Putter Grip?
 

Concerning the grip on your putter, (not the grip you take with your hands), do you use the normal grips that are offered by most manufacturers? I am starting to believe that they are too large and the flat front makes it difficult to take the same type of grip I use on my other clubs, specifically getting my left thumb aft of the shaft. Thank you for any input.

Jim S.

It's up to you which grip to use, but most players don't grip the putter the same way they do their other clubs.

putter grips
 

What matters is that your hands are comfortable on the putter, and that you are not "twitching" trying to find a place to put your hands. FWIW I use the same grip on my putter as on every other club in my bag. I don't need a reminder where to put my hands and when you are faced with those incredibly weird little shots you sometimes have to hit with the Texas Wedge, having a regular grip makes it easier to "feel" how to maneuver the club or to re-grip it. Justathought:p

Obi WunPutt

This is exactly why I am asking this question. Shouldn't we be trying to take the same grip (our hands) as we do on our other clubs so that we don't start introducing manipulations into our stroke? Thanks Thom and Fred. Anyone else have any input?

Jim S.

Putting does not require high speed impact. Therefore you can zero out the wrist cock accumulator by not putting your thumb on the aft side of the shaft. Then the left arm and shaft can be close to in line.

The reason why most people use another grip for putting is a way to get both forearms on-plane.

Yes, I have been using the above method that you mentioned, 10-3-G, and lately not having much success. I was wondering if any others had changed to different putting strokes from this type and if they needed to change their putter grip (club, not hands) to accomodate these changes.
Also, if others wouldn't mind mentioning what category of stroke they are using and why.

Thanks again,
Jim S.

I put the shaft, right forearm, right elbow all on the same plane. I draw the club back with the right elbow/forearm and use a push stroke. I find the action has the least moving parts as possible while allowing the club to arc on plane. I use the same technique for pitches and chips.

I use a grip with center of palms [not heel] on shaft to putt. Each thumb straight down the shaft top and even the right index finger on the shaft aft parallel to the thumbs. Always have. Yoda modified it a tiny bit for me, though he didn't know he was, because we didn't work on putting! but by laying the left index finger on top of the three right fingers down the shaft...en voila!you have a Yoda preferred reverse overlapping grip to chip. With a center palm grip Yoda said the hinging action you choose is always pure. Hey! Take a lesson from Yoda and have him show it to you! Great for putting and chipping....

Push/Piston
 

The piston type stroke, with the right hand palm grip is the most reliable and generates the most FEEL for distance with putts. It also, as mentioned by others, has the fewest moving parts. Jack Nicklaus used this stroke, and let's face it, if you had a 6 footer for the freedom of the western world, there is no one in the history of golf you would rather have hit that putt.....:)

I cannot stress enough that the fewer moving parts in your putting stroke, the better it is, and it is NOT a pendulum. We can go further into the mechanics of that if anyone wishes. I am trying to put together a puttting video this weekend and post it for later perusal. Having trouble with my video camera.\

The major portions to putting are really very simple. 1 - be COMFORTABLE over the ball. 2 Stand so that you are STABLE over the ball. 3 hold the putter so that it feels comfortable in your hands and completely eliminates any wrist action whatsoever. 4 Hold the putter so that the palm of your dominant hand is on the grip (for distance fee). 5 KEEP YOUR HEAD STILL 6 ACCELERATE the putter through the ball, regardless of the distance or speed of the greens.

And MOST important. If you are an EXPERT putter, you will make slightly more that 50% of your 6 ' putts, and slightly more than 20% of your 10 foot putts, so don't beat your self up if you don't make'em all.

If you want to make more birdies, hit your approach shots closer to the hole :D

Obi WunPutt