The vast majority of golfers employ one of two styles of gripping the club: the Vardon grip (also called the overlapping grip) or the interlocking grip.

There is a third, lesson commonly used grip method, simply called the baseball grip. If you have trouble getting comfortable with the Vardon or interlocking grip, or struggle to release the club (rotate the arms and hands) through the ball, it might be worth a try.

As the name implies, the baseball grip is similar to the way a baseball player holds the bat. The difference is, the golfer runs his left thumb down the shaft, between the fingers and palm of the right hand (if he’s right-handed).

To form a baseball grip:

  • Place your open hands on either side of the club’s grip, left above right.
  • The palms should face each other directly, with the thumbs extended.
  • Wrap your hands around the club, with the left thumb running down the handle and the right thumb across the handle to meet the tip of the index finger.

Make a series of practice swings with this grip and note whether your right forearm rolls easily over the left as you pass the impact area. Hit a few balls with a wedge or short iron, starting with half swings and working up to full swings.

The baseball grip’s primary drawback is that it sometimes allows the hands too much freedom, which can cause hooks and poor contact. But if you’re having difficulty with your current grip, why not give it a shot?