How to Grip a Putter

Putting is something that both beginner and longtime golfers can struggle with from time to time. The way you grip your putter may be one reason why you're having problems dropping putts. A poor or incorrect grip can cause you to mishit the golf ball, thus driving your putts too far to the left or right. Learning the proper way to grip a putter can be the first step to improving your short game and lowering your score.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Open up your weak hand (your left hand if you're right-handed) so that the palm is facing up toward the sky.

2. Lay the shaft of the putter in your palm so that the shaft is laying diagonally in your hand. In other words, the top of the shaft should be at your wrist below your pinkie. The putter should then extend out so that it crosses just below the midway point of your index finger.

3. Close your hand around the putter. When you do, your thumb should be laying flat on the shaft of the putter so that the tip of your thumb is point down toward the bottom of the club. Your pinkie, ring and middle finger should then wrap around the shaft of the club. Your index finger, however, should not be making contact with the shaft of the putter.

4. Open up your opposite hand. Then place your pinkie on that hand in between the webbing of your index and middle fingers of the hand holding the putter. Since the middle finger will be wrapped around the club, you'll be "interlocking" your pinkie and index finger. This will guide you as to where your strong hand should be while gripping the putter.

5. Wrap your strong hand around the shaft of the putter. When you do this, the bottom of your wrist should be laying over the tip of the thumb on your opposite hand (the thumb you positioned in Step 3). Make sure the thumb on your strong hand is laying flat on the putter and pointing straight down to the head of the club. The other fingers of your strong hand should mimic the fingers of your weak hand except that the index finger of your strong hand should wrap around the shaft of the putter.

Tips & Warnings

• Take time to practice your grip at home before you head out to the golf course. You need to be comfortable with your grip, otherwise you will have problems on the green. Remember that the way you grip the putter may be slightly different than how your friend grips his or her putter. Maybe he places the index finger of his strong hand somewhat differently than you do yours when holding the putter. Your grip needs to be right for you or else you'll be too worried about holding your putter instead of fully concentrating on your putt.

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