The Golf Grip: Your Essential Foundation for a Consistent Swing
By Kevin Cotter, PGA
The grip is the crucial link between your body and the golf club — the point where feel, control, and power all begin. Arnold Palmer captured it perfectly:
“The grip is the crucial junction point from which all the body’s strength and rhythm are transferred to the club.”
A sound grip is not just a fundamental—it’s the foundation of every consistent, repeatable golf swing.
The Three Primary Golf Grips
Golfers generally use one of three classic grip styles. Each has unique benefits, and understanding them helps you select the grip that best suits your hands, mechanics, and comfort.
1. The Overlapping Grip (Vardon Grip)
The most widely used grip in golf, named after legendary champion Harry Vardon.
How it works:
- The right pinky rests on top of the gap between the left index and middle fingers.
- This softly “connects” the hands into one unified unit.
Benefits:
- Encourages a natural release of the club.
- Promotes hand unity without tension.
- Ideal for players with medium or larger hands.
This grip is the preferred choice for most advanced golfers because it blends control with fluidity.
2. The Interlocking Grip
A favorite among players wanting an even more secure hand connection. Used famously by Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
How it works:
- The right pinky hooks around the left index finger, interlocking them together.
Benefits:
- Creates a very strong, unified hand structure.
- Prevents the dominant hand from overpowering the swing.
- Great for players with smaller hands or those seeking tighter control.
If your hands tend to separate during the swing, this grip can be a game-changer.
3. The Ten-Finger Grip (Baseball Grip)
Less common among seasoned golfers, but incredibly useful for beginners and players with limited strength.
How it works:
- All ten fingers remain in contact with the club, similar to holding a baseball bat.
Benefits:
- Easy to learn and very comfortable.
- Provides leverage for players who need extra strength.
- Ideal for juniors, newcomers, or players overcoming physical limitations.
While it may lack some refined control, it is an excellent stepping-stone grip for developing players.
Choosing the Right Grip for Your Game
There is no single “correct” grip — just the one that fits your hands, preferences, and golf goals.
Ask yourself:
- Which grip feels most natural?
- Do my hands stay connected throughout the swing?
- Am I gaining control without adding tension?
Mastering your grip is one of the fastest ways to improve ball striking, create consistency, and unlock your natural swing motion.
Releasing the Clubhead
This story is for you if…
• You want more distance and accuracy
• You often miss your target to the right
• You don’t understand what “release” means
• You want more distance and accuracy
• You often miss your target to the right
• You don’t understand what “release” means
My Favorite Shots To Save Par
See on Scoop.it – golf instruction
Brandt Snedeker shares his favorite shots around the green. (RT @GolfDigestMag: One of Brandt Snedeker’s favorite shots around the green? The hands-free lob.
BestGolfeBooks‘s insight:
The "Hands free lob" is an adaptation to the pitching swing and is a great tool in and around the green. The firmness in the hands provides a high degree of consistency.
See on www.golfdigest.com
How to Start the Golf Swing
By Kevin Cotter, PGA
The takeaway or start of the golf swing begins with combined movement of the clubhead, hands, arms and shoulders.
This movement, commonly referred to as the “one-piece takeaway” is quickly followed by the hips as they begin to turn in response to the shoulders. As the hips rotate the lower body (knees and feet) become active as the weight begins to transfer back onto and eventually around the right leg.
Soon after the “once piece takeaway” begins, allow your right elbow to fold somewhat against your right side, at least in the early stages of the backswing. This allows the arms to remain connected to the body.
The “one piece takeaway” sets the timing of the swing into immediate sync. The desired sequence of movement is; clubhead, hands, shoulders, hips and lower body in that order. This backswing sequencing establishes proper coiling of the upper body against the lower body, providing a power generating spring like action to be unleashed during the downswing. Correct timing also helps establish a square clubface position at the top of the swing.
In addition to timing, the proper takeaway is crucial in developing power through angular momentum or also known as the “lever system.” Proper use of the “lever system” not only unleashes tremedous power but helps establish a ball first then turf strike when playing shots directly off the turf. Learning to strike the ball with a descending blow is vital, a downward strike to a ball sitting on the turf provides the much needed spin necessary for the ball to stick and hold in the intended target area.
Also, the path of the club is hugely influenced by the natural flow of the “one-piece takeaway.” When not contrived in any way the club moves straight back then slightly to the inside around then up. Eventually, the club returns somewhat along the same path on the way down, creating a semi-circle pattern starting from behind the ball through the ball and into the through swing.
