Pros and Cons of Every Golf Grip Style

Best Grip? Overlapping vs Interlocking
Grip style: InterlockingAdam Scott interlocking grip Hand position: NeutralAdam Scott Neutral grip Putting grip style / hand position: Long putter with hands separated
Adam Scott Long putter grip

Adam Scott

The perfect swing begins with the perfect grip.

Adam Scott grip – like his textbook takeaway, swing plane and follow-through – is a thing of beauty. His left and right hands are square to each other and the clubface. The Vs formed by both thumbs and forefingers are aligned with a point between his right shoulder and his chest’s center. His grip pressure is firm but light.

But even Scott has to work to maintain a proper grip. His natural tendency is to rotate the hands into a strong position, with the Vs pointing closer to his right shoulder. With a swing as finely tune as Scott’s, any deviation can create problems like hooks or a low ball flight.

To make sure his grip is where he wants it, Scott checks the position of his left hand before every shot. Only then does he proceed into his setup.


Scott’s swing has always been the envy of his peers. His putting, not so much. After years of struggling on the greens, Scott switched to a long putter in 2011. Long story short (so to speak), improved putting propelled the Aussie to No. 1 in the world rankings in 2014.

Adam Scott grip with the long putter is simple as can be. He uses the left hand to anchor the top end to his upper chest. His right hand points downward, open and facing the target, gently holding the club between thumb and forefinger while the other fingers dangle to the side. This nearly pressure-free grip allows Scott to sweep the putter effortlessly back and through.

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.
vardon grip interlocking grip
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.
neutral grip weak grip
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.
strong grip reverse overlap
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.
cross handed Claw Grip