Overlapping Golf Grip: Why Pros Use It & How to Perfect Yours

Ever wonder how professional golfers make their swing look so effortless and consistent? The secret often lies in something fundamental: their grip. If your hands feel like they’re fighting each other, leading to frustrating inconsistency, you’re not alone.

The overlapping golf grip, also known as the Vardon grip, is used by over 80% of PGA Tour professionals because it unifies the hands, reduces excess tension in the trail hand, and promotes a more flexible, powerful wrist hinge. This allows for greater consistency and control throughout the golf swing, making it the standard for elite players.

Based on proven techniques and the mechanics used by top players, this guide will show you exactly how to perfect the overlapping golf grip. You will discover the step-by-step process to build a tour-level connection to the club. This change could be the key to unlocking a more consistent and powerful swing.

Why Do Most Pros Use the Overlapping Golf Grip?

The overlapping golf grip, also known as the Vardon grip, is used by over 80% of PGA Tour professionals because it unifies the hands, reduces excess tension in the trail hand, and promotes a more flexible, powerful wrist hinge. This allows for greater consistency and control throughout the golf swing, making it the standard for elite players. For golfers who struggle with over-active hands or too much tension, the Vardon grip—popularized by the legendary Harry Vardon—is a game-changing solution. By taking the trail hand’s powerful pinky finger off the club and resting it on top of the lead hand, the grip encourages the hands to work together as a single, cohesive unit. This unified hand feel is critical for maintaining a square clubface angle through impact. The grip’s design inherently promotes a passive trailing hand, which is key to achieving flexible wrist motion and generating effortless power through a proper release. It’s no surprise that pros like Jordan Spieth and a vast majority of the PGA Tour players rely on this tour-validated method to improve consistency and perform at the highest level.

7 Steps to Perfect Your Overlapping Golf Grip

Now that you understand why the overlapping golf grip is the dominant choice on tour, it’s time to learn how to apply it yourself. Moving from the “why” to the “how” is the most critical step in transforming your game. This section provides a detailed, step-by-step tutorial designed to help you build the grip from the ground up. By following these clear, actionable instructions, you’ll learn the precise mechanics for positioning your lead hand and trail hand, executing the signature overlap, and verifying your setup for a perfect, tension-free connection to the club.

1. Position Your Lead Hand to Secure the Club

Pin this foundational step to your ‘Golf Swing Basics’ board!

The entire grip is built upon the foundation of your lead hand (the left hand for a right-handed golfer). A correct left hand position ensures you can properly support the club and create leverage. Get this step right, and everything else becomes easier.

What You Need

• A golf club (preferably an iron for initial practice)
• A well-fitting golf glove for your lead hand to enhance feel and prevent blisters.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Hold the club out in front of you at a 45-degree angle with the clubface square to your target line.
2. Place your lead hand onto the grip so the handle rests diagonally across your fingers and palm.
3. The grip should start at the base of your index finger and run up to the fleshy heel pad of your palm. This enables wrist hinge.
4. Close your fingers around the handle, then fold the top of your hand over. You should be able to see 2 to 2.5 knuckles of your lead hand when you look down.

Pro-Tip: A common mistake is holding the club too much in the palm. This restricts wrist motion. For a test, you should be able to support the club’s weight with just your lead index finger positioned under the shaft, indicating a correct, finger-and-pad-oriented grip.

2. Place the Trail Hand for a Unified Feel

Save this tip to remember how to unify your hands on the club.

With the lead hand set, the trail hand (right hand for righties) comes in to support and unify the grip. The goal here is to make both hands feel like they are molded together into a single unit, which is essential for achieving a unified hand feel.

What You Need

• Your club with the lead hand already positioned correctly.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. With your lead hand set, bring your trail hand to the club.
2. Keep the fingers of your trail hand open and position the palm to face your target line.
3. Place the lifeline in your trail hand’s palm directly over your lead hand’s thumb. This is critical for creating a unified hand feel.
4. Your trail hand should feel like it’s “marrying” or “molding” over your lead hand, with no gaps between them.