If the club is forced quickly to the outside during the initial stages of the backswing an out to in swing path is likely to be created. Conversely, if you force the club back too quickly to the inside, the club eventually has nowhere to go but to be forced to the outside and then back across the ball resulting in pulled or sliced shots.
So, as you can now clearly see, the “one piece takeaway” is the crucial first step in developing a powerful repeating golf swing, and provides the ability to consistently strike the ball cleanly and squarely, leading to longer and straighter shots.
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Happy golfing!
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PGA Golf Etiquette
By PGA.com and Kevin Cotter, PGA
What to Expect During a Round of Golf: From Start to Finish
Arrival:
- If caddies are available, remember that caddie programs provide young people with a chance to earn money and gain exposure to a sport that can positively shape their character.
- A good caddie can enhance your experience by offering tips that might help lower your score. They provide information on yardage, club selection, reading greens, and understanding the course layout.
Warm-Up:
- Arrive early enough to give yourself time to warm up properly.
- Start with your short irons, then move to mid and long irons, and finish with your woods.
- End your warm-up by hitting a few soft wedge shots, then practice a few putts on the green.
- Avoid hitting too many balls and tiring yourself out before the round.
First Tee:
- Check the scorecard for local rules specific to the course.
- If your playing partners suggest a match, ensure everyone is comfortable with the stakes.
- Mark your ball with an identifying mark and let the other players know what ball you’re using.
Avoiding Slow Play:
- Keep pace with the group ahead of you by walking at a reasonable speed between shots.
- Plan your next shot as you approach the ball by considering the wind and course layout.
- When it’s your turn, check the lie, choose your club, visualize the shot, and play it. This process should take no more than 30-45 seconds.
- If you’re not ready when it’s your turn, encourage another player to go ahead.
Maintaining the Course:
- Replace your divots. If you can’t replace the divot, either use the toe of your shoe to smooth the edges or fill it with a soil/seed mix provided by the course.
- Always bring a rake into the bunker, entering from the low side nearest the ball. After your shot, rake the area and any footprints, leaving the rake near the bunker.
- Repair any pitch marks on the green using a tee, knife, or repair tool by gently pushing the edges toward the center and smoothing them with your foot or club.
- Remember, while you can repair pitch marks on your putting line, spike marks must be left alone until after you putt.
On the Green:
- Avoid stepping on another player’s putting line, the imaginary line between their ball and the hole.
- If your ball is in someone’s line, offer to mark it with a small coin or plastic marker.
- If you’re asked to tend the flagstick, ensure you’re not standing on anyone’s line. Hold the flagstick at arm’s length so it doesn’t flutter and cast shadows, and remove it carefully after the player putts.
- Lay the flagstick off the green to avoid damaging it. The player closest to the hole usually tends the flagstick.
- After everyone finishes putting, walk directly to the next tee.
Miscellaneous:
- Play a provisional ball if your tee shot goes into the woods or might be out-of-bounds. You have five minutes to search for the original ball once you reach the area. If not found, continue with the provisional, incurring a one-stroke penalty.
- If you find your original ball in-bounds, continue playing it and pick up your provisional.
- Out-of-bounds balls result in a penalty of stroke and distance.
- Never hit if there’s a chance of reaching the group ahead. If a shot might hit others, yell “fore” immediately and apologize if your ball lands near anyone.
- Displays of frustration are fine but avoid temper tantrums like yelling or throwing clubs. It’s unsafe and unsportsmanlike.
- Learn and understand the basic Rules of Golf, such as out-of-bounds, lost balls, unplayable lies, cart paths, and water hazards.
- If your group stops for refreshments at the turn (after nine holes) or at the end of the round, offer to pay, especially for the caddies. Whoever buys at the turn shouldn’t be expected to pay at the end of the round.
- Finally, shake hands with your fellow players, congratulate the winners, and thank everyone for their company. At the end of the day, the real joy of golf is the time spent with friends, old or new.
For a complete discussion of the Rules of Golf, visit the USGA’s web site.
GOLF ETIQUETTE 101
GOLF ETIQUETTE 101
The Spirit Of The Game
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Unlike many sports, golf is played, for the most part, without the supervision of a referee or umpire. The game relies on the integrity of the individual to show consideration for other players and to abide by the Rules. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive they may be. This is the spirit of the game of golf.
