Using the Claw Grip for Putting

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Short Game Mastery

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Quick Answer

• The claw grip involves placing your dominant hand below your non-dominant hand, with your dominant hand’s fingers “clawing” the grip.
• This technique promotes wrist stability, leading to a more consistent and controlled putting stroke.
• Experimentation is key to finding the perfect hand placement for your comfort and effectiveness.

Who This Is For

• Golfers aiming to improve putting consistency and combat wrist breakdown during their stroke.
• Players who have found traditional putting grips ineffective or are looking for a new approach to manage the “yips.”

What to Check First

• Putter Fit: Confirm your putter is the correct length and lie angle for your stance. An ill-fitting club is a recipe for inconsistent results, no matter the grip.
• Grip Condition: Examine your current putter grip. A worn or slick grip offers less traction and feel, hindering your ability to control the stroke.
• Basic Stroke Mechanics: Understand the fundamentals of a pendulum-like putting stroke driven by your shoulders and arms. This foundation is crucial.
• Your Aim: Before any grip change, ensure you’re comfortable and aligned with your target. A good grip won’t fix a fundamental aiming issue.

Step-by-Step Plan: How to Implement the Claw Grip Putter

1. Action: Set up to the ball in your normal putting stance.

• What to look for: A balanced, athletic posture with your eyes generally over the ball. Your weight should be distributed evenly.
• Mistake to avoid: Slouching too much or standing rigidly. Find a relaxed, ready position. I usually take a deep breath here.

2. Action: Place your non-dominant hand on the putter grip as you typically would.

• What to look for: A relaxed, yet firm, hold. Avoid squeezing the life out of it. You want feel, not tension.
• Mistake to avoid: Gripping too tightly. This restricts the natural motion of your arms and shoulders.

3. Action: Position your dominant hand below your non-dominant hand on the grip.

• What to look for: The palm of your dominant hand should be facing roughly towards your target line. Think of it as your dominant hand coming in to support the club.
• Mistake to avoid: Placing your dominant hand too high or too low. It should feel like a natural extension, not jammed on.

4. Action: Allow the fingers of your dominant hand to “claw” around the grip.

• What to look for: Your index finger of your dominant hand should be relatively straight and pointing down the line, with your other fingers wrapping comfortably. It’s not a fist, it’s a controlled grip.
• Mistake to avoid: Curling all your dominant hand fingers into a tight ball. This is where the name comes from, but it’s about controlled contact.

5. Action: Check your wrist position and feel.

• What to look for: Your dominant wrist should feel stable and relatively flat, not cocked or hinged. The goal is to prevent it from breaking down.
• Mistake to avoid: Allowing your dominant wrist to hinge or break independently during the stroke. This is a primary culprit for inconsistency.

6. Action: Take a few practice strokes, focusing on the feel.

• What to look for: A smooth, consistent pendulum motion generated by your shoulders and arms. The putter head should feel like it’s being swung.
• Mistake to avoid: Trying to “hit” the ball or manipulate it with your wrists. Let the bigger muscles do the work.

7. Action: Make a few short putts to a practice hole.

• What to look for: A consistent strike on the ball and a smooth roll towards the target. Pay attention to how the putter face feels.
• Mistake to avoid: Overthinking the stroke or getting frustrated if it’s not perfect immediately. Give it time.

Mastering the Claw Grip for Consistent Putting

Adopting the claw grip can be a game-changer for your putting. It’s not just about a different hand position; it’s about fundamentally changing how your wrists interact with the putter. Many golfers, myself included, have struggled with inconsistent putting strokes, often traced back to excessive or uncontrolled wrist action. The claw grip directly addresses this by creating a more stable platform for your dominant hand.

When your dominant hand is positioned below the non-dominant hand, and its palm faces the target, it naturally restricts the independent hinge or flip of the wrist. This encourages the shoulders and upper arms to become the primary drivers of the putting stroke, much like a pendulum. This simplified motion is easier to repeat under pressure and can be a powerful antidote to the dreaded “yips,” where the wrists can feel like they’re working against you.

