Interlock vs overlap

[hypergolf]

I have been playing golf for the past 1 year and 4 months now and have been using interlock grip from start till now. My recent scores were consistent in the mid 90's when I used the interlock grip. For the first time yesterday, I decided to use the overlap (vardon) grip just for the fun of it. To my surprise I had much better control and distance gain was slightly more than 2 clubs... (Hitting 7 iron distance with 9, 5 iron distance with 7 and etc) For the first time I broke my 90 and had a score of 86... Has anyone experienced this? Any logical explanation to this overall improvement??? Thanks.

[Sandy]

Originally Posted by hypergolf

Has anyone experienced this? Any logical explanation to this overall improvement??? Thanks.

For the first 6 months I played I used the ten finger grip and everything else I tried felt awful and totally unnatural. Then one day, down at the range, I grabbed a club and tried the overlap grip and it just felt right - and the shots I was hitting provided further proof as they were much more powerful and just felt way more controlled than I'd ever managed. When I tried going back to the ten finger grip it felt wrong and I've never gone back. I have absolute NO idea why it happened!

[BStone]

I have always used the interlock grip, I have smaller hands, so this gives me more control and distance than the overlap. I did try using the overlap grip for a season and just could not get the hang of it.

[MGP]

I started a friend who I'm teaching to play with the interlocking grip since that's what I've always used. He was hitting the ball pretty weak but swing speed and path was OK. I showed him the overlap grip and he immediately started blasting the ball a lot higher and farther. His hands are bigger than mine so I guess this makes sense.

[King Par]

I used a baseball bat grip for when I was first starting.. I tried interlocking one day and it felt so much more pure.

[Dewey_1011]

i have been using the overlap grip for about a year now , I didn't see a big distance change but feel and consistency was a lot better.

[PhillyEagle]

When I first started playing I used the interlock grip, and I used that for about a year. After that I switched to overlap and I'm so comfortable using it now. I keep reading about 'interlock being better for smaller hands' but I can't seem to find the grip with interlock. Everytime I try it out, I always end up with my left hand ridiculously strong and I start hooking everything. My hands are definitely small, but overlap has won out so far.

[BigJim13]

Originally Posted by tmag

I have always used the interlock grip, I have smaller hands, so this gives me more control and distance than the overlap. I did try using the overlap grip for a season and just could not get the hang of it.

Same here, I am a big guy but for some reason have small hands. I cant seem to get a good feel with the overlap, plus when I was a kid just starting out I read an instruction book in which Jack said he used the interlock. I switched then and there and havent looked back. The man won 18 majors so he must know something

[BStone]

Originally Posted by BigJim13

Same here, I am a big guy but for some reason have small hands. I cant seem to get a good feel with the overlap, plus when I was a kid just starting out I read an instruction book in which Jack said he used the interlock. I switched then and there and havent looked back. The man won 18 majors so he must know something

Tiger uses the interlock as well in part for the same reason that you mentioned. 30 majors between them, not too shabby.

[Clugnut]

Switched from interlock to overlap last year. I took a while, but it feel very natural now. More consistent with the overlap.

[irfan]

baseball, then interlock.. then i think i hyperextended my pinky somehow so now im trying the overlap

[hypergolf]

Since it is public holiday here today, I woke up early to be at the course right before sunrise to tee off. I needed to verify if this new grip really improved my game overnight. Guess what... It wasn't a fluke... I scored 85 today, one shy from 84 to get my new set of irons.

I realized that by using the vardon grip my left wrist was considerably more firm and steady where as my right wrist could be more relaxed making it easier to release at impact. It not only improved my distance and consistency for long games but also for the short games. I was able to park the ball closer to the hole, due to more stable left wrist I think, with wedge shots resulting in a lower score.

I guess I now need to work on putting since that is the reason why I could not break 84... I am not saying that vardon grip is better than interlock or vice versa because it's up to the individual's preference, but I realized how a small thing like grip style can drastically improve one's performance... Also I found some interesting readings regarding grips as shown below. Enjoy.

