How to Hold a Golf Club: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

According to a 2024 post by NBC Sports, the National Golf Foundation (NGF) reported that U.S. golf participation exceeded 40 million for the first time in 2022. NBC Sports also polled 4,000 American golfers and found that over three in four plan to play at least five rounds of golf games in the coming year.

All those figures show that golf is booming and becoming more popular.

So, if you have always wanted to try golf, now's the best time to start. And the first thing you should learn is how to hold a golf club correctly.

If you're unsure where to start, don't worry. In this step-by-step guide prepared by the team at Southern Hills Plantation Club's Golf Course in Brooksville, FL, we'll show you how to properly hold a golf club and set you up for success.

Step 1: Understand the Basic Lingo

The first step to developing a proper golf grip is to learn the terminology involved, particularly the "lead hand" and the "trail hand." Many beginners find these two confusing, so it's best to define them first to remove any confusion.

In golf, the lead hand is the top hand and, in many cases, is not the "dominant hand" in everything else you do.

So, suppose you're a left-hander, which is quite rare; according to Psychology Today, lefties account for about 10.9% of people living in the United States. Generally, your lead hand will be your right hand, while your trail hand will be your left. Conversely, if you're a right-hander, your top hand will be the left, while the bottom or trail hand will be the right.

The keyword here is generally, as some people may find using their dominant hand as their lead hand in golf more comfortable. As USA Today Sports points out, some professional golfers are natural right-handers but swing lefties.

Step 2: Find Your Grip Type

One of the most practical beginner golf tips is to test your hold and grip with actual clubs. Head to your local golf shop and ask if you can try some of their clubs.

Another strategy is visiting a golf course like Southern Hills Club in Brooksville, FL. Here, you can play some rounds or take professional lessons to learn how to hold a club correctly and improve your overall golf skills.

Regardless of which method you choose to test your golf grip, experiment with the following grip types to determine which one you are most comfortable with.

Ten-Finger Grip

Also often referred to as the "baseball grip," the ten-finger grip is a favorite of younger golfers, newcomers, and those with small hands. Here's how to achieve this specific type of grip:

1. Hold the club in your lead hand
2. Ensure the club's handle runs diagonally across the fingers (from the base of the pinky to the index finger's middle joint)
3. Place the trail hand on the club, right below the lead hand
4. The index finger of the trail hand should be touching the other hand's pinky finger
5. Close both hands around the club

The final position of your hands should result in all ten fingers being in contact with the club.

The Overlapping or Vardon Grip

The Vardon grip is one of the most commonly used grip techniques, developed and popularized by Harry Vardon, who, according to The Open, boasts 49 professional wins. It involves the following steps:

1. Do steps 1 and 2 of the 10-finger grip
2. Wrap your lead hand around the club's handle
3. Ensure the lead hand's thumb points down the shaft
4. Place the trail hand below the lead hand
5. Nestle the trail hand's pinky finger between the other hand's index and middle fingers
6. Close both hands around the club

Consider trying this grip style if you have large hands and want to unify them more to gain better control over both wrists.

The Interlocking Grip

Like the ten-finger grip, the interlocking grip is also ideal for players with smaller hands. Here are the steps to establish this type of golf grip:

1. Follow steps 1 and 2 of the baseball grip
2. Extend your lead hand's pointer finger
3. Place the trail hand on the club
4. Interlock the lead hand's pointer finger and the trail hand's pinky finger
5. Close both hands on the club's handle

As you will see, the interlocking grip is quite similar to the ten-finger grip, with ten fingers touching the club. The primary difference is that with the ten-finger grip, the lead hand's index finger sits next to the other hand's pinky finger rather than above or under.

Step 3: Mind the Pressure

If you feel tension in your arms and shoulders, it likely means you're overgripping the club. You don't want this tension, which can adversely affect your swing. Neither do you want a loose grip, as this reduces swing power and messes up your accuracy.

A proper golf grip has adequate pressure and is firm enough to keep the club in place and prevent it from twisting in your hand.

Step 4: Practice, Then Practice More

Establishing a proper grip is paramount to successful golf swing techniques because how you hold your golf club will affect your swing. It can make or break your swing power and the trajectory and accuracy of your shots.

Finding the grip you feel most comfortable with may be challenging, so it's best to experiment with the three grip styles discussed above. Try them several times to determine which one feels the most natural, and keep practicing.

And, if you think that expert guidance will help improve your game, know that professional golf lessons at Southern Hills Club in Brooksville, FL, await you.

Learn How to Hold a Golf Club From the Pros

The tips we've shared above are good starting points for learning how to hold a golf club, but you may find actual golf lessons from professionals more effective and straightforward.

At Southern Hills Plantation Club, our professional instructors can teach you the proper way to hold a golf club, various golf club positions, and correct swing techniques. So, if you want to up your golf ante and love every game, come and learn the sport with us.

Regardless of your skill level, we look forward to welcoming you to our golf course, so call us today to book your lessons!