The 6 Best Putting Grip Styles: Pros, Cons, & How-Tos

Putting makes up roughly 43% of all the strokes you take in a round. That is more than any other singular aspect of the game, and your grip can greatly impact your putts.

But techniques for gripping the putter have become varied and as individualized as golfers.

So, what are the best putting grip styles?

1. Traditional Putting Grip
2. Reverse Overlap Putting Grip
3. Cross-Handed or Lead Hand Low Putting Grip
4. Claw Putting Grip
5. Pencil Putting Grip
6. ArmLock and WristLock Putting Grips

Unfortunately, if you’re using the wrong grip for your putting stroke, you’ll make it much more difficult. You could even lower your score by 3 to 5 by choosing the right grip for your swing.

Read on to learn about the best putting grip styles, including how to do them and their pros and cons.

Check this out: The 15 Best Putter Grips

The Traditional Putting Grip

The traditional putting grip is very similar to the way you would hold any other club. This is the style that, as the name suggests, has long been the go-to for putting. However, more golfers have explored alternative putting grip styles over the past two decades.

How to Grip in this Style

A standard or conventional putting grip is structured very much like a normal grip with all your other clubs.

1. Place your lead hand on top with the thumb going straight down the center of the shaft. That thumb will point towards the putter head.

2. Next, place the trail hand under the lead hand. The thumb pad on this hand will go over the thumb on the lead hand. The thumb of the trail hand will also run straight down the center of the shaft and point toward the putter head.

3. Ensure the V’s created between the pointer finger and the thumb point toward your chin.

4. The back of your lead hand will face the target, and the palm of your trail hand will do the same.

5. As you connect the hands, you can grip the putter like you do with the rest of your clubs. The most typical technique is to have the trail pinky finger interlocking or overlapping the pointer finger of the lead hand. You can also impart a 10-finger style, where the hands are not connected but rather butted up against each other.

Pros

The most significant benefit of this style is its nature. Since this is very similar to how you hold the rest of your clubs, this will be a straightforward transition.

In addition, having the thumbs running straight down the center of the shaft often helps visually. It gives you the sense of straight lines, which is important for many in putting.

Cons

The cons of the traditional putting grip have led to many different variations on how to hold the putter. The most notable is the potential for one hand to take over the stroke over the other.

When the hands are not working as a unit, and one takes the lead over the other, you start to have problems. For example, if your trail hand takes over on the through stroke and at impact, you will tend to pull putts.

Read more: How To Putt And Become A Master On The Greens

The Reverse Overlap Putting Grip

The reverse overlapping putting grip style is the most widely used on the PGA Tour. This is the technique that Tiger Woods uses. Its basics are similar to the traditional putting grip. What differs is the way that the hands are connected to each other.

How to Grip in this Style

Most of the setup with this grip style is the same as the traditional putting grip technique. The significant difference is in how the hands are connected.

1. Place your lead hand on top with the thumb straight down the shaft’s center. That thumb will point towards the putter head.

2. Next, place the trail hand under the lead hand. The thumb pad on this hand will go over the thumb on the lead hand. The thumb of the trail hand will also run straight down the center of the shaft and point toward the putter head.

3. Ensure the V’s created between the pointer finger and the thumb point toward your chin.

4. The back of your lead hand will face the target, and the palm of your trail hand will do the same.

5. The hands’ connection is the big difference between the traditional putting grip and the reverse overlapping. Instead of your pinky finger on the trail hand overlapping and on top of the lead hand index finger, you will reverse it. Your lead hand index finger will lay on top of the trail hand pinky finger.

Pros

The benefit of this grip style is a feeling of added connection between the hands. In a standard grip, with your irons and woods, you want the hands to be connected and able to simultaneously release the club. In putting, you are not firing and turning over the hands.

This grip assists in keeping the hands quiet and not trying to roll over as they would in the full swing. It also keeps the grip more in each palm for increased control.

Cons

The only disadvantage of this grip is that it’s not comfortable. It may feel odd for those accustomed to holding the club in a particular fashion. However, like any adjustment or change, that will go away with practice and repetition.

