Finding the right putting grip and style can be trial and error. We explain the different styles of grip and which will best suit your game..
How often do you worry about your stance, positioning, ball, stroke? Pretty often we’d imagine. Many amateurs neglect one of the most integral parts of their set-up – the grip.
To get more consistency in your putting, having the right grip is just as important as any of the aforementioned aspects of your game.
We need a slightly different grip when putting to a standard club, and we’ve got the tips to help you achieve an effective grip.
Whilst there is no right or wrong way to putt, there is a standard method that is taught to beginner golfers. Therefore, this style is the most conventional style, whereby for a right handed golfer the right hand sits below the left hand. This isn’t too dissimilar to the standard golf club grip. Both hands sit on the grip with thumbs pointing down the shaft. For a lot of players this style of grip is the most natural and comfortable.
This is Tiger Wood’s golf grip as well as Rory McIlroy. Amongst many others this is PGA Tour players choice of putting grip style.
Cross Handed Grip
Cross handed or also known as cack handed is a putting grip style which for right handed golfers is commonly known to be left below right. Which is the reserve to the traditional putting grip. Therefore, the fundamentals of this grip don’t alter much from the previous style, just the hands switch.
This style of putting is very popular amongst golfers both professional and amateur as it reduces the amount of hand movement. The left wrist struggles to break as much and the right hand struggles to dominate. This makes it a particularly effective way of removing putting yips from your game.
For a right handed golfer, a pencil grip involves taking the left hand and sitting the thumb straight down the grip. The rest of the hand would then wrap around. With the right hand, take four fingers and rest them on the grip so your palm is facing your body. The thumb then sits behind the grip, so the grip is resting between your index finger and thumb.
There are a few variations of this grip style with different places tweaking where their lower hand fingers rest. However, this doesn’t alter the workings of the grip too much. It is designed to make a player use their shoulders and upper body more, eliminating any hand and wrist movement.
This putting method is used by tour players such as Justin Rose.
Pencil Grip
The pencil grip is a popular new comer to the golfing scene and a style which a lot of tour pros have adopted. It is a variation of the claw grip.
For a right handed golfer, a pencil grip involves taking the left hand and sitting the thumb straight down the grip. The grip is then rested between the thumb and index finger of the right hand. This grip looks like you’re holding a pencil hence the name.
The prayer putting grip style is where both thumbs are together on the grip and the grip resting in the rest of the hands. It doesn’t matter which hand is on top of each other, the thumbs will both sit together down the front of the grip. Some players choose to have their index fingers pointing down the side of the grip but this is personal preference.
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This grip does require a wider putting grip so that the thumbs can both sit side by side.
Matt Wallace is a PGA Tour player who uses this grip.
Types of Putter Grips
Wrist Lock Putter Grip
A wrist lock putting grip is a style of putter grip designed to remove the use of the wrists, helping create a better stroke. This Super Stroke grip is 3.25 inches longer than standard grips. The top section is countered so that the wrist sits comfortably against the upper wrist.
This grip is compatible with all the putting grips mentioned above.
This style of grip comes in different sizes as well as a round, pistol and round shaping. The reverse taper means that the grip is wider on the lower part of the grip and gets slimmer as it goes up. The concept behind this is that it reduces the movement in the lower hand.
If you’re a player with a quite a lot of wrist action, it will be very difficult to get the face angle and the loft of the putter consistent at impact. This will give you a lot of inconsistent rolls of the ball. However, with a thicker grip, it is much easier to keep those wrists quiet – so more consistent shots.
