Proper Putter Grip Techniques for Better Putting

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Short Game Mastery

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Quick Answer

• A solid putter grip is your foundation for consistent putting.
• Find a grip that feels stable and allows your arms and shoulders to move the club.
• Keep your grip pressure light, like holding a delicate bird, to maintain feel.

Who This Putter Grip Guide Is For

• Golfers who are new to the game and want to build a strong putting foundation from the start.
• Experienced players who are struggling with inconsistent putting and suspect their grip might be the culprit.
• Anyone looking to improve their feel and control on the greens, leading to more made putts.

What to Check First for Your Putter Grip

• Grip Pressure: Squeeze the putter. Is it too tight? You should be able to hold it without straining.
• Hand Placement: Are your hands positioned comfortably and naturally on the grip? No awkward angles.
• Grip Style: Are you using a standard overlap, reverse overlap, cross-handed, or claw grip? Which one feels most stable?
• Alignment: Do your thumbs point down the shaft, generally towards the target line? This is crucial for face control.
• Connection: Do your hands feel like a unified unit, or are they working independently?

Step-by-Step Plan for How to Hold Your Putter Correctly

Getting how to hold your putter right is a game-changer. It’s not about strength; it’s about control and feel. Let’s break it down.

1. Action: Start by standing at your putting address.

• What to look for: A balanced, athletic stance. Your feet should be about shoulder-width apart, knees slightly flexed, and your eyes directly over the ball. Your spine should have a natural tilt, not too hunched or too upright. You want to feel grounded but ready to move.
• Mistake to avoid: Hunching over like you’re trying to hide from the sun, or standing ramrod straight like a statue. Both extremes kill your ability to make a smooth, repeatable stroke. Find that athletic posture.

2. Action: Place your lead hand (left hand for right-handed golfers) on the putter grip.

• What to look for: The grip should rest comfortably in the lifeline of your palm. Your thumb should be positioned on top of the grip, pointing generally down the shaft towards the target. Your fingers should naturally wrap around the grip, not gripping it with just your fingertips.
• Mistake to avoid: Gripping the putter too much with your fingers. This can lead to excessive wrist action during the stroke, making it difficult to control the putter face. Ensure the grip is seated in the fleshy part of your palm.

3. Action: Now, position your trail hand (right hand for right-handed golfers) on the grip.

• What to look for: This is where personal preference comes into play. The most common method is the reverse overlap, where the index finger of your lead hand rests on top of the ring finger of your trail hand. Alternatively, you might prefer an interlocking grip (like a baseball grip, but lighter) or the claw grip, where the trail hand grips the putter from underneath. The key is that your hands feel connected and work together as one unit.
• Mistake to avoid: Having your hands feel disconnected or trying to force a grip that feels unnatural. If your trail hand is too far down the grip, it can create an imbalance. Experiment to find what feels like a cohesive unit.

4. Action: Focus intently on your grip pressure.

• What to look for: A light, consistent grip pressure. Think of holding a tube of toothpaste without squeezing it out, or holding a delicate baby bird. You want enough pressure to keep the club in your hands, but not so much that you feel tension in your forearms or wrists. A good rule of thumb is about a 3 or 4 on a scale of 1 to 10.
• Mistake to avoid: Squeezing the putter with all your might. This is a common mistake that kills feel, reduces tempo, and leads to a jerky stroke. Relax those hands!

5. Action: Check the alignment of your thumbs.

• What to look for: Both thumbs should point down the shaft, generally along the line of your intended putt. This alignment helps to keep the putter face square throughout your stroke. You want your thumbs to feel comfortably placed, not strained.
• Mistake to avoid: Having your thumbs splayed outwards or tucked in too much. This can encourage unwanted manipulation of the putter head during the swing, leading to off-line putts.

6. Action: Practice your putting stroke with your newly adjusted grip.

• What to look for: A smooth, pendulum-like motion powered by your shoulders and arms. The putter head should feel like it’s gliding through the stroke. Your wrists should remain relatively stable, not breaking down or flipping. Focus on making solid contact with the ball.
• Mistake to avoid: Trying to “hit” or “scoop” the ball with your hands or wrists. Your grip is designed to help you create a consistent arc. Trust the grip and let your body make the stroke.

7. Action: Make small adjustments as needed.

• What to look for: Does the grip feel comfortable after a few practice strokes? Does it allow you to feel the putter head? If something feels off, make a minor tweak. Maybe your trail hand needs to be slightly higher, or your lead wrist a bit flatter.
• Mistake to avoid: Forcing yourself to stick with a grip that genuinely feels wrong. Golf is a game of feel, and if your grip feels awkward, your putting will likely suffer. Don’t be afraid to experiment until it feels right.

