I’ll never forget when I learned what a strong grip was from a golf instructor. During our first lesson, he noticed that most of my golf shots tended to slice to the right. He proceeded to tell me that the simplest fix for my slicing was to start using a strong golf grip.

There are several reasons why golfers should use a strong grip. We describe the strong grip here along with how it can help your game. After reading this you’ll be able to decide if a strong grip may work for you.

What is a Strong Golf Grip?

A strong golf grip has nothing to do with how hard you grip the golf club. Instead, it has to do with the position of your hands. A strong grip requires the golfer’s hands to be rotated away from the target.

Image courtesy of Golf Distillery

How do you know if your golf grip is already strong? Check the position of your knuckles on your left hand. If you can see three or more knuckles, you are already using a strong grip.

Folks with a strong grip normally use one of two finger patterns: the interlocking grip or the overlapping grip. 

With the interlocking grip, the golfer takes the right pinky and interlocks it with the left index finger. With the overlapping grip (aka the Vardon grip), the golfer takes the pinky of the right hand and simply rests it on top of the index finger of the left hand. The choice to overlap or interlock all comes down to the golfer’s personal choice.

Is a Strong Grip Good in Golf?

No golf grip is inherently good or bad. It all depends on what type of golf swing you have. The most important thing is to match your swing type with the correct grip. It’s best to spend lots of practice time using each grip to see which one works best for you.

Just as with the weak and neutral grips, the strong grip has its own set of positives and drawbacks. Here is a brief list of the pros and cons of the strong grip.

Pro #1: Could Lead to Increased Distance off the Tee

Switching to a strong golf grip puts the hands in a more powerful position. This could lead to more yardage off the tee with the driver. The ability to hit the ball further can lead to lower scores on the course.

The strong grip also makes the golf club feel much lighter, which helps generate a little more clubhead speed. With the club feeling lighter, the golfer has better control of the shaft. More control of the golf club often leads to more accurate shots and extra distance.

Pro #2: Helps to Straighten Out Slicers

Most amateur or beginner golfers fight a slice, especially with the larger clubs like the driver, fairway woods, and hybrids. A strong grip helps remedy this common problem. Here’s how:

The strong grip makes it much easier to close the clubface on impact. This is in stark contrast to the weak and neutral grips, which usually make it too easy to hit the ball with an open clubface. The open clubface is what causes the slice. 

Pro #3: Promotes an In to Out Swing Path

The strong grip also encourages an in-to-out swing pattern, which not only helps remedy a slice but makes it easier to hit draws. This is because of the aforementioned closed clubface at impact. The ability to hit a draw can be a huge advantage on the golf course, especially on the holes that have a dogleg left shape to them.

Con #1: Can Result in Hooking

For golfers who have no trouble closing the clubface at impact, a strong grip can lead to hooking. This is not a good thing on the course and can result in lots of lost golf balls and frustration. A wicked hook is just as bad as a nasty slice because neither one will end up in the fairway.

Con #2: Lower Ball Flight

While most golfers, especially slicers, may welcome a lower ball flight, that is not the case for all golfers. The closed clubface that the strong grip promotes usually leads to less trajectory. This isn’t such a problem with the longer clubs but it can negatively affect some golfers’ approach shots with wedges.

Con #3: Less Comfortable

This one comes down to personal preference, as some golfers think the strong grip is more comfortable than the weak or neutral grips. However, some golfers report that their hands get quite a bit sore after switching to a strong grip. This could be due to the extra wrist rotation that occurs with a strong grip.

Many golfers find the strong grip to be very uncomfortable while chipping and putting. For this reason, lots of golfers will use a strong grip for normal shots but a neutral grip for short game shots.

Professional Players Who Use a Strong Golf Grip

There are tons of golfers on the PGA Tour that use a strong grip. Many of which are some of the game’s biggest stars. This just goes to show that a strong grip is not just for beginner golfers.

Dustin Johnson

DJ is one of the best players in the world and has been for quite some time. Johnson has racked up 24 PGA Tour wins, two of which are major championships. The 37-year old uses one of the strongest grips in pro golf because of his 6-4 frame and very large hands.

The strong grip helps keep Johnson’s hands quiet, which allows for his brute strength and extreme flexibility to pummel the golf ball well over 300 yards. Johnson’s strong grip enables him to keep his connection with the golf club throughout his entire swing. 

Zach Johnson

Though Zach Johnson has no relation to Dustin Johnson, they both employ a strong golf grip. The 45-year old has won 12 times on the PGA Tour, including two major championship titles. What is interesting about Johnson’s grip is that it is even stronger than DJ’s, as both of his thumbs are pointed at his right shoulder. 

