Metal　grids　are　used　to　solve　the　current　spreading　problem　in　coherently　coupled　implant-defined　vertical　cavity　surface　emitting　laser　(VCSEL)　arrays.　In-phase　mode　operation　with　a　near-diffraction-limited　beam　is　achieved　in　hexagonal　19-element　arrays.　The　measured　beamwidth　of　the　arrays　is　as　low　as　1.3　degrees,　which　is　only　about　1.08　times　of　the　diffraction　limit.　The　arrays　can　maintain　a　relatively　high　proportion　of　29.2%　average　power　in　the　central　lobe　from　threshold　to　maximum　output　power.　The　narrow　beamwidth　and　high　power　proportion　benefit　from　the　uniform　near-field　optical　intensity　owing　to　the　metal　grids.　This　technique　provides　an　alternative　method　to　realize　large-area　in-phase　coherently　coupled　VCSEL　array　with　high　beam　quality.