A lot of golf amateurs who have trouble putting all have one common denominator: they tend to grip the putter in the exact same manner as the other clubs in their bag, using an overlapping grip or an interlocking grip. These amateurs are uninformed for how important it is to hold the putter correctly for the best results.
Reverse Overlap Grip
For using the best possible grip when putting, try learning the “reverse overlap grip” which is a favorite with amateur golfers as well as Tour professionals. This type of grip will help keep the putter face perfectly square to the ark of your stroke. The face can then travel straight through and down the target line. This particular style grip, when applied correctly, will create consistency and muscle memory.
The reverse overlap grip promotes the palms of both hands to not only stay opposed, but to stay traveling down the intended target or putting line, which resists implementing a rotation in the wrists. It allows the hands to feel soft and relaxed when in this position as well as permitting the thumbs to lay flat on top of the grip with less stress, thereby allowing the clubs face to remain square to the target line.
Here is a very simple 4 step drill to using the reverse overlap grip…
Step 1: Take your putter and hold it upside down so that the bottom of the club is pointing towards the sky, and after placing both hands on the grip, your hands should be right in front of your face, kind of like holding a baseball bat before a swing.
Holding the club this way will allow you to see the proper set up for the reverse overlap grip. You should see that both your palms are facing each other and that the back of your top hand is facing the intended putt line. Your left index finger (FRH) will end up resting over top of the last three finger nails of the right hand. This overlap grip works well for chipping too.
If you try to find it by gripping the putter in its normal fashion, close to the ground, it may be too difficult to adjust your hands to. Once you have learned this technique through repetition and feel, you’ll grip it that way from now on.
Step 2: While your hands are in place on the putter your thumbs should be pointing down the top of the shaft at 12 o’clock and your index finger should be kept off for now.
Step 3: The next step is to make sure the fleshy part of your right hand is positioned against the back side of the grip, facing towards your target. So far, if you have correctly followed these instructions, all of your fingers should be neatly wrapped around the handle of your putter, except for your left index finger, which is still pointing at the ground as you place the club head on the grass.
Step 4: Finally, adjust your right hand by sliding it down the shaft until your left thumbnail is covered up. Both of your thumbs should be pointing straight down the shaft, and your left index finger will now overlap the last three finger nails of your right hand. In as little as one or two practice sessions, it will feel very comfortable and you’ll grip the club correctly from then on.
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 club face, which is obviously disastrous when you need a dead-on straight putt.
It will become your go-to grip under the many pressure putts and chips you experience throughout your round of golf.
Enjoy your day and share my tips with your friends…
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