Abstract: A marine propulsion device comprises a marine propulsion unit including an engine mounted on the marine propulsion unit and a propeller rotatably mounted on the marine propulsion unit and operatively connected with the engine. The engine has a throttle movable between an idle position for operating the engine at an idle speed and an advanced position for operating the engine at a speed above the idle speed. A steering handle is attached to the marine propulsion unit and a throttle grip is attached to the steering handle for rotation relative thereto. A throttle linkage assembly operatively connects the throttle grip with the throttle and is movable axially of the axis of rotation of the throttle grip for moving the throttle between the idle position and the advanced position in response to rotation of the throttle grip.