Interlocking Grip
The interlocking grip links the lead hand's index finger with the trail hand's pinky finger, weaving the two hands together — 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. 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 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 recommendation 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
Motion Lab does not identify grip styles. It follows the joints of one athlete and cannot see whether your lead index finger and trail little finger are linked. A phone at chest height is also too far away for that detail. Take a close-up photo of your hands at address to confirm the interlock.
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 recommendation for smaller hands. But many players with average or large hands use it comfortably as well — Tiger Woods is a well-known example.
Related terms
- Overlapping Grip (Vardon Grip)The overlapping (Vardon) grip rests the trail pinky between the lead hand's index and middle fingers. The pinky does not interlock or wrap fully 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. It is a common starting point for young children, beginners, and golfers with limited hand or wrist strength.
- Neutral GripA neutral grip shows 2–2.5 lead-hand knuckles at address, with the trail palm facing the target. It is 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 is fit to hand size, from undersize to oversize. A slightly larger grip can also quiet an overactive release by reducing hand action through impact.
Related guides & benchmarks
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