Grip pressure on putts

[Bravo]

About two years ago, I underwent a grip change that included moving to a very very light grip pressure on all my clubs. At that time - I was a pretty good putter. If anyone asked what the strength of my game was - putting was it.

At that time, I held all my clubs including the putter with a moderate pressure. Then, when I lightened the pressure with the non-putter clubs, I lightened the pressure with the putter too. I guess it is force of habit. I barely hold on to the putter now. And I am getting worse results.

What are the theories on putter grip pressure?

 

[VtDivot]

I was playing last night with a kid (20 something) who was about a 20 HCP. He had a wide stance and a death grip on all of his clubs.

I told him to imagine he was a suggeon holding a scalpel, or an artist holding a brush. He ignored my advice

 

[MAHALLEDAY]

I use a moderate to heavy grip pressure on most clubs. My putter grip is far lighter than my other clubs though. I usually sqeeze teh grip tighly then release just prior to making my stroke. I find a light pressure helps feel.

 

[Farquod]

Crenshaw said that he holds the putter as lightly as he can while still maintaining control of the clubhead. So, not too light, but not so firmly that you lose the feel of the putter head during the stroke.

It stands to reason, therefore, that if you putt with a heavier putter--say like a 2-ball, for instance--your grip will be firmer than it would with a blade putter to get the same head feel.

I do hold my putter more lightly than my other clubs.

 

[Youngun5]

good question bravo, i use my natural ten finger grip while putting as opposed to the overlap with everything else, but i didn't even think of pressure, i might just have to toy with that, with this and bd's short put tip my putting game is getting an overhaul in the near future... to be continued....

 

[bdcrowe]

B-Man...

Tiger wrote that Harmon made him go to a putting grip that was ultra-light. Butch bought him a thing that went on his putter and beeped at him if he gripped more than a feather-touch. Tiger said when this feather-touch ingrained he started sinking everything. I'm not sure if this was feel vs. reality, but Tiger feels (felt?) that as light as controllably possible is(was?) the ticket.

 

[IrishGolfer]

If you are holding a "live snake" in your hands, would you fondle it with a light grip pressure, or would you try and squeeze the life out of it?

No venom is worse than facing a down-hill breaking putt, with the wind behind you on a fast green. If you miss then at least the white knuckles will show your brain that you at least put some effort into it.

Where's Spank? I need some advice on strengthening my grip again.

 

[obagain]

The easiest way to feel the proper pressure is to set up to the ball and squeeze the club tight, hold for a second then relax. As soon as you relax the grip start your swing, 9 times out of 10 you will use the proper grip pressure.

 

[Rockford35]

Leslie Nielson says you should grip the putter like you are trying to get toothpaste out of a crowbar.

But I really think it's a personal thing, like what brand of underwear fits you best. I use a light grip on my putter, especially on long putts. If you're white knuckling it, this causes pulls and pushes to be even more pronounced. And, I find it easier to direct the clubhead with a lighter grip.

Tiger and Phil are both great putters. And you can just tell by their hands that they are barely hanging onto that grip. I really think that a lighter grip will sink more putts or put you closer to the hole any day of the week.

R35

 

[Bravo]

I read about Crenshaw saying to barely hold on to it. Same for others.

All I know - is when I changed my putter grip pressure - I got worse.

I am probably doing something else wrong.

And yes when I played yesterday (alone) I drained three 20 footers and several other shorter ones.

 

[DaveE]

Tiger and Phil are both great putters. And you can just tell by their hands that they are barely hanging onto that grip. I really think that a lighter grip will sink more putts or put you closer to the hole any day of the week.
R35

I have tried, (don't laugh) for the last year to copy Tiger's putting stroke. I like the way his hands stay out it and the movement is all in the rotation of the shoulders.

Now that I've worked on it for a while I almost never decelerate or recoil on a putt. I still miss plenty though. I also like a light grip, it lets me feel the putter head better.

 

[obagain]

I need to stress to some as they are reading this that light pressure is good but make sure the club is not a wet noodle. You still have to control the putter and not let it control you.

 

[Bravo]

I need to stress to some as they are reading this that light pressure is good but make sure the club is not a wet noodle. You still have to control the putter and not let it control you.

I think the damn thing is a wet noodle. I gotta do something because this is broken.