Golfers will rotate their hands stronger, weaker, more on top or farther underneath when the ball starts misbehaving. Far fewer consider changing the way those hands connect.
In a lesson, I care less about which connection a golfer was taught to use and more about whether that connection survives the swing.
The interlocking grip places the trail-hand pinky between the lead-hand index and middle fingers, with the lead index wrapping around it. That connection is different from hand position. You can interlock with a grip that is neutral, strong or weak, so changing styles is not automatically a cure for a slice, hook or poor contact.
The overlapping, interlocking and 10-finger grips can all work. The question is whether your current method lets you hold the club securely, keep the hands working together and maintain usable pressure throughout the swing. MyGolfSpy’s explanation of the three common golf grip styles provides the basic comparison.
These three signs suggest that an interlocking grip deserves a fair test.
Sign No. 1: Your overlapping pinky never finds a comfortable home
In an overlapping grip, the trail-hand pinky rests over the lead index finger or in the channel between the lead index and middle fingers. For some golfers, that feels natural. For others, the pinky seems perched on top rather than connected to the hands.
You may rebuild the grip several times before every shot. The pinky may slide toward the knuckle, dig into the lead hand or feel as though it could fall off once the club moves. Golfers with shorter fingers or smaller hands sometimes experience this but hand size alone is not the decision. Comfort and stability matter more than a glove label.
Make your normal overlapping grip and perform three slow-motion swings without a ball. Stop at waist high, the top and the finish. If the trail pinky keeps searching for a new position or the hands develop a visible gap, an interlock may create a cleaner fit.
The fingers should connect without being jammed together. A deep interlock that pinches can be as disruptive as an unstable overlap.
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Sign No. 2: Your hands separate when the swing gets longer or faster
A grip can feel acceptable during a waggle and still fail once speed enters the motion. This often appears when a golfer moves from a wedge to a driver.
Does the trail hand slide farther under the handle? Does the lead thumb become exposed? Does the trail pinky tighten during transition? Those are signs that the connection is changing while the club moves.
An interlocking grip can give the hands a more defined link and help preserve their relationship from address to the finish. It does not make the hands passive. It gives them a better chance to function as a unit.
Use face-on video and hit five shots with impact spray. If the connection changes and your strike or start line changes with it, testing an interlock is reasonable.
If the hands remain connected but the face is still unpredictable, the issue may be hand placement, wrist conditions or motion rather than grip style. MyGolfSpy’s clubface-control drills are the better next step in that case.
Sign No. 3: You have to squeeze the club to feel secure
When the overlap feels loose, many players add pressure with the thumbs, forefingers and trail hand. The club feels safer but the hands and forearms become rigid. The golfer has solved the sensation of slipping by creating excess effort before the swing begins.
The interlock can provide security through connection rather than pressure, especially when the golfer can build the same grip repeatedly and maintain it as speed increases.
Do not assume the grip style is responsible until you inspect the equipment. A worn, slick or incorrectly sized club grip can force a golfer to squeeze regardless of how the fingers connect. MyGolfSpy’s guide to matching club-grip size to your hands addresses that separate fitting issue.
Try the interlock only after the handle and glove provide reasonable traction. The goal is to hold the club securely without unnecessary tension.
Run an “A-B-A” grip test before you switch
Do not judge a new grip after three uncomfortable swings. Test it against the grip you already use.
With an 8-iron and one target, hit six shots using your normal overlap, six with the interlock and six more with the overlap. Use the same routine and a controlled full swing. Record:
- How easily you built the grip the same way each time.
- Whether pressure stayed stable from address to the finish.
- How many shots produced solid contact and started in your intended window.
Repeat the test during two more practice sessions and then use a longer club. The interlock should earn its place through better security, equal or improved contact and less need to manipulate the hands. One unusually long shot is not enough evidence.
Expect the new connection to feel different. Do not accept pinching, joint discomfort, numbness or a grip that forces the hands into an unnatural position. Those are reasons to stop.
The best connection method is the one you can build consistently and forget once the club starts moving. If your overlap never fits, changes under speed or requires excessive pressure, the interlocking grip may be the more functional choice.
Test it carefully, let the strike and start line provide the verdict and then commit to one style long enough to make it familiar.
The post 3 Signs You Should Switch To An Interlocking Grip appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
Article Link: https://mygolfspy.com/news-opinion/instruction/3-signs-you-should-switch-to-an-interlocking-grip/