Quick answer: To hold a golf club left-handed, place your right hand at the top of the grip and your left hand below it. The grip runs diagonally across the fingers of your right hand, from the base of the little finger to the middle of the index finger, with the thumb resting slightly to the left of centre. Your left hand then wraps around the grip so the left palm faces the target and the lifeline covers your right thumb. Join the hands with an overlapping, interlocking or ten-finger grip, keep pressure light and check that you can see two knuckles on your right hand. Make sure you are also using proper left-handed clubs; see the best left-handed golf clubs.
The grip is your only connection to the club, so it shapes the clubface at impact more than any other part of the swing. For left-handed golfers, most instruction is written for right-handers, which means translating every “left” and “right.” This guide does that for you, step by step, with checks you can use on the range.
This article focuses only on the grip. For setup, swing and practice advice, see our left-handed golf tips; if you are still deciding which way to play, read can left-handed golfers use right-handed clubs.
Left-Handed Grip: The Basics
| Element | Left-handed golfer | Right-handed golfer (for comparison) |
|---|---|---|
| Top hand (lead hand) | Right hand | Left hand |
| Bottom hand (trail hand) | Left hand | Right hand |
| Lead thumb position | Slightly left of centre on the grip | Slightly right of centre |
| “V” shapes point toward | Left shoulder | Right shoulder |
| Knuckles visible on lead hand | About two (neutral) | About two (neutral) |
Step-by-Step: How to Hold a Golf Club Left-Handed
Step 1: Position the lead (right) hand
Let the club rest with the sole on the ground and the face square. Place the grip diagonally across the fingers of your right hand, running from the base of your little finger to the middle joint of your index finger. Close the hand so the heel pad sits on top of the grip and the thumb rests just to the left of centre. Holding the club in the fingers, not the palm, allows the wrists to hinge freely.
Step 2: Check the lead hand
Looking down, you should see about two knuckles on your right hand. The “V” formed between your right thumb and index finger should point roughly toward your left shoulder. Seeing three or more knuckles is a “strong” grip; seeing one or none is “weak.”
Step 3: Add the trail (left) hand
Bring your left hand to the grip below the right, with the grip in the fingers. As you close the left hand, the lifeline of the left palm should sit on top of your right thumb, covering it. The left thumb rests slightly to the right of centre on the grip, and the “V” of the left hand also points toward your left shoulder.
Step 4: Choose how to connect the hands
There are three common ways to join the hands (described below). Pick the one that feels most secure and unified.
Step 5: Set your grip pressure
On a scale of 1 to 10, aim for about a 4 or 5. Tension in the hands and forearms slows the club and makes it harder to square the face. You should feel secure enough that the club will not twist, but loose enough to hinge your wrists.
Three Types of Left-Handed Golf Grip
| Grip | How it works (left-handed) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Overlapping (Vardon) | Little finger of the left hand rests in the gap between the right index and middle fingers | Golfers with larger hands; very common among better players |
| Interlocking | Little finger of the left hand links with the index finger of the right hand | Golfers with smaller hands, women, juniors; feels secure |
| Ten-finger (baseball) | All ten fingers on the grip, hands close together | Beginners, juniors, seniors and golfers with weaker hands |
None of these is “correct”; they are preferences. Many tour players use overlapping or interlocking grips, but a ten-finger grip can help beginners and golfers with arthritis or less hand strength.
Neutral, Strong and Weak Grips for Lefties
| Grip type | What you see (left-handed) | Typical ball flight for a lefty |
|---|---|---|
| Neutral | About two knuckles on the right hand; Vs point to the left shoulder | Straighter shots |
| Strong | Three or more knuckles on the right hand; hands rotated away from the target | Tends to close the face; draw (left-to-right for a lefty) or hook |
| Weak | One or no knuckles on the right hand; hands rotated toward the target | Tends to leave the face open; fade (right-to-left for a lefty) or slice |
A left-handed golfer’s slice curves to the left, and a hook curves to the right. If you slice, try strengthening your grip slightly; if you hook, try weakening it. Make small changes of a quarter-turn at a time.
Common Left-Handed Grip Mistakes
- Hands reversed: placing the left hand on top, as right-handers do. For lefties, the right hand goes on top.
- Gripping in the palm: reduces wrist hinge and clubhead speed.
- Too much pressure: causes tension and inconsistent contact.
- Hands separated: a gap between the hands makes them work against each other.
- Following right-handed instructions literally: always mirror left and right.
- Using right-handed clubs by mistake: check that your clubs are genuinely left-handed.
How to Grip a Left-Handed Putter
Putting grips are different from full-swing grips. The most common is the reverse-overlap: the right hand on top, the left hand below, and the index finger of the right hand resting over the fingers of the left. The aim is to quiet the wrists, so the grip sits more in the palms. Other options include cross-handed (left hand on top for a lefty), the claw and the arm-lock. For lefty putter options, see the best left-handed putters.
