Finally Master Putting Grip: 3 Secrets Weekend Golfers Use (Works)

Standing over that crucial 4-footer with your buddies watching, your hands feel like they're holding a snake instead of a putter. I know exactly how you feel – after 25 years of weekend golf, I've been there more times than I care to admit.

Here's what I discovered after countless rounds of frustration: your putting grip might be sabotaging every putt before you even take the putter back. But here's the thing – the fix is simpler than you think, and it doesn't require expensive lessons or perfect practice conditions.

What finally clicked for me was understanding that putting success isn't about finding the "perfect" grip that works for everyone. It's about finding the grip that makes YOU feel confident and in control, especially when the pressure's on.

In our weekly foursome, we've all struggled with the same putting demons. But the guys who've figured out their grip? They're the ones sinking clutch putts and taking our money. Today, I'm going to share the three grip secrets that transformed my putting – and can transform yours too.

What Makes a Golf Putting Grip Actually Work?

Before diving into specific techniques, let's address the elephant in the room: why do so many weekend golfers struggle with their putting grip?

According to Golf.com's analysis of PGA Tour putting grips, 74% of the top 50 putters use the traditional reverse overlap grip. But here's what they don't tell you – the grip style matters less than how consistently you apply it.

Through countless rounds with my buddies, I've learned that the best putting grip is the one that addresses your specific putting problems. Are you yanking short putts left? Leaving long putts short? Three-putting from 20 feet? Each issue has a grip solution.

The secret isn't copying Tiger Woods or Jordan Spieth. It's understanding why certain grips work for certain problems, then choosing the one that makes YOU feel most confident over crucial putts.

The 3 Essential Putting Grip Styles Every Weekend Golfer Should Know

After years of experimenting and watching what actually works on the course, I've identified three grip styles that solve the most common weekend golfer putting problems. But here's where it gets interesting... Each grip targets a specific issue you're probably struggling with.

1. The Traditional Reverse Overlap Grip (For Natural Feel)

This is the grip most of us learned first, and there's a reason it's still the most popular. It's kinda like riding a bike – once you get the feel, it becomes automatic.

According to Golf Monthly's expert analysis, the key difference from your full swing grip is holding the putter in your palms, not your fingers.

Here's what I discovered during my putting breakthrough: Place your left index finger over the fingers of your right hand, with both thumbs pointing straight down the shaft. What this does is lock your hands together as one unit.

Who should use this grip? If you're comfortable with your current putting but want better consistency, or if you're just starting to take putting seriously, this is your foundation. I still use this grip for most of my putts, especially under pressure.

The magic happens when you realize this grip lets you use your natural hand-eye coordination. Your putting fundamentals become more instinctive, which is exactly what you want when your buddies are watching you over a money putt.

2. The Cross-Handed (Left-Hand Low) Grip (For Short Putt Confidence)

I'll be honest – I was skeptical about this one until I tried it during a particularly frustrating round where I missed four putts inside 6 feet. What happened next changed everything about how I approach pressure putts.

Phil Kenyon (specialist putting coach to Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka, Justin Rose, 70+ PGA and European Tour wins, 4 Major Championships) explains that this grip "effectively kills any chance of the left wrist breaking down, or of the right hand taking over."

The setup is simple: left hand below the right, with your left hand closer to the putter head. It's kinda like steadying a flashlight with both hands – the lower hand provides the stability, the upper hand provides the guidance.

According to SuperStroke's putting research, this grip is particularly effective at combating the dreaded "yips" and improving short-range putting.

Last month, I switched to this grip for all putts inside 10 feet, and my make percentage jumped from about 60% to over 85%. The reason? It almost eliminates the possibility of jerky hand movements under pressure.

Try this if: You're struggling with short putts, especially when the pressure's on. It's also perfect for putting practice sessions where you want to groove a steady stroke.

