Strong Grip vs Weak Grip in Golf (What are They & Which is Better?)

In golf, the positioning of the hands is known as a strong grip, a weak grip, or a neutral grip.

Understanding how the strong and weak grips impact your ability to square the clubface is crucial. We will examine whether you should use a strong, weak, or neutral grip and how it will impact your game.

Strong Grip vs Weak Grip (What’s The Difference)

Strong Grip = More Closed Clubface: A strong grip typically encourages a closed clubface at impact due to the lead hand pronating (rotating inward), which can promote a draw or hook.

Weak Grip = More Opened Clubface: A weak grip encourages an open clubface at impact due to the lead hand supinating (rotating outward), which promotes a fade or slice tendency.

What is a Strong Grip?

• The “V” shapes formed by the thumbs and index fingers point more toward the trailing shoulder (right shoulder for a right-handed golfer).
• More knuckles (usually three or more) on the lead hand are visible from the golfer’s perspective.
• Closed Clubface: A strong grip typically encourages a closed clubface at impact due to the lead hand pronating (rotating inward), which can promote a draw or hook.
• Ball Flight: Tends to create a lower ball flight due to the de-lofting effect of the closed face.
• Swing Requirements: Requires effective body rotation through impact to prevent excessive closing of the face and minimize the risk of hooking.
• Common Downside: Increased chance of over-drawing or hooking the ball, especially if body rotation is insufficient.

What is a Weak Grip?

• The “V” shapes point more toward the golfer’s nose or chin.
• Fewer knuckles (usually one or two) on the lead hand are visible.
• Opened clubface A weak grip encourages an open clubface at impact due to the lead hand supinating (rotating outward), which promotes a fade or slice tendency.
• Ball Flight: Often results in a higher ball flight because of the added loft from the open clubface.
• Swing Requirements: May require compensations, like added wrist rotation or “motorcycle move,” to square the face at impact and prevent slicing.
• Common Downside: Difficulty in closing the clubface, potentially leading to a fade or slice, especially if body rotation or wrist action is insufficient.

If you prefer watching video to reading, check out the video below by coach Rob Cheney.

Benefits of a Strong Golf Grip

The strong golf grip has some benefits, making it the most popular choice among amateur players:

• Promotes a Draw or Reduce a Slice: The closed clubface at impact helps promote a draw, making it a good choice for players who struggle with slicing. Most golfers slice because the clubface is left open at impact, but the strong grip makes it difficult to leave the clubface open.
• Lower Ball Flight: The strong grip de-lofts the club slightly, creating a more penetrating, lower ball flight. This is beneficial in windy conditions or on firmer courses where a lower trajectory gives more control and roll.
• Enhances Power: with the strong grip activating the hands and arms just a bit more, many players feel as though they can go after the ball with full power and a little extra speed.
• Limit Clubface Rotation Needs: For players who prefer a more passive release, a strong grip can allow them to rely on body rotation to control the clubface without a lot of wrist manipulation.
• Extra stability: stronger grips may make you feel as though you have more control over the club head. Don’t confuse a strong grip with a tight grip; strong refers to position, and tight refers to pressure.

Negatives of a Strong Grip

If the strong grip was perfect, everyone would have it.

Here are a few negatives to look out for:

• Too much draw: sick of hitting a draw on every golf swing; check to make sure it’s not the grip. Players with a strong grip may face challenges with over-hooking or struggles on shots requiring added loft, like delicate pitch shots.
• Too much right hand: at some point, your right hand can get too active in the swing; I would watch out for this, especially in the short game
• Increased tension: the way the strong grip wraps that right hand around the club can promote increased tension for some players.

When to Use the Strong Grip

The strong grip is the ultimate slice fixer, but there are other times you can benefit from using the stronger grip; they include:

• Players who naturally rotate well through impact.
• Those who play in windy conditions or desire a lower trajectory.

What is a Weak Grip?

A weak grip for a right-handed player means the left hand is rotated outward so that fewer knuckles are visible when looking down. The right hand is positioned more on top of the club, giving it a less active role in the golf swing.

This grip positioning makes it easier to keep the clubface open through impact, promoting a fade or reducing a hook.

By having the lead hand in a supinated position, the likelihood of the clubface closing during the swing is minimized, allowing for higher, more controlled ball flights. For golfers who hook the ball, this is a much better position to be in.