Putting grips are an integral part of your putting game as a golfer.
Holding the putter is essential when putting and making sure the angles are in line with what you require. Any issues in this regard will lead to an immediate impact on where the golf ball goes.
Along with having the right golf club grip, it’s also important to look at how you are holding the golf putter.
This includes looking at the best putting grip styles.
The best putting grip styles include the conventional putting grip, arm lock grip, the claw grip, and the left-hand low grip. In general, the right putting grip style is the one that works for your technique and stance.
Look into these details and compare the different putter grip styles to figure out what is best for your game.
This guide will look at the best putting grips, the different types of putting grip styles, and how to choose the best putting grip for your game.
What Is A Putting Grip Style?
A putting grip style refers to how a golfer holds the putter in their hands before playing a shot. There is a long list of styles a golfer can choose from including the arm lock grip, the claw grip, a traditional grip, and an arm lock with claw grip.
Each golfer is unique when it comes to selecting a putting grip style.
Some prefer the reverse overlay putting grip, while others want to go with an arm lock putting grip.
This is just as important as learning the ways for gripping a golf driver. Just like a golf grip without friction, it’s important to also hold a golf putter the right way.
Types Of Putting Grip Styles
1. Arm Lock
The arm lock putter grip refers to using the leading arm and pressing the handle of the golf putter against it for added stability. To use an arm lock putting grip style, it’s essential to have a longer golf shaft.
It’s the only way the top of the golf putter can be pressed against the leading arm while still making contact with the golf ball.
This is a common type of putter grip that is used by modern golfers with great effect.
Benefits of The Arm Lock Putting Grip
There are numerous advantages of using an arm lock putting grip in golf. These pros of arm lock putting grips stand out when a golfer is looking for increased stability in their putting.
The benefits include:
- Improved Stability
- Easier To Hit Straight
- Helps With The Speed Of The Putting
Cons Of The Arm Lock Putting Grip
There are issues with the arm lock putting grip style for those who are considering using this within their gameplay.
These negatives of the arm lock putting grip cannot be ignored.
The cons include:
- Requires A Different Putter
- Offers Less Feel Upon Impact With The Club Face
Who Uses The Arm Lock Putting Grip?
The arm lock putting grip is used by golfers such as Keegan Bradley and Bryson DeChambeau.
2. Broomstick
This is one of those putting grip styles the average golfer is not going to see out in the open. It is rare for golfers to want to take out a broomstick putter in golf as it is a separate investment.
The broomstick putter grip refers to having an elongated golf putter that is then pressed against the chest for support.
Similar to the arm lock putter grip, this one is going to rest against the chest rather than the leading arm.
Benefits of The Broomstick Putting Grip
There are advantages of using the broomstick putter grip as long as it is done the right way with the best broomstick putter on the market.
The benefits include:
- Increased Stability
- Reduces Requirement For Exaggerated Hip Movement
- Helps With A Taller Golf Stance
Cons Of The Broomstick Putting Grip
It’s not all positive with a broomstick putting grip style. You are going to have issues with the broomstick putter grip when you are using it on the golf course.
The cons are going to include:
- Less Power On Shots
- Requires A Separate Broomstick Putter
Who Uses The Broomstick Putting Grip?
The broomstick putting grip is used by golfers such as Bernhard Langer.
3. Arm Lock With Claw
When golfers are looking for as much stability in a golf shot as possible, they are going to look at robust putter grip styles that are going to make it easy to maintain a straight line on a shot.
It’s not easy putting with a more conventional putting grip, which is when golfers reset to using the arm lock with claw putting style.
This specific putting grip style requires all of the work to be done by the leading hand. The dominant hand rests on the putter grip and acts as a guide rather than offering power into the shot.
Benefits of The Arm Lock With Claw Putting Grip
There are advantages of using the arm lock with claw putter grip style. This putter grip style is commonly used by golfers that are not happy with the arm lock or claw putter grips separately.
The benefits include:
- Complete Stability
- Helps Remain In A Straight Line
- Eliminates Interference Of The Dominant Hand
Cons Of The Arm Lock With Claw Putting Grip
It is also important to note there are negatives of the arm lock with claw putter grip style.
The negatives are going to include:
- Limited Power On Shots
- Requires A Lot Of Practice
Who Uses The Arm Lock With Claw Putting Grip?
The arm lock with claw putting grip is used by Webb Simpson.
4. The Prayer
Imagine a scenario where you are praying and you bring your hands into the prayer setup. This is a common pose in various religions and it is something you are going to be aware of.
In general, the prayer putter grip style works with the same premise.
You are going to hold the golf putter with a prayer grip. This means the hands are going to be open and you are going to hold the shaft in between the two hands. This is done to add a bit of leverage into the golf shot while putting.
Benefits of The Prayer Putting Grip
There are pros of using the prayer putting grip style. This is a unique putting grip style and one you are going to have to work on while implementing it into your putting game.
The benefits include:
- A Consistent Golf Stroke
- Helps Maintain Balanced Power On Putts
- Makes It Easier To Time The Putt
Cons Of The Prayer Putting Grip
It is not always rosy when playing with the prayer putting grip. You are going to have to work on a few issues that might arise while using this type of putter grip style in golf.