Pro-Tip: To stop trail hand dominance, think of the trail hand as a “passenger” that supports and stabilizes, rather than an “engine” that overpowers the swing. Its primary role is connection, not force. Using this mental cue can help eliminate tension.

3. Execute the Vardon Overlap: The Signature Move

This is the key move! Pin it so you never forget where the pinky goes.

This is the signature move that defines the Vardon overlap grip. It’s a simple action, but the precise placement of the trail hand pinky is what quiets the dominant hand and unifies the swing.

What You Need

• Both hands positioned on the club as described in the previous steps.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. With your trail hand palm covering your lead thumb, simply lift your trail hand’s pinky finger.
2. Rest finger—do not press—the pinky into the natural channel or groove created between your lead hand’s index and middle fingers.
3. The pinky should sit comfortably and without tension. It is not interwoven; it is simply resting on top. This is the Vardon overlap grip.
4. Now, close the rest of your trail hand fingers around the club. The primary pressure points should be in the middle two fingers of your trail hand.

Pro-Tip: For golfers with extremely large hands, a “double overlap” where both the pinky and ring finger of the trail hand rest outside the lead hand can be effective. However, for 99% of players, the standard single-finger overlap grip is correct.

4. Overlap vs. Interlock: Which Grip is Right for You?

Choosing your grip? Pin this comparison to make the right choice!

The most common question golfers ask is: overlap vs interlock? While the overlap is the professional standard, the interlocking grip is also used by legends. Understanding the pros and cons based on your hand size + grip choice is crucial.

What You Need

• An understanding of your hand size (average, large, small) and typical swing tendencies.

Comparison Table

Feature	Overlapping (Vardon) Grip	Interlocking Grip
Best For	Average to large hands. Players seeking flexible wrist motion.	Smaller hands, weaker hands, or players who need maximum connection.
Feel	Promotes loose grip pressure and a passive trailing hand.	Creates a very strong, locked-in unit. Can sometimes create tension.
Pros	Reduces trail hand tension, encourages a natural release, used by most pros.	Hands can’t slip apart, favored by legends like Tiger Woods & Jack Nicklaus.
Cons	Can feel disconnected for beginners or those with small hands.	Can cause discomfort or pressure on the interlocking fingers. May restrict wrist action if held too tightly.
PGA Pro Usage	~80-90% of Tour Professionals	~10-20% of Tour Professionals

Pro-Tip: There is no “wrong” choice, only a “better” choice for you. The best test is to hit 50 balls with each grip. The one that produces more consistent ball flight and feels more comfortable over time is your winner. Don’t fight what feels natural.

5. Check Your Grip Pressure: Not Too Tight, Not Too Loose

Struggling with tension? Pin this guide to find the perfect grip pressure.

One of the main reasons to use the overlap grip is to eliminate tension. Therefore, learning to check pressure is vital. Too much tension restricts your wrist hinge, while too little will cause you to lose control of the club.

What You Need

• Your gripped golf club.
• An imaginary tube of toothpaste.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. The Scale of 1 to 10: Imagine 1 is a grip so loose the club would fall, and 10 is squeezing as hard as you can (“white knuckles”).
2. Find Your Number: Your ideal grip pressure should be a 3 or 4. It needs to be secure enough to control the club, but light enough to allow your wrists to hinge freely.
3. The Toothpaste Test: A classic analogy is to imagine you’re holding a tube of toothpaste. You want to hold it firmly enough that it won’t drop, but not so hard that toothpaste comes out. That’s the feeling you want in your hands.
4. Check Your Forearms: Look at your forearms. If you see veins popping out and muscles tensed, you are squeezing too hard. Relax your arms and shoulders and let the tension go.

Pro-Tip: Grip pressure will and should increase slightly at the top of the backswing and through impact due to physics (vector force alignment). Do not try to maintain a “3” throughout the entire swing. Start at a “3” at address, and let it change naturally. The goal is to AVOID starting with excessive tension.

6. Verify Your “V” Alignment for a Square Clubface

Get your alignment right every time! Pin this essential grip checkpoint.

