The grip seems very basic, but could very well be the most important part of the swing. Improper tension in your golf grip can throw your entire swing off. An improper grip can impede accuracy, and the shaping of shots by advanced golfers.
There are primarily two types of grips that a golfer should use, and neither of them is a hand-over-hand baseball, or axe handle, grip. The hands interlock where the left index finger slides between the ring and pinkie fingers of the right hand. The left index finger will lay on top of the right pinkie or on top of ht notch between the pinkie and ring fingers, this is the overlapping grip. The grips encourage the hands to steady the club throughout the swing.
The grip should begin about one finger width from the end of the club, or more, for shorter controlled shots. When the hands are together, the club should lie along the callous pad line of the hands and not in the palms. When the hands are closed around the club, the thumbs should be aligned straight down the club grip. You will want to form a V with your forearms down toward the club.
Your grip should be firm enough to keep the club from moving in your hands, but otherwise very loose. Don’t tighten your grip through the swing, keep the “loose grip” in our mind throughout. Because there is no rulebook on the grip, it is just one of those aspects of the game that the golfer will have to experiment with, and adjust, through repetitive practice and play.
Through practice, the grip is something that should become second nature to the golfer. It should not be overthought, but it is very important. It is recommended that a golfer always keep a club nearby, and just practice applying and reapplying the grip over and over.
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