Holding a golf club is completely different from holding a baseball bat or a tennis racket. In golf, your grip does one critical job: it controls the clubface. If your grip is wrong, your clubface will be crooked, and you will hit wild, inconsistent shots (like the dreaded slice).

Learning how to grip the golf club correctly might feel awkward at first, but it is the most important fundamental in the entire game. Here is the step-by-step guide to building the perfect golf grip.

Step 1: Aim the Clubface First

Before you even touch the rubber grip, you must make sure the clubface is aiming perfectly straight at your target. If the clubface is twisted to the left or right before you put your hands on it, your swing is doomed before it starts!

Step 2: The Lead Hand (Your Glove Hand)

If you are a right-handed golfer, your left hand is your “lead hand” (this is the hand you wear your golf glove on).

1. Leave Some Space: Do not hold the club all the way at the very top. Leave about an inch of the rubber grip sticking out past your hand. If your palm overhangs the end of the club, you will lose power.
2. The Finger Placement: The grip should run diagonally across your fingers, from the middle of your index finger down to the base of your pinky.
3. The Thumb Placement: Wrap your fingers around and place the meaty, “squishy” part of your palm on top of the grip. Your left thumb should rest slightly on the right side of the shaft.

Step 3: The Trail Hand (Your Lower Hand)

Now it is time to add your right hand (the trail hand).

1. The Hotdog Bun: Think of your left thumb as a hotdog. The meaty, squishy pad of your right hand is the bun. Place your right hand directly over your left thumb so it fits snugly.
2. The Second “V” Checkpoint: Wrap your right fingers around the club. Just like your left hand, the crease (“V” shape) between your right thumb and index finger should also point directly at your right shoulder!

Step 4: Choose Your Connection

How do your two hands connect in the middle? You have three options. There is no “right” way—choose whichever is most comfortable for you:

1. The 10-Finger Grip (Baseball Grip): All 10 fingers touch the grip, and your hands simply rest right next to each other. This is highly recommended for complete beginners or players with small hands.
2. The Interlocking Grip: Take the pinky of your right hand and interlock it with the index finger of your left hand. (Tiger Woods uses this grip!)
3. The Overlapping Grip: Take the pinky of your right hand and simply rest it on top of the gap between your left index and middle fingers.

Step 5: Grip Pressure

How tight should you squeeze the club?

You should hold the club with a 5 out of 10 pressure. Imagine you are holding an open tube of toothpaste—you want to hold it securely enough that it does not drop, but gently enough that you do not squeeze any toothpaste out!

Keep your hands relaxed, point both “V”s to your right shoulder, and swing away!