The Most Common Golf Grips: How to Hold the Handle

The hands must work together as a single unit when striking a ball with power. There are three common and fundamentally sound grips from which to choose, which are pictured below.

In addition to the type of grip you choose, another characteristic of a sound grip is light grip pressure. Gripping the club too tight can cause thin, weak shots that slice. A lighter grip enhances wrist hinge - a vital power source in the swing. This light pressure also increases the amount of clubface rotation, thus improving your chance of squaring the club at impact.

On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is light and 10 is tight, I recommend a pressure of 4 or 5. This allows the club to be swung with power and control. At address, feel relaxed and tension-free in your hands and forearms.

Sam Snead said, "Hold the club as if you had a little baby bird in your hand." This pressure, combined with the proper placement of the hands on the handle, will give you your greatest chance to produce longer, straighter shots.

The Vardon Overlap is the most common grip among great players. Harry Vardon popularized this grip around the turn of the 20th century. This grip places the club in the fingers and is the most preferred grip among top golf instructors.
To place your hands on the handle using the Vardon Overlap, take the little finger on the trailing hand and place it between the index and middle finger on the lead hand. The lead hand thumb should fit in the lifeline of the trailing hand

The next most common grip is called the Interlock. This grip is very popular on the LPGA Tour and has been used by many top male players including Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. This grip literally locks the hands together but one also runs the risk of having the handle stray into the palms of the hands. People with small hands, weak forearms and wrists and beginners in many cases prefer this style of grip.To use the Interlock grip, take the little finger on the trailing hand and intertwine it with the index finger on the lead hand. The lead hand thumb should fit in the lifeline of the trailing hand.

The Ten Finger grip is the least preferred grip among teachers, however it has its advantages. Hall of Fame Member Beth Daniel, PGA TOUR members Bob Estes and Dave Barr and Masters Champion Art Wall Jr. have all used the Ten Finger grip. Teachers often suggest this grip to beginners as it simplifies early instruction. People who experience joint pain, have arthritis or small, weak hands often benefit by using the Ten Finger grip.

To position your hands properly using a Ten Finger grip, start with a perfect lead hand grip, then place the little finger of the trailing hand close against the index finger of the lead hand. Cover the lead hand thumb with the lifeline of the trailing hand.

TIGER WOODS: How I play golf (Time Warner Books, Page 91)

My Right Hand Is My Speed Hand

The right-hand grip is similar to that of the left hand. The main difference is the club is placed more along the fingers. The handle should run from the middle portion of your right index finger to the base of your pinkie. This activates your right hand so it can supply speed on the downswing.

Why I Interlock: As a little boy, I was taught the interlocking grip, the little finger of my right hand laced between the forefinger and middle finger of my left hand. That's how Jack Nicklaus, my idol, did it, and I copied him. It gives me the feeling that my hands can't separate during the swing. I'm in the minority though. Most players prefer the overlapping grip, with the little finger of the right hand placed riding in the notch formed by the left forefinger and middle finger. My feeling is, either way is really just fine.

[Greydawg]

I realize I'm comparing apples with oranges here,
but I recently starting using an overlapping grip when I putt.
(except I extend my right index finger down the side of the grip)
Seemed to work a little better.
Next time I'm at the range I'll try it with the rest of my clubs.
What the Hell,
at this point I couldn't do any worse!!!

[sidewinder]

My understanding is that the interlocking grip slightly reduces the wrists ability to rotate. This is why some players that use the Vardon grip will use the interlock grip when chipping.

I can use either grip and notice no significant difference between the two. Although I do prefer the Vardon grip from a comfort perspective.

I submit that if changing from the interlock to Vardon grip makes a significant change in your scoring for the positive immediately, something else caused the improvement. It's not like you learned something new overnight. Something psychological is my guess....

S-

[extremeVFT03]

i likE the overlaping grip but i seem to hook badly when useing that grip. i have small fat hands so im like in the middle it feels like on the grip standpoint