Any closer than what I have you run the risk of distroying your wrists. I use a grip with my index finger on the smooth part of the bar with elbows in tight.
oh for pete's sake.
You will always use more weight with wide grip bench press or medium grip that you are using. anyone knows that. Your thumbs should just about touch or closer with a true close grip.
I don't know anyone with "distroyed" wrists, period.