The cons include:
- Feels Like The Golf Putter Will Fall
- Hard To Influence The Impact Of The Golf Ball
Who Uses The Prayer Putting Grip?
The prayer putting grip is used by Paul Dunne.
5. The Claw (Saw Grip)
This is one putter grip style that has been making the rounds for years and is commonly seen as a good option for those who want to stay away from a more conventional putting grip style.
What is the claw putting grip?
The claw putting grip refers to holding the golf putter by pinching the golf putter with your dominant hand (bottom hand). The top hand is going to be the guiding influence when putting with the claw grip style in golf.
Benefits of The Claw Putting Grip
Since this is such a common grip style in golf, it’s essential to understand how to use the claw putting grip and all that it entails.
Before you take out a golf putter, it’s important to know the advantages of the claw putting grip style.
The benefits include:
- Helps Hit The Ball Squarely
- Helps Optimize The Consistency Of Your Putting
Cons Of The Claw Putting Grip
When it comes to the negatives of a claw putting golf grip, it’s important to focus on how it impacts your game.
The negatives include:
- Requires A Bit Of Practice
- Can Feel Like The Golf Putter Is Loose In Your Hands
Who Uses The Claw Putting Grip?
The claw putting grip is used by many golfers including Justin Rose and Phil Mickelson.
6. Reverse Overlap
When using a golf putter, it’s important to always go back to the roots of the sport, which includes the traditional putting grip style.
The reverse overlap putting grip style is a classic option for most golfers. This type of putter grip style works by holding the golf club normally. This means both hands are fully on the golf putter as you would with any other golf stroke.
For a lot of golfers, this is the only option that’s viable and feels the most comfortable while putting on a golf course.
Benefits of The Reverse Overlap Putting Grip
This is one golf putter grip style that is going to work well for those who are particular about having as much control of the golf club as possible.
The benefits include:
- Full Stability With The Golf Club
- Less Stress On The Wrist
- Ample Support From Both Hands
Cons Of The Reverse Overlap Putting Grip
Why do some golfers not want to use the reverse overlap putter grip style? What is the reason that draws them toward other options in this guide?
The cons include:
- Too Much Wrist Influence
- This Can Lead To Inconsistency In Putts
Who Uses The Reverse Overlap Putting Grip?
The reverse overlap putting grip is used by a plethora of golfers including Jason Day and Tiger Woods.
7. Left-Hand Low
Before you take out a fang golf putter, it’s important to figure out what the left-hand low putting grip style is all about.
The left-hand low putter grip style is focused on having the left hand lower than the right hand while putting. In a conventional putter grip, you are going to have the right hand lower than the left hand.
However, this is going to be the opposite and you are going to push the left hand or the weaker hand lower.
Benefits of The Left-Hand Low Putting Grip
While this is an option only some golfers use, it is still advantageous in the eyes of those who want something different when choosing a putter grip style.
The benefits include:
- Helps Control The Backswing
- Ideal For Those Wanting More Control Near The Top Of The Club
Cons Of The Left-Hand Low Putting Grip
What are the issues with the left-hand low putter grip style?
The cons include:
- Can Reduce Power In The Putt
- Can Cause The Ball To Skew In One Direction
Who Uses The Left-Hand Low Putting Grip?
The left-hand low putting grip style is used by Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth.
Which Putter Grip Style Is Best For You?
The best putter grip style for you is one that helps improve your putting game. It should feel comfortable and you should be able to hit a consistent putt regardless of the environmental conditions and/or how far you are from the golf hole.
This includes the line of the putt and how you are managing to power it.
If there are issues with this, you are using the wrong putter grip style and it’s time to test others.
Take out your golf putter and begin working on this to figure out what is best. For those who are unsure, it’s always best to go with the traditional putter grip as it is the most common.
What Is The Best Putting Grip For A Straight Back Straight Through?
The best putting grip for a straight back straight through would be the claw putting grip. This is ideal as it offers guidance from the leading hand and ensures a straighter line on the putt.
This is why golfers such as Justin Rose and Phil Mickelson prefer this putting grip style over the others.
What Size Is Best For A Putter Grip?
The best size for a putter grip is around 1.75″ as this offers a more robust putter grip size. It’s important to note each golfer is different when it comes to choosing a grip size and making sure it feels comfortable while holding the golf putter.
Does Putter Grip Have To Be Straight?
Yes, a putter grip should be straight as this can influence the direction a golf ball goes in while putting. It’s best to have a straight putter grip as this will help maximize how the putter works.
Best Putting Grip Styles For Seniors
The best putting grip styles for seniors include the broomstick putter grip and the arm lock putting grip. This is due to it offering the most control without needing too much power to putt.
Senior golfers like these putting grip styles because there is a sense of consistency that comes along with the shots as soon as they are played.
Best Putting Grip Styles For Beginners
The best putting grip styles for beginners would be the conventional putting grip and the arm lock putting grip. These offer the most control and it’s easy to learn the reverse overlap or conventional putting grip for those who are doing it for the first time.
This eliminates the need to work on learning a new grip style.
Final Thoughts
These are the top putting grip styles to consider when working on your putting as a golfer.
The best putting grip styles for golfers include the reverse overlap grip, arm lock, claw, and arm lock with claw grip styles. These offer a good amount of control, consistency, and power for those who are putting on a golf course.
