Putting is the most important part of the game but sadly the least attention is paid to it! One must never forget to hone up the skills of putting as it contributes to 40-50% of the scores and can surely alter the direction of the game. Unfortunately, very few golfers concentrate on the correct putter grip that would help them make the right stroke
What is the Right Putting Grip?
There are many ways in which a putter can be held in hands. The players must remember to link their hands together on the club in a neutral grip. The grip must be made with the larger muscles of the shoulders relaxed such that there is no unwarranted tension emanating from the hands onto the putter.
There are Three Kinds of Putter Grips:
- Interlocking grip: This form of a grip is favored by golfers who have small hands. The little finger on the right hand and the left index finger interlock rather overlap. Tiger woods and jack Nicklaus favor the interlocking grip the most.
- Vardon grip: This grip is named after the famous British golfer Harry Vardon and is also called as the overlap grip. The little finger on the right hand rests in the groove between the index and the second finger on the left hand. This is the most popular grip among low handicappers. Many top players use the Vardon grip while they putt the ball.
- Baseball grip: Many coaches recommend this kind of a putter grip. The hands are placed side by side on the grip, without any link so there is more freedom of movement. This may however, cause breaking of the wrists which can affect the performance of the golfers.
Whatever grip you choose, ensure that your grip is perfected by regular practice in the game of putting. How to hold the putter need not be a great challenge to you, as long as you are perfectly comfortable of holding the putter and have lots of confidence to do so. A very strong grip with more than three knuckles on the left hand highly visible can affect the game negatively. You are more likely to hook or top many shots. Similarly, a weak grip which sees fewer than two knuckles on the left hand and more than two on the right can unnecessarily block shots out in the right!
Tiger Woods putter grip
Tiger, who is a golfing sensation and a genius who keep beating his own records. He prefers the reverse overlap putting grip that has his left forefinger laid across the fingers of the right hand. The handle of the putter runs under the butt of my left hand and thus, makes all the difference. According to Tiger, the lighter you hold the putter, the better would be the performance. He says that on a scale of 1to 10, for the grip pressure, his would be around 5. He emphasizes on the fact that a grip which provides a good feel and feedback would work wonders and make a lasting impact in the stroke.