3. The Claw Grip (For Distance Control)

This one looks weird, I'll admit it. But before you dismiss it, consider this: Scottie Scheffler, the world's #1 player, switched to the claw grip for shorter putts during his dominant 2024 season.

Butch Harmon (former coach to Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Golf Digest's #1 instructor) notes that "the claw grip all but handcuffs the right hand and wrist, making the left hand, arms and shoulders guide the putter."

Here's how it works: left hand in the normal position, right hand holding the grip like you're pinching it between your thumb and index finger. Your palm faces your body, and the grip rests in the crook between your thumb and finger.

What I love about this grip is how it forces you to make a smooth, pendulum-like stroke. It's kinda like using training wheels on a bike – it prevents you from making the mistakes that cause poor distance control.

According to Golf Digest's analysis of PGA Tour putting statistics, players using alternative grips like the claw often struggle with short putts initially but excel at distance control on longer putts.

Perfect for: Golfers who three-putt too often from outside 15 feet. If you're the guy who can read greens well but can't control speed, this grip might be your game-changer.

How to Choose the Right Putting Grip for Your Game

You're probably wondering, "Johnny, this all sounds great, but which grip should I actually use?" Here's the thing – the best putting grip is the one that solves your specific putting problems.

Over the years, I've developed a simple system that works for weekend golfers like us. It's based on identifying your biggest putting weakness, then matching it to the grip that addresses that specific issue.

The Weekend Golfer's Grip Selection Test

Step 1: Identify Your Primary Putting Problem

During your next practice session, hit 20 putts from different distances and track your misses. Are you:

• Missing short putts left or right? (Directional control issue)
• Leaving long putts short or blowing them past? (Distance control issue)
• Three-putting frequently? (Speed control issue)
• Feeling nervous over crucial putts? (Confidence issue)

Step 2: Match Your Problem to the Right Grip

Sean Foley (PGA Tour instructor, former coach to Tiger Woods, Justin Rose, worked with 15+ tour winners) emphasizes that "putting confidence comes from having a repeatable stroke that you trust under pressure."

Here's my recommendation based on thousands of putts with my regular foursome:

If you miss short putts left/right: Try the cross-handed grip. It levels your shoulders and takes the jerky right-hand movement out of the equation. My playing partner switched to this after missing three crucial putts in our monthly scramble, and he hasn't missed a putt inside 5 feet since.

If you struggle with distance control: The claw grip might be your answer. It promotes that smooth, pendulum motion that's essential for good pace. Think of it like using a metronome – the rhythm becomes automatic.

If you're generally solid but inconsistent: Stick with the traditional grip but focus on grip pressure. According to HackMotion's analysis of putting data, "the grip you take does not matter all that much... However, if you put your hands on the club in a different position each time, you will pay for it."

Playing with my buddies at our home course last weekend, I watched one guy make this exact transition. He'd been struggling with 20-footers all season, constantly leaving them 4-5 feet short. After 15 minutes working on the claw grip, he rolled three consecutive putts to within 18 inches.

The Grip Pressure Secret Most Golfers Miss

Here's something I learned from watching countless weekend golfers: grip pressure matters more than grip style. You can have the perfect technique, but if you're squeezing the putter like you're trying to choke it, you'll never putt consistently.

The magic number? About a 4 on a scale of 1-10. It's kinda like holding a small bird – firm enough that it won't fly away, gentle enough that you won't hurt it.

What I discovered through trial and error is that most weekend golfers grip too tightly under pressure. Standing over that 6-footer to win the hole, your hands naturally tense up. The pros have trained themselves to maintain the same pressure regardless of the situation.

Try this drill that worked for me: Practice putting with just your thumbs and index fingers gripping the putter. It's impossible to squeeze too hard, and it teaches you what proper pressure feels like. After a few sessions, you'll naturally maintain lighter pressure with your full grip.

Common Putting Grip Mistakes That Kill Your Confidence

After watching hundreds of weekend golfers struggle on the greens, I've noticed the same mistakes keep showing up. The frustrating part? These are all easily fixable once you know what to look for.

