Putting Grip Drills That Get Results

Are You Gripping Your Putter All Wrong?

Most golf students who have trouble putting have one thing in common — they tend to grip the putter in the exact same manner they grip other clubs in their bag, which is an overlapping grip or interlocking grip. Golfers new to the game commonly haven't learned how important it is to hold the putter properly for best results.

The Reverse Overlap Grip

To use the best possible grip when making putts, try learning the "reverse overlap grip" which is a favorite with amateur golfers and tour professionals. This type of grip will help keep the putter face square to the ark of your stroke. This helps keep the face traveling down through the target line.

Here is a simple 4-step drill using the reverse overlap grip…

Step 1: Hold your putter so that the putters bottom is pointing towards the sky and your right hand is holding the grip right in front of your face, kind of like holding a baseball bat before a swing.

Holding the club this way will help you learn the proper set up for the reverse overlap grip. If you try gripping the putter close to the ground, it may be too difficult to adjust your hands to this new position right off.

Step 2: Now take your left hand and place it on the putter handle. Your thumb should be pointing down the shaft (which for now, is actually pointing to the sky) and your left index finger should be kept off the grip for now.

Step 3: The next step is to take the fleshy part (or the palm) of your right hand and put it on the flat part, or backside of your grip. The thumbs should be pointing down. So far, if you have correctly followed these instructions, all of your fingers should be neatly wrapped around the handle of your putter, all except for your left index finger.

Step 4: Finally, take your right hand and slide it down the shaft just until your left thumbnail is covered up. Both of your thumbs should be pointing straight down the shaft, and your left index finger will overlap the fingers from your right hand.

Once you get used to putting with this grip, you should see immediate improvement on your shots. And the reason why it is important to hold the putter like this is because your standard grips (overlapping and interlocking) will cause unwanted rotation of the clubface, which is obviously disastrous when you need a dead-on straight putt.

Putting Tips…

For Better Confidence Break Your Putt into 2 Steps

Although good golfers make putting look simple, it can be a very tricky skill to learn.

Many times players will muster up so much concentration on the target line that they forgot to factor in the amount of speed needed in order to get the ball near the hole.

The target line can easily hypnotize you into forgetting all of the other little details that go into a successful putt, especially if you are putting from a very contoured green with bumps or ridges. Standing over the golf ball and getting confident on the chosen target line and factoring in where the ball may break, can be quite intimidating.

Your thoughts might go something like, "Where do I start? The ball may break left, then right, and then left again!" Even an easy putt with a slight bender is enough to worry the mind! "DON’T GET HYPNOTIZED."

Make It Easier on Yourself: First Determine The Line Then Calculate The Speed

To simplify the thought process of the challenge ahead, simply read the break and then choose a middle spot between the ball and the hole you are aiming at. This spot can be anything that helps you focus – a spec of sand, a divot mark, a discolored strand of grass. Just select something that you can see clearly.

Is Your Line Set? Great, Now Move Onto Speed Calculation

Once you determine the line, it is time to clear your thoughts so you can now focus your attention on setting the appropriate speed for your putt. What you have done thus far is break up your shot into pieces, which helps you factor in both the line and the right speed needed, but without boggling you down with anxiety or the yips.

Now ask yourself how much speed will be needed to hit the putt in order for the ball to get to the desired spot. And what do you expect the next putt to do once it hits that spot? Will the ball roll faster downhill or towards the break?

Final Tip

Try to choose an initial target spot that is close to where your ball is lying, as it will make quick putts much easier to handle.

And if you must, be sure to put some muscle and power behind the putt. You may want to consider picking a target that is farther from the golf ball that you can still see clearly. Picking targets like this allow you to focus on getting it close enough with the right speed needed.