The way your hands sit on the club directly influences clubface alignment. This simple visual check is a cornerstone of the standardized method of teaching and helps ensure you’re starting from a neutral position, which is key to hitting straight shots.

What You Need

• Your fully-formed overlapping grip.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Find the First ‘V’: Look down at your lead hand. The line formed by the thumb and index finger creates a “V” shape.
2. Find the Second ‘V’: Now look at your trail hand. Its thumb and index finger will also form a similar “V” shape.
3. Check the Alignment: For a neutral grip, both of these “V”s should point roughly to the same spot: a line somewhere between your chin and your trail shoulder (right shoulder for righties).
4. Troubleshooting: If the “V”s point too far to the right of your shoulder, your grip is too “strong” and will tend to cause hooks. If they point too far left toward your lead shoulder, your grip is too “weak” and will tend to cause slices.

Pro-Tip: Don’t obsess over a precise point. It’s a general target area. A great way to check this is to grip the club, take your address position, and then hinge the club up so it’s parallel to the ground. The clubface should be pointing straight up to the sky or very slightly tilted. This confirms a neutral grip alignment.

7. Practice with Drills to Make the Overlap Feel Natural

Practice makes perfect! Pin these drills to build muscle memory.

A new grip will feel unnatural at first. The key is to use specific practice drills to build muscle memory and improve your proprioceptive feedback, or “feel.” This is how you practice transition and make the new hold automatic.

What You Need

• Your golf club
• A mirror (for home practice)
• A bucket of range balls

Drill Steps

1. The Living Room Reps: Simply sit on the couch and practice forming the grip on a club over and over for 5 minutes a day. Don’t even swing. The goal is to build muscle memory so the hand placement becomes second nature.
2. One-Handed Swings: Take your lead arm only and make slow, half-swings. This reminds you of the feel of the club being supported correctly by the lead hand.
3. 9-to-3 Punch Shots: Go to the range and hit 20-30 shots using only a “9 o’clock to 3 o’clock” swing. This small swing isolates the hands and helps you feel the unified hand feel through impact without worrying about power.
4. Eyes-Closed Swings: At home, take your grip and make slow, full practice swings with your eyes closed. This enhances your clubface awareness and forces you to feel the club’s position via your hands, not your eyes.

Pro-Tip: When switching from an interlocking grip, your trail hand pinky will feel “homeless” and insecure for a while. This is normal. It can take 500-1000 balls for the new grip to feel as comfortable as the old one. Be patient and trust the process.

Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to the Overlapping Grip

Here is a quick overview of the most important points to remember as you work on your new grip.

• It’s the Pro Standard for a Reason: The overlapping golf grip (Vardon Grip) is used by 80-90% of pros because it helps eliminate tension and prevents the trail hand from overpowering the swing.
• The Overlap is a “Rest,” Not a “Lock”: Your trail hand’s pinky should rest finger lightly in the channel between the lead hand’s index and middle fingers. It does not interweave.
• Ideal for Average to Large Hands: While anyone can use it, the overlap grip is typically most comfortable and effective for golfers with average-to-large hands, whereas the interlocking grip often suits smaller hands.
• Pressure is Key: Aim for a grip pressure of “3” on a scale of 10. You should be holding the club securely, but with no tension in your hands, wrists, or forearms. Think “firm, not tight.”
• Check Your “V’s”: The “V” shapes formed by your thumbs and index fingers on both hands should point towards your trail shoulder for a neutral grip that promotes a square clubface at impact.
• Patience is Required: Switching grips feels awkward. It can take hundreds of reps for the new overlapping hand position to feel natural. Trust the process and use drills to build muscle memory.

People Also Ask About the Overlapping Golf Grip

Here are answers to some of the most common questions golfers have about the overlapping grip.

Why is it called the Vardon grip?

The overlapping grip is named after the legendary English professional golfer Harry Vardon, who popularized it in the early 20th century. While he may not have been the first person ever to use it, his incredible success—winning The Open Championship a record six times—made the technique famous and led to its widespread adoption. It quickly became the traditional golf grip standard.

