Wouldn’t it be great if golf professionals could tell us the exact grip we should have on the club at all times? It seems like it wouldn’t be that difficult, but as golfers, we know better. There is no easy way of doing things in golf!

One of the biggest dilemmas players face is the interlock vs. overlap golf grip. That pinky finger can cause some issues if it’s not in the right spot. If you have been going back and forth about what is right for your golf game, we have you covered.

Here is everything you need to know about interlock vs. overlap golf grips and which one you should be using in your game.

The main difference between the overlap and interlock golf grip is the position of the pinky on your right hand (for a right handed player). With the overlap, the pinky will go over the left index finger. With the interlock, the pinky interlocks with the left index finger and middle finger.

There are quite a few differences in how the fingers feel relative to this positioning. For instance, players with an interlock grip often feel their hands are more connected and stable on the club. Golfers with an overlap grip have an easier time maintaining light grip pressure and allowing the club to move easily.

There is also a third grip in golf called the Ten-Finger grip. This is where the hands rest against each other on the golf club, but they do not connect in any way. Many golfers call the ten-finger grip the baseball grip, typically used as a starter grip for new players.

Is Interlock or overlap grip better?

Interlock golf grips create a better hold on the club, giving golfers with small or weak hands a bit more control. Overlap golf grips are great for reducing grip pressure and tend to be the best choice for amateur golfers with larger hands.

I have to admit that I don’t follow this rule myself. As someone with smaller hands, the interlock grip did not work for me. As much as I knew not to, I controlled the clubface too much with my hands instead of letting the club do the work.

The grip type you choose may take a bit of trial and error. In addition, as a beginner golfer, there is a chance you will change your grip at some point in your golfing career.

Overlap grip benefits

The overlap grip allows golfers with strong hands to feel more comfortable and even a bit lighter on the golf club. The lower tension creates some wrist freedom and allows extra swing speed, a smoother tempo and improved consistency.

Many senior golfers like the overlap grip because it can eliminate some of the pain in your hands from arthritis while still allowing for wrist action and plenty of speed. In addition, the overall grip has also been associated with better players. Golfers whose golf swing is on plane and simply need a player to hold the club and let it rip will enjoy the overlap grip.

If you struggle with getting your swing on plane, you may want to check out our reviews of the best Golf swing plane training aid. You  may also want to check out the Single plane golf swing review we recently completed.  

Overlapping golf grip problems

If the correct grip for you is not the overlap grip, you may notice some of the following issues. . .

• Less control of the clubhead at impact: golfers that do not have stronger hands can feel the clubface turn at times
• The feeling that the club is slipping from your hands: if your hands are too small, the overlapping grip can take away control and a feeling of confidence
• A golf club that feels heavy: when your hands don’t play a big enough role in the process, expect the club to feel heavier
• The inability to turn the club over and release it at impact: releasing the golf club means turning it over and squaring it up at impact; the overlap grip can create a smooth golf swing, but you must be able to turn the club over at impact.

Interlocking golf grip problems

If you have your interlocked hands on the club but feel as though it could be causing issues in your game, here are some of the common problems you will notice . . .

• Too much grip pressure: added grip pressure makes it hard to get the swing speed you need
• Overactive hands: an interlocking grip can give players the idea that their hands are the only body part working in the swing.
• Limited movement of the wrists in the backswing: wrist hinge is essential, and sometimes, with interlocking grips, this hinge is limited.
• Pain and discomfort in the hands from blisters: your hands will rub together with an interlock grip causing potential blisters.
• Inconsistency in the swing: a firm grip and added grip pressure can lead to inconsistency in the game.

Which pros use overlap grip?

Golfers like Arnold Palmer and Ben Hogan both used and taught the overlap grip. One of the commonalities between these two players is that they had larger, stronger hands, making the overlap grip a more natural grip for them.

Which pros use interlock grip?

Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus used the interlocking grip. With the number of wins between these two golfers, the interlock grip certainly gets a lot of credit. On the PGA Tour today, you will see a mix of interlock and overlap.

Are there other common grips used by pro golfers?

It’s rare to see a professional with a ten finger grip, although it has happened. Grip style is usually just the overlap or interlock. On the putting green, however, you will see things like the reverse overlap, claw grip, hammer grip, cross-handed grip, and more.

Should you interlock or overlap grip?

Golfers with small hands should use the interlock grip; large hands should use the overlap grip. In addition, golfers with grip pressure issues will benefit from the overlap grip as it tends to create a more natural and smoother swing with less pressure overall.

I would recommend trying both grips on the driving range to see which one is best suited for your game. The problem with changing the grip while on the course is that your entire swing will feel slightly different, and it’s best to avoid that.

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