The right golf grip: overlap or interlock explained

In golf, the grip is the only physical contact point between the player and the club. Although the swing is a complex movement of the entire body, the hands act as the final translator of speed and direction. A faulty grip forces the hands to "fight each other", resulting in tension, inconsistency and a loss of power. In this article, we analyse the mechanics of the two most-used techniques: the overlap and the interlock grip.

The biomechanics of unity

The fundamental goal of a good golf grip is to make the two hands work as a single unit. When the hands move independently of each other, a conflict in the steering of the clubface appears. The dominant hand (usually the right hand for right-handed players) tends to take over the movement, often leading to early rotation of the club and an unwanted ball flight (such as a hook or a pull).

By physically connecting the hands, you neutralise the dominance of the individual hands and let the large muscle groups in the shoulders and back do the work.

1. The Vardon or Overlap grip

The overlap grip, named after the legendary golfer Harry Vardon, is the most-used grip among professionals.

• The technique: With this grip, the little finger of the right hand (for right-handed players) rests in the notch between the index finger and the middle finger of the left hand.
• How it works: This position means the right hand can apply slightly less grip pressure, so the left hand (the pulling hand in the swing) keeps control.
• For whom: The overlap is ideal for golfers with bigger hands or strong fingers. It offers an excellent balance between feel and control without the hands getting in each other's way.

2. The Interlock grip

The interlock grip became world-famous through greats such as Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.

• The technique: Here the little finger of the right hand and the index finger of the left hand are literally hooked into each other.
• How it works: This grip provides the maximum mechanical connection. Because the fingers interlock, it is virtually impossible for the hands to move separately. This creates an enormous sense of stability.
• For whom: The interlock is very effective for golfers with smaller hands or less strength in the fingers. It also helps players who tend to "lose" the club at the top of the backswing.

Pressure: the silent enemy

Whether you choose overlap or interlock, the pressure with which you hold the club is crucial. A common mistake is squeezing the club too hard (the so-called 'death grip'). Scientifically, excessive tension in the hands blocks the wrists. The wrists, however, must be able to hinge freely to create speed.

Imagine a scale from 1 to 10, where 10 stands for maximum squeezing. An ideal golf grip has a pressure of about a 3 or a 4. This is firm enough not to let the club fly away, but relaxed enough to guarantee the natural fluidity of the swing.

The position of the thumb and the 'V-shape'

A quick grip check is to look at the V-shapes formed by the thumb and the index finger of both hands. With a neutral grip, these V-shapes point towards your right eye or right shoulder. If they point too far left or right, the clubface is probably not square to the target line at impact.

Conclusion

There is no "best" grip, but there is a best grip for your unique build and swing speed. Whether you choose the freedom of the overlap or the rigid unity of the interlock, the goal stays the same: eliminate the fight between your left and right hand. By making the hands work together as a synchronised team, you lay the foundation for a swing driven by rhythm and rotation rather than by manual corrections.