Johnson may not be one of the longest drivers in pro golf, but he is one of the most accurate. The strong grip and excellent body rotation help Johnson make consistent contact, both off the tee and with his approach shots.

Bubba Watson

We had to put a lefty on our list and Watson is one of the best out there. The former University of Georgia star has used a strong golf grip his entire career. Watson turned pro in 2002 and has won 12 times on the PGA Tour.

Watson’s greatest achievements are his two victories at The Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia. Watson keeps his hands in an extremely strong position, which is pretty uncommon amongst left-handed golfers. Being unconventional has never bothered Watson.

Fred Couples

Couples was one of the most dominant golfers on the PGA Tour in the 1990s. “Boom Boom” won 15 times on the PGA Tour and captured the coveted Masters Tournament title in 1992. Couples still plays on the PGA Tour Champions and his grip is so strong that his wrist cups.

Though he uses an extremely strong grip, Couples only grips the golf club with a small amount of grip pressure. By lightly holding the club, Couples is able to generate his signature smooth swing. This proves that golfers with a strong grip can still have a nice smooth rhythm to their swing.  

Paul Azinger

We can’t mention strong grips without talking about the man with the strongest golf grip of all time. “Zinger” had what is called an ultra-strong grip, which is where you can see all four knuckles on the lead hand. Azinger’s right hand was much more underneath the golf club than most golfers.

The extremely strong grip didn’t hurt Azinger’s career in the least. The Florida State University alum scored 12 wins on the PGA Tour, including the 1993 PGA Championship. Azinger is now one of the most popular commentators on the Golf Channel.

Who This Grip is Best Suited For

Lots of golfers can benefit from trying out a stronger grip. However, a strong grip is not for everyone. Check out the below list for the folks that may benefit the most from a strong grip.

1. Golfers who struggle with a slice
2. Golfers who want to increase their driving distance
3. Folks who want to hit more draws
4. People who want more control during their backswing
5. Golfers who have trouble closing the clubface
6. Those who need to make more consistent contact
7. Those who want a swing that relies less on timing
8. Folks with fast hips

The Other Types of Golf Grips

Have you tried the strong grip in the past and didn’t feel comfortable with it? If that is the case, consider using a weak grip or a neutral grip. Here’s a brief rundown of each of those.

Weak Golf Grip

The weak grip is the exact opposite of the strong grip. Instead of both the right thumb and left thumb pointing at the right shoulder, with the weak grip they point at the left shoulder. With a weak grip, the golfer will only see one knuckle on their left hand while addressing the golf ball.

Golfers who love the weak grip claim that it helps them hit the ball a lot higher than the other two grips. PGA Tour pros like Jon Rahm use the weak grip to hit those long, power fade drives. A weak grip normally works well for golfers with slow hips.

Neutral Golf Grip

The neutral grip is a happy medium between the weak and strong grips. With a neutral grip, the thumbs point right at the golfer’s face instead of either his right or left shoulder. Golfers with a more medium hip speed may benefit the most from a neutral grip. 

When using a neutral grip, the golfer will be able to see two knuckles on his left hand during his setup. The neutral grip usually works best for golfers with excellent swing mechanics. PGA Tour legends Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods are both big proponents of the neutral golf grip.

Mike Noblin

Mike has been involved with sports for over 30 years. He’s been an avid golfer for more than 10 years and is obsessed with watching the Golf Channel and taking notes on a daily basis. He also holds a degree in Sports Psychology.

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Are you constantly hitting a snap hook off the tee? 

Do your iron shots miss to the left also? 

If so, you may be suffering the effects of a left hand golf grip that is too strong.

If your left hand is gripping the golf club too strong, it can cause issues with your golf game. Learn more about what causes this problem and how to fix it. Having a good grip is essential if you want to improve as a golfer.

What is a Strong Left Handed Golf Grip?

There is an easy way to tell if you have a strong left handed golf grip. Take your normal grip on the golf club and line up like you are about to take a full golf swing. While in the address position, count how many knuckles you can see on your left hand.

If you can see three knuckles or more on your left hand, you have a strong left hand golf grip. Beginner golfers are often taught by golf instructors to employ a strong left hand grip with the hopes that it will help them avoid a slice. To make a strong left-hand grip work, the golfer must use a ton of body rotation.

How a Strong Left Hand Grip Can be Problematic

Though there are several pro golfers on the PGA Tour that use a strong left hand grip, it won’t work well for the majority of beginner golfers. Here is why a strong left hand grip can be problematic.

1. It Can Cause Golfers to Hook the Golf Ball

Probably the most common problem of using a left hand grip that is too strong is hooking the ball. Why does this happen?

When a strong grip is used, the left wrist often snaps the clubface shut just before making contact with the golf ball. This causes the ball to go left most of the time and results in inaccurate shots and lots of frustration.

