If you’ve been playing golf for any length of time, you’re likely familiar with the overlapping grip or even the interlocking grip popularized by legends like Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus. But there’s a lesser-known cousin to these grips—the double-overlap grip—which is used by a few successful professional golfers, most notably PGA Tour pro-Jim Furyk. This golf grip is different from the standard grips and can help improve your golf swing, especially if you regularly pull the ball.
The double overlap golf grip isn’t just another golf grip; it’s a technique that folks might not have heard of before, but once you understand its pros and cons, you might decide to adopt it for yourself. Jim Furyk is known for his unique swing, and part of that is thanks to this amazing grip. By placing two fingers of your trailing hand on top of the fingers of your lead hand, this grip minimizes hand action and promotes a smoother swing.
However, it’s worth noting that in an awkward lie, especially when you need to hit steep or take a big divot, using a fuller grip might be better to avoid injury. I’ve injured the top of my hand a couple of times from a shitty lie, so while I highly recommend giving it a try, be cautious in tricky situations. After all, what have you got to lose?
The double overlap grip is a variation of the Vardon grip that takes your control to a new level. Instead of just resting your right pinkie on your left index finger, as in the traditional Vardon grip, the double overlap grip involves placing your right pinkie on your left middle finger. Additionally, your right ring finger laps over the top of your left index finger. This slight adjustment might feel uncomfortable at first, but it can provide better stability and control over your shots.
One of the top golf instructors, Dave Pelz, who is known for his expertise in the short game, highly recommends practicing the double overlap grip during pitching and chipping drills. This helps you get a better feel for the grip, especially in situations where precision is key. While it may take some time to get used to, the double overlap grip can significantly enhance your short-game performance.
How To Properly Grip The Club With The Double Overlap Grip
A double overlap grip for your golf club that improves control and consistency. This grip is different from regular overlapping in that it emphasizes the interaction between the fingers more. Here’s how to use this grip correctly, step-by-step, for best results.
Position The Trailing Hand
Place your trailing hand (right hand for right-handed golfers) correctly to begin using the double overlap grip. First, place the left index finger on top of the right pinkie finger. By placing the hands in this way, a bridge is formed between them, allowing them to function as a single entity. According to research, golfers who switch to this grip from regular grips claim a 15% increase in consistency. Make sure the pinkie of your right-hand overlaps and sits comfortably, without applying too much pressure, on the left index finger.
Overlap The Fingers
Next, concentrate on making the fingers overlap. Make sure the right ring finger and left middle finger of the right hand overlap each other as you move the right pinkie finger over the left index finger. As a result, a compact grip is produced, increasing stability and control. Research shows that this arrangement can provide more consistent contact between the golfer and the club by reducing grip-related mishits
Adjust Grip Pressure
The double overlap grip requires careful adjustment of grip pressure. Aim for a balance between having a hard enough hold to keep things under control and a loose enough grip to release tension. Excessive pressure might cause your swing to become less fluid, while insufficient pressure can lead to poor ball contact. A grip pressure of between 5 and 6 on a scale of 1 to 10, where 10 is very tight and 1 is very loose, is the ideal range. A seamless, efficient swing can be achieved with proper pressure adjustment.
Set The Grip
Align the grip correctly in the end. When you grip the clubface, be sure it is square to your aim line. It should feel natural to use the double overlap grip, with your hands cooperating as one. Make sure the grip matches the clubface angle and your swing path to avoid directional problems. Accuracy depends on proper alignment.
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Benefits Of The Double Overlap Golf Grip
The double overlap grip offers several benefits that can help golfers improve their game. For golfers who struggle with flipping the clubhead or making ball contact with the right hand taking control, this grip helps by keeping the left hand in a dominant position
Dominant Hand Taking
The double overlap grip is particularly beneficial for golfers who struggle with a dominant hand taking over their golf swing. This grip helps the golfer’s hands act as one unit, especially for right-handed players.
Feel And Control
By positioning the right hand to act more as a guide for the left hand, the double overlap grip promotes better feel and control. This setup can make the swing more fluid and effortless, as the club does more of the work.
Hooks And Slices
Additionally, the double overlap grip can reduce common issues like hooks and slices. For golfers who face directional problems such as duck hooks or excessive slicing, this grip minimizes the chance of the right hand flipping the golf club at impact. By lightening the grip pressure, the grip helps straighten the ball’s flight and improve accuracy, keeping shots in the fairway. This grip can be especially useful for those on the PGA Tour and for folks trying to refine their game.
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Reduces Chance Of An Uneven Grip
Unlike the Vardon grip, which overlaps the right hand’s pinky finger over the left index finger, the double overlap grip creates a more compact grip by overlapping both the right pinky and ring fingers over the left index and middle fingers. This setup ensures that the hands work together as one unit, helping to prevent the dominant hand from taking over during the backswing. As a result, this grip helps maintain a more consistent feel and reduces the chance of an uneven grip.
Drawback Of The Double Overlap Golf Grip
Golfers should be aware of the double overlap grip’s significant disadvantages in addition to its advantages, which include improved control and unified hand action.
Initial Awkwardness
For many players, the double overlap grip can feel difficult at first. Unlike the more common Vardon grip, this one requires the right ring finger to overlap the left middle finger and the right pinkie to overlap the left index finger. As players get used to the new grip, this unusual hand location may cause a momentary loss of control and have an impact on performance.
Discomfort For Larger Hands
The double overlap grip may be too restrictive for larger-handed or looser-gripping golfers. It may be challenging to maintain comfort and flexibility during the swing with this grip technique because it can feel tight and possibly cause tension. This restriction may affect the rhythm and fluidity of such players’ swings.
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Limited Effectiveness For Certain Swing Faults
The double overlap grip attempts to reduce but does not completely remove hooks and cuts. Golfers who rely too much on their hands to shape their shots or who have certain swing faults may still have problems. Depending on a person’s swing mechanics and how well they adjust to the grip’s distinct feel, the efficiency of the grip can vary.
Using the double overlap golf grip, where the thumb joins with the shaft, helps players like Furyk achieve a controlled draw, giving a close feel for better distance control with both irons and drivers, especially when trying to log consistent shots
Conclusion
Trying the double-overlap grip can initially bring a sense of helplessness as it may feel like you lack full control of the club. However, practicing with this grip has its benefits. It helps you develop better flow and rhythm in your swing, showing how little effort is needed to achieve solid contact with the ball. For many players, learning to just swing the club with this grip might turn out to be its greatest advantage.