Safety
Players should ensure that no one is standing close by or in a position to be hit by the club, the ball or any stones, pebbles, twigs or the like when they make a stroke or practice swing.
Players should not play until the players in front are out of range.
Players should always alert greenstaff nearby or ahead when they are about to make a stroke that might endanger them.
If a player plays a ball in a direction where there is a danger of hitting someone, he should immediately shout a warning. The traditional word of warning in such a situation is “fore.”
Consideration For Other Players
No Disturbance or Distraction
Players should always show consideration for other players on the course and should not disturb their play by moving, talking or making any unnecessary noise.
Players should ensure that any electronic device taken onto the course does not distract other players.
On the teeing ground, a player should not tee his ball until it is his turn to play.
Players should not stand close to or directly behind the ball, or directly behind the hole, when a player is about to play.
View Avoiding Distraction Animation
On the Putting Green
On the putting green, players should not stand on another player’s line of putt or when he is making a stroke, cast a shadow over his line of putt.
Players should remain on or close to the putting green until all other players in the group have holed out.
View Putting Green Animation
Scoring
In stroke play, a player who is acting as a marker should, if necessary, on the way to the next tee, check the score with the player concerned and record it.
View Scoring Etiquette Animation
Pace Of Play
Play at Good Pace and Keep Up
Players should play at a good pace. The Committee may establish pace of play guidelines that all players should follow.
It is a group’s responsibility to keep up with the group in front. If it loses a clear hole and it is delaying the group behind, it should invite the group behind to play through, irrespective of the number of players in that group.
View Playing At A Good Pace Animation
Be Ready to Play
Players should be ready to play as soon as it is their turn to play. When playing on or near the putting green, they should leave their bags or carts in such a position as will enable quick movement off the green and towards the next tee. When the play of a hole has been completed, players should immediately leave the putting green.
Viewing Being Ready To Play Animation
Lost Ball
If a player believes his ball may be lost outside a water hazard or is out of bounds, to save time, he should play a provisional ball.
Players searching for a ball should signal the players in the group behind them to play through as soon as it becomes apparent that the ball will not easily be found.
They should not search for five minutes before doing so. Having allowed the group behind to play through, they should not continue play until that group has passed and is out of range.
View Saving Time With A Lost Ball Animation
Priority On The Course
Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, priority on the course is determined by a group’s pace of play. Any group playing a whole round is entitled to pass a group playing a shorter round.
View Priority On The Course Animation
Care Of The Course
Bunkers
Before leaving a bunker, players should carefully fill up and smooth over all holes and footprints made by them and any nearby made by others. If a rake is within reasonable proximity of the bunker, the rake should be used for this purpose.
View Bunker Etiquette Animation
Repair of Divots, Ball-Marks and Damage by Shoes
Players should carefully repair any divot holes made by them and any damage to the putting green made by the impact of a ball (whether or not made by the player himself). On completion of the hole by all players in the group, damage to the putting green caused by golf shoes should be repaired.
View Divot Repair Etiquette Animation
Preventing Unnecessary Damage
Players should avoid causing damage to the course by removing divots when taking practice swings or by hitting the head of a club into the ground, whether in anger or for any other reason.
Players should ensure that no damage is done to the putting green when putting down bags or the flagstick.
In order to avoid damaging the hole, players and caddies should not stand too close to the hole and should take care during the handling of the flagstick and the removal of a ball from the hole. The head of a club should not be used to remove a ball from the hole.
Players should not lean on their clubs when on the putting green, particularly when removing the ball from the hole.
The flagstick should be properly replaced in the hole before players leave the putting green.
Local notices regulating the movement of golf carts should be strictly observed.
Conclusion; Penalties For Breach
If players follow the guidelines in this Section, it will make the game more enjoyable for everyone.
If a player consistently disregards these guidelines during a round or over a period of time to the detriment of others, it is recommended that the Committee consider taking appropriate disciplinary action against the offending player. Such action may, for example, include prohibiting play for a limited time on the course or in a certain number of competitions. This is considered to be justifiable in terms of protecting the interest of the majority of golfers who wish to play in accordance with these guidelines.
In the case of a serious breach of Etiquette, the Committee may disqualify a player under Rule 33-7.
