Picture this: you’re standing over a delicate 10-foot birdie putt; nerves tingling, heart racing. What’s the one thing that can help you steady those hands and stroke that ball with poise? You guessed it—your trusty putter grip.
When it comes to sinking those crucial putts, using the right putting grip can make all the difference. You see, not all putting grips are created equal. There are many different options out there, each with unique features and benefits.
From the classic standard grip to the funky claw grip, and everything in between, understanding the different types of putting grips can help you find the one that’s a perfect fit for your game. So, let’s dive into the world of golf grips and explore the options that can help you roll that ball with confidence and precision.
Different Putting Grip Shapes
As we all know, golf is an individual game. This means that you need to play in a way that works for you and your style. And putting is no different. We’re all built differently with different tendencies, so it’s no surprise that there are many different putting grips to choose from, to suit our individual putting strokes.
To start, you need to pick a putter grip shape. There are six different shapes; each with a unique feel and certain benefits. They are:
- Round
- Oval
- Flat oval
- Pistol
- Flat wide
- Mod pistol
After shape comes putter grip size. This can be classified as standard, midsized, or oversized. Each size has its own uses and you can figure out your perfect putter shape and size by getting a putter professionally fitted.
To give you a basic idea though; thicker putter grips will give you more control over your stroke. They will prevent your hands from moving too much and interfering with your putting stroke as you connect with your golf ball. On the other hand, a thinner grip will make it easier for you to square your putter face with the golf ball.
Once you have your putter, you can explore common putting grips to find your perfect match.
Different Putting Grip Styles
Here are the most common putting grip styles:
- Traditional grip
- Reverse overlap grip
- Cross handed grip
- Left-hand low grip
- Claw grip
- Arm lock grip
- Broomstick grip
Each putting grip style will be explained from a right-handed golfer’s perspective; so if you’re left-handed, simply swap hands.
Traditional Grip
The traditional grip has this name because it was the conventional grip used by golfers for decades. It is essentially the same grip if you were doing a full golf swing for any other shot, in the sense that your fingers do not interlock.
Pros
- Because this grip is similar to the grip used on full shots, the transition to putting is an easy one. This can help improve consistency across your golf game.
- Since your thumbs run straight down the center of the putter shaft, it can help you to see a straight line, which will really help your putting.
Cons
- With this putting grip, it is very easy for one hand (most likely your dominant hand) to take control during the stroke. This will cause problems with your putting stroke. This has also led to the development of different grip variations.
Reverse Overlap Grip
The reverse overlap grip is considered to the most conventional putting grip style and is predominantly used by PGA tour golfers. It is very similar to the traditional grip, except that the hands interlock differently.
Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Jason Day all use this putting grip style.
This grip requires your right hand to be underneath your left hand. Your left index finger will cross over your right fingers at the back of the grip. This is where the reverse overlap grip term originated.
Both of your thumbs will extend down the front of the putter grip.
Pros
- Your hands will remain steadier, and they won’t roll as much as they usually would in full swing.
- This grip will also give you the most feedback about your putting stroke.
- You will have added control because the grip is directly within your palm.
Cons
- This grip is not ideal if you battle to maintain your grip pressure.
- If you have an overly active right wrist, this grip won’t help you to control it.
Cross Handed Grip/ Left-Hand Low Grip
The cross-handed putting grip is also known as the left-hand low grip. The right hand is at the top of the putter grip and the left hand is underneath, therefore lower. Self-explanatory, right?
For this grip, there are two variations for your fingers.
- You can either have your left pinkie finger sit on top of your right index finger;
- Or you can point your right index finger down the right side of the putter.
Jordan Spieth is well-known for using the left-hand low grip. Dustin Johnson is known to sometimes use this grip.
Pros
- Perfect for golfers with overactive wrists.
- This grip makes it easy to keep the putter face square because the left hand is lower, giving you more control as it leads through the stroke.
- Your left arm and left wrist are in a straight line, meaning you’ll be able to keep your left hand still.
Cons
- It will be challenging to be aware of speed control because your dominant hand is higher up on the putter.
Claw Grip
The claw putting grip has become increasingly popular over the last two decades. There are a few different ways that you can place your right hand for the claw grip, but your left hand will always be in the same position.
