Three Well Known Putting Grips

Given that putting is often considered a game within a game, it is appropriate that a little playing around with the accepted wisdom is allowed here. No one is going to stand opposite you, studying your grip on the greens; well I am sorry this will not do, as they might if they spotted something awry on a shot from the tee.

Orthodox Grip

This grip is used by most players from tee to green. Perhaps there are working on the principle that it took them long enough to feel comfortable with this method without trying to get used to another one. Alternatively, they may have decided that if it is working from tee to green, they should use it on the green as well. There is certainly an obvious logic to using an orthodox grip.

Reverse Overlap

What every golfer is after is the feel of the hands being in control of the putter head. Instead of the left index finger forming an interlocking grip, many players find that by placing it over the fingers of the right hand, as here, they can achieve this feel, because the grip is now less rigid. This is perhaps the most popular method of all and one used by a number of top professionals.

The Langer

The third one illustrates what can only be described as the Langer method. It may look interesting, but be warned; the German only alighted on this drastic solution after three bouts of the putting yips and following experiments with various other methods. Langer now uses a long handled putter.

With your weight on the left side, accelerate the club head down into the sand, making sure that the leading edge of the club face makes contact with the sand first. Depending on how deeply the ball is buried, the resistance of the sand will prevent a full follow through. The ball will come out low, fast and with little spin. Consequently, it will roll a long way once it hits the green, so plan the shot carefully.