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I was watching the final round of the Wachovia Championship this morning….and naturally because Anthony Kim was leading all eyes were on him. On one hole Anthony hit his drive into a fairway bunker. Then they showed his fairway bunker shot. After that they replayed the swing in slow-mo and the commentator made special note about his grip. You see Anthony uses an inter-locking grip. Some pretty good golfers use this grip as well e.g. Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus.
But what interested me was the commentator stating that with young golfers now swinging so fast this will be the golf grip of the future because it helps to keep the grip together while swinging fast. The funny thing is….in the weekend I was doing some redecorating on our bathroom and I cut my left index finger quite badly. I was thinking how I was going to swing the golf club with this injury. I had a few swings using the interlocking grip. By doing that I found I could swing and not hurt my finger. So I’ll be forced to use that grip for the next couple of weeks while my finger heals.
From the few swings I had the commentator may be right….it might help to keep the hands together better when swinging fast. It seems to work pretty well for Anthony Kim. He seems to have all the attributes to be a real challenger for Tiger.
I hope so. It would be fun to see someone consistently putting Tiger to the test.
P.S. Here’s some pictures showing you the differences between an interlocking golf grip, vardon golf grip, baseball golf grip etc.
Vardon/Overlapping Grip
Interlocking Grip
Baseball Grip
Tags: Anthony Kim, Golf Grip
May 5th, 2008 at 12:07 am
Nick, sorry to hear anout your accident. You sound like me, I always hurt my self on DIY projects and I do not use the interlocking grip. Was surprised to hear you did not use the ILG. Will have to give it a try on the range, since I need more distance. Never felt comfortable interlocking my fingers. Bill
May 5th, 2008 at 12:47 am
How often does good come out of bad (finger will soon fix])let us know how you like the ilg. might be easier to keep grip pressure light and constant cheers neville
May 5th, 2008 at 1:09 am
How things change!When I was young I adopted the interlock but was talked out of it by one of Australasias top coaches.
Now due to arthritis I can’t use it,but encourage youngsters down that track.As you say the possibly the two best ever have that in common and different from the majority!
May 5th, 2008 at 4:31 am
G’day Nick,
They say the only dumb question is the one you don’t ask.So here goes.
When I started playing golf ( 50 years ago)I was taught the Vardon grip, where the small finger of the right hand ( for right handers) interlocks with the left index finger. I’ve always referred to a grip that doesn’t overlap or interlock as a baseball grip.
So is that the grip you’re writing about, or is it something new ?
Apologies if that is a dumb question with an obvious answer.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Almost had to quit golf a few years ago, had too much pain in fingers ( age 60+ ). Tried most everything, padded grips, on mid to long irons went to graphite from rifle shafts, used hankerchief to reduce grip tension, discovered much reduced pain with baseball grip instead of interlocking. Not practicing as much and handicap up a couple of strokes, but havn’t missed a Sat morn teetime yet. Hope you youngsters can enjoy the interlocking grip as long as possible. Happy golfer, Waymon Little, Arlington, Texas.
May 5th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
I tested out the interlocking grip yesterday and it felt pretty good. It did feel like my hands were together more as I was swinging. It will take some time to keep using it long term and I don’t know if I will. But it’s good for a change. And Graeme, I have some just posted some pictures (under the original blog post) that show the interlocking grip, vardon grip, baseball grip etc.
May 6th, 2008 at 5:49 am
Hey Nick, You know we golfers must protect our hands at all cost.
What about the Natural Golf grip, Ala, Moe Norman. I’ve been working with it for about 3 weeks, I’m liking it more and more.
You might give it a test, It could help your hand
Jerry
May 12th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Hello Nick some time ago I broke the knuckel on my right hand,the little finger and ring finger and I too switched to the Tiger grip.I also use the same grip for putting.What are your thoughts on the qualities of this grip for putting purposes.best regards Patrick
May 12th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Patrick, I don’t have any thoughts either way as far as using the interlocking grip for putting. If it works for you then keep using it.
-Nick
May 17th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Nick, I have tried this grip from time to time and find that it always feels like the grip is loose.I use an oversize grip 1/32nd., my fingers are long and I thought that was creating the feeling of loose. What do you think?
Ed/v
May 18th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Hi Ed, I agree now. It’s strange how this grip feels more loose. I’m going back to the overlapping grip now that my finger has healed.