2. Lower Ball Flight

Golfers who prefer stronger grips often hit the ball much lower than folks who use a neutral grip or a weak grip. This happens because a strong grip delofts the golf club, which naturally causes a much lower ball flight.

A lower ball flight may not sound like that big of a deal, especially when talking about the larger golf clubs like the driver and fairway woods. However, a lower ball flight can impede a golfer’s ability to hit accurate iron shots. This is especially true with the wedge shots that are close to the green.

3. Short Game Problems

Another huge problem that a strong golf grip can cause has to do with the golfer’s short game. Many golfers who use a strong left hand grip have a hard time hitting accurate chip and pitch shots. It’s tough to generate enough spin on all short game shots when using a strong grip.

As with a full golf swing, the wrist position with a strong grip delofts the club. This makes it difficult to hit any type of high chip shot. A strong grip also makes the clubface harder to control which is very detrimental to the short game.

How to Fix It

If you are hitting the golf ball just fine with a strong left hand grip and shooting low scores, don’t mess with what you are doing. There is no reason to fix something that is working well for you. 

However, if you’re fighting a hook, hitting the ball too low, or struggling with your chipping, here’s how to fix your grip.

1. Put the Left-Hand Knuckles in Neutral Position

Instead of having three or more knuckles on the left hand visible at address, try weakening your grip slightly so that only two knuckles can be seen. If you can see two to two and a half knuckles at address, this is a neutral left-hand grip, which is our goal.

With a strong left hand grip, you won’t be able to see your left thumb because it is tucked on the other side of the shaft. However, with a neutral left-hand grip, you should be able to see your left thumb.

2. Use the Correct Right-Hand Grip

Instead of seeing no knuckles on the right hand like with a strong grip, you should see one or one and a half knuckles when moving to a neutral grip. This will make it much easier to use either an interlocking grip or an overlap grip style.

3. Check the V’s

When working on a grip change, it’s vitally important to check which way your V’s are pointing. Not sure what we mean by V’s?

When gripping the golf club, each index finger and thumb form a V shape. If your hands are in a truly neutral position, the V of both hands will point at your right shoulder.

4. Practice, Practice, PRACTICE!

Undergoing a grip change is a tremendous challenge, especially if you have been using the same type of grip for years. The best way to get comfortable with a new grip is to spend more time at the driving range.

PGA Tour legends like Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods all went through grip changes at various points in their illustrious careers. You can bet they each spent countless hours on the practice range while getting used to their new grip.

Mike Noblin

Mike has been involved with sports for over 30 years. He’s been an avid golfer for more than 10 years and is obsessed with watching the Golf Channel and taking notes on a daily basis. He also holds a degree in Sports Psychology.

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Talk to Jack Nicklaus, and he will tell you that the motorcycle grip is hurting your game. The Golden Bear knows what he is talking about, but it has worked for several great players throughout history. Therefore, in this post, I analyze the pros and cons of a strong golf grip.

I will explain how a stronger grip boosts your clubhead speed and promotes a draw. Conversely, we will look at the downside of this setup.

Pros of a Strong Golf Grip

Increases Power

The average golfer should be pleased to note that a tight golf grip boosts power during your swing. The extra forefingers on the golf club equip you with the control to accelerate clubhead speed and generate a powerful strike through impact.

As a result, it increases your chance of transferring that energy to the dimples for maximum ball speed. This launches the golf ball into the air and promotes maximum distance.

Promotes A Draw Shape

The second positive of a strong grip is the pleasing shape of your shots. Golf coach Steve Johnston explains that this setup prompts an in-to-out swing creating a closed club face leading into contact. This generates the sidespin required for a draw. In other words, your ball curves from right to left as a right-hand golfer or left to right for a lefty:

A draw can enhance the control of each shot. You can replicate your setup and bank on the ball flying to the left. Therefore, you produce consistent results.

However, a draw is specifically efficient on doglegs or in wind. If you are a right-hander, you can employ this shape for a right to the left-hand dogleg or a breeze in the same direction. Furthermore, it enables you to play with the obstacles and not against them.

Low Ball Flight

The angle of the closed clubface at impact promotes a lower trajectory than when you use a weak grip. A strong grip prompts you to operate with a forward press setup. This means that your hands are ahead of the ball, positioning you to strike the ball with a closed face.

Closing your face at impact delofts the club and leads to a lower launching ball. That benefits golfers who tend to produce excess spin and balloon their shots. In addition, it helps you reduce the impact of the breeze when you are playing into the wind.

Finally, a lower trajectory means the ball is carrying less backspin rpm. The advantage of this outcome is that your ball creates optimal forward roll, to continue running once it lands. This boosts your total distance, especially on dry, firm fairways.

