Strong vs Weak Golf Grip: Which is Right for you?

Are stronger grips better for golf? 

To answer this question, let’s learn from the pros.

I always notice the fundamentals when I watch elite golfers on TV (or highlights on YouTube). I enjoy their grip, tempo and swing speed as well as their pre-shot routine. 

Grip is one of the most fundamental aspects of golf. A player’s grip has an enormous impact on the rest of the swing. Yet, when most golfers try to “YouTube” their swing issues, they skip over their grip.

Most instructors will start with evaluating your grip. They know how important it plays in your swing. Sometimes, simple adjustments to the grip can fix any downswing or backswing issues. 

A more consistent grip is essential if you want to hit consistent shots. Keep reading to learn more about each grip type, as well training aids and how to choose the best grip for your swing. 

Strong golf grip vs. Weak Golf Grip 

Now, let’s review each of the three types of golf grips. 

Strong Golf Grip 

The first is a strong golf grip.

With a strong grip the “V’s” that your hands make will point toward the right side of your head. Most golf teachers recommend a strong grip because it can help players to hit a draw or straighten out a slice. If you have a strong grip, it can transform your draw ball flight into an hook (for right-handed golfers).

Pros

A strong grip has the greatest advantage: it can reduce slice or help you hit draw shots. A strong grip can create a different swing path and make it easier to create an in-to-out swing. Amateur golfers tend to have a weak grip, which promotes an in-to-in swing. 

A strong grip encourages a shallow angle in attack and allows for easy lag. This lag allows for more power and distance with each club in the bag. 

If you’re the type of player who has a lot of hip movements and can clear your lower body, this grip can do wonders. 

Cons 

A strong grip can result in big draws that could be converted into hook shots. If you’ve used a weak or neutral grip for your entire career, switching to a stronger grip might also take some getting used to. While it’s uncomfortable to switch at first, it’s well worth it. 

Weak Golf Grip 

The second type is a weak grip for golf.

With weak golf grips, the “V’s” that your hands make will point toward the left side of your head (for right-handed golfers). 

Pros

While weak grips won’t be loved in the golf world, they can work well for those who have too much of a swing. If executed correctly, an in-out golf swing can lead you to a draw. However, it can also lead you to a hook shot. This grip can help straighten your clubface at impact if the ball is hit too far to the left. 

If you’re the type of golfer who doesn’t have fast hips, you could also benefit from a weak position with your hands. 

Cons 

A weak grip can make it difficult to slice or cut the golf ball. This is a major problem for most golfers. Hitting a slice will result in less distance, less accuracy, but usually higher scores. 

A weak grip can also cause problems when the forward shaft is not straightened and the ball is compressed at impact. This grip promotes an inside takeaway which can lead to a steep backswing that may not make consistent turf contact when irons are used. 

Neutral Golf Grip

The neutral grip is the third type.

With neutral golf grips the “V’s” that your hands make will point toward your nose (for right-handed golfers). This type of grip isn’t biased towards hitting a cut or a draw shot.

Instead, it’s ideal for players that have solid mechanics and generally hit the ball straight. This type of grip is best for players who have a good swing.

Pros

A neutral grip has the greatest advantage: you can move the golf ball in any direction. If you’re someone that likes to shape shots and hit different ball flight trajectories, this is the grip for you.

Cons 

There aren’t a ton of cons with this grip but few players are able to execute from this position properly. Most golfers tend to have a weak or strong grip in nature and finding ground in the middle isn’t always easy. 

This grip option is great for those who want to continue their golf journey, and perhaps even become scratch golfers. It is common for scratch players to be able to hit both draws as well as fades.

You can find out more about each grip type and the best position for your hands here Read our complete grip guide hereYou can also go here to read the discussion on interlocking or overlapping grips.

Best Grip Trainers

Now that you are familiar with the three types of grip, here are some training aids to improve your hand position.

SKLZ Golf Grip Training 

According to SKLZ “80% of all golfers grip the club improperly.”

While I haven’t found a specific study on grips, I think they’re right in the sense that most golfers have a grip that is too weak. This leads to a slice, and other issues in the swing.

 The SKLZ griptrainerIt will help you build muscle memory to achieve a neutral/strong hold. This low-cost training aid attaches quickly to almost any club in your bag. 