More from Golf Span: 9 Best Fat Putter Grips

The Cross-Handed or Lead Hand Low Putting Grip

The left-hand low or cross-handed putting grip style has become very popular over recent years. This is basically a reversal of the hands from how they would be placed in a traditional putting grip. It achieves a consistent and reliable putting stroke by keeping your shoulders level. It also prevents your lead hand from taking over.

Jack Nicklaus was famously quoted as saying, “If I had to teach someone how to putt from scratch, I would start them off cross-handed.”

Of all the non-traditional techniques for gripping the putter, this may be one of the more popular.

How to Grip in this Style

Getting set up to use the left-hand low putting grip is fairly easy.

1. Put your trail hand on the top of the grip with the thumb going down the center of the shaft.

2. Place your lead hand next. You will place the thumb pad of your lead hand over the top of your trail hand thumb.

3. The thumb of your lead hand will also run straight down the shaft.

4. The back of your lead hand should be facing your target.

5. Deciding to connect your hands is entirely up to you. I actually do not connect the hands per se. I keep them in more of a ten-finger setting where the pinky finger on my lead hand and the pointer finger on my trail hand simply sit next to each other. Some may choose to overlap those two fingers, and I have even seen interlocking them.

6. Set up with the ball positioned just under your lead armpit.

7. I must stress two other points that may go unnoticed in the setup using this grip style. You should get the feel of having your elbows pinned to your torso. You will bend forward from your hips and position your eyes over the ball.

Pros

The first reason many golfers convert to this style is to help keep the shoulders level. Golfers often get too open or closed with their shoulders, not just in putting but also with the full swing.

Being correctly aligned with the body is critical to putting consistently well. The lead hand low or cross-handed putting style helps keep the shoulders more level and parallel left of the target line.

The other reason golfers go lead hand low in putting is to keep the trail hand from taking over. The trail hand often takes over on the trough stroke and at impact. When this happens, the path of the putter head tends to go outside to inside. You want a square putter face at impact to ensure you hit a putt straight down your target line.

Cons

One of the significant disadvantages of this putting grip style is that it limits the length of your backstroke. This is why some that use this style, like Lydia Ko, only use it for mid-range to short putts.

Read on: The 12 Best Putting Drills To Sink More One Putts

The Claw Putting Grip

As mentioned previously, we want quiet hands in putting. Unlike in full swing, we don’t want the hands releasing or overactive wrists in putting. With the traditional putting grip this can and often does happen. Some golfers are good at minimizing that urge to get too active with the hands while gripping this way. Others struggle with it, which is why alternative grips have become popular.

The claw is another example of a putting grip style that has become popular over the last 20 years. The reason? Like the lead hand low style, it keeps the hands from getting too active—especially the trail hand.

How to Grip in this Style

The following is a rundown of the basic claw style of gripping the putter.

1. Place your lead hand on top with the thumb going straight down the center of the shaft. That thumb will point towards the putter head.

2. Next, you will place your trail hand on the putter entirely differently than conventional. The trail hand will be placed under the lead hand with the palm facing the ground. You will not “grip” the putter with this hand. The fingers stay open as the hand rests on the putter.

3. You want to apply gentle pressure but not force with the trail hand. The trail hand is basically along for the ride as the lead hand takes the lead.

4. You want to feel your stroke is being led by the rocking of the shoulders rather than the hands leading it.

Pros

Like many other non-traditional putting grip styles, the claw lets you stay level with the shoulders. It allows you to make a stroke that is far less “handsy” and led more by the rocking of the shoulders.

This putting style is very effective for the likes of Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, Sergio Garcia, and, more recently, Tony Finau.

Cons

Like with all of these alternatives to the traditional putting grip, one of the most significant initial drawbacks is the comfortability factor. Some of these grips are flat-out different. That is enough for many golfers not even to try them.

If you were to manage that first hurdle, the next con to the claw is distance control. Much like with the lead hand low grip, longer putts are often more challenging to get used to. Many struggle with this and may use a different grip for longer putts. As is often the case with the lead hand low grip.

