Putting Grip Tips

There are many ways to grip the putter, as we’ve all seen some of the professional players adopt at times, and diversify with, like the claw grip, cross-handed grip etc. in an attempt to improve their putting statistics, and hopefully alleviate the putting yips and get an edge on their competitors.

While this may be perfectly OK, for them, all these different grip techniques tend to confuse the average golfer, and lead them to perhaps think that fiddling with the putting grip is something that they have to do to improve their putting ability. When we all should concentrate on mastering the basics first, get them done right, then, if you feel you need to experiment, you have a great starting point and at least you have the fundamentals of the proper grip technique to build on.

The putting grip that is universally recognized and utilized by most successful players, is the basic putter grip, you’ve probably heard even the pros say something like- “I had to get back to the basics to get back my swing”, and there is good reason for that. When you deviate to far from the basics, problems can occur.

I know some players are very successful putters using their own unique grip, like the Claw grip, cross handed grip, and variations of both of those, as well as whether they use a standard putter, belly putter, or long shafted broom-stick putter or variations of these too. But the fundamentals of a stable reliable grip remain the same.

Instead of using the grip that you might use for an iron or a driver (as shown here) which when used for putting, allows the putter head to open and close in the swing, which can promote a pulling of the putt.

Gripping the putter in your left hand (if your right handed) with the shaft lying in your palm along the lifeline, and resting against, and pointing up your forearm, as shown here, with your forefinger extended down the shaft, reduces the chance of a flimsy and flippy wrist movement, and maintains the putter head square, for longer in the swing.

Then, to let the putting action happen naturally, let the last knuckle of your left hand’s middle finger rest in the lifeline of the palm of your right hand.
The most common mistake people make is to connect the lifeline position of the right hand to the top of the left thumb.
That forces your right forearm into a higher position relative to your left forearm, instead of the level position you’d like to see.

I would also like to cover choosing the right length of shaft for
your putter here. Using this mirror putting aid, take your normal grip and stance for a putt. Check where your eye position is in relation to the putting center line. If your eyes are behind the line and not over the ball, your shaft is to long for you.
To adjust this, grip down the shaft, and move your stance closer to suit until your eye position is directly over the center line.

How much of the shaft is protruding above your grip?

Allowing an inch or so above, the rest is how much too long your shaft is. Then check the “lie angle” of the putter head as it rests on the ground. If the toe of the putter is up off the ground, or the heel is, that is how much the lie-angle of your putter needs to be adjusted to suit your action.

These few adjustments will help to improve your putting statistics and your ability to make more putts and ensure you take a low and slow rhythmic swing.

As always for best results seek advise from your local pga pro.

Related posts:

1. Belly and Long Putter Grip Tips
2. Golf Instruction Grip Tips
3. Golf Instruction Putting
4. 10 Golf Instruction Tips