When you swing a driver or an iron, there are some very specific guidelines on how you should hold the golf club. On the putting green, however, you can grip the club however you would like as long as you can repeat the stroke consistently.

There are certain putter grips that have become more well-known through the years. These grips allow golfers to keep the putter face square and get through the impact zone with ease.

Let’s take a look at 5 different types of putter grips and which one is best for your game.

Claw

Whenever I look at a golfer using the claw grip, the first thing that comes to mind is that they don’t know how to hold a putter. Of course, this isn’t true; this one just looks odd, like you have your hands mixed up.

However, Phil Mickelson even gave the claw a try when he won the PGA Championship. Phil has always struggled with putting consistency, especially on putts under 10 feet, and he seems to be a bit better once switching to the claw.

For this particular grip, you will hold your left in place at the top of the club with the thumb pointed down the shaft. Next, you will take your right hand and grab the club underneath with just the thumb and the index finger. The other fingers rest in the back.

The claw grip is undoubtedly not the most common option in the game, but it works well for those with hands that are not all that steady in their swing.

Pros

• It can help to calm hands and wrists
• Encourages more consistency in the stroke
• It proves to be effective on shorter putts

Cons

• It can be hard to get the hands in the correct position each time
• Not as great for arc style, putting stroke

Pros Who This Putting Grip Style: Justin Rose, Phil Mickelson

Best For: If you have a straight back straight through putting stroke and need more consistency, this is an excellent grip to try. If you think the claw putter grip may be for you, read our full guide on the claw putter grip here.

Cross Handed (aka Left Hand Low)

The cross handed putting grip can also be referred to as the left hand low. This is a common putter grip used to increase stability and decrease wrist action. Golfers on the PGA Tour use the cross handed grip often, and it’s an excellent option for amateur golfers to think about as well.

With the cross handed grip, things are kept pretty simple. Right handed golfers will have their right hand low on the club and the left hand up high. The fact that the hands are switched keeps your wrists from hinging and allows for more consistency.

The problem with the left hand low is that it can feel a little restrictive on longer putts. It can also take some time to figure out how to get the hands to work together during the putting stroke.

Pros

• Very simple putting grip style to learn
• Players can almost immediately switch to this without much learning curve

Cons

• This does not feel all that strong on longer putts
• It can be a bit restrictive

Pros Who This Putting Grip Style: Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson

Best For: The cross handed putter grip is best for those that have trouble with flipping their wrists in their golf putting stroke. If you want a more detailed cross handed putting stroke explanation, read our full article here.

Reverse Overlap

The reverse overlap is such a popular putter grip that it is actually called the conventional putter grip style. If you want to hold the putter like Tiger Woods, this is also the putter grip to consider.

When I play around with my putting stroke and experiment with different methods, the reverse overlap is always the easiest to get my hands into. This grip feels more natural than others and increases the ability to keep the putter face square.

For the reverse overlap, you will put your right hand on the bottom of the club in the typical position. When you grab the club with your left hand, put only the ping and ring finger on the grip and have the middle and index finger overlap your right hand.

Players will experiment with different exact locations of the fingers. The key is that the hands are slightly more connected and that there is less room for movement in the putting stroke. With the reverse overlap, you will also want to be sure you are not digging your fingers into the other hand.

This grip has a tendency to feel weak, but added grip pressure is certainly not going to help.

Pros

• Easy to get your hands in the right position
• Feels more controlled
• It can help eliminate excessive wrist motion

Cons

• Not as effective at working with unwanted wrist action as something like the left-hand low-putting grip

Pros Who This Putting Grip Style: Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy

Best For: If you know that your regular putting grip is not working, this is the best place to start. Use the reverse overlap for a few rounds and see if it does the trick to help make your putting stroke more consistent; it works for arc style and straight back straight through. If this putting stroke interests you, you can find out more here about the reverse overlap.

Arm Lock

I always find it funny when teaching about the arm lock that the two players who use this putting grip style are two golfers that can be considered quirky. Bryson Dechambeau is known as the scientist on the PGA Tour.

He analyzes and dissects things that most golf professionals would not worry about. However, he feels as though this helps his game. He uses the arm lock putting style as it is helpful in creating rigidity and consistency in this putting stroke.

If you have seen Keegan Bradley play, then you likely know how he is when it comes to pre-shot routines and movement on the golf course. The Arm lock putter grip style allows him to lock into place and take the shot.

