Learn the Right Way to Grip Your Golf Clubs, Starting with Your Top Hand

The grip is your only connection with the golf club.

Placing your hands correctly on the golf club allows for better control of the clubface’s position at impact. While swinging, your body rotates to generate power, and it is essential that the golf club rotates alongside it. Essentially, your body and club must move in unison.

This article provides a detailed guide on how to achieve the proper golf grip, beginning with your top hand (also known as the “lead hand”).

It is important to note that the right golf grip is achieved in two parts: first, the top (lead) hand must be positioned on the golf club handle, followed by the bottom (trailing) hand. Make sure to follow through to the finishing step at the end of this article—placing your bottom hand on the grip.

Proper Golf Grip Equals Power and Feel

A fundamentally sound grip facilitates both power and feel. The action of your wrists is a key source of power, but holding the club too much in the palm can diminish this wrist action.

The fingers are the most sensitive parts of our hands. Holding the club more in the fingers, rather than the palm, promotes more wrist hinge, which leads to longer tee shots and increased feel.

One common mistake among golfers is having a weak lead-hand (left hand for right-handed players) grip, often held too much in the palm. This typically results in slicing shots that lack power.

To grip the club properly for optimal power and accuracy, follow the straightforward procedure outlined in the subsequent steps. We will begin with the lead-hand (top hand) grip.

Step 1: Know That the Club Should Be Held More in the Fingers Than the Palm

The dots indicated on the glove illustrate the position the club should take in the grip. Always remember that the club should primarily be held more in the fingers than in the palm.

Step 2: Connect the Dots

To begin, hold the club about three feet in the air, in front of your body. Ensure the clubface is square and place the club at an angle through the fingers, following the line of the dots from the previous image. The club should make contact with the base of the little finger and rest just above the first joint of the index finger.

Step 3: Check Thumb Position

With the club angled and in your fingers, position your left thumb (for right-handed players) toward the back side of the shaft.

Step 4: Check Knuckles and ‘V’ Position

While assuming the address position and looking down at your grip, ensure you can see the knuckles of the index and middle fingers of your lead (top) hand. Additionally, a “V” formed by the thumb and forefinger of the lead hand should be pointing back toward your right shoulder (the one o’clock position).

Finally, complete the grip by placing your trailing (bottom) hand onto the handle.

Editor’s Note: The proper golf grip resides in what is referred to as the “neutral position.” This is the grip illustrated in this guide. Be mindful, however, as golfers may inadvertently rotate their hands to the left or right on the grip, typically without realizing it. This action can yield negative results and may occur intentionally. These rotations are categorized as the strong and weak positions.

About the Author
Michael Lamanna is a golf instructor with experience at some of the leading facilities in the United States, serving as Director of Instruction at three Jim McLean Golf Academies and the PGA Tour Golf Academy. He is currently the Director of Instruction at The Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. As a player, Lamanna’s lowest competitive round is a 63. For more information, visit lamannagolf.com.