Mistake #1: Changing Grip Style Mid-Round

I've been guilty of this one. You miss a couple putts with your normal grip, so you switch to something you saw on YouTube. Big mistake.

What happens is you lose all confidence in your stroke. Instead of trusting your fundamentals, you're thinking about hand positions when you should be focused on the line and speed.

The fix: Pick one grip style and stick with it for at least five rounds. Give yourself time to develop feel and confidence. Mental game consistency beats technical perfection every time.

Mistake #2: Gripping Too High or Too Low on the Handle

This one's subtle but deadly. I noticed my buddy Tom (okay, I said I wouldn't name names, but this is important) was gripping way up on the handle of his putter. He looked like he was trying to choke up on a baseball bat.

The result? No feel for distance, and his stroke looked mechanical and jerky. When he moved his hands to the proper position – about an inch from the top of the grip – his putting improved almost immediately.

The right position: Your hands should be positioned so the butt end of the putter is slightly below your belt line when you're in your putting stance. This gives you the best combination of control and feel.

Mistake #3: Inconsistent Hand Placement

This is the killer that most weekend golfers never realize they're doing. Your grip might be technically correct, but you're placing your hands slightly differently each time you address the ball.

According to PGA Tour putting coach David Orr, "The number one thing they need to decide is which grip style makes them feel the most coordinated." But coordination requires consistency – your hands need to go in the same position every single time.

My solution: Develop a pre-putt routine that includes placing your hands on the putter the exact same way every time. I use my thumbs as guides – both pointing straight down the shaft, both applying the same light pressure.

The Right-Hand Takeover Problem

This is probably the biggest issue I see with weekend golfers, and it took me years to figure out. Your right hand (for right-handed golfers) wants to dominate the stroke, especially under pressure.

What happens is your right hand gets active, causing you to pull putts left or push them right. It's kinda like trying to steer a car with only one hand – you lose the smooth, controlled motion you need for consistent putting.

The grips I mentioned earlier – especially the cross-handed and claw – are specifically designed to quiet the right hand. But even with a traditional grip, you can train yourself to let your left hand lead the stroke.

Practice this: Hit putts with only your left hand on the putter. It feels weird at first, but it teaches you what a left-hand-dominated stroke feels like. Once you've got that feeling, add your right hand back but keep it passive.

Advanced Putting Grip Techniques for Weekend Warriors

Once you've mastered the basics, there are a few advanced concepts that can take your putting to the next level. These aren't complicated – they're just refinements that most weekend golfers never think about.

The "Trigger Finger" Technique

This is something I picked up from watching tour players practice. Many pros extend their right index finger down the side of the putter grip rather than wrapping it around.

Stan Utley (GOLF Magazine Top 100 Teacher, former PGA Tour player) calls this technique essential for keeping the putter on plane. The extended finger acts like a rudder on a boat – it helps guide the putter straight back and through.

I started experimenting with this during practice sessions, and it immediately improved my ability to start putts on my intended line. The extended finger gives you better awareness of where the putter face is pointing throughout the stroke.

How to do it: Set up with your normal grip, then extend your right index finger straight down the side of the grip. The finger should be pointing toward the ground, not wrapped around the handle.

The "Palm Grip" Method

This technique focuses on getting more of your palms on the grip rather than gripping primarily with your fingers. It's kinda like the difference between holding a steering wheel and holding a pencil.

What I discovered is that gripping more in the palms gives you better feel for the putter head and more stable hand position throughout the stroke. Your hands feel more connected to the club, which translates to better distance control.

Justin Rose (2013 U.S. Open Champion, former World #1, Olympic Gold Medalist) explains that "the palm grip allows for better feel and control, especially on longer putts where distance is critical."

Try this: Instead of gripping the putter in your fingers like you would a full swing club, place the grip more in your palms. Both palms should be roughly parallel to each other and perpendicular to the target line.