Many golfers that use the arm lock putting stroke will use an extended length putter. However, depending on your height and the setup that is comfortable for you, you can use a standard-length putter with a longer arm lock grip.

To properly hold the putter in the arm lock style, you must have one arm extended almost completely down the grip, and then at the bottom, you will be able to grip the club in a reverse overlap way.

Essentially golfers look as though the left forearm has a putter grip pressing up against it for most of the putting stroke. As you can imagine, this creates a stable motion.

Pros

• Very consistent on shorter putts
• Allows players to stay more centered
• Does not feel weaker for long putts
• More calculated method of putting

Cons

• Need to put a new grip on your putter

Pros Who This Putting Grip Style: Keegan Bradley, Bryson Dechambeau

Best For: Golfers that are more calculated in their putting style and want to improve the number of putts they make inside 10 feet may want to give this one a try. Check out our full arm lock putting grip guide here.

Prayer Putting Grip

The prayer putting grip is a unique style where your hands are on both sides of the putter. The prayer putting grip helps decrease grip pressure for those who tend to add too much pressure when swinging the putter.

With the prayer putter grip, you will have one hand on one side of the shaft and the other hand on the other side of the shaft, with the hands facing each other. The thumbs and the index finger point straight down.

This is a funky grip to get used to at first.

When your hands are put on the club, you will notice that the grip pressure is reduced almost because you feel as though there isn’t a way to grab the club appropriately. This is, of course, the goal, but it does make it more difficult to feel stable in your putting stroke.

I have difficulty with the prayer putting grip on the golf course. When I’m practicing and working on different putting strokes, it always feels good, but translating on the golf course is hard. It feels like I need just a little more pressure in the hands and a little more traction to stay controlled.

Pros

• Golfers can reduce their grip pressure
• Easy to repeat the hand position each time as it is pretty simple

Cons

• The putter grip feels less stable
• It can be difficult on longer putts

Pros Who This Putting Grip Style: Matt Wallace

Best For: The prayer-putting grip is best for those that struggle with too much pressure in their hands and the grip. The only problem with this one is that it creates such a reduction in pressure in the hands that you will sometimes have difficulty controlling the club. Some players use this as a drill on the putting green to get used to the lighter pressure and switch to reverse overlap.

Brittany Olizarowicz

Britt O has been playing golf since the age of 7. Almost 30 years later, she still loves the game, has played competitively on every level, and spent a good portion of her life as a Class A PGA Professional. Britt currently resides in Savannah, GA, with her husband and two young children.

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Jim Furyk is living proof that an unorthodox golf swing can still lead you to success on the PGA Tour. You needn’t conform to the textbook approach because different golf swings may work better for you. In this post, I cover the main types of golf swings and the shots they produce.

I will discuss the hands and arms, closed coil, inside-out, outside-in, and single plane golf swings. Plus, I shall highlight the benefits and downsides of each setup to help you determine the ideal option for you.

The 5 Main Types of Golf Swings Movement

1. Hands & Arms Swing

If you initiate limited lower body rotation during your swing, it leads to a reliance on your hands and arms. This is known as the hands and arms swing. Although it can help you hinge the golf club and optimize club head speed, it exposes you to inaccurate shots.

The lack of hip turn typically results in golfers producing a steep angle of attack. This leaves you susceptible to topping your shot or a slice. Plus, it is difficult to bring your club onto its swing plane and can cause you to leave your clubface open at impact. That prompts left to right sidespin, inducing a slice.

Mark Crossfield explains that an amateur golfer hits better iron shots than woods with this swing. The steep angle of attack requires you to pick the clubhead up before impact to avoid hitting behind the ball.

When the ball position is forward in your stance with a driver swing, you might struggle to get the club on plane for impact. When you get your shaft is in position at the bottom of your downswing, the corrective action reduces momentum and power at impact.

Pros

• The additional time in the air generates increased clubhead speed
• Helps players remain centered during their swing
• Produces a high trajectory
• Suited to taller golfers
• Allows more freedom of movement

Cons

• Susceptible to topping your shot
• It is hard to control the clubhead at the top of the swing, sending it off plane.
• It can cause imbalance by shifting weight in the wrong direction at impact and on your follow-through.

2. Closed Coil Swing

I explained the mechanics of the closed coil golf swing in a previous post, so I will be brief. Simply put, this swing helps you maximize spring when you reach the top of the backswing, prompting optimal force on your downswing.

