Most golfers make this mistake. Here’s how to make sure you don’t

There is only one connection between you and the golf club: your hands. With that lone touch point, it’s absolutely critical that you maintain your grip effectively.

For most recreational golfers, however, the grip is an afterthought. They simply put their hands on the handle in any old fashion and make a whack at it. And when problems inevitably arise, they try every swing change they can think of to remedy the problem. Truth is, though, their problems often can be traced back to the grip.

So, how do you make sure you’re not making this mistake that plagues a majority of golfers? Check out the advice below from GOLF Top 100 Teacher Mark Durland.

What golfers get wrong about the grip

If you’ve been playing golf for years but still struggle with a slice, hook, or just plain inconsistency, there’s a good chance the problem starts where every swing begins: with your grip.

And here’s the kicker — this isn’t just a beginner issue. Plenty of skilled players, even low handicappers, are unknowingly sabotaging their games with a fundamental grip flaw. Worse yet, it’s a flaw that should’ve been fixed long ago.

Why do so many golfers get it wrong?

The answer? A mix of misunderstanding, poor instruction, and rarely revisiting the basics.

Too many coaches gloss over the grip or give vague advice like, “just move your top hand to the right.” That’s not helpful. Your grip directly controls the clubface, shot direction, and contact — yet it’s often treated as an afterthought.

What’s actually going on?

Most golfers don’t fully understand how to adjust their grip strength — and that confusion often leads to the opposite result of what they want.

Here’s a simple rule of thumb that works for both left- and right-handed players:

• Stronger Grip: Move one or both hands away from the target (to the right for right-handers). This typically closes the clubface.
• Weaker Grip: Move one or both hands toward the target (to the left for right-handers). This typically opens the clubface.

It’s that simple — and that critical. Get it wrong, and your ball flight issues can worsen. Get it right, and your grip starts working with your swing, not against it.

Why this matters

A strong grip often leads to hooks. A weak grip tends to cause slices. But here’s the real problem: most golfers misidentify what a strong or weak grip actually is.

It’s shockingly common to see someone try to fix a slice by moving their hands toward the target — unintentionally weakening the grip and making the slice worse. Or they’ll try to correct a hook by moving their hands away from the target — strengthening the grip and deepening the hook. This misunderstanding leads to frustration, wasted practice and stagnant progress. Golfers try to fix a problem, only to exaggerate it — all because their grip fundamentals are flipped.

Don’t let basics hold you back

It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been playing — if your grip isn’t right, everything else suffers. Revisit the basics. and check on your grip. It might just fix your game.