Grip Pressure Variation for Different Distances

Here's an advanced concept that transformed my lag putting: slightly varying your grip pressure based on putt length.

For putts inside 10 feet, I use my standard "4 out of 10" pressure. But for longer putts where distance control is crucial, I lighten up to about a "3." The softer grip gives me better feel for the distance and promotes a smoother stroke.

According to TrackMan data analysis, professional golfers unconsciously adjust their grip pressure based on putt distance. The key word is "unconsciously" – this should become automatic with practice, not something you think about during your stroke.

Practice this concept during your next session. Hit putts from 5, 15, and 30 feet, paying attention to how grip pressure affects your distance control. You'll probably find that slightly lighter pressure on long putts helps you avoid the "hit and hope" mentality.

The "Connection" Concept

This is about making sure your hands, arms, and shoulders all work together as one unit. Many weekend golfers develop a handsy putting stroke where their arms and shoulders do one thing while their hands do another.

Sean Foley emphasizes that "great putting comes from the big muscles (shoulders and core) controlling the stroke, with the hands just along for the ride."

Practice drill: Place a headcover or small towel under your lead armpit and make putting strokes without dropping it. This forces your hands and arms to stay connected to your torso, creating the coordinated motion you want.

Putting Grip Practice Drills That Actually Work

All the theory in the world won't help if you don't practice the right way. These are the drills that actually moved the needle for me and countless other weekend golfers.

The "Coin Drill" for Grip Consistency

This drill comes from tour putting coaches and it's brilliant in its simplicity. Place a coin on the back of your left hand (for right-handed golfers) and make putting strokes without letting it fall off.

What this does is force you to keep your left wrist steady throughout the stroke. No breaking down, no flipping – just smooth, consistent motion. I practice this for 10 minutes before every round, and it's become automatic.

The first time I tried this drill, the coin fell off after about 6 inches of backswing. That's when I realized how much my wrists were moving during my stroke. After a few practice sessions, I could make full putting strokes with the coin staying put.

The "One-Handed" Drill for Hand Dominance

Left hand only: Hit 10 putts using only your left hand on the putter. This teaches you what a left-hand-dominated stroke feels like and helps quiet your right hand.

Right hand only: Hit 10 putts using only your right hand. This helps develop feel and touch, especially for distance control.

Both hands together: Now hit putts with both hands, but try to maintain the feeling from the left-hand-only drill. Your right hand should support, not dominate.

Phil Kenyon uses this drill with tour players to develop proper hand coordination. The goal isn't to putt one-handed permanently – it's to understand how each hand contributes to the stroke.

The "Pressure Test" Drill

This drill helps you maintain consistent grip pressure under different conditions. Set up three different scenarios:

Relaxed putts: Hit 10 putts with no pressure, focusing on your ideal grip pressure (that "4 out of 10" we talked about).

Pressure putts: Create artificial pressure by putting dollar bills on the line or playing against a buddy. Notice how your grip pressure wants to increase.

Recovery putts: Practice maintaining the same pressure even when you're trying to hole a crucial putt.

What I learned from this drill is that pressure putting is mostly about maintaining your normal routine and grip pressure. The putt itself doesn't change – only your mental state does.

The "Distance Ladder" with Grip Focus

Set up balls at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 feet. The goal isn't to make putts – it's to practice consistent grip pressure and stroke length for different distances.

Pay attention to:

• Does your grip pressure stay consistent as distances increase?
• Are you making the stroke longer with your body, or are you gripping harder?
• Can you feel the difference in stroke length without changing your grip?

This drill helped me understand that distance control comes from stroke length and tempo, not grip pressure or hitting harder. Your hands should feel the same on a 5-footer as they do on a 25-footer.

