Two of the most popular grips in golf are the interlocking and overlap grips, but many seem to sleep on the baseball/ten finger grip. This grip technique is named after the great Harry Vardon, who popularized it in the late 19th/early 20th centuries. The gripping action of the 5th right finger helps to keep the two hands together so that they can function as a single, cohesive unit. One advocate of trying a double overlap grip is David Leadbetter, considered one of the top instructors in the world. Known as the overlapping, overlap, or Vardon, this is the most popular grip and used often by low-handicap or professional players. This, along with the ease of adaptation, has caused the overlap grip to be one of golf’s most popular grips. While there are distinct advantages and disadvantages to each, in this article,… I've just returned from a golf outing and made a discovery. I had been struggling some during the week with my ball striking. The Big Three. The second is most widely used by the world's professionals: the Vardon or overlapping grip, in which the pinky finger of the right hand (for right-handed players) overlaps the index finger of the left. Following are a few advantages to using the overlapping grip on your short game shots. He is forced to let the club do more of the work, which teaches him a more flowing swing that takes less effort. The interlocking grip may have several advantages, depending on your swing style and ability level. Left, right, left right, left. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. All Rights Reserved. 10 Football players that hate each other off and on the pitch, Golf Digest: Leadbetter's Lessons: Try a New-Style Grip to Help Your Wrist Action, Foozled Golfer: Jim Furyk's 'Double-Overlap' Grip May Have Changed My Life, WorldGolf: 'Swing Essentials' Start With Grip. The downside of such a method is undoubtedly a reduction in power, Spieth is not a long hitter, and if his timing or co-ordination wavers he will play army golf. Because the right hand can only support the left hand in a double-overlap grip--it is unable to apply its grip pressure directly to the club--it becomes harder for the player to hit at the ball. This minimizes the chance for one hand to “take over” the swing. He is a newsroom manager at a Florida-based Web site and has been there since 1997 after 20 years in the newspaper business. Rhythm. What Are the Advantages of Using the Interlocking Golf Grip? The double-overlap grip prevents the right hand from having any major contact with the grip of the club, almost forcing Furyk to feel as if his swing is being controlled totally by his left hand and the left side of his body. Having good rhythm in your short game is just as important as it is in your long game, and an overlapping grip should help you toward that goal. It's by far the easiest to understand; hold the club in all 10 fingers as you would a baseball bat. I may try to overlap my left index finger over my right pinky (righty) instead of the classic vardon grip with the right pinky over the left index. The Overlapping Grip. Overview. Vardon Overlap Golf Grip. Some people think that they are less likely to have hand irritation or blisters when using the overlap grip as well. The Big Three. Leadbetter says for some, this will lead to reduced tension in the grip and an improved swing. Vardon Grip There is a lot of talk about which of the three grips may be best for every golfer. Locked Together. Alan Craig began writing for newspapers in 1976 and has had work appear in publications small (Beloit, Wis., "Daily News") and large (the "Los Angeles Times"). - use two fingers and let the left hand more leading, and make a handle to be More of ONE unit. What Are the Advantages of Using the Interlocking. With your weight on your forward foot, you’ll be inclined to strike the ball with a downward blow, just as you should with all chips and pitches, and the triple overlap will help guard against the right hand dominating the downswing and flipping the club over too soon. Most players that use the ten-finger will have smaller hands. The reverse overlap gives him that extra feel and control in his right palm." Three types of grips are generally considered the standard, but a fourth, the double overlap, has crept into the discussion because it's used by one of the world's top players. Well, again, there is no right or wrong answer. He is the author of the instructional golf book "Ruthless Putting" and edited a collection of swashbuckling novels. The start point for most beginners is learning a grip option that feels most comfortable. Paul Scott Runyan, one of the world’s best players of the 1930s said in 1979 that golf clubs with thick grips give a firm stroke. What are the trophy names for major sports? Swinging with the double-overlap grip can help you learn to just swing the club, and for most players, that might be its greatest benefit. golf and women image by Photoeyes from Fotolia.com. But a good golf swing starts with a good grip. By placing the left hand in such a dominant position, a double-overlap grip prevents the right hand from “taking over” as referred to earlier. What Are the Advantages of Using the Interlocking Golf Grip?. Watch any kid picking up a golf club, and you're likely to see grip the first grip—the 10 … Golfers who use the overlap grip tend to have larger hands. To place your hands on the handle using the Vardon Overlap, take the little finger on the trailing hand and place it between the index and middle finger on the lead hand (for right-handed golfers, the lead hand is the left). Watch any kid picking up a golf club, and you're likely to see grip the first grip---the 10 … Unity. The second is most widely used by the world's professionals: the Vardon or overlapping grip, in which the pinky finger of the right hand (for right-handed players) overlaps the index finger of the left. The Interlock The interlock is a variation to the traditional Vardon grip, in which the right pinky -- for a right-handed golfer -- rests over the left index finger behind the shaft. One advocate of trying a double overlap grip is David Leadbetter, considered one of the top instructors in the world. The Vardon grips also known as the overlapping grip and was created by Harry Vardon. Dear friends: I have been searching for new ways and approaches to golf which will make golf game swing easier and consistent and forgiving. Watch any kid picking up a golf club, and you're likely to see grip the first grip---the 10-finger grip. The third version is the interlocking grip, in which the right pinky is interlaced between the left forefinger and middle finger. 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