In this article I will present some free golf tips for beginners on the golf grip positions. These tips are also for the more experienced golfer that needs to re-evaluate their grip. From the description of the different grip types and positions, you might be able to identify a swing fault such as a slice and learn how to fix it.

The three basic grip types are the interlocking grip, the overlapping grip, and the ten finger grip (or baseball grip.) Each grip has three different grip angles; distance, neutral, and control. There are also three different grip strengths; a weak, strong, or neutral grip. The grip you should use will depend on your strength, hand size, finger length, and how you want to shape your shot - just find the grip that suits you and that is comfortable.

The Three Grip Styles

The ten finger grip is not recommend for most golfers as the overlapping or interlocking grips are far more adaptable. This grip gives you good leverage and is a substitute grip that can be used by children or women. The disadvantage is that it produces less club head speed which means less distance.

Considered by many professionals as the best grip to unify your hands, the overlapping grip is ideal if you have larger hands or longer fingers. With this grip, when you bring your right hand under the club, you slide it up and hook your pinkie on top of your left hand index finger or between the index and middle finger.

The interlocking grip is similar to the overlapping grip except that the pinkie of the right hand interlocks with the index finger of the left hand. It is the preferred grip of golfers with small hands or short fingers. With this grip, the tendency is to grip the club in the palm of your right hand instead of at the base of your fingers.

Grip Angles

The distance grip maximizes the wrists flexibility and is good for distance and also offers sensitivity. Place the grip across the base of the fingers, from the base of the index finger to the pad at the base of the little finger on the left hand. The disadvantage is that it requires more strength and skill to keep the club head square through impact.

The neutral grip is most likely the best grip angle for most golfers. This grip runs diagonally from the base of the index finger to a point below the heel pad of your palm. The neutral grip offers a good compromise between distance and control as you have the most flexibility to undertake any type of shot making.

The last grip angle you can use is the control grip which runs from the base of your index finger to the point on top of your heel pad. This grip gives you maximum control for more accuracy but results in less distance due to less flexibility in the wrists.

3 Grip Strengths

If you want to reduce slicing then try the strong grip which is also good for distance but you won't be able to fade the ball. With this grip you have to rotate your hands so that you will see the "V" made between thumb and forefinger pointing towards your right shoulder. Also, find the hollow between the two tendons in the wrist directly above your thumb and you will see that it is lined up with the right side of your club shaft.

The neutral strength grip is the preferred grip for most golfers. The "V" should now point towards your right ear and the point mentioned before of your wrist lines up with the center of your shaft. With this grip you can move the ball right to left (draw) or left to right (fade.) It requires a bit more strength to square the club at impact.

The weak grip can be used to get rid of a hook. Some disadvantages are that you will not be able to hit a controlled draw and it requires more strength to keep the club head square at impact. Looking down at your left hand, you will see the point in your wrist lined up with the left side of your shaft and the "V" pointing at your chin.

Summary

With these free golf tips for beginners, you now know all the different techniques you can use to grip the club. No matter which of the nine grip styles and positions you use, remember the following points: The palms of your hands should always face each other; the right hand is a fingers only grip and the left hand is a fingers and palm grip; leave half an inch of the grip protruding beyond your left hand when you grip the club; grip the club firmly and with constant pressure throughout the complete golf swing; and your hands will feel unified when they fit snugly together.