Putting Fundamentals: The Grip

When we set up well, we increase the probability of returning the putter back to square at impact and we allow good putting technique to be rewarded.

Set up flaws in putting increase the number of variables required to make a good putting stroke.  We basically have to produce poor technique to get good results, which is something that is very difficult to do on a repeatable basis.

Grip

·         Hands Close Together

We want the hands to come together in a way where they function as one, solid unit. 

The reverse-overlap grip is a common putting grip that is used by most professionals.  Instead of interlocking your pointer finger on your top hand, you rest that finger along the outside of the bottom hand, across the knuckles.

That being said, it is unimportant exactly how you bring your hands together.  In my opinion, it is perfectly fine to use the same grip you would on a full swing.  What is important is that the hands are close together and working as one.

·         Palms Facing

Getting the hands on the club in a way where the palms face each other sets the hands in a neutral position.  By this, it is meant that both hands are balanced.  The right and the left work together and one is not put in a position to manipulate over the top of the other.

·         Support the Club Underneath/Cradle

We want to get the shoulders in a position to relax, rotate and do all the movement of the putting stroke.  In order to allow this to happen, we must support the club underneath it. 

Most amateurs push the putter from one side to the other or push down on top of the club.  That kind of a position encourages using the wrists and hands to hit the putt.  The problem with using the wrists and hands is that they are unreliable.  That little flip at the bottom of the putting stroke produces extra speed that is difficult to predict reliably.  That little flip of the wrists and hands also produces extra rotation of the putter face.  Basically, it would take a bit of a miracle to get the face square with the correct speed at the moment of impact with all these variables going on.  Sometimes this miracle happens and we get false feedback in what we are doing, overall, in our putting technique.

To get in the proper supportive position of the club, drop the angle of the wrists down into their natural position and fold the elbows into the side of the body.  It should be easy to hover the putter above the ground with little effort in this position.  

If you angle the wrists and fold the elbows into your side and the putter is nowhere near the ground, you have a posture issue, which we will address in the next section.

·         Hands Slightly Ahead of Clubhead

A general rule of thumb is that we want our dominant hand to hang in the center of our chest.  If we do this with the putter, it should put the ball position ahead of center and inside of our front foot.  This should also set our hands ever-so-slightly ahead of the clubhead.