Updated on November 18th, 2023 at 05:42 pm
The 10 finger grip in golf is oven called the baseball grip. Golfers are often hearing about different grip methods and concepts that could be the golden ticket to playing better golf.
If you are currently wondering if your golf club and hand connection is correct or if a 10 finger grip could be a better solution for you, I have all the answers you need. I won’t tell you that the 10-finger grip is a perfect solution to the needs of any player, but some advantages are worth understanding.
What is the 10 finger golf grip?
The 10 finger grip in golf requires all ten of a golfer’s fingers to be on the club. When you look at an overlap grip or the interlock grip, there is some sort of connection or interaction between the fingers of the left and right hand. With the ten-finger grip, this is not the case. The two hands are mostly independent of each other.
For a right-handed golfer, the left hand is still at the top of the club on the butt end, and the right hand is beneath the left. The thumb of the left hand does fit into the pad of the right hand, but the fingers do not overlap or interlock on the back of the club.
10 finger golf grip benefits
Most experienced golfers will tell you that there is very little benefit to having both hands fully on the club like this. I can’t say I disagree. However, there are still some advantages to the 10 finger grip.
The biggest advantage is the fact that golfers with smaller or weaker hands can feel as though they have more control of the club. When your hands are weak, you may struggle to contact the golf ball consistently, but the 10 finger grip can help.
Another advantage is the power the 10 finger grip gives the right hand.
Not all instances of power in the right hand are good. However, for those that slice the ball, this baseball grip can sometimes make it easier to rotate the clubface closed through the impact position.
- Some players see an increase in golf swing speed
- It can be easier to square the club head up at impact
- This type of grip is easier for golfers with small hands
- The ten-finger golf grip can be a good option for beginner players and female golfers looking for maximum power
Disadvantages of a 10 finger grip
Unfortunately, there are more disadvantages to the 10-finger grip than there are advantages.
The biggest problem with this grip is the fact that there are too many fingers on the club. When you are looking at overlapping grips, you will notice that grip pressure is significantly reduced simply because there is less interaction between the grip and the hands.
In addition, the 10 finger grip can cause problems in the short game. Many players start to incorporate too much of their hands instead of using their larger muscles to hit those shorter shots around the green.
One of the things you may find interesting when watching a golfer who uses the ten-finger grip is how much they can start to look like a baseball player when they swing. Great golfers like Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods have effortless swings and don’t even look as though they are “swinging” a club.
When you switch to the 10 finger golf grip, expect to see some issues with the tempo and smooth transition from downswing to impact.
- Too much grip pressure
- Short game can be an issue as the hands get too involved
- Eventually switching to an overlap or interlock grip can be a big change
- Not always a natural feeling grip
- Causes a lack of control on both short and long putts when used around the greens
How to do the 10 finger golf grip?
Now that you have a better understanding of what the 10 finger golf grip is, let’s look at a step-by-step guide on how to do the 10 finger golf grip.
1) Start with the left hand
Place your left hand (for a right-handed player) on the top of the club with the grip mostly in your fingers and your thumb pointing down the center of the shaft.
Some golfers like a slight turn of the left thumb, so it is just right of center, but you can play around with this until you feel comfortable.
2) Place left thumb in the pad of right hand
Without taking your left hand off the club, put your right hand on top of the left thumb so that it covers this left thumb. The thumb fits into this area easily but still allows you to grip the club with your fingers in the back of the club.
3) Wrap fingers around the back
Once the thumb of your left hand is placed into the palm of your right, you can then take your remaining fingers and wrap them around the back of the club. The fingers on the right hand do not interlock or overlap with those on the left.
4) Make sure to adjust the grip pressure
As I mentioned, one of the biggest problems golfers encounter with the 10 finger grip is the grip pressure. Try to make sure that your hands are not gripping the club tightly.
One of the best ways to do this is to ensure that the grip is sitting more in your fingers than in the palms of your hands.
Who should use a 10 finger grip?
The 10 finger grip is best for golfers who have weaker hands and tend to have a weak grip. In addition, the grip works well for players seeking as much power as possible in their golf game.
Junior golfers
Most junior golfers do not have the hand control or strength to play with an interlock or overlap grip. Don’t be alarmed if your child goes for a golf lesson and comes home with the 10 finger grip.
Golfers who feel the club turn or twist at impact
If you feel like the golf club is moving in your hands when you strike the ball, the 10 finger grip can help. With all of your fingers on the club, you can stabilize it more in your hands.
Players seeking higher swing speeds
The 10 finger golf grip is known to help golfers generate some extra clubhead speed. If you think you don’t have a great connection with the club and could use something like this to get you there, this is a grip to try.
New golfers
As a beginner golfer, there is a lot to learn! Sometimes keeping the grip simple and going with a 10 finger model is the best option.
Which golf grip is right for you?
Now that you know the 10 finger grip, here are three quick ways to tell which golf grip is right for your game.
- Size of your hands: if you have small hands, choose a grip that lets you get more fingers on the club, like a 10 finger or an interlock
- Strength: for golfers with stronger hands, the overlap grip helps to cut down on grip pressure, 10 finger, and interlock make it easier to have a firm handle on the club
- Ball Flight: the more you struggle with a slice, the more important it is to have a stronger grip with the right hand a bit more active; this would be the 10 finger or interlocking golf grips
Tips to be successful with the 10 finger golf grip
The 10 finger grip is certainly not the grip of choice on the PGA Tour, as it doesn’t usually allow for the level of finesse and control that tour players are looking for. Here are a few tips to make sure you are successful when you switch to the 10 finger grip.
- Always be mindful of grip pressure; it can sneak up on you quickly.
- Grip the club in your fingers, not in the palm of your hand
- Make sure there is no separation between the left and right hand; they should sit right on top of each other
- Pay close attention to how strong or weak the grip is with the angle or turn of the left hand
- The grip size you are using (i.e., undersize, standard, midsize, or jumbo) needs to be the right fit for the size of your hands
What is a 10 finger golf grip putting?
The 10 finger grip can be used on the putting green and the golf course. However, it does cause some issues with an overactive right hand. Keep in mind that grips like the reverse overlap or cross-handed grip were created to make it easier for players to make a more consistent stroke.
You can see our recent post on AEC Info for the Proper putter grip here. We have recently put together some great informative posts on putting below:
Alternatives to a 10 finger grip
When you are ready to change and move away from the 10 finger grip, you have two options: the Interlock vs overlap grip.
The interlock grip takes the index finger on the left hand and hooks it into the pinky finger on the right hand. This is a strong grip used by golfers like Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus.
The overlap grip takes the index finger on the left hand and places it on top of the pinky of the right hand. This is a grip used to help the golfer alleviate some grip pressure. Players like Phil Mickelson, Ben Hogan, and Arnold Palmer use the overlap as their natural grip.
Final thoughts
At this point, you should be a 10 finger grip expert. There is a time and a place to be a ten finger grip golfer, but most players will eventually move to something considered more traditional and effective. If you currently play with the 10 finger grip and it’s working, don’t feel the need to change anything!