Does the overlap grip cause a slice?

No, the overlap grip itself does not cause a slice; a poor application of it can. A slice is typically caused by an open clubface relative to the swing path. If a golfer’s grip is too “weak” (with the “V’s” pointing too far left), it can encourage an open face. However, a neutral overlapping golf grip is actually designed to improve consistency and help square the clubface more reliably than other grips might.

Is the overlapping grip better for large hands?

Yes, the overlapping grip is generally considered better and more comfortable for golfers with average to large hands. Because the pinky rests on top, it requires less “stretching” of the fingers around the club. For players with very large hands, it keeps all fingers in comfortable contact with the club or the other hand, whereas an interlocking grip can sometimes feel cramped or cause the fingers to bunch up.

Can beginners use the overlapping grip?

Absolutely. Beginners can and should try the overlapping grip from day one. Since it is the standard for a vast majority of skilled players, learning it from the start can prevent the need to make a difficult grip change later on. It teaches good habits like minimizing hand tension and encouraging the hands to work as a single unit, which are fundamental to a good swing.

Why does my pinky hurt with the overlap grip?

If your pinky hurts, you are likely creating too much pressure or placing it incorrectly. The pinky should rest lightly in the groove between the index and middle fingers, not be jammed on top of the knuckle. The pain is a sign of excess tension. Try to soften tension in your entire trail hand and ensure you are holding the club primarily with your middle two fingers, letting the pinky be a passive “passenger.”

Should I overlap or interlock?

You should choose the grip that is most comfortable and gives you the most consistent results. Try the overlap vs interlock test: hit 50 balls with each. The overlap grip is generally recommended for those with larger hands seeking less tension. The interlocking grip is often better for those with smaller or weaker hands needing more security. Neither is “wrong”—even legends like Jack Nicklaus used the interlock.

Does Tiger Woods use overlap or interlock?

Tiger Woods is one of the most famous and successful golfers to use the interlocking grip. He, along with Jack Nicklaus, are the primary examples often cited by proponents of the interlock method. This proves that incredible success can be achieved with either grip, reinforcing that personal comfort and results are what matter most.

What are the advantages of an overlapping grip?

The main advantages are reduced grip tension, a more unified feel, and better wrist flexibility. By taking the trail hand’s pinky off the club, it helps fix over-active hands and encourages a more passive role for the dominant hand. This promotes flexibility in the wrists, which can lead to increased clubhead speed and a more powerful, natural release through impact.

How to switch from interlock to overlap?

To switch, be prepared for an adjustment period of a few weeks. Start by making hundreds of practice grips at home without hitting a ball to build muscle memory. Then, go to the range and begin with small “9-to-3” punch shots. Gradually work your way up to full swings. The new grip will feel strange and insecure at first; this is normal. Stick with it for at least 500-1000 shots before judging it.

Can I use the overlap grip for my short game?

Yes, the standard overlapping grip is excellent for all full swings, including irons and wedges. However, for putting, many players (including pros) switch to a “reverse overlap” grip. In a reverse overlap, the lead hand’s index finger rests on top of the trail hand’s fingers. This helps to quiet the wrists even further, which is ideal for the delicate control needed in a putting stroke.

Final Thoughts on Mastering the Vardon Grip

Mastering the overlapping golf grip is a significant step toward building a more consistent, controlled, and powerful golf swing. By embracing this tour-validated technique, you are following in the footsteps of Harry Vardon and the vast majority of today’s top professionals. You are choosing a method that is biomechanically designed to eliminate tension, unify your hands, and allow the club to swing freely and naturally.

Remember that the transition may feel awkward. Your scores might even get a little worse before they get better. This is a sign that you are rewiring old habits and building a better foundation. Be patient, trust the process, and use the drills outlined above to accelerate your comfort and confidence. The goal is to make the Vardon grip so second nature that you no longer think about it, allowing you to focus on what truly matters: your target.

What has been your biggest challenge when trying to change your grip? Share your experience in the comments below

Last update on 2026-03-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API