It’s small enough that you can keep it in your bag and use it whenever you need to work on the fundamentals. This device is only for right-handed golfers. 

Golf Club Grip Trainer 

While the SKLZ trainer attaches on to your club, This grip trainerThis grip can be used as a standalone device and installed on a club. This grip is great to add to an existing club to make it more comfortable. 

As a reminder, this needs to get installed on a shaft, it’s not a stand-alone grip trainer. 

Check out our top golf training aids.

FAQs about Neutral Golf Grip and Strong Golf Grip vs.Weak

Are you still unsure about how to find the right grip for you game? Continue reading to learn more about gripping and improve your golf swing.

Is a strong grip better than a weak one? 

A strong grip is better than a weak one, as most golfers suffer from a slice. This is due to a weak left hand grip, which makes it more difficult to square the face at impact.

Do you need to hold the grip in your fingers or palm?

For optimal control in the backswing or downswing, you want to hold the club in both your hands and not in your palms. As Golf.com said, “If the grip gets into the palm too much it will make it nearly impossible to use your wrists properly in your swing. Holding the grip in the palms works great for putting (to disable excessive wrist motion) but in the full swing it can be deadly.” 

Do I need a strong or weak grip for golf?

Changing your grip isn’t easy and don’t recommend it unless things aren’t going well in your golf game. Trying to go overnight from a strong grip to a weak grip or vice versa usually isn’t an easy process. It’s best to make subtle adjustments instead of a massive overhaul, especially if you want to keep playing golf with your normal scores. 

If you have a weak grip or want to strengthen your grip, try getting your hands in neutral. 

Do you need to change your grip when taking different shots? 

I wouldn’t recommend it, you should use the same grip with every shot you hit in the bag. Otherwise, you’re introducing more variables to your game and it might make it harder to execute the golf shot. 

For example, let’s say you have a weak grip but need to hit a hook shot around a tree. Some golfers feel they need to improve their grip to help the ball curve and rotate more. For many players, this can lead to overthinking and not being able to commit to the shot.

Instead, it’s best to grip the club with your normal grip and adjust your setup to curve it right to left. You might aim right in this example, and perhaps start the swing slightly closed. Also, you might try to roll your hands more during the downswing. 

To ensure maximum consistency and avoid swing flaws, use one grip for all your swing shots. 

What is the difference in a strong and weak grip?

It is the hand position that determines if you have a strong grip or a weak one in golf. A golfer’s grip where his main hand is on top of the club has a strong grip. 

What is considered a weak grasp in golf? 

Your grip pressure is not the problem, but your hand position on a golf club. A weak grip is when the V’s of your hands point toward the left side of your head at address position. 

If you look at the face, the left hand (for right handed golfers) is lower than the top of your club. Players with slower hips and those who wish to hit a cut shot will experience a weaker grip. 

Does Tiger Woods use a strong grip?

Tiger Woods is a different golfer than most because he uses an interlocking grip, similar to Jack Nicklaus (18-time major winner). Tiger Woods is more neutral-strong in terms of weak vs. powerful.

Tiger discusses how he had a stronger grip when he was a child to improve his distance. He grew stronger as a player and his grip became more controlled. 

Later, “Today, it’s in a fairly neutral position, with 2 ½ knuckles of my left hand showing at address. That’s the best position of all in my opinion, and one I know will suit most every golfer.” 

What pros use a weak grip to their advantage? 

While Tiger used a weaker grip earlier in his career, he doesn’t anymore. However, players like Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Ben Hogan prefer a weaker grip to a stronger one. 

Final Thoughts on The Perfect Grip

You should now have a better understanding about how your hands affect your golf grip. Golfers would benefit greatly from a stronger grip because it leads to better ball striking and more distance. 

If you do have to change your grip, be sure to set aside time so you can speed it up. As Ben Hogan said,“For at least a week, spend thirty minutes of daily practice on the grip. Learning these fundamentals will then be twice as easy and twice as valuable.” 

Tiger also said something similar in his book on grip changes. “Whenever I made a grip change, I made sure I had a club in my hands constantly so I could practice my new grip. I wanted my new grip to start feeling natural as quickly as possible.” 

You can take your swing to the next level by using a stronger grip or a neutral grip.