The additional speed generated when coiling promotes a superior coefficient of restitution (COR) at impact for optimal ball speed. Therefore you enjoy a consistent mid to high launch for improved yardage.

Unlike the hands and arms swing, the closed coil set-up demands optimal rotation of the hips to generate the necessary power. In addition, failure to coil sufficiently could lead your club off plane, resulting in an off-center strike.

Golf coach Dan Whittaker provides an informative visual breakdown explaining how to execute a closed coil swing.

Pros

• Optimizes power
• Suited to senior players as it carries less injury risk than other swings
• Promotes increased COR at impact.
• It makes it easy for casual golfers to get the club on plane for increased accuracy.
• Encourages rapid ball speed

Cons

• You need to maximize your lower body’s rotation to get your clubface square at impact.
• The clubhead’s at the top of your backswing can feel awkward. That may cause you to try and correct the path and come over the top.

3. Inside-Out Swing

The inside-out golf swing refers to the path your golf club journeys from takeaway through impact. Contrary to the closed coil swing, which focuses on hip rotation, this swing relies heavily on your torso.

On your takeaway, the combination of the rotation of your hips and upper body takes the clubhead inside. At the top of your backswing, shift your weight to your right shoulder and left leg. That prompts the clubhead to follow an outside path to the ball, with minor lag.

Producing sufficient rotation leads to a square or marginally closed clubface at impact. However, an off-tempo swing prevents you from bringing the club on plane when the shaft is parallel to the ground. As a result, you may angle the clubface incorrectly and prompt and slice or a hook.

Overall, the inside-out golf swing best suits those players looking to induce a draw or combat a slice.

Pros

• Promotes straighter ball flight
• Helps you hit a draw shape
• Delivers increased distance over an outside-in swing.
• Reduces the risk of a slice

Cons

• If your rhythm is off and you clear your hips too quickly, your clubface may close at impact and prompt a hook.
• Inadequate rotation can cause your clubface to remain open at impact leading to a slice.

4. Outside-In Swing

The outside-in-swing is commonly employed by amateurs and brings a host of risks. It reduces hip and shoulder rotation, lowering power at impact. Furthermore, it leads to you coming over the top and increases the risk of topping your shot.

In addition, the outside-in swing path may cause you to cut across your ball and generate right to left spin. That leads to a fade or a slice.

It is not the most efficient swing by any means. But, professional golfers may apply it when they are purposefully trying to hit a fade. Overall, there are more cons than advantages to using the inside-out golf swing.

Pros

• Perfect swing to purposefully hit a fade
• It can help you increase your clubhead speed

Cons

• Causes slices
• Reduces COR
• Leaves you at risk of topping your shots

5. One-Plane Swing

A single plane swing (aka the one-plane swing) is ideal for the average golfer looking to remove the complexities from their swing. Golfweek explains that a two-plane swing requires more wrists and hands work to optimize power. However, a one-plane swing sees your body work as a unit.

At the top of your backswing, your arms should remain on the same plane as your shoulders. In addition, your right foot must remain grounded for supreme stability.

The one-plane swing is easy for beginners because of the transition from the top of your backswing down. Since your shoulders and arms are level, you needn’t wait to lower the club. That means you can proceed with your downswing and shift your weight to your left foot the moment you reach the top.

Therefore, you enjoy a free-flowing swing rhythm that generates supreme clubhead speed and power on your downswing. That leads to optimal distance off the tee and on approach.

Another advantage of the one-plane swing is the consistency that it gives you. Whether you are swinging a wedge or a driver, you can repeat the same backswing and follow through for a clean strike. The only element that changes is whether you position the ball closer to your left foot or the center of your stance.

Pros

• Provides consistency
• Less complex than a two-plane swing
• Easier to keep the club on plane throughout the swing
• Designed to combat slices

Cons

• Keeping your left arm close to your chest can cause you to close the clubface before impact and hook your shot.

The Verdict…

After looking at the 5 main different types of golf swings, it is possible to make most of them work for you. While I suggest emancipating yourself from the hands and arms and outside-in swings, the rest are worth researching further.

If you are a senior player and need to reduce injury risks, I advise the closed coil golf swing. However, the inside-out swing is superb for accuracy and inducing a draw shape.

Finally, the single-plane setup enables you to grip it and rip it. It is a simple swing to replicate for improved ball striking, accuracy and distance.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years.

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