How to Grip the Putter for a Smooth, Confident Stroke

Why the Putter Grip Deserves More Attention

When most golfers think about grip, their minds go straight to the full swing. They’ll work on neutral hand position, grip pressure, and finger placement—but when it comes to putting, the grip often becomes an afterthought. That’s a mistake.

Your putting grip is just as important as your setup or stroke mechanics. It directly controls the face angle at impact, which plays the biggest role in starting the ball on line. A poor grip can introduce tension, promote wristy strokes, or make it nearly impossible to control distance and direction. But the right grip? It brings stability, confidence, and smoothness to every stroke.

If you’re struggling with consistency on the greens, your first checkpoint should be how you’re holding the putter. In this article, we’ll explore the most popular putting grip styles, what makes each one effective, and how to find the best grip for your stroke.

The Role of the Putter Grip in Stroke Mechanics

The purpose of the putting grip isn’t to generate power—it’s to provide control. Unlike the full swing, which involves high-speed motion and rotational force, putting is about precision, touch, and consistency. Your grip should support those goals by helping you quiet the hands and keep the face stable through impact.

One of the biggest contributors to poor putting is unnecessary wrist action. When your hands get too involved, the face tends to open or close during the stroke, causing pushes, pulls, or poor distance control. A proper putting grip reduces that wrist hinge and encourages a smoother motion led by the shoulders and upper body.

Another key role of the grip is to align your hands in a way that promotes a square face. Even a one-degree variation in face angle can send a putt off line, especially from short range. The right grip helps you keep the putter face square longer through the stroke and improves your chances of starting the ball on your intended line.

Whether you use a conventional grip, claw, or cross-handed style, the underlying goal is the same: reduce variables, promote a repeatable stroke, and let the putter do the work.

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Common Putting Grip Styles Explained

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to gripping the putter. In fact, some of the best putters in the world use completely different techniques. What matters is finding the style that gives you the most face control, comfort, and confidence. Here are four of the most popular putting grips used today:

Conventional (Reverse Overlap Grip)

This is the most traditional grip style and the one many golfers start with. The lead hand (top hand) grips the putter normally, while the index finger of the lead hand overlaps the fingers of the trail hand. It encourages both hands to work together while allowing for a bit of feel from the trail hand.

Pros:

• Balanced feel between hands
• Familiar to most players
• Good blend of control and touch

Cons:

• May allow for too much wrist motion for some players

Cross-Handed (Left-Hand Low Grip)

In this grip, the lead hand is placed below the trail hand, reversing their usual position. This helps level the shoulders and take excessive wrist movement out of the stroke.

Pros:

• Promotes shoulder-driven stroke
• Reduces flipping or scooping
• Excellent for short putts and under-pressure situations

Cons:

• Can feel awkward at first
• May reduce touch for long putts

Claw Grip

With the claw, the lead hand holds the putter in a standard position, while the trail hand rotates and “pinches” the grip from the side using the fingertips. This minimizes the trail hand’s influence and can help eliminate the yips.

Pros:

• Great for players with twitchy or overactive hands
• Increases face stability
• Forces smoother motion

Cons:

• Less natural feel for distance
• Steeper learning curve

Arm-Lock Grip

Used with a longer putter, the grip is pressed against the lead forearm and anchored there throughout the stroke. This method is legal under current rules and is used by several PGA Tour players.

Pros:

• Maximum stability
• Completely removes wrist action
• Ideal for players struggling with hand control

Cons:

• Requires a specific putter
• Can feel robotic or restrictive

Each grip style has its own benefits and drawbacks, and there’s no right answer for everyone. What’s important is understanding how each affects your mechanics and finding the one that gives you the most consistent results.

How to Choose the Right Grip for You

The best way to find your ideal putting grip is through experimentation. Test each of the grip styles above and pay close attention to your ball start line, face control, and overall comfort. If one feels awkward but produces better results, stick with it long enough to see if you can grow into it.

Your natural tendencies will also play a role. For example:

• If you tend to push putts, you may be leaving the face open—try cross-handed or claw to quiet your trail hand.
• If you feel wristy or “yippy” under pressure, arm-lock or claw grips may offer more stability.
• If you like to feel the stroke and rely on touch, the conventional grip may offer the most feel and feedback.

You should also consider your stroke type. A straight-back-straight-through stroke might pair well with a cross-handed or arm-lock grip, while a slight arc could benefit from the feel of a conventional or claw grip.

Above all, the grip should feel natural, promote a relaxed stroke, and give you confidence—especially on the short ones.

Tips for Holding the Putter Correctly

Once you’ve chosen your preferred grip style, the way you hold the putter still matters just as much as the style itself. Even within the same grip type, small differences in hand placement and grip pressure can make a big impact on your stroke consistency.

First, focus on grip pressure. Your hands should be relaxed—firm enough to control the putter, but soft enough to avoid tension. A good visual: hold the putter like you’re gripping a tube of toothpaste without squeezing anything out. Tension in your hands or forearms can cause jerky, inconsistent strokes.

Next, place the putter more in the palms than in the fingers. This differs from the full swing, where gripping in the fingers creates speed. In putting, we want stability. A palm-based grip helps quiet the wrists and keeps the hands working together.

Your hands should function as one unit, not independently. When you make your stroke, there should be no flicking or breakdown in the wrists. The movement should come from your shoulders, with your arms and hands simply guiding the putter along the intended path.

Here’s a quick checklist to refine your hold:

• ✅ Light, even grip pressure
• ✅ Putter rests more in the palms
• ✅ Hands sit squarely and level on the grip
• ✅ Wrists stay quiet throughout the stroke
• ✅ Arms and shoulders move as one connected unit

These fundamentals may feel different at first, but over time they build a stroke that holds up under pressure—on short putts, fast greens, and tournament rounds.

Drill: Grip Pressure Awareness Drill

Many golfers don’t realize just how much grip pressure affects the smoothness of their putting stroke—until they try this simple awareness drill.

Start by gripping your putter normally and making a few strokes while closing your eyes. Feel the tension in your hands, wrists, and forearms. Is there tightness? Are your fingers squeezing too hard? If so, take a deep breath, reset, and intentionally soften your grip.

Now try again—still with your eyes closed—but with a lighter hold. As you stroke the putter, focus on how it moves through the ball. Most golfers immediately notice a smoother feel, a better roll, and improved rhythm.

This drill helps train your awareness of tension—something that creeps in under pressure. Practicing this for just a few minutes a day can help you develop a more relaxed, consistent stroke that holds up when the heat is on.

Conclusion: Your Grip Is the Start of a Great Putting Stroke

If your putting stroke feels inconsistent or uncomfortable, don’t overlook the role your grip plays. It’s the foundation of every putt you hit. Whether you’re using a conventional, cross-handed, claw, or arm-lock grip, what matters most is that it helps you keep the putter face square and your stroke stable.

Take time to experiment with different styles, and focus on keeping your grip pressure relaxed. Tension is the enemy of feel and control. The right grip gives you both—along with the confidence to stand over short putts and trust your stroke.

Before your next round or practice session, start with your grip. It might be the smallest change that leads to the biggest improvement on the greens.

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Thanks for reading today’s article!

Nick Foy – Golf Instructor