Read more: The 10 Best Putting Aids

The Pencil or Pen Putting Grip

The pencil or pen putting grip is simply a variation of the claw grip. It is only different in how the trail hand is put on the club. The premise is the same, however. It keeps the hands from getting too active, especially that trail hand.

How to Grip in this Style

The following is a rundown of the basic claw style of gripping the putter.

1. Place your lead hand on top with the thumb straight down the shaft’s center. That thumb will point towards the putter head.

2. Next, you will place your trail hand on the putter. The trail hand will be placed under the lead hand with the palm facing toward the target. You will grip the putter with this hand much like you would in holding a pencil or a pen, hence the name. The hand simply rests on the putter.

3. Like with the claw, you want to apply gentle pressure with the trail hand. The trail hand is along for the ride as the lead hand takes the lead.

4. You want to feel as though your stroke is being led by the rocking of the shoulders rather than the hands leading it.

Pros

The putting stroke should be a rocking of the shoulders with little to no other moving parts. If your wrists get too active, it will make it difficult for you to control your putting distances and direction consistently.

This is why the claw and pencil or pen grip appeal to many. It helps them produce a better stroke overall and limits hand action.

Cons

You guessed it…the comfortability factor is a drawback for some. This is a grip that takes a lot of getting used to. However, if you start putting better, that uncomfortable grip will quickly become your new best friend!

The ArmLock and WristLock Putting Grips

In 2016, the United States Golf Association (USGA), in conjunction with the Royal and Ancient (R&A), introduced a ban on anchoring in putting. As a result, using long putters and anchoring the top of the grip into a golfer’s chest or other parts of the body became illegal.

This was a reasonably popular alternative for many golfers that struggled with their putting. Especially those with the putting yips. Once it became against the rules, golfers looked for other options. Many of which we covered above.

The arm and wrist lock putting grips are relatively new and, for many, are seen as a response to the anchoring ban.

This style has been made famous in recent years by Bryson DeChambeau. Other PGA Tour stars using either technique include Keegan Bradley, Matt Kuchar, and Will Zalatoris.

How to Grip in These Styles

Here is a look at using the Arm and Wrist lock putting grip:

1. Using this grip requires the use of a longer putter. It would be best to have a putter that runs as high as your elbow in your lead arm for the lock. For the wrist lock, you will need a putter that runs just past the wrist of your lead arm. These putters are often made with a unique grip and a flat lead side. This is so it can rest on your forearm for the arm lock and just above your wrist for the wrist lock.

2. Grip the putter with your lead hand first like you would with a standard putting grip. Your arms will be fully extended.

3. The extra length of the top end of the putter will rest on your forearm for the arm lock. For the wrist lock, it will rest just above the wrist. The putter becomes an extension of the lead arm.

4. You will place your trail hand as you would in a traditional putting grip.

5. The ball will be positioned in the middle of your stance. Your eyes will be over the ball.

6. As you stroke the putt, you will keep the top of the shaft against your forearm for the arm lock and against the wrist for the wrist lock.

Pros

For those looking for stability in their putting, this grip style offers just that in conjunction with the long putter. This method also allows you to get a feel for a pendulum stroke by rocking the shoulders.

Any fear of the hands getting too active is not a worry with the arm and wrist lock styles.

Cons

Again, the biggest downfall to this style is that it is different and takes some time to get used to. Putting is very individualized, and it comes down to feeling comfortable with how you choose to putt.

Another con is that you need a specialized putter that fits you. This can get expensive. The cost of a good arm lock putter will set you back at least between $200 and $300 or more, depending on the brand. Getting fit for this putter is also advisable, which is another cost.

As with other alternative putting grips, longer putts, and slower greens can often become complicated.

In Summary

Putting is one facet of the game that is more individualized. That is one of the main reasons for so many different styles of gripping the putter. Golfers can often find more consistency in their strokes through these various techniques.

Playing around with these different techniques is something I suggest, especially if you consider yourself an inconsistent putter. Putting is, without question, a massively important component of the game. Playing well and shooting lower scores depends significantly on your ability to be a good putter. So trying something new, in terms of how you grip and stroke your putter, may be needed to help you get better and reach your potential.

FAQ