Your left hand must follow the conventional grip and make sure that your left thumb sits on top of the putter grip, pointing down. Take your right hand and rest your fingers on the grip, while your right thumb tucks behind the grip.
Justin Rose and Phil Mickelson find this putting grip very effective.
Pros
- Your shoulders will be able to remain level which will give your stroke the desired rocking motion.
- You’ll be able to feel more pressure in your left hand.
Cons
- Not all golfers find this putting grip very comfortable.
- Distance control will be a challenge, especially with longer putts – exactly the same as the left-hand low grip.
Arm Lock Grip
The arm lock putting grip is suitable for golfers with a longer shaft. It is called arm lock putting because the putter handle sits up against the inside of your left forearm. You’ll need to keep your forearm pressed against the putter handle to use this grip.
Both Matt Kuchar and Bryson Dechambeau use this grip style.
A subcategory of this putting grip is the Wristlock grip. Instead of the putter grip resting on the forearm, it’ll lie against the left wrist.
Pros
- Provides stability in your putting stroke due to the long putter.
- Allows your shoulders to focus on the pendulum rocking motion.
- Overactive wrists are not a problem.
- Will prevent you from anchoring during your stroke.
- Your hands will be ahead of the golf ball when you strike.
Cons
- It is quite a different grip style, so it may take some time to get used to.
- You will need a putter that is a personalized length for you. This can become very expensive. You will also need the putter to be fitted to you, which will cost even more money.
- If the putting green is slow and the putt ahead is long, this style can become complicated.
- Lining up your ball to the putter may be difficult because your putter is already leaning forward on your left forearm.
Broomstick Grip
The broomstick grip is similar to the arm lock grip and wristlock grip because it also has a long putter shaft – but this putting grip is even longer! In golf, the putter isn’t allowed to be anchored, so this putter will still need to stop about an inch away from your chest.
Your left hand can hold the top of the putter using a conventional putting grip. You can then place your right hand lower down on the grip, creating a large gap between your hands.
Adam Scott is known for using this putting grip.
Pros
- Can aid in stroke consistency.
- Relieves strain on the back by allowing a more upright stance.
- Allows for an effortless pendulum motion.
Cons
- Not ideal for long putts because you can’t get a decent backswing.
- There is a negative stigma associated with this putting grip style because it was used for anchoring and was therefore banned.
- The feel of putting is exchanged for consistency.
Prayer Putting Grip
The prayer grip uses an equal hand position. Both hands grip the putter at the same height, with both thumbs being placed alongside each other down the center of the putter. Your index fingers can either tuck behind the grip and have one go over the other, or they can each point straight down the side of the putting grip.
Matt Wallace uses the prayer grip.
Pros
- Hands are level, making shoulders also level.
- This putting grip style makes the perfect triangle between your arms and shoulders, giving you the setup for the pendulum motion.
Cons
- You’ll need a wider putting grip for both of your thumbs to fit on top of the grip and for there to still be enough grip to fit comfortably in both your right and left palms.
Putting Grip Style Meets Grip Size
As we’ve mentioned, ideal grips types and their sizes must be determined by you. But, as a basic comparison, these are some common pairings found among PGA tour players:
- Traditional grip style – (right-hand low for right-handed golfers): Standard or midsize grip
- Cross-hand or left-hand low – Midsize or oversize grip
- Pencil or claw-style – Suits any grip size
FAQS
What is a conventional putting grip?
A conventional grip is the same as any grip style that you would use for your other golf shots. The only difference when it comes to putting rather than, say, driving or wedging, is the hand position. Your thumbs must be placed down the top of the putting grip and the v’s of your hands will point upwards.
Which putting grip is right for you?
This can only be determined through trial and error and practice. While on the golf course or practice green, go through the options to find the putting grip style that suits your putting technique
Can you regrip your putter?
Yes, you can! But you won’t need to very often. Because you hold your putter grip with a much lighter pressure in comparison to a full golf swing, the grip will take longer to wear. So it’ll be a while until you’ll need a new putter grip. That being said, you can change your putter grip with a grip removal tool, grip solution, and grip tape.
What is the advantage of a fat putter grip?
Fat putter grips minimize the amount that your hand and wrist can move during your putting stroke. This can potentially save you from many missed puts and give you more stability and control.