Is the Cross Hand Putting Grip Best?

The cross hand putting grip, also known as the left hand low grip, has gained considerable attention in the golfing world. This technique involves positioning the dominant hand lower on the grip than the non-dominant hand, which can offer improved stability and control during putting. Many professional golfers have adopted this method, but is it the best option for you?

To determine whether the cross hand putting grip is the ideal choice, it’s crucial to understand its benefits and drawbacks. This involves comparing it with other widely-used putting grips and examining the successes of popular golfers employing this technique. Additionally, one should consider important factors like their personal preferences, skill level, and typical challenges they encounter on the greens.

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Key Takeaways

The cross hand putting grip can offer stability and control during putting.
Determining its suitability involves assessing its pros and cons and comparing it with other popular grips.
Consider personal preferences, skill level, and common challenges when choosing a putting grip.

Understanding the Cross Hand Putting Grip

The Cross Hand Putting Grip, also known as the Left-Hand Low grip, is a popular alternative putting method in golf. In this grip, your left hand is positioned lower on the grip than your right hand, contrary to the conventional putting grip. This grip has gained popularity among both amateurs and professionals for its potential advantages in stability and alignment.

One of the primary benefits of using a Cross Hand Putting grip is that it promotes better alignment in your putting stroke. Since alignment is a crucial aspect of successful putting, having a grip that naturally helps you line up your putter with your desired target can be a significant advantage. This improved alignment is primarily due to your left shoulder being slightly lower at address,

Benefits of Cross Hand Putting Grip

The cross hand putting grip, also known as left-hand low, has several benefits that can significantly improve your putting game. When using this grip, you’ll notice some improvements in your alignment, control, and consistency.

One of the main advantages of the cross hand putting grip is better alignment. This type of grip makes it easier to square your shoulders at address position, which can be quite helpful if you typically have an open shoulder (left shoulder open). Having a proper alignment is a key element for better putting, as it ensures that your putter is correctly lined up with the target.

Another benefit of the cross hand putting grip is improved control. By placing your lead hand lower on the grip, you can prevent the trail hand from taking over during the putting stroke. This allows for finer control of the putter and prevents the wrist from breaking down, thus leading to a smoother and more consistent stroke.

In addition, the cross hand putting grip can help in maintaining even shoulder levels. When using this grip, your left shoulder will be slightly lower at address, as your left hand reaches lower on the grip. This helps keep the shoulders more level and parallel left of the target line, ensuring a more consistent stroke.

By incorporating the cross hand putting grip into your practice, you can fine-tune your putting skills and achieve a higher level of consistency, control, and alignment in your game. Moreover, many professional golfers have adopted this grip style, further proving its effectiveness in boosting putting performance.

Drawbacks of using Cross Hand Putting Grip

While the cross hand putting grip, also known as left-hand low, offers some advantages in stability and alignment; it’s essential to understand its drawbacks before deciding whether it’s the best grip for your putting technique.

One significant drawback of using the cross hand putting grip is the challenge it can pose for long-range putts. You may find it difficult to generate enough power for these rarer but essential shots. Adjusting to this grip style might require working on your putting strength to compensate for this limitation.

Another potential disadvantage is that switching to the cross hand putting grip can initially cause discomfort and awkwardness for some golfers, especially if they have used a traditional grip throughout their golfing career. This discomfort might impact your confidence and concentration on the green until you adjust to the new grip.

Even though professional golfers like Jordan Spieth and Jim Furyk have found success using the cross hand grip technique, it might not work for everyone. It’s essential to keep in mind that finding the best putting grip is subjective and varies according to individual preferences and adaptability.

In conclusion, while the cross hand putting grip offers certain benefits, it does come with its drawbacks. It might be worth testing this grip on the practice green to see if it suits your style and improves your putting performance.

Comparing Cross Hand Putting Grip with Other Grips

Standard Grip

The Standard Grip is the most traditional and widely used grip in golf. With this grip, you place your dominant hand (right hand for right-handed golfers) lower on the grip and your non-dominant hand above. The advantage of the standard grip comes from its simplicity and familiarity for most golfers. However, it may lead some players to have a more dominant hand controlling the stroke, which can create inconsistencies in the putting motion.

Claw Grip

The Claw Grip is an alternative putting grip that has gained popularity among professionals and amateurs alike. To use the claw grip, place your non-dominant hand in a standard position on the grip while your dominant hand adopts a pencil-like hold. This grip style minimizes the influence of the dominant hand in the putting stroke, promoting a more consistent pendulum motion. Yet, the claw grip may feel awkward at first and require some time to get comfortable with.

Palm-to-Palm Grip

The Palm-to-Palm Grip focuses on aligning both palms facing each other on the putter grip. To achieve this grip, hold the club with extended thumbs and the palms parallel to the club face throughout the stroke. The palm-to-palm grip promotes smoothness in the stroke and good alignment, moving the focus to shoulder rotation rather than wrist action. However, this grip can be challenging to achieve proper hand placement and may result in a loss of touch and feel on longer putts.

Saw Grip

Lastly, the Saw Grip is another alternative putting grip that emphasizes reducing wrist movement during the putt. With this grip, you position your dominant hand in a way that the thumb and index finger rest on the side of the putter grip, resembling a saw handle. The saw grip helps to maintain the angle between the lead forearm and the putter shaft, offering increased stability and consistency in the stroke. However, it can be difficult for some golfers to adapt to, and the unusual hand position might take time to feel natural.

While the Cross Hand Putting Grip offers benefits in alignment and shoulder levelness, it’s essential to experiment and find the putting grip style that works best for you. Each grip has its advantages and challenges, and ultimately, your success on the greens comes down to personal comfort and confidence with the grip you choose.

