Matt Kuchar Grip

Pros and Cons of Every Golf Grip Style

Best Grip? Overlapping vs Interlocking

Grip style: Vardon (overlapping)

Hand position: Very strong

Putting grip style / hand position: Reverse overlap / neutral

It’s not impossible to play great golf with a strong grip and an upright swing. The combo has worked pretty well for Fred Couples, among others. But for a more natural marriage, study Matt Kuchar’s grip and his flat swing plane.

Kuchar’s grip certainly isn’t the strongest on the PGA TOUR; Couples and Zach Johnson, to name two, display more extreme holds. But Kuchar’s left and right hands are turned markedly to his right as he sets up. The logo on his glove points upward and right of the target, rather than more directly at the target, with the Vs formed by the thumb and forefinger of each hand aimed at his right shoulder.

If Kuchar were to make an upright (vertical) backswing with this grip, he’d have to manipulate the clubface considerably to remain on plane. By taking it back on a very flat (horizontal) angle, his arm rotation keeps the clubface square throughout the swing.

If you expect the Georgia Tech grad to adopt a more conventional method on the greens, think again. Matt Kuchar’s grip and technique with his belly putter are quite unique – he runs the shaft up his left forearm and keeps it there throughout the stroke. It’s amazingly effective.

Kuchar’s hand positions emulate the putting grips of Ernie Els and Justin Rose – reverse overlap with the left forefinger, with the right pinky on top of the left middle finger. Considering the trio’s putting prowess, you might want to give it a try.

Player Profile

Golf Grip Terms

Note: All descriptions are for right-handed golfers.

Vardon / Overlapping Grip: Method of holding the club by placing the right pinky finger on top of the crease between the left index and middle fingers. Named for British golf legend Harry Vardon.

Interlocking Grip: Method of holding the club by wedging or locking the right pinky finger between the left index and middle fingers.

Neutral: Position in which the hands are directly aligned with the clubface. The golfer with a neutral grip can typically see two full knuckles on the back of the left hand when addressing the ball.

Weak: Position in which the hands are rotated left (toward the target) on the club’s handle. The golfer with a weak grip can typically see one full knuckle on the back of the left hand when addressing the ball.

Strong: Position in which the hands are rotated right (away from the target) on the club’s handle. The golfer with a strong grip can typically see more than two full knuckles on the back of the left hand when addressing the ball.

Reverse Overlap Putting Grip: Conventional putting grip style with the left hand above the right and the left index finger extending downward, on top of the fingers of the right hand.

Cross-Handed / Left Hand Low Putting Grip: The right hand is placed at the top of the handle, above the left hand, the opposite of a conventional grip.

Claw Putting Grip: The left hand is placed in the conventional position, at the top of the handle, with the right hand lower on the handle and holding the club between the thumb (on the grip’s underside) and fingers.