However, like any new technique, it takes practice. Don’t expect to master it overnight. Spend significant time on the practice green. Pay close attention to the feel. Does it feel more controlled? Is your putter face staying square through impact? Experiment with slight adjustments in how your dominant hand fingers wrap around the grip, and how far down the grip you place it. The goal is to find a setup that feels both secure and allows for a fluid, repeatable stroke. Remember, a good grip is the foundation for a good stroke, and the claw grip can provide that solid foundation for many golfers.

Common Mistakes When Using the Claw Grip

• Mistake: Gripping too tightly with the dominant hand.
• Why it matters: This is a sure way to kill feel and restrict the natural pendulum motion of your arms and shoulders, leading to jerky and inconsistent strokes.
• Fix: Focus on a relaxed grip pressure, like holding a bird gently. Your arms should swing freely, and the putter head should feel like it’s swinging itself.
• Mistake: Excessive wrist hinge or manipulation in the dominant hand.
• Why it matters: This defeats the entire purpose of the claw grip and can lead to the very inconsistency and “yips” you’re trying to avoid.
• Fix: Consciously keep the dominant hand’s fingers relatively straight and the palm oriented towards the target line. Feel the connection between your dominant arm and the club.
• Mistake: Dominant hand positioned too high or too low on the grip.
• Why it matters: Incorrect hand placement can lead to an inconsistent putter face angle at impact, making it hard to control direction and distance.
• Fix: Ensure your dominant hand is positioned below your non-dominant hand, with the palm oriented correctly towards the target line. It should feel like a supportive, stable connection.
• Mistake: Not allowing the shoulders to initiate the putting stroke.
• Why it matters: Relying on wrist action, even with the claw grip, creates a lack of repeatability. The shoulders are the engine.
• Fix: Feel the movement start from your shoulder blades. Imagine turning your shoulders slightly back and through, like a gentle rocking motion.
• Mistake: Forcing the grip or trying to make it feel exactly like a standard grip.
• Why it matters: If the claw grip feels unnatural, uncomfortable, or painful, you simply won’t stick with it long enough to see the benefits.
• Fix: Experiment with slight adjustments in hand placement, finger pressure, and the angle of your dominant hand until it feels comfortable and controlled for you.
• Mistake: Neglecting practice and expecting immediate results on the course.
• Why it matters: Any new technique requires repetition to build muscle memory and confidence. Trying it for the first time on the 18th hole is a recipe for disaster.
• Fix: Dedicate specific practice sessions on the putting green to the claw grip. Start with short putts and gradually increase the distance as you gain confidence.

FAQ

• What is the primary benefit of the claw grip for putting?

The main benefit is enhanced wrist stability, which helps create a more consistent and controlled putting stroke by minimizing unwanted wrist action. This can lead to better distance control and improved accuracy.

• How does the claw grip differ from a standard putting grip?

In a standard grip, both hands are typically stacked directly on top of each other. The claw grip places your dominant hand below your non-dominant hand, with the palm of your dominant hand oriented towards the target line, creating a different feel and promoting a more stable wrist.

• Can the claw grip help with putting yips?

Yes, many golfers find the claw grip very effective in reducing or eliminating the “yips.” By de-emphasizing independent wrist action, it can help prevent the jerky, uncontrolled movements often associated with putting anxiety.

• How much pressure should I use with the claw grip?

You should use light pressure, similar to holding a delicate object without crushing it. Think about holding a tube of toothpaste without squeezing any out. The goal is control and feel, not tension.

• Should I try the claw grip immediately on the course?

Absolutely not. It’s highly recommended to spend a significant amount of time practicing the claw grip on the putting green, getting comfortable with the feel and developing a repeatable stroke, before taking it out onto the course during a round.

• What if the claw grip feels awkward or uncomfortable at first?

It’s very common for any new grip to feel a bit strange initially. Don’t be discouraged. Stick with it on the practice green for several sessions. Small adjustments in how you position your dominant hand and how your fingers wrap around the grip can make a big difference in comfort and effectiveness.