Putting with the Palms?

[jambalaya]

I was told by a friend that when you grip a putter that you should make sure that the grip is in the palms of your hands opposed to wrapping your fingers around the club as you primarily do when swinging your other clubs. I tried this and at least for one round it seemed to work. I was able to keep the putter more steady I think. Is this correct? If so, why did I not know this for lo these many years?

[pgmetcalf]

Re: Putting with the Palms?

I've heard it said that there are only 3 personal clubs in the bag; the driver, the sand iron and the putter. You might not see why I just said that but the first 2 in the list are gripped, more or less, in the same way. The putter is not gripped like any other club - remember there are all kinds of putter designs and shaft angles. These may require a grip that is specific to that club e.g. a belly putter.

My putter has a short upright shaft, an off set putting face and a really thick grip, maybe over an inch or so wide. You can't really hold the putter in any other way except in the palms of your hands.

What you need to do is develop a comfortable grip that can be repeated time and time again. The hands must work together as a single unit without one overpowering the other and most players tend to try and reduce wrist action in the stroke.

The putting grip is the one thing golfers toy with most of all, but the grip is only part of the equation and it may not be that what is the problem. Most amatuers tend to flick at the ball (the putter face passing the hands before striking the ball) this is quite wrong. Like all golf shots the hands should lead the club face into the ball.

I tend to shove at the ball with my hands others rock their shoulders. I've tried rocking but it's a bit inconsistant for me and consistancy in golf is the name of the game. Remember you will probably end up changing your putting ever 6 months or so so whatever grip or putting method you chose try to make sure that the action is repeatable.

Paul

[jambalaya]

Re: Putting with the Palms?

Thanks for the reply. Believe it or not I have had the same putter for about 25 years. Not because I am a great putter but I am fairly comfortable with it. Some of the things that you mentioned concerning fundementals of putting have been affected by gripping with the palms. I find my putts are less "wristy" which I like. I have tried to accomplish this by just thinking about it and locking the wrists but the palm grip makes it easier. I plan to continue this approach and see what happens. It has helped so far.

[ffrwd1]

Re: Putting with the Palms?

I have recently been having a great deal of trouble with my putting. Your comment about "pushing" instead of "rocking" has been a great help, especially with my new 2 ball Odyssey.
Thanks

[pgmetcalf]

Re: Putting with the Palms?

I just think it's advantageous to stick with something that's comfortable. I always lead with the hands when I push towards the target and the hold the finish until the ball reaches the hole.

I've tried rocking the shoulder but I find it makes me swing "out to in" slightly. Incidently, when I put my shoulders do rock, it's impossible for them not to, but I always feel the first movement is from the hands rather than an upper body movement.