Two thumb grip? Thoughts please

[TonyN]

After seeking out the pro for some putting lessons, he kinda refused to teach me for the time being because he says there isn't alot wrong. (why dont I make many putts)

What he did point out was that I dont have both thumbs on the grip, those that have seen me putt will know why but those that havn't, I hold the club correct with the right hand but the left hand cups it with the left thumb next to the right but on the edge of the grip.

The pro suggested buying a two thumb grip so I did and after he fitted it, I had a play around on the putting green, It felt comftable and it certainly suited my hands but I just didn't like it. If felt like I was putting with a paddle.

I have a wilson grip that is bigger than usual grips but nowhere near the size of the two thumb, I may try this.

Has anyone else tried one/got one?

Do they have a place in the game?

Would you consider one if need be or just point blank refuse and find another cure?

 

[dandpl]

hi Tony

I too have had fitted a two thumb grip and had the putter shortened as well as the logic of the grip(level shoulders) made sense to me but i now hold the club in a normal fashion and am very happy with it!

best of luck

dandpl

 

[TonyN]

Sorry I should of mentioned that I had the club cut down to 31 inches and the length is now much better!

 

[Junior]

Looking at a lag putt you made on the England -v- Scotland match you dont need that much practice mate!! (i think it was you in the clip)

I think its just down to practice, not looking for the putt as soon as you hit it and not having too many moving parts during the stroke. I remember a pro once saying (maybe Duval) that at the end of every practice session he would hit 50 consecutive 5 footers and if he missed one he would start again !! I think i'd be there for weeks !!!!

 

[TonyN]

I think I know the clip your on about and yes it was me!

Weeks? I would waste away before I made 10.

 

[Mike_j_golf]

Hi,
A lot of the time u are missing putts are they straight or are u just mis reading the break if u are missing a lot of straight putts there must be some flaw with your set up or swing.
Mike

 

[Imurg]

Be realistic about what you expect to hole. Watch a pro tournament and see how many 10 footers get sunk. Not as many as you'd think.
On the PGA Tour the average putts per round is about 30. The average approach shot is about 35 feet away. A pro would expect to 2 putt from there. I would suggest that you can too. If not right now then with a bit more practice.
How you hold the putter, at the end of the day, doesn't matter if you can get the ball in the hole - or near it.
If your pro says there's not a lot wrong then its down to practice, practice, practice. Don't get down on yourself if a 15 footer doesn't drop.

 

[TonyN]

I dont beat myself up about anything outside 6ft.

Ther pro was explaining to me about a bit in a book he read. Think it was Pelz's putting bible.

Anything inside 6ft you would expect to hole but anything just over it, you would expect to, but realistically its gonna be a 50/50 chance of making it.

I dont often 3 putt, but I dont often make many birdies because I dont convert alot from between 4-6ft. I let to many slip by the hole.

I know I am not a bad putter, I just want to be better. I have never been taught how to putt, its the only part of my game I have not received instruction on so I am wanting some do's and dont's.

 

[USER1999]

Don't miss the hole.

Do hole out.

Sorted.

I think you will find that the pros miss many 6 footers too. If you were missing lots of 2 footers, you would have a problem. I would never expect to hole everything from 6 ft and in.

Big putter grips are a no to me. Learn to hold the putter properly in the first place.

Do you miss left always? or is it spread around?

 

[CarpeDiem]

if u are missing a lot of straight putts there must be some flaw with your set up or swing.

I was missing straight putts right. My pro then asked if I putts to the right, I said yes. The soulution was that my hips were out of sync which forced the face of the putt open at impact, now I've sorted this i'm rolling them in from everywhere

 

[TonyN]

Learn to hold the putter properly in the first place.

According to the pro I dont hold the putter wrong, just uniqely. I have messed about with the grip a tad to bring the left thumb onto the grip more, I may try that.

I dont think I miss in a certain way alot, so guess its spread over.

 

[USER1999]

Ahh, but a unique grip isn't text book is it?

I would guess if you don't have a 'favoured' side to miss, then you just need more practice. Dull, but needs to be done.

 

[TonyN]

Ahh, but a unique grip isn't text book is it?

I would guess if you don't have a 'favoured' side to miss, then you just need more practice. Dull, but needs to be done.

Quite right but everyone is different murph. The way I hold my hands is ok, its just that the grip I am using is not wide enough.

Funnily enough, the grip was copied off/shown to me by, a good pal of mine who is a pro, so I know it can work, he is the best putter I have seen up close, it is why I copied it!

I will practice once I know what I need to practice.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Personally I don't like the two thumb putter grips and think they look horrible. That said if they work then I'm all for players getting the best out of their game.

I think some of the problem may come down to practice. How many on here spend more than a cursory amount of time on the putting green and yet will chip or go to the range and hit balls for ages.

I am usine the eyeline device

http://www.118golf.co.uk/scripts/prodview.asp?idproduct=201

This is brilliant for making sure shoulders are aligned and my head is properly over the ball. By putting tees in the end I can tell if my putter is open or closed through impact.

I've been trying to get at least 30 minutes per weekend on the putting green since the start of the year (not much but it will increase once the clocks change) and have a putting lesson lined up. I put the aid down and try and make 5 3 footers in a row focussing on my stroke and trying to rock the shoulders and keep the clubface straight through the line

 

[vig]

Tony
Think back to when you changed your grip from the cack handed.
Anything new feels wierd for a while.
If the pro recommended it, I would give it a little time. I would have thought that in time, it would be fine as the way you hold the putter now lends itself to a thicker grip.

The Bettinardi I leant the assistant pro now has a two thumb grip on. I've not got it back yet, nor have I tried it, but that lad can putt and he likes it.

 

[bobmac]

Homer, you'll soon have the chance to buy a V***y which will help you with the shoulder rocking

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Mmmmm might wait and see what my hours putting lesson throws up first. Not sure HID will stomach too many more practice aids coming through the door

 

[TonyN]

Dave, I hear ya mate, but it's coming off. I 3 putted 4 times today and 2 of those were from within....... Drum roll please ........ 6 ft! I had so many birdie chances today I turned to bogies because if the flat stick.

87 was the last card. It could have easily have been a 77.