Vardon Grip
The Vardon grip is the classic overlapping grip in which the little finger of the lower hand rests on top of the index finger of the upper hand.
The Vardon grip, also called the overlapping grip, is the most widespread grip in golf. It is named after Harry Vardon, a British touring professional around the turn of the century who had great success with this technique. With the Vardon grip, the little finger of the lower leading hand sits in the gap between the index and middle finger of the other hand. This makes both hands work as one unit. Most tour players and experienced amateurs grip this way.
In practice the grip style decides how much control you have in the swing. An example: you hold the club with both hands, first place the upper hand on the grip and then slide the little finger of the lower hand into the gap. The hands touch firmly without cramping. Feel free to compare with the alternatives: with the Interlocking Grip the fingers interlock, with the Ten-Finger Grip all the fingers lie side by side on the shaft. Small hands and beginners often feel more comfortable there.
A typical mistake is changing the grip every few weeks. Anyone who keeps jumping between grip styles never builds a repeatable feel. Choose one variant and stay with it for a season before you judge. A second misconception: the grip alone does not cure a Slice. It is the foundation, not the repair. Have the grip position checked once by a coach instead of turning ten adjustment screws at once.
FAQ
How do I know whether the Vardon grip suits my hands?
Just try it out on the range: place the upper hand on the grip and slide the little finger of the lower hand into the gap between index and middle finger. If that feels like one unit and the hands stay together without effort, the grip suits you. With small hands or little finger strength the interlocking grip is often the better alternative.
Should I as a beginner learn the Vardon grip right away?
Yes, that makes sense, because most coaches teach it as the standard and you will not be spared relearning later. What matters, however, is not the variant but consistency: pick one grip style and stay with it for at least a season before you judge. Constantly changing prevents any repeatable feel in the swing.
Does changing my grip fix my slice?
No, the grip alone does not repair a slice. It is the basis for control, but the clubface position and the swing path decide the ball flight. Have the grip position checked once by a coach instead of turning several adjustment screws at once.