The right grip is very impactful for every golf shot. Because every millimeter matters in the golf course. Holding a golf club, proper grip position, accurate posture, sound swing- everything affects in playing Golf. For a better shot, a golf grip lesson is essential for everyone. And putting is the most extraordinary of the golf shots which is so effective in scoring high in a golf round. The way of gripping and holding putter matters upon every putt a golfer is going to hit. So it is needless to say how to hold a putter properly is how much important!
The most important considerations to select your individual putter grip is always what makes you feel right, natural, and comfortable. In this article, we will know about the importance of putting grip accurately, the different types of putting grips, and their advantages, disadvantages. So that any golfer- pros, or amateurs can convert to a new putting grip if needed or select their best grip based on the individual preferences. Stay tuned till the end.
What Is a Putter in Golf?
The putter is one type of golf club that makes relatively short and low-speed strokes with the intention of rolling the ball into the hole from a short distance away. It has a very flat, low-profile, low-loft striking clubface. And some other features that are only allowed on putters, such as bent shafts, non-circular grips, and positional guides. Typically, a putter is the shortest golf club in a golfer’s bag except for the belly putter and the long putter. It is used to play a very close distance putt shot to cup, that is called putting on the green.
Importance of The Proper Putting Grip
Sometimes many golfers adapt full-swing grip instead of using the correct putter grip. But the full-swing grip is the best for hitting the golf ball long straight away. That means this type of grip causes extra wrist flexion. So if you hit a putt shot with that kind of grip, it will allow a large number of clubface rotation which will lead to poor accuracy with the least control. On the other hand, if the golf ball starts its travel more than one degree off-line, it will finish the journey 10 feet away from the hole.
The solution to the full-swing grip is to know how to hold a putter properly. Because a proper putting grip runs diagonally into our palm instead of our fingers. Moreover, for a perfect putt shot the grip should run up our lifeline.
How to Hold a Putter in Golf?
At first, I make you a thing crystal clear- everybody has his/her individual grip style that allows comfort and perfection to play a putt. Pros and some of the amateurs find out an individual consistent technique for putting the golf ball into the hole. If you are struggling or need to change the grip style to hold your putter accurately, then try one of the putting grips from below. The following technique is applied for a right-handed golfer and for a lefty it is the reverse.
1) Cross Hand (Left Hand Low) Putting Grip
The Cross-handed grip, also known as the Left-hand low is the opposite style of the normal or traditional golf grip. That means the left hand is placed below the right hand on the putter handle (for a righty golfer).
- Place your right thumb on the handle and wrap around the bottom of the putter handle with the other fingers. The right thumb should rest flatly on top of the putter handle and pointing down the shaft. It means the left hand should be placed in the low position on the grip. And make sure the right thumb should rest about from the top of the club.
- Now wrap the left-hand fingers around the bottom of the handle and place the fingers below the left hand. The left thumb should be rest flatly on top of the putter handle just below of right thumb and pointing down the shaft.
- In this grip, the left pinky finger can take a rest on top or below the right index finger. Moreover, the right index finger can also be pointing down the shaft and place perpendicular to the left-hand fingers.
- Finally, lift your right index finger and place it in between the ring finger and pinky finger of your left hand. And wriggle both hands for adjusting your settlement into a comfortable grip.
Advantages & Disadvantages
- In this grip, the left hand is closer to the putter, so it allows additional support to line up and keeps the putter face square easily.
- If you are struggling to hit a perfect putt shot for an overactive right hand (Or left hand for lefties), then it an excellent solution for that problem.
- It provides the non-dominant hand more control and gives a more balanced swing.
- As the dominant hand is further away from the putter head, so a player may have a problem like feeling the motion of a putt.
Professional golfers like Jim Furyk, Padraig Harrington, and Jordan Speith used cross-handed putting grip.
2) Reverse Overlap (Split Hand) Putting Grip
The Reverse Overlap aka Split Handgrip is the classic and essential traditional grip style to hold a putter. It is the most popular grip among the tour professionals and freshers.
- Place your left thumb on the handle and wrap around the bottom of the putter handle with the other fingers. The thumb should rest flatly on top of the putter handle and pointing down the shaft. And the left index finger should keep off for now.
- Now wrap the right-hand fingers around the bottom of the handle and place the fingers below the left hand. The right thumb should be rest flatly on top of the handle just below of left thumb and pointing down the shaft. And do not forget to place the right thumb 2 inches to 4 inches above the bottom of the putter handle.
- At last, slide it down your right hand until the left thumbnail is covered up and feel a comfortable grip. Moreover, both thumbs should be facing down the shaft. Now the left index finger should overlap the right-hand fingers.
Advantages & Disadvantages
- This grip provides extra support in keeping the putter face square at impact.
- It allows to feel you consistent like full shots through putts.
- Gives the best feedback during the stroke.
- If you have a problem maintaining the grip pressure, then this grip is not suitable for you.
- This grip style can not limit the right-hand if it becomes too active during the stroke.
Professional golfers like Daniel Chopra, Natalie Gulbis, and Happy Gilmore used reverse overlapped grip.
