Traditional or cross handed putter grip?

[NativeTxn]

What is everyone's preference? I've always used traditional (Right hand low for me as a righty), but recently I have toyed with going left hand low. I've played around with it some, but haven't determined for sure whether I want to commit to it. I've got one of my main putters set up for cross handed (SS XL 3.0 grip) and one set up for traditional with the Golf Pride Pro Only Blue on it. Obviously, I can always change the grips as some point if I want to, when I ultimately go with one or the other.

But, I was really just curious what other folks use and what you've found to be the pros and cons of each method.

[cnosil]

I putted left hand low for a while and now right hand low. Some people say short putting is better left hand low. Ultimately I would chose based on what helps you start the ball on line with you desired speed. Whichever you choose will impact your setup.

[NativeTxn]

I putted left hand low for a while and now right hand low. Some people say short putting is better left hand low. Ultimately I would chose based on what helps you start the ball on line with you desired speed. Whichever you choose will impact your setup.

Yeah, I fee like there are times when I’m practicing left hand low of my yard stick that I find myself using my arms too much instead of the larger muscles. I chalk much of that up to the fact that it’s a new approach for me and just need to get used to it.

I’ve been switching back and forth between my Toulon left low and my O Works right low and one “round” I hit more off the end of the yard stick with the o works and then later that day with the Toulon.

I too have found that left hand low seems to make the shorter putts a bit more consistent, but I feel like I have a harder time on longer putts and/or slower greens getting the power and distance control with left hand low. Again, could be more the new style and getting used to it, but definitely something I’ve noticed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[beelzeberto]

Cross handed feels so foreign to me, I've tried to get used to it but I pull to the left with that grip.

I switch between traditional right hand low and a right hand low claw grip.

[NativeTxn]

1 hour ago, beelzeberto said:

Cross handed feels so foreign to me, I've tried to get used to it but I pull to the left with that grip.

I switch between traditional right hand low and a right hand low claw grip.

I've noticed that at times with left hand low, I tend to pull it left too - even more than traditional when I'd close the face to quickly. Again, I'm assuming that a lot of that boils down to practice and trying to become more comfortable with cross handed.

I've also dabble with trying a claw grip. I feel like it's very helpful for me on shorter putts, but I've had the same issue as with cross handed as it relates to longer putts and distance control.

[Kenny B]

Tried left hand low for a few weeks about 4 years ago.  Not for me.

[DiscipleofPenick]

For the last few years I've used left hand low putting if I was off track. Let's say 3 or 4 rounds in a row with 35 putts. Then I would go to left hand low just to give myself a mental reset. However, this year I decided to go left low full time. I also cut my putter down to 32" and put the fattest grip Super Stroke makes on it. I have a very straight back and through stroke, so I really feel like left low helps to keep the face square through impact.

Take Dead Aim

[aerospace_ray]

23 hours ago, NativeTxn said:

What is everyone's preference? I've always used traditional (Right hand low for me as a righty), but recently I have toyed with going left hand low. I've played around with it some, but haven't determined for sure whether I want to commit to it. I've got one of my main putters set up for cross handed (SS XL 3.0 grip) and one set up for traditional with the Golf Pride Pro Only Blue on it. Obviously, I can always change the grips as some point if I want to, when I ultimately go with one or the other.

But, I was really just curious what other folks use and what you've found to be the pros and cons of each method.

For decades played traditional (right hand low/right hand golfer) but for about 3 years I switched to left low. While I had success I battled short putt pulls (<7 ft) at times and regardless if I were having a good putting round I never felt completely comfortable in my setup.

I recently switched back to the right hand low like I learned the game with and my putting stroke feels natural again. Every now and then I am tempted to go back to left low but I really don't want to get in habit of switching back and forth. Instead I just try to take my time and get my read correct use what feels more natural in my setup which is right hand low. 

