Complete Game Changer
 

I started playing around early to mid-summer last year, so just over a year and a half. I have never been comfortable using anything other than the two hand (baseball) grip when swinging. I don't think I've seen another golfer use this grip and am pretty sure that no pro golfers use it, so I figured there was something to using the overlap or interlock. Well I tried using these other two every once in a while at the range and liked the overlap more, but just couldn't get comfortable enough with it. When I worked at the pro shop at Dick's this summer, I would hit in the simulator when business was slow and use nothing but the overlap grip. It was a slow progression but I became more accustomed to the new grip.

Well today was the first time I've played on a course in about 3-4 weeks and decided it was time to try the overlap grip. My buddy and I only played 9 holes, but there was a major difference in my game today. I usually hit a slight fade with my driver that goes about 250 yards with roll. Today was nothing but straight drives, with multiple ending in the 260-270 range. But the biggest difference was with my irons. Again, I usually hit a slight fade but was hitting them straight and sometimes with a little draw. And I was getting more yardage with my irons than I'm used to, which I'm a fan of. But unfortunately, I was flying greens a lot. I consider my 7 iron to be my 150 yard club. On a 428 yard par 4, I lasered 158 yards to the pin in the middle of the green. So naturally, I pulled out my 7 iron hoping to make it to the front of the green and bounce up towards the hole. So I hit my approach shot and saw a nice little draw form, but watched it land and stick about 5 feet off the back of the green. I have never hit a 7 iron that far in my life!

I don't know if I was seeing distance gains because of confidence or just making more solid contact consistently, but I really hope these distances and ball flights become the norm instead of the exception. But thank you to those who took the time to read my "epiphany" from today's round. And out of curiousity, which grip do you guys and gals use?

I used a baseball 10 finger grip for a lot of years too. I tried the overlap but can't get used to it...I use the interlock grip now.

I learn to play golf with a ten finger but switched to overlap in my late teens. There is nothing wrong with playing a ten finger grip but having the hands connected is highly recommended.. Glad your gamed moved to another level with the new grip

I use the interlock grip. Have tried the 10 finger baseball grip but it was just not for me. Glad you found something that helped!

Congrats on the great find on your grip g.g, I am excited for you and hope you keep us posted on your progress as this grip becomes more and more comfortable.

I also used the 10 finger grip for most of golf life until about 5 years ago i switched to the overlap.

I used 10 finger grip for over 10 years and switch to the overlap a little over a year and half ago and won't be going back. It definitely made me a better ball striker, couldn't tell ya why though!

Great to hear that the new grip clicked for you.
I've used the Vardon grip http://golf.about.com/cs/golfterms/g..._vardongri.htm since I started years ago.
I've attempted the interlocking but it felt uncomfortable to me.
Good Luck on your following rounds.

A few things came up during my 1st ever lesson earlier this spring and one of them was my 10 finger grip. The pro highly suggested I use one of the other two methods. I had messed around with overlap and interlock on my own before but never felt comfortable with it. So, I did. I used it for the lesson, 2 buckets afterwards, and a pre-round bucket the next day. I proceeded to lose 8 balls on the first 5 holes. Now, I know you're thinking it could've been any number of things that we worked on and not enough time for any changes to have an effect but I returned to my 10 finger on hole 6 and bombed a 3 wood over a creek I had intended to lay up short of and did not lose a ball, or shoot badly, the rest of the round. I continue to work with my grip but, as of now, I'm still a 10 finger guy.

I learned how to play using the baseball grip and switched to interlocking many years ago. I won't be going back. I'm glad you found something that works for you. It's not easy changing grips.

I have started using the Vardon grip some when the course is slow and I'm starting to like it with short irons and wedges. I've been whacking so many balls lately that I don't notice until after a few swings that I'm interlocking or overlapping my fingers when playing softball. lol

I was taught to play with the overlap but switched to the interlock because it was more comfortable for me and was also more consistent.

Ken

I started with the 10 finger, then used the overlap and now I am trying the interlock.

Started playing with the interlocking grip (if it's good enough for Nicklaus...) around 12 years old and switched to the Vardon just a couple years later. I've used it for close to 20 years now and have never been tempted to change.

Shanked with my Galaxy S2 using Tapatalk

Congrats on your success. I have always used an interlocking grip and I've never tried anything else. I even used to interlock grip with my putter and have changed that recently to an overlap grip. It's amazing how something you would think is simple can change your game one way or another.

Interlock here. Glad you found something that works for you. Keep us updated.

I also use the ten finger grip (aka baseball grip). I have toyed on and off with overlap and interlock grips, but I typically revert back to my normal grip. Congratulations on your successful grip change!

~Rock

I have been using the interlock grip, and just switch to the overlap about 2 months ago. I felt like my grip was too weak with the interlock and wanted to try something different. I am now an overlap grip for life.


Just tap it in, just tap it in.

Found one of the "Golf My Way" comic strip collections when I started playing, and saw Jack used the interlock...it's ingrained now, I try anything else and I just get an immediate sense of wrongness.

Thanks for the kind words! It's great how everyone is comfortable with different ways of playing.