Popular Golfers Using Cross Hand Putting Grip

Several professional golfers have found success with the cross-hand putting grip. This can be reassuring when you’re considering making the switch. Let’s explore a few examples of successful golfers who have adopted this unique grip.

Jordan Spieth: As one of the most renowned golfers in recent years, Spieth has showcased his ability to excel with the cross-hand putting grip. His is often praised for his exceptional putting technique, allowing him to maintain consistency and accuracy throughout his rounds.

Jim Furyk: Another successful golfer using this grip, Furyk has had a long and fruitful career. The cross-hand grip helped him to improve his putting and keep those crucial strokes under control. It’s worth noting, however, that Furyk switched to this grip midway through his career, proving it’s never too late to try something new.

Padraig Harrington: A three-time major champion, Harrington is another avid user of the cross-hand putting grip. He has experienced significant success with it, helping to solidify his putts on critical shots, and it has become a staple of his game.

When considering the cross-hand putting grip for yourself, it’s essential to compare your own putting style to these golfers. Each golfer’s unique swing and technique will influence how effective the cross-hand grip will be for them. By experimenting with and practicing the cross-hand grip, you can determine whether it’s the best fit for your putting style. Just remember, even successful golfers took time to adapt to this grip style and reap its benefits.

Important Considerations When Using Cross Hand Putting Grip

When trying the cross hand putting grip, there are a few important factors to consider in order to maximize its benefits and improve your performance:

Alignment: One of the main advantages of the cross hand putting grip is its potential for better alignment. Ensuring your putter’s alignment is accurate is crucial, as a misaligned putter will negatively impact your putting stroke, regardless of how well-executed it is.
Setup: The cross hand grip involves switching your hands on the putter if you are a right-handed golfer, which entails using left hand low, and vice versa for left-handed golfers (right hand low). Proper setup of your grip will enable you to achieve a more consistent putting stroke and enhance the benefits of the cross hand grip.
Putter Control: The cross hand grip can provide better control over the putter, allowing for a more precise and accurate stroke. By feeling the clubhead more easily, you can achieve greater control, particularly on challenging long lag putts. However, it’s essential to practice and become comfortable with this new grip to experience improved control.
Different Grip Styles: Though the cross hand grip may be effective for some golfers, it’s crucial to remember that various putting grip styles may work better for different individuals. Experimenting with different styles such as the traditional reverse overlap grip, the pencil grip, or the claw grip could ultimately lead to finding the best grip style that helps you sink more putts.

In summary, when using the cross hand putting grip, focus on proper alignment, setup, and control of the putter. Additionally, don’t be afraid to try other grip styles to find the one that best suits your game.

Techniques to Master Cross Hand Putting Grip

To excel at cross hand putting grip, follow these key techniques:

Grip it correctly: To grip the club cross handed, simply place your left hand below your right hand on the putter grip if you are a right-handed golfer, and vice versa for left-handed golfers. Make sure your hands are pressed together firmly, with your thumbs pointing straight down the grip.
Align your shoulders: Proper shoulder alignment is crucial for accurate putting. Initially, your left shoulder (for right-handed golfers) might be slightly lower due to the grip change. To correct this, move the ball forward in your stance, which will help level out your shoulders and improve your stroke.
Focus on alignment: One of the main benefits of the cross hand putting grip is the improved alignment it offers. By placing your dominant hand lower, you can better align your putter face with the target line. Additionally, it helps to square up your shoulders, ensuring your stroke stays on track.
Maintain a pendulum-like stroke: The cross hand grip naturally encourages a smooth, pendulum-like stroke by minimizing excessive wrist action. Keep your wrists steady throughout the stroke and let your shoulders do the work, moving smoothly back and forth.
Practice consistently: One of the most effective ways to master this grip is to practice regularly. Dedicate time during your practice sessions to work on your cross hand putting, gradually adjusting your stance, grip, and alignment until you feel comfortable and confident with your stroke.

By following these techniques, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the cross hand putting grip and potentially improving your putting performance on the green.

Answering Common Queries on Cross Hand Putting Grip

When considering whether the cross hand putting grip is best for you, it’s essential to understand the benefits and limitations of this technique. Let’s address some common questions that arise when golfers consider using the cross hand putting grip.

Why do golfers choose the cross hand putting grip?
Golfers often adopt the cross hand putting grip, also known as left hand low, because it offers increased stability in their putting stroke. The key takeaway with this grip style is that your putting becomes more aligned, enabling better results on the green.

What is the best putter grip for cross hand putting?
Finding the ideal grip for cross hand putting can be a challenge, as many grips are designed for traditional putting styles. Some players prefer the Ultra Slim 1.0 grip due to its reverse taper, which works well for cross-handed putters. Additionally, ensure the grip you choose complements your putting style and feels comfortable in your hands.

How does the cross hand putting grip help with alignment?
One of the fundamentals of improving your putting is alignment. With the cross hand putting grip, your left arm and putter form a straight line, helping you make a more accurate and better-aligned stroke. This enhanced alignment is just one of the many benefits of using this grip.

Are there any limitations to the cross hand putting grip?
While the cross hand putting grip offers several benefits, it might not be suitable for every golfer or every situation. It’s essential to practice and determine if your putting stroke and overall performance genuinely improve with the cross hand grip. Evaluate whether this grip style suits your individual needs and preferences before fully committing to it.

Ultimately, the decision to use the cross hand putting grip rests with you. Test out this method, weigh the benefits and limitations, and watch to see if your putting performance improves.