[dhartmann34]

I've putted crosshanded since 1999. I think I saw fred couples doing it and I never looked back. I find it keeps my hands out of the stroke. Putting the other way is so awkward these days.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

[GolfSpy AFG]

I experimented with left-hand low after watching Billy Horschel march through the FedEx Cup playoffs in 2014, and I haven't looked back.  Now, a traditional grip feels extraordinarily odd to me.  

For me, it has the effect of pulling my left shoulder down and into a better setup position, making it much easier to start the ball on line.

[HeathS16]

For me, being naturally left-handed but playing golf right handed, I love the left hand low grip. I feel much more in control and my speed is much more consistent. I have noticed a slight tendency to pull left or set up pointing left if I’m not paying attention.


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[Kenny B]

As a RH putter, I use my RH to dominate the putt.  I wouldn't say it's RH low; my hands are fairly even but my RH is a little lower.  I practice putts 5 feet and in using only my RH, maintaining a cupped right wrist.  My LH is along for the ride, basically to steady the putter on longer putts.

[Middler]

I’ve always putted traditional, but I wouldn’t rule out cross handed if I ever get totally lost putting. Even when I’ve gotten off track putting traditional, it’s always traced back to not keeping my wrists still, using arms instead of shoulder pendulum, or rushing back and thru. The more relaxed and smooth I am, the better I putt.

Putting, like most aspects of golf, hinges largely on what YOU believe works - that’s never going to be one size fits all IMO.

[MattF]

I tried left hand low and just couldn't make it work, so I'm a traditional.

[PingMD702]

Cross hand all day, every day! When I started playing golf I am a right hander that putt left handed (yes, yes I know its strange haha). I finally decided to make the switch to right handed because the selection of putters is quite abundant compared to the lefty option. I tried to go the traditional grip for right handers but can't seem to get the touch and speed down. It all seemed to click when I went back to my roots. 

[Haro]

I’m conventional style.  I did putt cross handed for 3 years during time Spieth was good but switch back to conventional 

I would use my shoulders “power” the long putts With short Putts I stand closer to the ball I use my trail arm mostly to tap push instead of my shoulders.   For a while I tried the Lydia Ko method , conventional grip for long putts and cross handed for short putts but I didn’t feel right and I just stick to conventional 

 

appedulum. Just an after thought day afterwards I usually putt with a flow neck putter.  During the period I was putting crosshanded. I was trying a plumbers neck and I  felt more confident with crosshanded for some reason.    When ever I take out the anser ping from my basement it still feels more comfortable crosshanded than traditional.  Maybe it’s a putter specific thing for me

Edited October 11, 2020 by Haro

[doctorgriffo]

I tried left hand low at home on the practice mat, and while it felt weird and uncomfortable the ball rolled really well. I tried it out on the course and could never get comfortable, and as others mentioned, tension is a killer and I pulled everything.

For 35 years I gripped the putter with an overlap, traditional grip because it felt normal. In the last couple of months, I have tried out a baseball-style grip with the putter: index finger of my left hand barely touching the little finger of my right. For some reason, this totally stabilises my hands and takes any wrist out of the stroke. Using a training gate, my putts start on line far more often for putts of all lengths. Setting the gate on my chosen start line on the practice green has, however, revealed how crap I am at reading greens....

[jp0319]

I use a traditional grip, though I have flirted with the idea of a "claw" grip and a reverse grip but I cant do the reverse grip at all, the "claw" grip is something I may try at some point on the course.

[Stopher]

On 8/29/2020 at 12:42 PM, NativeTxn said:

Yeah, I fee like there are times when I’m practicing left hand low of my yard stick that I find myself using my arms too much instead of the larger muscles. I chalk much of that up to the fact that it’s a new approach for me and just need to get used to it.

I’ve been switching back and forth between my Toulon left low and my O Works right low and one “round” I hit more off the end of the yard stick with the o works and then later that day with the Toulon.