Grip Size and Your Grip
A grip that is too thin can encourage the hands to over-rotate, while a grip that is too thick can restrict release. When holding the club, the fingertips of your left hand should just touch the palm. Grips wear out over time, which makes it harder to hold the club lightly; see how to regrip golf clubs and the best golf club grips.
Practice Drills for a Better Left-Handed Grip
- Mirror check: grip a club in front of a mirror and compare it with the checkpoints above.
- Alignment-stick grip: hold an alignment stick to feel the diagonal finger placement without a grip’s shape guiding you.
- Pressure drill: make swings at grip pressures of 3, 5 and 8 to feel the difference.
- Pre-shot routine: set your grip the same way every time before each shot.
- Training grip: moulded training grips show the correct hand placement.
Left-Handed Grip for Juniors and Beginners
Young and new golfers often find the ten-finger grip easiest, because it feels natural and gives more control with less hand strength. As they improve, many switch to interlocking. Make sure juniors have left-handed clubs sized for their height; see the best kids golf clubs.
Grip Checklist
- Right hand on top, left hand below.
- Grip in the fingers, not the palm.
- Two knuckles visible on the right hand.
- Both Vs pointing toward the left shoulder.
- Left lifeline covering the right thumb.
- Hands joined with overlapping, interlocking or ten-finger grip.
- Light pressure, about 4 or 5 out of 10.
When to Adjust Your Grip
If your ball flight is consistently curving one way, the grip is the first thing to check. Change one thing at a time and give it a few practice sessions before judging. If problems persist, a lesson with a coach who teaches left-handed golfers can save a lot of trial and error.
Left-Handed Grip Myths
- “Lefties need a special grip technique.” The fundamentals are identical to right-handers; only the hands are mirrored.
- “A strong grip is always better.” A strong grip helps some golfers square the face, but it can cause hooks for others.
- “Grip pressure should be tight for control.” Tight pressure usually reduces control and speed.
How Your Grip Affects the Clubface
Your grip largely decides where the clubface points at impact. As you swing down, your hands naturally return toward the position they held at address. If your right hand is turned too far toward the target (weak), the face tends to arrive open; if it is turned too far away (strong), the face tends to arrive closed. This is why small grip changes can have a big effect on ball flight, and why it is worth getting the grip right before working on other parts of the swing.
Gloves for Left-Handed Golfers
Golfers usually wear a glove on the lead hand, the top hand on the grip. For left-handed golfers that is the right hand, so a lefty needs a glove worn on the right hand. Check listings carefully, because gloves are often labelled by the hand they are worn on rather than by the golfer’s handedness. A glove improves grip in hot or humid conditions and reduces the chance of the club twisting. Make sure it fits snugly without wrinkles across the palm.
Grip and Wrist Hinge
Holding the club in the fingers lets the wrists hinge naturally on the backswing, which stores energy and helps you deliver the club with speed. A quick test: grip the club, then lift it in front of you by hinging only the wrists. If the club rises easily, your grip is in the fingers. If it feels locked, the grip has slipped into the palm of the right hand.
Gripping in Wet or Hot Conditions
Rain and sweat make grips slippery, which tempts golfers to squeeze harder. Instead, keep a towel handy, dry the grips between shots, carry a spare glove and consider rain gloves, which grip better when wet. Clean grips with mild soap and water regularly so they stay tacky.
Grip Changes Take Time
A new grip almost always feels strange at first, and shots may get worse before they get better. Make grip changes in the off-season or during practice, not before an important round. Rehearse the grip at home for a few minutes a day; repetition is what makes it automatic.
Reading Right-Handed Grip Instructions as a Lefty
Most grip articles and videos are written for right-handers. A simple rule makes them easy to use: swap every “left” for “right” and every “right” for “left.” The lead hand is always the hand on top, closest to the target. Some lefties also find it helpful to watch right-handed videos in a mirror, which flips the image so it matches their own setup.
Bottom Line
A good left-handed grip puts the right hand on top, holds the club in the fingers, shows about two knuckles on the right hand, joins the hands in whichever style feels secure and keeps pressure light. Practise it until it feels automatic, and make sure your clubs are truly left-handed; compare our picks for the best left-handed golf clubs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you hold a golf club left-handed?
Put your right hand on top of the grip and your left hand below it, with the grip in your fingers. Show about two knuckles on the right hand and keep pressure light.
Which hand goes on top for a left-handed golfer?
The right hand goes on top for a left-handed golfer, and the left hand goes below it.
What is the best grip for left-handed golfers?
There is no single best grip. Overlapping, interlocking and ten-finger grips all work; choose the one that feels most secure and lets you square the face.
Why do I slice as a left-handed golfer?
A left-handed slice curves to the left and often comes from a weak grip or an open clubface. Strengthening the grip slightly can help.
How tightly should I grip the club?
Aim for about 4 or 5 out of 10. Too much pressure creates tension and reduces clubhead speed.
Which hand do left-handed golfers wear a glove on?
Left-handed golfers usually wear a glove on the right hand, which is the top hand on the grip.