There's no single correct way to hold a putter. Unlike the full swing, where most good players use similar grips, putting grips vary widely, and many golfers find a new grip transforms their putting. The right grip helps you square the face, control the stroke and feel relaxed over the ball. Here are the main options and how to choose.
What a putting grip should do
- Keep the face square to the path through impact.
- Quieten the wrists, so the arms and shoulders control the stroke.
- Allow feel for distance.
- Feel comfortable and relaxed under pressure.
Most putting grips place the palms facing each other, with the grip running more up the palms than in the fingers, which reduces wrist movement compared with a full-swing grip.
Conventional reverse overlap
The lower hand is placed below the lead hand, and the lead hand's index finger overlaps the fingers of the trail hand.
- Pros: familiar, good feel for distance, works for most golfers.
- Cons: the dominant hand can take over, causing pulls and flicks under pressure.
- Suits: golfers who putt well and want a traditional feel.
Cross-handed (lead hand low)
The lead hand is placed below the trail hand, so a right-handed golfer has the left hand lower.
- Pros: levels the shoulders, keeps the lead wrist firm, reduces flicking.
- Cons: can feel awkward at first; some golfers lose feel on long putts.
- Suits: golfers who pull putts or whose trail hand dominates.
The claw
The lead hand holds the grip conventionally, while the trail hand sits on the side of the grip with the fingers pointing down the shaft or across it, in a pencil or claw shape.
- Pros: takes the trail hand's tendency to flick out of the stroke; encourages a shoulder-driven motion.
- Cons: can reduce feel for long putts; some golfers switch to conventional for lag putts.
- Suits: golfers with the yips or a twitchy trail hand. Read putting yips.
Arm-lock
A longer putter is used, with the grip pressed against the inside of the lead forearm. The lead arm and putter move as one unit.
- Pros: very stable face; reduces wrist action.
- Cons: needs a putter with extra length and loft; takes practice.
- Suits: golfers who want maximum stability.
Anchoring the putter against the chest or stomach is not allowed, but holding the putter against the forearm is permitted. Read conforming golf equipment rules and counterbalanced putters.
Palms facing (prayer grip)
Both hands are placed side by side on the grip, palms facing each other, with neither hand lower.
- Pros: balances the hands, squares the shoulders.
- Cons: less common, needs a larger grip for comfort.
- Suits: golfers looking for a neutral feel.
Comparing the grips
| Grip | Stability | Feel | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional | Medium | High | Most golfers |
| Cross-handed | High | Medium | Pulls, wristy strokes |
| Claw | High | Medium | Yips, dominant trail hand |
| Arm-lock | Very high | Medium | Wrist breakdown, yips |
| Palms facing | Medium | Medium | Neutral, balanced feel |
Grip size and pressure
Larger, thicker putter grips reduce wrist action and suit many golfers who struggle with a twitchy stroke. Thinner grips give more feel. Whichever you choose, keep pressure light and even. Read grip pressure.
How to test a new grip
- Gate drill: set two tees just wider than your putter head and hit putts through them. A good grip keeps the face square.
- Three-foot test: hole 20 putts from three feet with each grip and compare.
- Lag test: hit 10 putts from 30 feet and measure how close they finish.
- Pressure test: play putting games against a friend.
- Give it time: stick with a new grip for at least three or four weeks.
Read putting drills to stop three-putting.
Switching grips by distance
Some golfers use one grip for short putts and another for long putts, such as the claw inside 10 feet and conventional for lag putts. There's nothing wrong with this if it gives you confidence and consistency.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best putting grip?
The one that keeps your face square and feels comfortable under pressure. Test several.
Can a new grip cure the yips?
It often helps, especially the claw and arm-lock, but routine and mindset matter too.
Is the claw grip legal?
Yes. It's a hand position, not an anchored stroke.
The bottom line
Your putting grip should keep the face square, quieten the wrists and feel comfortable. If you pull putts or feel twitchy, try cross-handed, claw or arm-lock grips, and test them properly before deciding. For the rest of the stroke, read how to putt: fundamentals.