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 professionals.
The interlocking grip joins the two hands by hooking the lead hand's index finger around the trail hand's little finger, so the two fingers physically interlock rather than simply resting against each other. The rest of the grip follows standard fundamentals: the club runs diagonally across the lead hand's fingers, the trail hand sits on top with its palm facing the target, and knuckle count still determines whether the overall grip is neutral, strong, or weak — interlocking is a hand-connection style, not a grip-strength setting.
The interlocking grip is often recommended for golfers with smaller hands or shorter fingers, because it physically prevents the hands from separating during the swing without requiring extra grip pressure to hold them together. It is also common among players who came from baseball or another sport and find a fully overlapped grip less natural. Two of the most decorated players in golf history, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, both used an interlocking grip, which has made it a popular default recommendation for junior golfers regardless of hand size.
There is no meaningful performance difference between the interlocking, overlapping, and ten-finger grips at the highest levels of the game — all three are represented among elite players. The right choice is whichever connection style lets the golfer maintain light, consistent grip pressure and keep the hands working as a single unit through the swing, rather than fighting to hold the club together.
Example
A junior golfer with small hands switches from a ten-finger grip to interlocking and immediately stops losing the club at the top of the backswing.
Why it matters
Choosing a hand-connection style that matches hand size and comfort lets a golfer maintain light grip pressure instead of over-gripping to compensate for hands that want to separate.
How it shows up on video
The interlocking grip is directly visible in a close-up address shot: the lead index finger and trail pinky finger are woven together rather than simply touching, which distinguishes it from an overlapping or ten-finger grip.
Common mistakes
- Interlocking with large or long fingers, which can feel cramped and encourage excess tension — an overlapping grip may be more comfortable for larger hands.
- Squeezing harder because the fingers are interlocked, defeating the purpose of a connection style that is supposed to reduce the grip pressure needed to keep the hands together.
- Switching grip styles right before a competitive round — a new hand-connection style needs range time to feel automatic before it is trusted on the course.
In SwingVantage Motion Lab
SwingVantage can identify interlocking, overlapping, or ten-finger grip styles from a clear, close-up address frame, though this level of detail requires higher video resolution than general grip-angle checks.
Frequently asked questions
Is the interlocking grip better than the overlapping grip?
Neither is objectively better — both are used by elite players. Interlocking tends to suit smaller or shorter-fingered hands, while overlapping tends to suit larger hands, but personal comfort matters more than any general rule.
Do I need small hands to use an interlocking grip?
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 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 — a common starting point for young children, beginners, and golfers with limited hand or wrist strength.
- Neutral GripA neutral grip has the lead hand rotated so 2–2.5 knuckles are visible at address and the trail hand's palm faces the target — 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 — undersize, standard, midsize, or oversize — is fit to hand size and can also be used to quiet an overactive release: a slightly larger grip tends to reduce excess hand action through impact.
Related guides & benchmarks
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