preference and what you feel most comfortable and confident with.

[newtogolf]

I started taking lessons about a month ago and found the interlock grip at that time was most comfortable. Since then I've been hitting the ball fairly consistently with my irons, but not as much with my woods.

Yesterday, for whatever reason I kept slicing at the range, and out of frustration tried the overlap grip. I found that it was not only more comfortable, but I hit the ball straighter, and about 15 yards longer (made my hands feel much looser).

Is one grip better than the other? Should I go back to the interlock since that is what I used for my lessons or stick with the overlap?

[Zeph]

No grip is better than the other, no. Especially between the interlock and overlap. You got the ten finger grip and some other grips, like Furyk's double overlap they are not too common. I'm sure 99.999% of the golfers in the world use one of the two, interlock or overlap.

The grip is individual, you just have to find what works best for you. Tiger and Nicklaus uses an interlock grip, Hogan and Palmer overlap grip. There is no rule, just what you find more comfortable and hit it best with.

[Tugglife2]

Neither one of those is "better" than the other. It's all about what is most comfortable for you.

[sean_miller]

Is one grip better than the other?

The best grip is one that allows you to correctly return the clubhead to the ball. I use overlap, but have occasionally used the 10-finger grip for short irons.

[WUTiger]

I use a reverse interlock for my putting stroke, because it takes away "twitch" moves with my hands that pull putts offline.

For all other shots I use the overlap, because it allows for more hand action through the ball (good for me on full shots, bad for putts).

But that's just me. Like Zeph said, 90+ % of golfers use one or the other. Just go with what works.

In your case, the changeover might have strengthened your grip, and in doing so lessened your slice.

[saevel25]

Double Interlock, weakest
Interlock, Weaker
Overlap, Neutral
10 Finger Grip, Stronger
10 Finger underhand grip, Snap hook gaurenteed ;b

Double interlock is easiest to hit a fade with, while the 10 finger will cause more of a draw. This is because from one range to the other you are adding or taking away the significance of your right hand and the ability of the right hand to turn over.

But i would go with what is most comfortable and fit your swing around it. Nothing worse than holding a club in an uncomfortable position.

[sean_miller]

Double Interlock, weakest

Nice summary - I switch to 10-finger when I'm tired and starting to hit blocks or hosel rockets.

[Dr. Griefo]

Double Interlock, weakest

I'm going to try this as well. Personally, I started with the baseball grip then switched to the interlocking and then to the vardon. I went back to the interlocking because the vardon slipped on me every now and then so I developed a death grip on the club and horrendous hooks. The interlocking feels right for me so I'll use it.

[BostonSully]

Started with Baseball slowly slowly worked my way into overlap. You get much better control/power with it I think.

Edit:

That and my first/only golf teacher would just always always yell about my grip. I guess it finally caught on.

[alo1984]

I play a baseball grip due to a rotator cuff injury in high school. I have found that the baseball grip takes some stress off my shoulder and places it more in the forearms. It has helped to eliminate misses to the right but it does cause some pull tendencies if my timing is off. I actually try to keep as little pressure as I can even with this grip that way I don't have a death grip on the club.