Strong Grip vs Weak Grip – Differences and Benefits of Each

We all know about the overlap or interlock grip, but in addition to these different ways to hold the club, you can also have a strong grip or neutral grip. Being a great golfer means learning a lot of technology and techniques to perfect the golf swing.

If you are ready to see the difference between the Strong golf grip vs. Weak golf grip, we have all the information you need. Your golf game can be significantly impacted by how your hands are set on the club.

What Is a Strong Grip?

A strong grip is one in which your left hand is turned more to the right, leaving your right hand more open on the bottom of the club. This essentially gives the right hand much more power in the swing, and the ability to help turn the club over at impact.

What Is a Weak Grip?

The weak grip is the opposite of the strong grip, and your hands will be rotated more towards the left. The left hand will have less of the back of the hand visible, making it so that the bottom hand or right hand comes over the top of the grip more.

When this happens, the right hand is no longer as influential in the swing, therefore making it a weaker grip.

Difference Between a Strong and Weak Golf Grip?

The main difference between a strong and weak grip is the amount of rotation in the hands on the golf club. With a strong grip, you will be see between 2 and 3 knuckles on your top hand. A weak golf grip will barely show your knuckles on your top hand. 

There are both positives and negatives to each of these grip types. Neutral is of course where most golfers will want their grip to be, but neutral is not the solution for all shots. 

The way your hands connect on the club will likely be very similar for all three types of grips. For instance, you can still overlap your fingers and have a stronger grip. The key difference, however, in the way you grip the club is the way the golf ball is impacted.

You may want to check out our recent post on What golf grip size do I need?

Strong vs. Weak Golf Grip (Find the Right One for You)

The strong and the weak grip should be learned so that golfers can adjust their game when needed. However, there are times that one of these will be better than another. Sometimes golfers with too much grip pressure find a weak golf grip to help.

Beginner golfers often struggle with a slice and set up with a stronger position. Determining if the strong or weak grip is right for you takes a bit of an understanding of your own golf game.

Weak Grip

The weak grip is best for the golfer that hooks the ball. When you have a weak grip you can hit a slight fade and keep your right hand in more of a neutral position.

If you hit a draw you can control, the weak grip could help you start hitting straight shots.

Fade vs Draw

The weak grip style can also be used to ensure you don’t have a closed clubface at impact. Many players looking for a fade type ball flight will use the weak grip to help them succeed.

High fade vs. Low Fade

A slight weak grip and an open stance can help you work the ball around a tree or hazard in front of you.

Pros

• It makes it easy to hit a fade
• Helps sometimes with a higher ball flight
• Can keep the left hand as the dominant hand in the swing

Cons

• This could lead to a slice for a golfer that does not release the golf club well

Strong Grip

The strong grip is used to help make the game of golf just a little bit easier for some players.

If you hit golf shots that are continually heading to the right, the strong grip will help you turn the ball over and get the shot on the proper track.

The right hand takes a slightly more active role in the swing and helps players square things off at impact.

Professional golfers are great at being able to turn the club over and release it; however, not all amateurs can do this. A baseball grip is naturally quite strong and can help the average golfer get the club square at impact.

Pros

• A strong grip position can help players hit more of a draw
• For those that slice the ball too much, the strong grip helps with straighter shots
• Some players achieve higher ball speeds with a strong grip

Cons

• Some golfers will struggle with feel and control when the right hand is too active
• Sometimes ball flight will be lower

Neutral Grip

A neutral grip is what you want to have with your hands. Neutral grips help promote straighter shots, and it is the ideal grip for the proper ball flight and launch.

However, some players have a swing that is a bit inside or over the top, and it can lead to an open or closed club. If this is the case, you might have to adjust the grip.

Stronger grips and weaker grips are not necessarily bad grips, but the vast majority of golfers should work towards a neutral grip.

Pros

• Clubface should stay relatively square
• Easier to make square contact with the ball at impact
• You can correct some swing flaws simply by having your hands in the proper position

Cons

• Some players develop poor ball flight patterns because of other swing flaws and have to change from a neutral grip

Which Is the Best Strong, Weak, or Neutral Grip?

Depending on the type of swing you have, and if you have quiet hands or active hands, your grip is going to be impacted. To make solid contact with the golf ball, you don’t have to have a perfect grip, but it certainly does help.

The best grip is technically the neutral grip, as it gets your hands in the proper position to take a square golf swing and hit the ball with a club face that is square. Weak grips and strong grips are kind of like bandaids and can be used when the golfer is struggling to hit the ball straight.

All players need to be aware of their grip, how their hands feel on the club, and whether they favor the strong or weak type of golf grip. The goal should be to make things as neutral as possible and then get our swing on the proper plane.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few of the questions we are most frequently asked about the strong vs. weak grip. Remember, the type of grip you choose will be related to your specific game and not necessarily the grip that a textbox suggests. 

Does a Weak Grip Cause Slice? 

A weak grip can cause a slice, but it is not the leading cause of a slice. Most slices are caused by swing path issues and clubface issues, but the weak grip certainly won’t help if you are struggling with a slice.

Try to move towards a stronger grip, and you will notice the difference in ball flight. 

 Be sure to check out our post on Why you slice your driver but not your irons. 

Do Pros Use a Strong Grip or a Weak Grip? 

Professionals try to use a neutral grip and then adjust it when necessary to hit different types of golf shots. The strong grip and weak grip are both good options for golfers to be able to use if they need them.

Professionals are more likely to have a slightly weaker grip, as the right-handed professionals try to have their left hand and left wrist be a bit more active in the swing than the right side. 

Does a Strong Grip Cause a Draw? 

A strong grip can cause a draw, and it can also help players that need to hit a draw. The proper grip can also lead to better swing mechanics and encourage a square clubface at impact. If the clubface is just slightly closed, this will lead to more of a draw. 

Can I Play With a Strong Grip?

You can play golf with both a weak or a strong grip; you simply must be prepared for the impact it will have on the golf ball. If you can adjust and be ready for the way the grip impacts your game, there is really no right or wrong golf grip. 

Conclusion

Hopefully, you understand the difference between the strong grip vs. a weak grip. Remember that a weak position is not necessarily wrong if it is helping you control your ball flight.

Amateur golfers need to take some time at the driving range to practice these concepts and learn how to grip the club in various ways. This will ultimately lead to you being an expert on your own golf grip.