Interlocking Grip
The interlocking grip links the lead hand's index finger with the trail hand's pinky finger, weaving the two hands together. This means a popular choice for players with smaller or weaker hands, including many tour pro players.
The two hands are joined by hooking the lead index finger around the trail little finger. As a result, they weave together rather than merely resting against one another. Everything else follows standard fundamentals. This means the club runs diagonally across the lead fingers, the trail palm faces the target, and knuckle count still decides whether the hold is neutral, strong or weak. This is a connection style, not a strength setting.
It is often recommended to players with smaller hands or shorter fingers. This is. This is because it physically stops the hands separating without demanding extra pressure to hold them. It is also common among players from baseball or another bat sport who find the alternative less natural. Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods both used it, which has made it a default advice for juniors regardless of hand size.
There is no meaningful performance difference between the three connection styles at the highest level; all are represented among elite players. The right choice is whichever lets you keep light, consistent pressure and hands working as one unit, rather than fighting to hold the club together.
Example
A junior with small hands weaves the fingers together instead of using all ten on the handle, and immediately stops losing the club at the top.
Why it matters
Matching the style to hand size and comfort keeps pressure light instead of over-squeezing to compensate for hands that want to come apart.
How it shows up on video
It is directly visible in a close-up address frame: the lead index and trail little finger woven together rather than merely touching.
Common mistakes
- Weaving large or long fingers together, which feels cramped and encourages tension — bigger hands are usually more comfortable overlapping
- Squeezing harder because the fingers are linked, which defeats the point of a style meant to reduce the pressure required
- Switching styles right before a competitive round — a new connection needs range time before it can be trusted
In SwingVantage Motion Lab
SwingVantage can identify which of the three styles is in use from a clear close-up frame, though it needs higher resolution than a general angle check.
Frequently asked questions
Is this better than overlapping?
Neither is objectively better — both are used by elite players. It tends to suit smaller or shorter-fingered hands, while overlapping suits larger ones, but comfort matters more than any general rule.
Do I need small hands to use it?
No. It is a common advice for smaller hands. But many players with average or large hands use it comfortably as well. This means Tiger Woods is a well-known example.
Related terms
- Overlapping Grip (Vardon Grip)The overlapping (Vardon) grip rests the trail hand's pinky finger in the groove between the lead hand's index and middle fingers rather than interlocking or fully wrapping around the handle.
- Ten-Finger Grip (Baseball Grip)The ten-finger (baseball) grip places all ten fingers on the handle with no overlap or interlock. This means a common starting point for young children, beginners. Golfers with limited hand or wrist strength.
- Neutral GripA neutral grip has the lead hand rotated. As a result, 2–2.5 knuckles are visible at address and the trail hand's palm faces the target. This means the "middle" grip position that squares the face without extra hand manipulation.
- Grip PressureGrip pressure is how tightly the hands hold the club. Most instructors recommend a light-to-moderate pressure — enough to hold the club securely, loose enough to allow wrist hinge and a free release.
- Grip SizeGrip size. This means undersize, standard, midsize, or oversize. This means is fit to hand size and can also be used to quiet an overactive release. This means a slightly larger grip tends to reduce excess hand action through impact.
Related guides & benchmarks
Put this into your swing
SwingVantage can spot this in your own swing — free to start.
See a sample Golf report first