Common Mistakes in Putter Grip Techniques

• Grip pressure too tight — This is perhaps the most common fault. It restricts the natural pendulum motion of your arms and shoulders, leading to a jerky, inconsistent stroke and loss of feel for distance. — Fix: Consciously focus on relaxing your hands. Practice waggling the putter head back and forth to feel its weight and ensure a loose grip. Imagine holding a delicate glass.

• Lead hand gripping with fingers — When the grip is held primarily in the fingers of the lead hand, it disconnects that hand from the palm and can lead to excessive wrist hinge. This makes controlling the putter face much harder. — Fix: Ensure the putter grip sits in the lifeline of your lead hand, with your thumb resting on top. This promotes a more stable, connected feel.

• Trail hand grip too low on the putter — If your trail hand is positioned too far down the grip, it can create a separation between your hands and lead to independent hand actions. This makes it difficult to synchronize your stroke. — Fix: Position your trail hand so it comfortably overlaps, interlocks, or connects with your lead hand, creating a unified unit that moves together.

• Thumbs pointing outwards from the target line — When thumbs point too far away from the target line, it can encourage the wrists to break down and the putter face to open or close unintentionally during the stroke. — Fix: Aim to have both thumbs pointing generally down the shaft, along the target line. This promotes a more stable, square putter face.

• Inconsistent grip pressure between strokes — If you tighten your grip on some putts and relax on others, your tempo and distance control will be erratic. This is especially common on longer putts versus shorter ones. — Fix: Develop a consistent feel for light pressure and make a conscious effort to maintain that same feel throughout your entire putting stroke, from backswing to follow-through.

• The “Death Grip” on short putts — Many golfers tighten up significantly on short, must-make putts. This tension often leads to a jab or a quick wrist snap, rather than a smooth stroke. — Fix: Practice putting short putts with the same relaxed grip pressure you use on longer ones. Focus on making a smooth pendulum motion, just like any other putt.

• Ignoring the feel of the grip — Some golfers focus too much on the look of a grip and not enough on how it feels. If a grip style or hand position causes discomfort or tension, it’s not the right one for you. — Fix: Spend time on the practice green experimenting with different grip styles and hand positions. Pay close attention to how your hands feel and how it affects your stroke.

FAQ on Putter Grip Techniques

• What is the most common putter grip?

The reverse overlap grip is widely considered the most common. In this style, the index finger of your lead hand rests gently on top of the ring finger of your trail hand. This setup helps to keep the hands synchronized and reduces the tendency for the lead wrist to break down. However, many golfers find success with other grips like the standard overlap, cross-handed, or claw grip.

• How much pressure should I use when holding my putter?

You should use a light grip pressure. Think of it as a 3 or 4 on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is the lightest possible hold and 10 is squeezing as hard as you can. The goal is to maintain control without creating tension in your hands, wrists, or forearms, which inhibits feel and a smooth stroke.

• Should my thumbs be directly on top of the grip?

Generally, yes. For most common grips, both thumbs should point down the shaft, roughly along the target line. This position helps to keep the putter face square throughout your swing. Some variations exist, but this is a good starting point for stability and control.

• Is the claw grip good for beginners?

The claw grip can be very beneficial for beginners, and even for experienced players struggling with wrist breakdown. By positioning the trail hand underneath the grip, it naturally discourages excessive wrist action and promotes a more stable, shoulder-driven stroke. It’s definitely worth trying if you find your wrists are too active.

• Does hand position matter more than grip style?

Both hand position and grip style are critically important and work together. Your hand position dictates how your hands sit on the grip and interact with the club. The grip style then defines how those hands connect to each other. Neither is more important; they are intertwined elements of how to hold your putter effectively.

• Can I change my putter grip mid-round?

It’s generally not recommended to make significant changes to your grip mid-round, especially if you’re in competition. Stick with what you started with and try to make it work. If you’re having persistent issues, it’s best to work on grip adjustments on the practice green before your next round or during practice sessions. Consistency is key on the course.

• How can I tell if my putter grip is too worn out?

A worn-out grip will feel slick or smooth, lacking the tackiness it once had. You might also see visible wear spots or fraying. A worn grip reduces friction, making it harder to maintain a secure hold, especially in damp conditions. If your grip feels like it’s slipping or you’re having to squeeze harder to keep hold of it, it’s probably time for a replacement.

Sources:

• Proper Putter Grip Techniques: https://golfhubz.com/proper-putter-grip-techniques/