Grip

[Arsenal Forever]

Hello all.

I have a very large fascination with what type of equipment the pros use, how they use it, and any superstitions, etc. This, for whatever reason, drives my dad crazy. For some reason he always thinks I don't understand the superiority of the pros to me, and he thinks if I learn how the pros spin the ball and such, that I'll try to do it, which I will not.

I have been using an overlap grip for awhile, but recently I have started to try out the interlock at the range.

I have seen nothing but interlock use by pros and teachers and everyone. Is the overlap frowned upon and my dad is just telling me that some people do use it?

I think he may be discouraging my switch to interlock because at the range, well, I haven't been hitting the balls too well with the interlock grip.

Which grip should I practice more? I seem to hit the overlap better...

Thanks for any help!

[Spectrums]

Use whatever feels comfortable to you.

[Arsenal Forever]

Yeah, I guess that is what I was really looking to hear. I think I'm going to stick with the overlap-is that really an accepted thing among teachers at least?

Do any pros use it?

[Ziophils]

A vast majority of pros use the overlapping grip, pobably about 90% as a wild guess...but Nicklaus and Woods both interlock

[mcecki]

In my signature, Scott has an overlapping grip.

[ham_man]

I use the interlock, because that is how I naturally held a golf club after my first few rounds (I started out with a baseball grip, but quickly found that unworkable). I had always heard that it was solely a matter of personal preference and what you are most comfortable with. I doubt any teacher or pro would tell you to use one or the other...

[iacas]

  ham_man said:

I use the interlock, because that is how I naturally held a golf club after my first few rounds (I started out with a baseball grip, but quickly found that unworkable). I had always heard that it was solely a matter of personal preference and what you are most comfortable with. I doubt any teacher or pro would tell you to use one or the other...

I think there can be some very, very, VERY subtle differences between interlock and overlap, but I agree with the above: 99% of it is personal preference.

[supercow]

From what I've seen people with smaller hands tend to favour the interlock/intermesh (Tiger, Nicklaus, Norman) as opposed to those with larger hands who use the overlap (Hogan. Vijah, Els). Its mainly down to personal preference though and what brings the clubhead back to square.

[getinthehole]

I overlap since it just feels so much more comfortable to me, but yes it is personal preference, one of my friends uses interlock and says that is more comfortable.

[Arsenal Forever]

Hm..Hold on, I may be misunderstanding something-On an overlap grip, are eight fingers (without the thumbs) on the shaft? Or do you put your right pinky over your left hand?

I have both hands fully on the club, but it looks like Adam Scott is doing it differently there. I was wondering if I've been doing it wrong.

[mcecki]

  Arsenal Forever said:

Hm..Hold on, I may be misunderstanding something-On an overlap grip, are eight fingers (without the thumbs) on the shaft? Or do you put your right pinky over your left hand?

I'm pretty sure what you are doing is considered a baseball grip.

[digger21]

The one problem that comes into play with the interlock is that people tend to interlock the fingers too much which a large percentage of the time will cause problems with the hinge and hand movement. I personally use the interlock, however ive messed with the overlap on the range and like that too. Hell, it doesnt even matter. Just be comfortable.

[Arsenal Forever]

Maybe I have been doing a baseball grip!

Well I played today pretty well, so I guess I'll try the proper overlap at the range soon, but if I feel worse than I do with my current grip, I guess I'll stick with a technically wrong grip.

[is 120 respectable]

  mcecki said:

I'm pretty sure what you are doing is considered a baseball grip.

Shoot according to these pictures and what digger said, I guess I interlock "too far". It seems that I will be changing my grip again here soon

.

[ronaldkuntoro]

I don't think the pros use only one grip. Depends on the situation, they use both overlap and interlock occasionally.

I think when you want to make a draw shot, you have to use an interlock because you got to have a strong grip position which you place the grip on your fingers. An overlap might just won't hold it strong enough.

I've seen Tiger use Interlock and sometimes overlap grip....

[laconic517]

  ronaldkuntoro said:

I don't think the pros use only one grip. Depends on the situation, they use both overlap and interlock occasionally.

I doubt that, they may change from a weaker grip to a stronger grip rarely to hit a hard draw or cut but id be very surprised if they actually switched interlocking to overlap for specific shots when the grip is basically the same except for the feel of the pinky. Also, Arsenal Forever, when you switch your grip its going to feel bad, thats part of switching you grip. After 9-18 holes or a real practice session it should start to feel a bit more comfortable though. A baseball grip can work, there are a few tour pros that use it I hear(very few, probably like 1-2% at most) I think it doesnt allow your hands to work together and thats why the varden/interlock is used. They basically make your hands work together as one piece instead of fighting each other like with a baseball grip.

[Arsenal Forever]

  laconic517 said:

Also, Arsenal Forever, when you switch your grip its going to feel bad, thats part of switching you grip. After 9-18 holes or a real practice session it should start to feel a bit more comfortable though. A baseball grip can work, there are a few tour pros that use it I hear(very few, probably like 1-2% at most) I think it doesnt allow your hands to work together and thats why the varden/interlock is used. They basically make your hands work together as one piece instead of fighting each other like with a baseball grip.

Yeah, I understand what you mean. I've tried the true overlap in my backyard for a few hours, it feels good so far.

[mcecki]

Is it possible that interlocking too much can affect your shot negitavely.