Claw grip for putting

[delc]

I noticed that the top two players in the Honda Classic, Adam Scott and Sergio Garcia, were both using the claw putting grip, and their putting looked very good. I have been using a similar grip for the last 15 years after getting the yips. Using an oversized grip I can now putt acceptably well with the conventional reverse overlap grip again, but my putting is just better with the claw grip, so I am not going to change back. I am just wondering if the claw grip isn't the best way to putt, even if you don't have the yips. It seems very steady and takes out any right hand twitchiness.

 

[One Planer]

I noticed that the top two players in the Honda Classic, Adam Scott and Sergio Garcia, were both using the claw putting grip, and their putting looked very good. I have been using a similar grip for the last 15 years after getting the yips. Using an oversized grip I can now putt acceptably well with the conventional reverse overlap grip again, but my putting is just better with the claw grip, so I am not going to change back. I am just wondering if the claw grip isn't the best way to putt, even if you don't have the yips. It seems very steady and takes out any right hand twitchiness.

Each to their own Del.

I would argue that Steve Stricker and Jordan Speith who both use a more conventional grip and lead the strokes gained putting stats on the PGA Tour are better putters.

Sergio Garcia and Adam Scott are 146th and 50th respectively in the same category.

As I say, each to their own. if it works great, but it won't be for everybody

 

[Vardon11LDN]

I recently had a spell with the pencil grip which is very similar to the claw and whilst it started off ok I found myself getting very twitchy over short putts. I have gone back to reverse overlap and that feels better. Strange what works for does not always work for others.

 

[delc]

Each to their own Del.

I would argue that Steve Stricker and Jordan Speith who both use a more conventional grip and lead the strokes gained putting stats on the PGA Tour are better putters.

Sergio Garcia and Adam Scott are 146th and 50th respectively in the same category.

As I say, each to their own. if it works great, but it won't be for everybody

I understand that Jordan Spieth putts left hand below right and looks at the hole rather than the ball for shorter putts, so he is hardly conventional! :mmm:

 

[One Planer]

I understand that Jordan Spieth putts left hand below right and looks at the hole rather than the ball for shorter putts, so he is hardly conventional! :mmm:

People who have a conventional grip also have quirks Del.

Brant Snedekers 'pop' stroke. Phil Micklesons exaggerated forward press. Speiths looking at the hole is no different.

Point being Del is hands are placed on the grip in a conventional manor, albeit left below right.

FWIW, Steve Stricker is #1 SGP with a conventional grip

David Toms, who is hardly the spring chicken on tour, is currently 7th SGP. Conventional grip.

I see your point in that it works for you and some tour pros. The reverse is also true about the conventional grip with other players, myself included.

 

[garyinderry]

Widely held view is that sergio hasn't won a major due to his putting . Claw grip hasn't changed that.


Do what you feel is best for you.

 

[delc]

I recently had a spell with the pencil grip which is very similar to the claw and whilst it started off ok I found myself getting very twitchy over short putts. I have gone back to reverse overlap and that feels better. Strange what works for does not always work for others.

I guess that my grip is more pencil than claw. I run my right fore finger down the front of the grip, with my middle finger against the exact centre line behind the grip and my other two fingers reinforcing that. Originally I had two fingers on top of the grip and my third finger down the back, but that could get a bit wobbly on longer putts. Essentially you are putting left handed, but using your right hand to steady the grip and give a bit of feel. I also tried putting left hand below right, but found it very difficult to get any feel for distance.

 

[Foxholer]

I noticed that the top two players in the Honda Classic, Adam Scott and Sergio Garcia, were both using the claw putting grip, and their putting looked very good. I have been using a similar grip for the last 15 years after getting the yips. Using an oversized grip I can now putt acceptably well with the conventional reverse overlap grip again, but my putting is just better with the claw grip, so I am not going to change back. I am just wondering if the claw grip isn't the best way to putt, even if you don't have the yips. It seems very steady and takes out any right hand twitchiness.

To me, what (and all) this indicates is that the claw (or pencil) grip is a pretty good way to improve a dodgy/yippy putting stroke!

I'll stick with my interlock with a medium-large grip thanks! Though I tried a (skinny-gripped) putter I haven't used for nearly 15 years yesterday - and it worked rather well!

 

[fundy]

2 dodgy putters desperately searching for something that allows them the rewards their ball striking should be getting, both getting by but nothing better with it as yet. Hardly evidence its the best way to putt is it

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I'm guessing there are loads of players using the claw grips winning the majors etc then.

It's a grip that is supposed to help poor putters but Garcia is proof that it isn't the greatest under pressure and Scott won at the weekend because of his iron play into the greens

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Both of those players were at the top because they were better tee to green than anyone else and their putting is still shaky. Scott still has a problem from close range, it has always been his problem even with the long putter and Sergio didn't hole anything of note all weekend.

I haven't seen anything in either of their putting strokes to suggest they are better than anyone else on a consistent basis but they are doing what is best for them, not what is necessarily best.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

McIlroy has changed to the left hand below right method for the WGC - will be interesting to see how he gets on

 

[delc]

When I changed from conventional reverse overlap putting grip to claw grip, my average number of putts per round dropped from about 40 to about 32, and I am not the best chipper or reader of greens in the World.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

When I changed from conventional reverse overlap putting grip to claw grip, my average number of putts per round dropped from about 40 to about 32, and I am not the best chipper or reader of greens in the World.

Well done, but what does that prove?

 

[HawkeyeMS]

McIlroy has changed to the left hand below right method for the WGC - will be interesting to see how he gets on

He is low on confidence with the putter. If he misses a few early on it will be interesting to see what he does

 

[Deleted member 15344]

He is low on confidence with the putter. If he misses a few early on it will be interesting to see what he does

I hope he gets a few in the hole early be aus then we could see fireworks

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I hope he gets a few in the hole early be aus then we could see fireworks

Indeed, if he can find some form on the greens I don't think many can touch him

 

[delc]

He is low on confidence with the putter. If he misses a few early on it will be interesting to see what he does

Unfortunately the game of golf comes in two halves. First of all golf itself, which is a 3-dimensional ball game played through the air, followed by putting, which is a 2-dimensional ball game played on a flattish prepared grass surface. Putting can be a game in its own right! I have always thought that putting is a too important part of golf, hence my campaign for a (slightly) bigger hole. There are plenty of superb strikers of a golf ball who are poor putters, and therefore have no chance of competing at the top level. Such people become trick shot artists or teaching pros, or move into another sport or occupation altogether!

 

[JustOne]

Delc

All this talk of winning majors.... do you think you're in with a shout of winning one?..... NO

So putt how you want to, whatever is comfortable.

I was using the same grip as Segio before he even used it AND it seems he also does the same as me when it comes to longer putts (switches to a conventional grip). I do that as I find it easier to judge the pace of longer putts with a conventional grip. I'd say I use the other style from 20ft and in depending on the putt.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Unfortunately the game of golf comes in two halves. First of all golf itself, which is a 3-dimensional ball game played through the air, followed by putting, which is a 2-dimensional ball game played on a flattish prepared grass surface. Putting can be a game in its own right! I have always thought that putting is a too important part of golf, hence my campaign for a (slightly) bigger hole. There are plenty of superb strikers of a golf ball who are poor putters, and therefore have no chance of competing at the top level. Such people become trick shot artists or teaching pros, or move into another sport or occupation altogether!

And there is it - it didn't take long for the bigger holes to be involved