3) Prayer (Palm to Palm) Putting Grip
The Prayer or Palm to Palm putting grip is as exactly as it is sound- which means, it features both palms facing each other. So sometimes it is also called the palm facing putting grip.
- Instead of placing your both hands one after another like a traditional or normal golf grip, you have to place your right fingers on the top of the left and vice-versa.
- You should bring your both hand close together by lining up both palms. And wrapping your right hand (dominant hand) nicely around the left hand or non-dominant hand.
- For fixing any wobbles, you have to settle your both hand more to the middle of the putter instead of placing them down from the top.
Advantages & Disadvantages
- In this style, the hands are at the same level, so the shoulders are. And this posture creates a perfect triangle between your arms and shoulders which allows you a pendulum swing to stroke the golf ball.
- Because both hands have to place side by side, so it requires a wider putter grip to atone.
Professional golfers like Matt Wallace, Paul Dunne, and Vijay Singh used a Prayer Putting grip.
4) The Claw (Pencil) Putting Grip
The Claw aka Pencil putting grip is generally a variation on the Reverse Overlap or Split Handed putting grip style. In this grip, the right hand or the dominant hand almost taken completely of the putter handle.
- Stating is the same as the traditional grip. Grab your putter with the left or non-dominant hand at the top of the club shaft (bottom of the club). Rest your left thumb on top of the handle and wrap your left-hand fingers around the club.
- The left hand should remain steady at the top and the right hand should be 2 to 4 inches away from the left hand. In other words, the grip and placement of your left hand should be the exact as the Split handed (Reverse Overlap) grip.
- Now rotate your right or dominant hand underneath the left hand in a way that it looks like gripping the shaft or handle like a pencil. That means to flip the right hand under the club and grip in a style that the right thumb should rest under the handle.
- Do not wrap or close your right fingers around the putter but form a ‘notch’ using your right-hand thumb, index, and middle finger for gripping your putter.
- Finally, settle your right index finger on the top of the putter and place the pinky finger comfortably on the side. And the right index should place inline with the right thumb.
Advantages & Disadvantages
- This grip brings some equilibrium to the swing.
- As the right-hand place in a rotating (pencil or passive) position, the grip pressure increases of the left hand.
- It is not a standard golf grip for a game of standard golf round but helps you to sense the proper grip pressure of the left hand in the stroke.
- This grip style may cause of misaligned elbow, so the forearm also. So you must have to attentive to align your forearm for ensuring the parallel line to the target.
Professional golfers like Phil Mickelson, Tommy Fleetwood, and Sergio Garcia used the Claw or Pencil Putting grip.
5) Arm Lock Putting Grip
This Arm Lock putting grip looks very unconventional, but it has a wonderful impact to minimize the hand movement during a putt shot. There is a restriction to hold a Putter handle against the forearm which does not constitute anchoring, but it is legal under the Golf Rule 14-1b.
- In this style, the putter must remain locked to the left (lead/non-dominant hand) forearm. And it will remain locked through the entire putting stroke.
- You should use the right (dominant) hand to apply pressure butt-end of the putter grip for maintaining contact with the left forearm.
Advantages & Disadvantages
- As it minimizes hand motion, so it is a solution for the golfers who have the ‘yips’.
- If you are using a long or belly putter, it can be a great putting grip for you.
- It allows the hand ahead of the ball through impact.
- It requires a putter with a 6-degree of loft (minimum).
- Because of the angle of the shaft leaning towards the hole, it is hard to line up the putter’s face.
Professional golfers like Jason Dufner, Bernhard Langer, and Soren Kjeldsen used the Arm Lock Putting grip.
Final Verdict
To wrap up the discussion, there is no right or wrong grip to hold a putter. Among the all in above the Cross Hand, the Reverse Overlap, and the Claw putting grip are the most popular and common grip to hold a putter. The best thing to choose a grip for holding a putter is- what makes you feel comfortable and natural according to your preferences. At the end of this discussion, you must have well known how to hold a putter in a various way. And now the rest of the things are in your hand like what kind of grip you choose and apply.
The right hold on a putter directly affects the putt shot. For a beginner, it should be a basic lesson to learn. Moreover, with the modest practice when you get used to putting by holding your individual best grip, you will watch your rapid improvement within a short period of time. Till then, the very Happy Golfing fellows!
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References
1) https://www.golfmagic.com/best-tips-and-instruction/how-hold-putter-common-putting-grips-and-their-pros-and-cons
2) http://beginbettergolf.com/putting/how-to-grip-the-putter-3/
3) https://www.liveabout.com/how-to-hold-the-putter-1564420
4) https://golfinsideruk.com/proper-putting-grip-explained/
5) https://riveroaksmunigolf.com/five-different-putting-grips-to-experiment-with/
6) https://www.wikihow.com/Hold-a-Putter
7) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgxPrBuAVas
8) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_KmOuU62IQ
9) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn4harv-KuI
10) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Niu2VkBZ384
11) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POkUfIw6L1M
12) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlJA5cBrP4M
13) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQTQhZ9OTMc
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