Overlap vs Interlock vs Baseball Grips

[bwdial]

When I started playing, I used an overlapping grip, but I found it to be uncomfortable (most likely due to improper grip pressure) so I switched to the interlocking grip.

[Grahaman]

I've tried all 3 over the course of my playing career and have settled on interlocking.


bwdial: A fan of the Bear like me! Nice!!!

[jayt0625]

I used an overlap for years and swithced to interlock and have never looked back. Seems to help keep my hands together as one unit and I am able to work the ball with much better results...... I say try them all and see how they feel....

[acer01]

I use a vardon grip and put a lot of emphasis on the importance of the grip. For the last 6 years I will start a month of heavy playing and then a develop pains in my palms and fingers. I will give it a few weeks of rest and start the whole cycle again. These injuries are not golf related, it just gets aggravated when i play continuously. I am going to try a 10 finger vardon style grip for month. I am still striking the ball well but the ball flight is a little lower. But it does allow me to keep a light grip pressure and maintain control. I will repost in about 6 weeks if this helps. This may be of interest for someone with similar problems.

[he4dhuntr]

I've been using a baseball grip so far... but I think I'm going to give the overlap a try. Maybe it'll help my hands work more in unity. I'll see how it goes!

Cheers,

[oneoverwrx]

I have always been a 10 finger guy. I am slowly working on switching to a different grip because I can feel my right hand swinging the club on occaision. I just have to tell my self to let my left hand pull the club through impact rather than my right hand pushing.

I will eventually switch but 10 finger works for now.

[BigMikey]

I started out with the interlock like Jack Nicklaus. However after reading Hogan: Five Lessons I gave his version of the Vardon Overlap a try.

I started liking it better because:
- It helped me eliminate casting (I found myself casting more often with the interlocking grip.)
- I can hit more balls before I start to get raw between those fingers.
- With the overlap I don't have the temptation to make my right hand grip too strong. It's very easy to interlock your fingers all the way. With the overlap it's next to impossible because there is noting to latch onto. (Again I use Hogan's version of the Vardon overlap where the pinky of the right hand fits in the groove between index and middle fingers of the left hand and wraps around the knuckle of the index finger on the left hand.)

[Vincent Hofmann]

Definitely one of the most relevant threads for me right now.

After reading this thread I might give the overlap grip a go, in part to see if I have better wrist control and to avoid the nasty blisters on my right hand which make practicing damn near impossible right now.

My only question, is it worth learning a new grip if the interlock feels comfortable? My old coach wasn't the kind of guy who'd let comfort get in the way of a decent swing, so I'm not averse to retraining my muscles and mind to accept a new grip.

[Kieran123]

I currently use baseball, but may switch to an interlock as I have been having issues with overdrawing/hooking the ball lately....try something new and see how it goes...I have fiddled around with the interlock, felt a little weird but was hitting the ball as bad as usual, so it doesn't really matter

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by Kieran123

I currently use baseball, but may switch to an interlock as I have been having issues with overdrawing/hooking the ball lately....try something new and see how it goes...I have fiddled around with the interlock, felt a little weird but was hitting the ball as bad as usual, so it doesn't really matter

Do you actually use a baseball grip or are you referring to a 10-finger golf grip (same as overlap without the overlap)?

My tee would need to be 2 feet long to hit a driver with a true baseball grip. Or I'd need a 108" shaft.

[Kieran123]

Originally Posted by sean_miller

Do you actually use a baseball grip or are you referring to a 10-finger golf grip (same as overlap without the overlap)?

My tee would need to be 2 feet long to hit a driver with a true baseball grip. Or I'd need a 108" shaft.

I use a 'baseball' grip

Better?

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by Kieran123

I use a 'baseball' grip

Better?

I need to see this grip. Maybe I'll look at your swing thread.

[JackLee]

Double overlap for me.  Big hands.  XL glove size.  Little finger of my trailing hand in groove between index and middle finger of lead hand, just as in the overlap.  Ring finger of my trailing hand rides up on index finger of lead hand.

This is more comfortable for me, and it puts my wrists a little closer together.  I can also use the overlap, and there is no difference in distance, but I am more accurate with the double overlap.

Interlock does not work at all with my hands.

[wmiller]

I've tried them all, but started with the interlock and will use it till I can no longer play. I have large hands, XXL glove, and grip the club way down in my fingers.

[OPIRIP]

my baseball grip for  least 40 yards like a putter.  all irons choose interlock grip or overlap and overlap grip for all woods

[Vincent Hofmann]

Went out on the range yesterday and experimented with each grip with a 7 iron, Driver, and Hybrid iron.

Found the 10 finger grip good for what I can only call a Happy Gilmore like approach to the ball, just beat the ball and close my eyes - might have killed a passerby on the fairway beside the range.

Interlocking was best with my irons and allowed me to work the ball a little, could definitely produce a wider variety of shots. Overlap kind of felt loose and uncontrolled on the irons (I've only ever played an interlocking grip).

My driver which I normally fade the ball with went straighter when I gripped it with an overlapping grip, felt more natural to roll my wrists slightly and prevented the face from opening on impact. I'm not even sure I can attribute this to the grip so much as a different attitude to hitting the ball with a new grip, a little more focused on slowing the swing down to feel for any differences brought on by the grip..

I might actually play 9 holes with the overlap next as I definitely hit the ball more consistently with it.

[Pope33]

Interesting thread!

I have been using a baseball grip my hole golfing career (33 yrs). I started golfing at age 4, when every kid grips a club that way. Have never had a lesson, and would never change the way I swing.

IMO, there is no difference in the grips, as long as you practice and feel comfortable with whatever you choose.

[jamo]

Originally Posted by Pope33

Interesting thread!

I have been using a baseball grip my hole golfing career (33 yrs). I started golfing at age 4, when every kid grips a club that way. Have never had a lesson, and would never change the way I swing.

IMO, there is no difference in the grips, as long as you practice and feel comfortable with whatever you choose.

Really? Baseball grips would seem to be more wristy to me than overlapping and interlocking.