Top Three Golf Swing Set-Up Tips
Stance
The stance is the foundation of the golf swing and like many other sports requires the player to prepare for athletic action. Begin by evenly dividing your weight between both feet, slightly favoring the balls of the feet not the toes or heels. Next, position the feet approximately shoulder width apart. Proper stance width helps maintain good balance, too narrow a stance increases instability and too wide restricts hip and shoulder turn, making it difficult for the player to properly transfer weight back onto and over the right leg during the backswing.
Turn the left foot (forward foot) outward toward the target about a quarter turn. This position allows the player to maintain dynamic balance throughout the golf swing and well into the finish. The back foot (right foot) should generally be pointed straight forward or at a right angle to the target line. This position allows power-generating resistance to build by stabilizing the right leg while the upper body turns around it.
Alignment/Aim
Aligning or aiming the body properly is crucial if one desires to develop a powerful repeating golf swing. The first key point of alignment is; align the leading edge of the
clubface square or at a right angle to the target line. Then set the tips of the toes, knees, hips, shoulders and eyes parallel to that same line. This method of alignment is
referred to as aiming “parallel left.” If a player is to err or deviate from this common principle it would typically involve the feet and body aiming slightly to the left of the
target. Keep in mind though, whatever combination of body and clubface positions a player employs is deemed acceptable if it results in the clubhead consistently traveling down the target line with the clubface square to that line.
Golf is a target game and it is very easy to get caught up in the complexity of the perfect golf swing. However, many who follow this quest fail to recognize that no matter how beautiful the swing becomes it is of little value if aimed incorrectly
Posture
Another key element to develop a powerful repeating golf swing requires the upper body to be tilted over the ball slightly at address. This is achieved by bending from the hips over the ball, not the waist. Bending from the hips allows the spine to remain straight and the buttocks to protrude slightly, whereas if we tilt from the waist the spine tends to curve. The head should also match the plane of the back; this allows the left shoulder to turn underneath the chin during the backswing. This very much helps maintain centeredness while completing the backswing.
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Four Keys to Developing a Championship Golf Grip
By Kevin Cotter, PGA
Developing a championship golf grip is essential to consistently deliver the clubface squarely to the ball. As the great Arnold Palmer once said, “The grip is the crucial junction point from which all the body’s strength and rhythm are transmitted to the club.”
The golf grip is considered a pre-swing principle and carries with it a wide range of personal preferences from which to choose, but there are four keys or common denominators to a championship golf grip that all great players apply.
1. Positioning
“Positioning” refers to the rotational location of the hands on the club. The proper position is best achieved by first allowing your arms to hang somewhat naturally while grasping the club, resulting in a position where the palms of each hand oppose one another or are rotated slightly inward. This resembles the look of praying upside-down. If the hands shift too far to the right or clockwise on the club it would be considered a “strong grip” (closed-face-grip) which encourages a hook, if rotated to far to the left or counterclockwise the opposite would apply or “weak grip” (open-face-grip) which encourages a slice. A desirable position would be one where the upside down V formed between the thumb and forefinger of the left hand (upper hand) points to your chin or right cheek, and the V formed by the lower hand pointing slightly more towards the right shoulder. The opposite would apply for the left-handed player
2. Placement
The upper hand should be placed consistently about 1/2 to 1 inch down the grip from the top or upper end of the club. Position the thumb of the left hand slightly right of center on top of the club; place the thumb of the lower hand on the forward side of the club touching both the club and the tip of the index finger. Also, gripp the club in the fingers of both hands as much as possible as grasping the club into the palm rather than the fingers limits joint wrist flexibility.
3. Grip Pressure
Grip pressure should be a 2 or 3 on a scale of 1 to 5, where 5 is the tightest possible hold. This light to moderate grip allows for maximum clubhead speed while maintaining club control. Gripping the club too tightly restricts the clubface’s natural rotation and prevents proper wrist hinging, significantly reducing power and leverage in your swing.
4. Grip Options
There are three grip options from which to choose. The most common grip is the overlapping grip or Vardon grip, named after Harry Vardon, where the little finger of the right hand (lower hand) is overtopped and in between the first two fingers of the left hand. The second option is the interlocking grip, where the little finger of the right hand is intertwined with the index finger of the left hand. This adjoining or melding together of the hands with both the Vardon and overlapping grip helps unify the hands and aids in preventing one hand from overpowering the other, resulting in increased distance and consistency. The third option, or the ten-finger grip, sometimes called a baseball grip, is only recommended for very young or physically weak individuals who do not possess adequate strength to otherwise hold and swing the club.
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