Less Spin

Closing the angle of your clubface at impact helps you reduce backspin rpm. This is ideal for windy conditions and golfers who naturally generate excess spin. The stronger lofted clubface takes spin off your ball, resulting in a low launch.

Increased Distance

Increased clubhead speed and power improve your ability to pass that velocity onto the golf ball. Achieving that helps you launch your dimpled ball far down the fairway.

This grip sends your ball along a lower trajectory which creates forward momentum. As a result, your ball hits the ground rolling to increase your total distance.

Cons of a Strong Golf Grip

Hooks

There are few things prettier than a well-executed draw. Unfortunately, closing your clubface through impact raises the risk of hooking your ball into the woods. This tops the list of disadvantages of a strong golf grip.

If your rhythm and tempo are off, it can lead to you closing the clubface relative to your target. Your ball starts off traveling towards your marker before hooking viciously to the left.

Rick Shiels explains that one of his students would open his clubface at address to compensate for the imminent right to left shape. However, his strong left-hand still caused the face to close and the ball to travel left:

The point is that a hook shape is challenging to shake if you lack control of the club with a firm grip.

Reduced Control

It sounds strange that a fastened hold on your club reduces control. However, it limits the ability of some golfers to keep the club on plane for an accurate strike. That is why amateurs produce erratic hooks. On the contrary, weak golf grips cause players to leave their clubface open to your swing path, prompting slices.

Lower Launch

Low ball flight is welcomed in windy conditions and by players who generate excess backspin at impact. The opposite goes for those with slow swing speeds. A low launch and reduced spin results in a loss of carry and total distance.

You may get lucky on dry courses where the ball runs free, but manicured layouts are a different ball game. These golf courses have lush fairways and rough that reduce roll. Therefore, a loss of carry distance will leave you well back from where you need to be.

Who Should Use This Style of Grip?

Serial Slicers

Amateurs commonly struggle with slices. They leave the clubface open to the target at contact, generating a clockwise sidespin. This means your ball will fly from left to right for right-handers, with the opposite result for lefties.

Strengthening the grip helps these golfers combat their open clubface predicament. Plus, it prompts a draw flight. The risk of this approach is setting yourself up for a hook.

Distance Seekers

Golfers seeking extra yards in your game should hit a few balls with a strong grip. The increased power and clubhead speed generation boosts your chances of producing rapid ball speed and optimal distance.

High Spin Generators

Producing excess backspin rpm on long game shots is detrimental to your total yardage. The additional spin sends your ball higher into the sky and immediately back to earth. The steep descent angle causes your ball to land softly and stop rapidly.

These qualities are desirable for short iron and wedge shots but not in your long game. Tightening your grip promotes a delofted clubface at impact, which reduces backspin. As a result, you produce piercing ball flight for maximum control and distance.

Windy Conditions

A tight grip is worth considering when you are playing in windy conditions. It is in your interests to keep the ball low and take the wind out of play. The reduced loft of your clubface at contact helps you to fly the ball under the radar to maximize yardage in these conditions.

Golf Pros Who Use a Strong Grip

What do Zach Johnson, Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson, and David Duval have in common? Sure, they all won Major titles, but they are bonded by their strong golf grip.

Ben Hogan also operated with a tight grip at the start of his career. He later adjusted it to represent a neutral setup.

Is it Better to Have A Strong Grip?

Despite a handful of positives emanating from a strong grip, the reality is it is not the best setup to employ. A neutral position with fewer visible knuckles is where you should start. This creates the best platform for you to keep your clubhead on path and square the face at impact.

However, if a neutral grip causes you to slice your ball, a tight hold helps you compensate for an open clubface at contact. Strengthening your grip encourages the club to strike the ball with a closed face, promoting a right-to-left shape. Therefore, in that instance, the motorbike grip is better.

Furthermore, golfers who balloon their shots with a weaker grip should test a tighter setup. The closed clubface through impact works to reduce backspin rpm and deliver piercing ball flight. This improves your control and increases your distance.

Does A Strong Grip Promote A Draw?

A fastened grip tends to induce an inside-out golf swing, which causes you to close your clubface relative to your swing path. This angle generates a counterclockwise spin, sending the ball left to right for left-handers and the opposite for right-handed golfers.

However, a firm grip does not guarantee a draw. If your rhythm and tempo are off, the clubface could close relative to the target and deliver a hook.

How do I know if my grip is too strong?

Rick Shiels suggests that it is easy to identify whether your grip is firm. If the back part of your left hand is visible as a right-hander, it is the first sign of a tight grip. Furthermore, your right hand is typically placed too far underneath. In other words, no knuckles are visible on the right mitt:

Besides, following Shiel’s advice, you can tell from pure feel is your grip is too tight. Plus, your knuckles may be turning white.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years.

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