Key Takeaways for Better Putting Grip

After 25 years of weekend golf and countless conversations with fellow golfers, here's what I've learned about putting grips that actually matters:

Consistency beats perfection every time. I'd rather have a mediocre grip that I use the same way every putt than a "perfect" grip that varies slightly each time. Your hands are your only connection to the putter – make that connection reliable.

The three grip styles I've shared – traditional, cross-handed, and claw – each solve specific problems. Don't try to master all three at once. Pick the one that addresses your biggest putting weakness and stick with it for at least a month.

Remember, grip pressure is often more important than grip style. Most weekend golfers squeeze too tight under pressure. Practice maintaining that "4 out of 10" pressure whether you're putting for birdie or just trying to get down in two.

And here's something that took me way too long to learn: your putting grip should make you feel confident, not confused. If you're standing over a putt thinking about your hand position, you're focused on the wrong thing. The right grip becomes automatic, freeing your mind to focus on line and speed.

The goal isn't to putt like a tour pro – it's to putt like the best version of yourself. Find the grip that gives you confidence, practice it consistently, and watch your scores drop.

Your buddies will notice the difference immediately. More importantly, you'll finally have that feeling of confidence standing over crucial putts that every weekend golfer dreams about.

What grip style works best for most weekend golfers?

The traditional reverse overlap grip works best for about 70% of weekend golfers because it feels natural and provides good overall control. However, the "best" grip is the one that solves your specific putting problems.

If you're struggling with short putts under pressure, the cross-handed grip might be your answer. If distance control is your main issue, consider the claw grip. The key is identifying your primary putting weakness first, then choosing the grip that addresses that specific problem.

How tight should I grip my putter?

Your putting grip pressure should be about a 4 on a scale of 1-10 – firm enough to control the putter but light enough to maintain feel. Think of it like holding a small bird: secure enough that it won't fly away, gentle enough that you won't hurt it.

Most weekend golfers grip too tightly, especially under pressure. The secret is maintaining the same pressure whether you're putting for par or putting to win the match. Practice this consistently, and your distance control will improve dramatically.

Can changing my putting grip actually improve my scores?

Yes, but only if you change to the right grip for your specific problems and stick with it consistently. I've seen golfers drop 3-5 strokes immediately after finding the right grip style.

The biggest improvement comes from addressing whatever's causing your missed putts. If you're yanking short putts left because of an overactive right hand, switching to a cross-handed grip can be game-changing. But changing grips just to try something new rarely helps – you need a specific reason for the change.

Should I use the same grip for all putts?

Absolutely. Consistency is more important than having different techniques for different situations. Your hands should go on the putter the exact same way whether you're facing a 3-foot putt to save par or a 30-foot putt for birdie.

Some golfers vary their grip pressure slightly for different distances (lighter for long putts, normal for short putts), but your actual hand position should never change. This builds muscle memory and confidence, which are crucial for putting under pressure.

How long does it take to get comfortable with a new putting grip?

Plan on 2-3 weeks of consistent practice to feel comfortable with a new putting grip, and about a month to develop full confidence. The key is giving yourself enough time to build muscle memory before judging whether the change is working.

Don't switch grips mid-round or abandon a new grip after one bad putting day. Stick with your choice for at least 5 rounds to give it a fair test. Most golfers who benefit from grip changes see improvement within the first week but need more time to trust it completely.

What's the biggest putting grip mistake weekend golfers make?

The biggest mistake is inconsistent grip pressure, especially tightening up under pressure. About 90% of missed short putts come from squeezing the putter too tight when the pressure's on.

The second biggest mistake is changing grip styles too frequently. Pick one grip and stick with it long enough to develop feel and confidence. Constantly switching between different grips prevents you from ever getting comfortable with any of them.

Putting Grips You Should Master Next

Ready to take your short game to the next level? These proven techniques will complement your improved putting grip:

• Essential Putting Tips That Drop 5 Strokes
• Master the Fundamentals of Putting
• Putting Practice Routines That Actually Work
• Mental Game Secrets for Pressure Putting

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