I too have found that left hand low seems to make the shorter putts a bit more consistent, but I feel like I have a harder time on longer putts and/or slower greens getting the power and distance control with left hand low. Again, could be more the new style and getting used to it, but definitely something I’ve noticed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm the same.  I tried it for a while, and made more from 4-10 ft, but 3 putted more, because I couldn't get speed right from long distance.  Was all over the place.

For a right handed golfer, the pace/power/feel comes from right hand in a right hand low, so moving the whole angle of right hand changes all the feel.  I could never make the low hand left take over the feel and control. 

[cnosil]

1 minute ago, Stopher said:

For a right handed golfer, the pace/power/feel comes from right hand in a right hand low, so moving the whole angle of right hand changes all the feel.  I could never make the low hand left take over the feel and control. 

That is a generality; each individual chooses what powers the stroke.  Even with a traditional grip,  you can power the stroke with your left arm.   Anyone that uses the claw grip has chosen to let the left arm do the work

[CarlH]

13 hours ago, Stopher said:

I'm the same.  I tried it for a while, and made more from 4-10 ft, but 3 putted more, because I couldn't get speed right from long distance.  Was all over the place.

For a right handed golfer, the pace/power/feel comes from right hand in a right hand low, so moving the whole angle of right hand changes all the feel.  I could never make the low hand left take over the feel and control. 

As @cnosilpoints out, not true for everyone, particularly me!  One of the drills my instructor has me work on is to keep a ball in my right hand during putting and chipping, both designed to minimize the effect the right hand has in the stroke.  Taking the right hand out of my putting stroke and my chipping stroke has been a lightbulb moment for my game.   And, yes, I use a traditional grip for both.

[Stopher]

7 hours ago, CarlH said:

As @cnosilpoints out, not true for everyone, particularly me!  One of the drills my instructor has me work on is to keep a ball in my right hand during putting and chipping, both designed to minimize the effect the right hand has in the stroke.  Taking the right hand out of my putting stroke and my chipping stroke has been a lightbulb moment for my game.   And, yes, I use a traditional grip for both.

I couldn’t find it last night. Took more searching today. This what I was referring to.  An old article with stuff from Dave Stockton.  it fit for me.  I putt almost as good with my right hand as I do with both.  I guess I take stuff from someone like Stockton as gospel, but that’s me.
 

https://golftoday.co.uk/dave-stocktons-all-time-top-ten-putting-tips/

[cnosil]

42 minutes ago, Stopher said:

I couldn’t find it last night. Took more searching today. This what I was referring to.  An old article with stuff from Dave Stockton.  it fit for me.  I putt almost as good with my right hand as I do with both.  I guess I take stuff from someone like Stockton as gospel, but that’s me.
 

https://golftoday.co.uk/dave-stocktons-all-time-top-ten-putting-tips/

That is what Stockon teaches.  Pelz would teach you shoulders dominate;  Tiger would be right hand, Rory (and any claw grip player) would be left hand, and  Stan Utley would be passive shoulders and both arms.   They are all methods and any of them will work for you.   You find that you use the right arm and I am not saying that it isn't right for you but it may not be right for everyone.  It is like the theory that eyes should be over the ball.   Or that you should have a stance that is square to the line.   Or that you should hold the putter using a particular grip.    Ultimately, they are all acceptable methods. 

[MNUte]

I've tried both and found that neither is particularly advantageous over the other. And both have the same miss of a pull.

What I've found to be more important for me is having my left elbow out and pointing along my stroke path. That way my arms and hands are less active and I get a far more consistent and straight pendulum motion.

[wely324]

Right hand low claw grip, and the putter was one of the strongest clubs in the bag this past summer.

[BIG STU]

I have been putting claw grip style for close to 2 years now. On my Scotty I use a SS 3 XL which overall helps balance that putter. But on my Vintage Ironmasters I use the the traditional stock sized leather wrapped grips and putt about as good. Now this is funny I can putt pretty decent Left hand low with one putter and that is one of my Bulls Eyes. Go figure all of that