There are very specific rules about how to hold a driver or iron. However, you can grip your club any way you want on the putting green as long you can keep the stroke consistent.
Certain putter grips have become more popular over the years. These grips are designed to allow golfers to keep their putter face squared and pass the impact zone easily.
Let’s take a look at 6 different types of putter grips and which one is best for your game.
Claw
Whenever I look at a golfer using the claw grip, the first thing that comes to mind is that they don’t know how to hold a putter. Of course, this isn’t true; this one just looks odd, like you have your hands mixed up.
Phil Mickelson gave the claw a shot when he won PGA Championship. Phil has struggled with consistency in putting, especially for putts under 10′. He seems to have improved since switching to the claw.
This grip requires that you hold your left hand at top of the club, with the thumb pointed down. Next, use your right hand to grab the club beneath using just the index and thumb fingers. The rest of your fingers will be in the back.
Although the claw grip is not the most popular option in the game of golf, it can be useful for those who have hands that aren’t very steady.
Pros
- It can help calm wrists and hands
- Encourages more consistency when strokes are made
- It is effective for shorter putts
Cons
- It can be difficult to position your hands correctly each time.
- Putting stroke is not as effective for arc styles.
Pros Who This Putting Grips Style:Justin Rose, Phil Mickelson
Best for:This grip is ideal for those with a straight back straight through stroke. The claw putter grasp may be right for you. Read our full guide to the claw puttergrip here.
Cross-handled
Cross handed putting grips are also known as the left-hand low. This grip is common and can be used to increase stability as well as decrease wrist action. Golfers on the PGA Tour use the cross handed grip often, and it’s an excellent option for amateur golfers to think about as well.
The cross-handed grip is very simple. Left handed golfers will place their right hand lower on the club, while the left hand will be raised higher. Switching your hands allows you to keep your wrists from slipping and gives you more consistency.
The problem with the low left hand is that it can feel a bit restrictive when making longer putts. It can take some effort to get the hands to cooperate during the putting stroke.
Pros
- Simple to learn: Putting grip style
- This can be done almost immediately by players without any learning curve
Cons
- On longer putts, this does not feel as strong.
- It can be a little restrictive.
Pros Who This Putting Grips Style:Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson
Best for:The cross handed putter grip is ideal for those who have difficulty flipping their wrists during their golf putting stroke. If you want a more detailed cross handed putting stroke explanation, read our full article here.
Left Hand Low
The left hand should be lower than the right, while the cross-handed putting grip is the exact same. Different golfers will have different hands. Some players will reverse overlap, while others will keep their hands separated.
The key to a low putting grip with the left hand is that your hands are in control and your movement is limited. This position requires that your left hand is the lowest on the club and your right hand must remain high.
Pros
- It is easy to set up
- The same as the cross-handed putting grip
- Used on the PGA Tour
- It has a very stable feeling
Cons
- For longer putts, it is a little more restrictive
Pros Who This Putting Grips Style: Billy Horschel, Jordan Spieth
Best for:The left hand low technique is a great option if you want to limit your wrists and hands in your putting stroke. You can read our left hand low putting grip guide right here.
Reverse Overlap
Reverse overlap is so popular that it is often called the traditional putter grip style. This grip is ideal for those who want to hold a putter like Tiger Woods.
The reverse overlap is my favorite when I’m trying out different putting strokes. This grip feels more natural and helps you keep your putter in the right place.
You will need to place your right hand in the normal position on the bottom side of the club for the reverse overlap. Grab the club with your lefthand. Place the ping, ring finger and middle finger on the grip.
Players can experiment with different locations for their fingers. The key is to make sure that your hands are connected and that you have less movement during the putting stroke. You will need to ensure that your fingers are not buried in the opposite hand when you do the reverse overlap.
This grip can feel weak but it is not likely to get any better.
Pros
- It is easy to get yourself in the right spot
- Feels more in control
- It can help eliminate excessive wrist motion
Cons
- Not as effective as the left-hand low putting grip at preventing unwanted wrist action
Pros Who This Putting Grips Style:Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy
Best for:This is the best place for you to start if your regular putting grip isn’t working. Try the reverse overlap for a few rounds to determine if it helps you improve your putting stroke. This works for both straight back and arc style. You can learn more about reverse overlap if this putting stroke interests.
Arm Lock
It is always funny to me when I teach about the arm lock that the two golfers who use this putting grip style are quirky. Bryson Dechambeau is known as the scientist of the PGA Tour.
He analyses and dissects things most golf professionals wouldn’t worry about. He believes this helps his game. He uses the arm lock putting technique because it helps to create rigidity and consistency in this stroke.
Keegan Bradley is a skilled player who can move on the course and perform pre-shot routines. The Arm lock putter grip allows him to lock in place and take a shot.
An extended length putter is preferred by many golfers who use the arm lock putting stroke. Depending on your height and the setting that you prefer, you may be able to use a standard-length putter but with a longer arm lock grip.
You must hold the putter in an arm lock position. Your arm should extend almost to the ground. Then, your other arm should be extended towards the grip.
Golfers often feel like their left forearm is pressing against the putter grip for most of the putting stroke. This creates a stable motion, as you can see.
Pros
- Very consistent in shorter putts
- Allows players stay more centered
- Long putts are not a weakness
- Putting is easier when you are more careful
Cons
- You need to give your putter a new grip
Pros Who This Putting Grips Style: Keegan Bradley, Bryson Dechambeau
Best for:This is a great option for those who are more precise in their putting technique and want to improve their ability to make putts within 10 yards. Our complete arm lock putting grasp guide is available here.
Prayer Putting Grip
The prayer putting grip allows you to hold the putter with your hands. For those who add too much pressure to the putter, the prayer putting grip can help reduce grip pressure.
The prayer putter grip is where you place one hand on each side of the shaft. The other hand will be facing the other. The index finger and thumb point straight down.
This grip is quite fun at first.
When your hands are put on the club, you will notice that the grip pressure is reduced almost because you feel as though there isn’t a way to grab the club appropriately. This is not the end goal, but it can make it more difficult to feel stable when putting.
I have trouble with the prayer putting grip when playing on the golf course. When I’m practicing and working on different putting strokes, it always feels good, but translating on the golf course is hard. To stay in control, I feel like I need a little more pressure in my hands and traction.
Pros
- Golfers can lower their grip pressure
- It’s easy to repeat the hand position each and every time because it is so simple
Cons
- The putter grip is less stable
- It can be more difficult for longer putts
Pros Who This Putting Grips Style: Matt Wallace
Best for:The prayer-putting grip works best for those who have difficulty controlling their grip and too much pressure in the hands. This grip has one problem. It creates so much pressure in your hands that you may have difficulty controlling the club. This is a drill that some players use to practice their skills on the putting course. Once they are comfortable with the lighter pressure, they switch to reverse overlap.
